Psychology at Saint Louis University

Saint Louis University's psychology graduates start modestly at $34,295 but see impressive momentum, with earnings jumping 41% to reach $48,468 by year four—the kind of growth trajectory that distinguishes this program from typical psychology degrees. While first-year earnings land just above the national median, this program ranks in the 60th percentile among Missouri schools, meaning it outperforms most in-state alternatives despite trailing a few top performers like Avila and Rockhurst.

The $26,000 debt load sits right at the national norm for psychology programs, producing a manageable 0.76 debt-to-earnings ratio in year one. More importantly, by year four that ratio drops to 0.54 as earnings accelerate—this is the pattern you want to see. The combination of selective admissions (SAT scores averaging 1326) and strong career development resources appears to translate into better outcomes than the typical psychology BA delivers.

For Missouri families, this represents solid value: better-than-average earnings growth with debt levels that won't derail your child's twenties. The early salary may require some belt-tightening, but the upward trajectory suggests graduates are finding professional roles rather than stalling in entry-level retail or service positions that often trap psychology majors.