Est. Earnings (1yr)
$36,243
Est. from MN median (23 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$26,428
Est. from MN median (13 programs)

Analysis

With estimated debt around $26,400 and first-year earnings near $36,200 based on comparable Minnesota psychology programs, Saint Mary's appears positioned right at the state median—neither a standout nor a red flag. The 0.73 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests manageable loan payments if graduates enter the workforce immediately, though psychology bachelor's degrees typically require graduate study for career advancement in the field.

The four-year earnings figure of nearly $50,000 tells a more optimistic story, showing meaningful income growth as graduates gain experience or pursue additional credentials. This trajectory matches what you'd expect from psychology majors who move into human services, business roles, or continue their education. Still, it's worth noting that the top-performing psychology programs in Minnesota—like College of Saint Benedict and Metropolitan State—show first-year earnings closer to $40,000, suggesting variation in outcomes across schools.

For parents evaluating this investment, the key question is your child's post-graduation plan. If they're committed to graduate school in clinical or counseling psychology, the undergraduate institution matters less than affordability and preparation quality. If they plan to work immediately, understand that entry-level psychology roles typically offer modest salaries, and this program's estimated outcomes align with that reality rather than exceeding it.

Where Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all psychology bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota$49,790
Gustavus Adolphus College$33,174$53,981+63%
University of St Thomas$38,396$51,174+33%
The College of Saint Scholastica$31,367$50,740+62%
Concordia University-Saint Paul$36,243$49,552+37%

Compare to Similar Programs in Minnesota

Psychology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Minnesota (31 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Saint Mary's University of MinnesotaWinona$43,160$36,243*$49,790$26,428*
College of Saint BenedictSaint Joseph$53,884$41,029*$45,302$27,000*0.66
Metropolitan State UniversitySaint Paul$9,780$40,958*$44,425$30,155*0.74
Capella UniversityMinneapolis$14,436$39,764*$43,554$40,816*1.03
University of Minnesota-DuluthDuluth$14,318$38,543*$45,061$24,225*0.63
University of St ThomasSaint Paul$52,284$38,396*$51,174$27,000*0.70
National Median$31,482*$25,500*0.81
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with psychology graduates

Industrial-Organizational Psychologists

Apply principles of psychology to human resources, administration, management, sales, and marketing problems. Activities may include policy planning; employee testing and selection, training, and development; and organizational development and analysis. May work with management to organize the work setting to improve worker productivity.

$94,310/yrJobs growth:

Clinical and Counseling Psychologists

Assess, diagnose, and treat mental and emotional disorders of individuals through observation, interview, and psychological tests. Help individuals with distress or maladjustment understand their problems through their knowledge of case history, interviews with patients, and theory. Provide individual or group counseling services to assist individuals in achieving more effective personal, social, educational, and vocational development and adjustment. May design behavior modification programs and consult with medical personnel regarding the best treatment for patients.

$94,310/yrJobs growth:

Psychologists, All Other

All psychologists not listed separately.

$94,310/yrJobs growth:

Neuropsychologists

Apply theories and principles of neuropsychology to evaluate and diagnose disorders of higher cerebral functioning, often in research and medical settings. Study the human brain and the effect of physiological states on human cognition and behavior. May formulate and administer programs of treatment.

$94,310/yrJobs growth:

Clinical Neuropsychologists

Assess and diagnose patients with neurobehavioral problems related to acquired or developmental disorders of the nervous system, such as neurodegenerative disorders, traumatic brain injury, seizure disorders, and learning disabilities. Recommend treatment after diagnosis, such as therapy, medication, or surgery. Assist with evaluation before and after neurosurgical procedures, such as deep brain stimulation.

$94,310/yrJobs growth:

Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in psychology, such as child, clinical, and developmental psychology, and psychological counseling. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Managers, All Other

All managers not listed separately.

Loss Prevention Managers

Plan and direct policies, procedures, or systems to prevent the loss of assets. Determine risk exposure or potential liability, and develop risk control measures.

Social Science Research Assistants

Assist social scientists in laboratory, survey, and other social science research. May help prepare findings for publication and assist in laboratory analysis, quality control, or data management.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, approximately 22% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 23 similar programs in MN. Actual outcomes may vary.