Analysis
Saint Vincent's psychology graduates start at just $24,155—ranking in the bottom 5% nationally and well below Pennsylvania's typical outcomes for this major. While the program shows strong earnings growth of 63% by year four, that still only brings graduates to $39,255, roughly matching the state median. Given that Pennsylvania's psychology programs already lag behind the national average, this trajectory suggests students here face a particularly difficult launch period.
The debt picture complicates matters further. At $27,000, graduates carry more than a full year's starting salary in loans—a concerning ratio when entry-level earnings barely clear $24,000. Compare this to stronger Pennsylvania programs: Bucknell and Gettysburg graduates earn more than double Saint Vincent's starting salary, and even mid-tier options like King's College ($39,818) start graduates at nearly 65% higher pay.
The small sample size here (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift, but they point to a fundamental challenge: psychology majors at Saint Vincent face both lower starting salaries and delayed earnings growth compared to peers across Pennsylvania. Unless your child has significant financial aid reducing that $27,000 debt load, or plans to immediately pursue graduate education where those early earnings matter less, this program represents a tough financial start that takes years to overcome.
Where Saint Vincent College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all psychology bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Saint Vincent College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Vincent College | $24,155 | $39,255 | +63% |
| Dickinson College | $37,227 | $62,695 | +68% |
| Lafayette College | $36,235 | $60,657 | +67% |
| Lehigh University | $40,942 | $60,072 | +47% |
| Villanova University | $35,462 | $57,566 | +62% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Pennsylvania
Psychology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Pennsylvania (83 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Saint Vincent CollegeLatrobe | $41,100 | $24,155 | $39,255 | $27,000 | 1.12 |
 Bucknell UniversityLewisburg | $64,772 | $51,645 | $50,805 | $27,000 | 0.52 |
 Gettysburg CollegeGettysburg | $64,230 | $50,040 | $50,611 | $27,000 | 0.54 |
 Lehigh UniversityBethlehem | $62,180 | $40,942 | $60,072 | $21,160 | 0.52 |
 Drexel UniversityPhiladelphia | $60,663 | $39,866 | $51,752 | $30,000 | 0.75 |
 King's CollegeWilkes-Barre | $42,600 | $39,818 | $33,268 | $27,000 | 0.68 |
| National Median | — | $31,482 | — | $25,500 | 0.81 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with psychology graduates
Industrial-Organizational Psychologists
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists
Psychologists, All Other
Neuropsychologists
Clinical Neuropsychologists
Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary
Managers, All Other
Loss Prevention Managers
Social Science Research Assistants
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 Vincent College, approximately 27% 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.
Sample Size: Based on 19 graduates with reported earnings and 34 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.