Research and Experimental Psychology at Savannah State University

Savannah State's psychology program produces concerning outcomes even when measured against Georgia's already-modest standards for this degree. While graduates sit at the 40th percentile among Georgia psychology programs—essentially middle-of-the-pack in-state—they're in the 13th percentile nationally, earning about $7,000 less than the typical psychology graduate elsewhere. More troubling, students leave with $33,450 in debt, roughly $9,000 above what Georgia psychology majors typically borrow and 56% higher than the national norm.

The debt burden creates real financial strain in those crucial early years. With first-year earnings under $28,000, graduates face debt exceeding their annual income—a threshold that makes standard loan repayment difficult without sacrificing other financial goals. Even after four years, when earnings reach $30,630, they remain below what many programs deliver immediately after graduation. For a school serving primarily low-income students (65% receive Pell grants), loading them with above-average debt for below-average earnings poses serious risks.

The small sample size here (under 30 graduates tracked) means these numbers could shift with more data, but the pattern isn't encouraging. Parents should recognize that this particular path—research psychology from Savannah State—combines high borrowing with limited earning potential in a way that puts graduates behind their peers both locally and nationally.