Psychology at Shawnee State University

Shawnee State's psychology program shows two conflicting signals: graduates start below both state and national averages, but their earnings jump 54% by year four—reaching $42,650, which significantly outpaces the typical Ohio psychology graduate. That trajectory suggests graduates may be finding their footing in careers that require some time to develop, though the starting salary of $27,681 means the first year or two will be financially tight.

The debt load of $20,500 is notably lower than both Ohio's median ($25,000) and the national benchmark ($25,500), which provides some cushion for those lean early years. Still, at the 20th percentile nationally for earnings, graduates here start behind three-quarters of their peers nationwide. Within Ohio, the program sits at the 40th percentile—middle of the pack among the state's 74 psychology programs, but far below top performers like Kenyon ($39,203) or Muskingum ($37,636).

The critical caveat: this data reflects fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes could vary substantially. For families focused on minimizing debt while their student figures out a psychology career path, this could work—the lower borrowing provides flexibility. But if your child needs stronger immediate earning power or plans graduate school, programs with better initial placement records might justify slightly higher debt.