Psychology at South Texas College

South Texas College's associate program in psychology starts graduates at barely $19,500—landing in just the 11th percentile nationally and 25th in Texas. Even the lowest-earning comparable program in the state (El Paso Community College) pays $1,000 more at the starting gate. For context, Austin Community College District's psychology graduates earn over 50% more in their first year.

The modest debt load of $7,743 is the only bright spot here, coming in well below both state and national medians. The 28% earnings growth over four years looks encouraging on paper, but it's recovering from an unusually low baseline—even after four years, graduates earn just $25,000, barely matching what most Texas psychology associate programs pay right out of the gate. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.40 is reasonable, but that's cold comfort when the absolute earnings are this low.

For families in the McAllen area where cost of living is lower than major Texas metros, this program offers an affordable entry point into higher education. However, parents should understand their child will likely need to pursue further education or change fields to reach a livable wage. If psychology is the goal, your student would be better served at one of the higher-performing Texas community colleges, even if it means relocating temporarily.