Psychology at South University-Austin

South University-Austin's psychology program charges more than double what most Texas psychology programs do—$54,702 in median debt versus the state median of $24,000—yet delivers below-average starting earnings of $28,684. That's $2,200 below the Texas median and lands this program in just the 40th percentile statewide. To put this in perspective, graduates of UT Permian Basin's psychology program earn $46,009 right out of the gate while typically carrying far less debt.

The 29% earnings bump from year one to year four shows graduates can improve their financial position over time, reaching $36,910. However, that still leaves them with a nearly 2:1 debt-to-earnings ratio—among the highest burdens nationally for psychology programs. With 54% of students receiving Pell grants, this debt load falls heavily on families who can least afford it. The moderate sample size means these numbers are reasonably reliable, not based on just a handful of outliers.

For families considering this program: your child would graduate with roughly $30,000 more debt than typical Texas psychology graduates while earning less initially. Unless there are compelling non-financial reasons to attend this specific campus, your family would likely be better served exploring public university options across Texas that offer better value for this degree.