Psychology at South University-Richmond

South University-Richmond's psychology graduates start below average but show encouraging momentum—earnings jump 29% from year one to year four. However, that growth trajectory can't overcome a fundamental problem: graduates leave with $54,702 in debt, more than double what's typical for psychology programs either nationally ($25,500) or in Virginia ($26,000).

Within Virginia, this program sits exactly at the median for earnings but carries debt loads that rank among the highest in the state. Compare this to George Mason or William & Mary, where psychology graduates earn similar amounts in year four while carrying roughly half the debt. The math is stark: at $28,684 in first-year earnings, graduates face a debt burden nearly twice their annual salary—well above the concerning 1.5x threshold financial advisors typically warn against.

The 29% earnings growth shows graduates aren't stuck in low-wage jobs, but they're climbing out of a very deep hole. With 41% of students qualifying for Pell grants, many families here are already financially stretched. Unless your child has substantial scholarship support that dramatically reduces this debt load, the financial risk here is too high for a psychology bachelor's degree—a field where many graduates need additional education to reach higher earning potential anyway.