Psychology at South University-Savannah

A psychology degree from South University-Savannah comes with a troubling financial equation: graduates carry $54,702 in debt—more than double the typical Georgia psychology program—while earning below the national median. That first-year salary of $28,684 means owing nearly two years' income in student loans, a burden that would take years to manage even with the 29% earnings growth to $36,910 by year four.

The state context reveals an important nuance. While these graduates earn at the 60th percentile among Georgia psychology programs—outpacing the state median of $28,180—they're borrowing at levels far beyond their state peers (who typically graduate with $27,000 in debt). The institution serves a predominantly Pell-eligible population (72%), yet these students are taking on debt loads more commonly associated with higher-earning fields. For comparison, psychology graduates from Brenau or Life University earn $6,000-$8,000 more annually without shouldering nearly as much debt.

The math here is stark: even with solid earnings growth, graduates would need to dedicate a substantial portion of their income to loan payments for years. Unless your child has concrete plans for graduate school that will significantly boost earning potential, or can reduce this debt burden through scholarships, this program's cost far exceeds what the psychology bachelor's degree market will support.