Psychology at South University-Virginia Beach

South University-Virginia Beach's psychology program saddles graduates with debt levels that would be concerning even for high-paying fields—$54,702 is more than double what typical psychology bachelor's holders carry nationally and in Virginia. While first-year earnings of $28,684 start below both state and national medians, the 29% jump to $36,910 by year four does show meaningful momentum. Still, that four-year mark barely catches up to where many Virginia graduates start, and you're looking at a debt burden twice as heavy as peers at schools like George Mason or UVA who are earning similar amounts.

The numbers are particularly stark for families already stretching financially—with over half of students receiving Pell grants, these debt levels could prove crushing. At nearly 2:1 debt-to-earnings, graduates face monthly payments that consume a substantial portion of their take-home pay during those critical early career years when psychology professionals often need additional credentials to advance.

If your child is set on psychology and considering South University-Virginia Beach, the debt burden should be the decisive factor. Virginia has 40 other psychology programs with healthier financial profiles. Even accounting for the earnings growth trajectory, starting your career $30,000 deeper in debt than necessary creates years of financial constraint that no amount of later catch-up fully erases.