Median Earnings (1yr)
$32,426
57th percentile
40th percentile in Minnesota
Median Debt
$29,532
16% above national median

Analysis

St. Catherine's psychology graduates start modestly at $32,426 but see their earnings jump 43% to $46,250 within four years—a trajectory that suggests these students develop valuable skills that translate into career advancement. However, the starting point matters: at the 40th percentile among Minnesota psychology programs, graduates begin roughly $4,000 behind the state median, which means catching up requires several years even with strong growth.

The debt picture is actually quite good. At $29,532, it's well below national norms and sits in the favorable 5th percentile for debt burden nationally. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.91 means graduates can realistically manage repayment from day one, even during that lower-earning first year. For a private university, this represents responsible borrowing relative to outcomes.

The challenge is opportunity cost within Minnesota. Graduates from the College of Saint Benedict and Metropolitan State University start $8,000-9,000 higher right out of the gate. If you're paying private tuition, that gap matters. St. Catherine's works best for students who value the school's specific environment and support systems—36% of students receive Pell grants, suggesting strong access for first-generation college students—and who can leverage career services to accelerate that early growth trajectory. The numbers improve considerably by year four, but families should understand they're accepting a slower start compared to top Minnesota alternatives.

Where St Catherine University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all psychology bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How St Catherine University graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
St Catherine University$32,426$46,250+43%
Gustavus Adolphus College$33,174$53,981+63%
University of St Thomas$38,396$51,174+33%
The College of Saint Scholastica$31,367$50,740+62%
Concordia University-Saint Paul$36,243$49,552+37%

Compare to Similar Programs in Minnesota

Psychology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Minnesota (31 total in state)

Scroll to see more →

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
St Catherine UniversitySaint Paul$49,758$32,426$46,250$29,5320.91
College of Saint BenedictSaint Joseph$53,884$41,029$45,302$27,0000.66
Metropolitan State UniversitySaint Paul$9,780$40,958$44,425$30,1550.74
Capella UniversityMinneapolis$14,436$39,764$43,554$40,8161.03
University of Minnesota-DuluthDuluth$14,318$38,543$45,061$24,2250.63
University of St ThomasSaint Paul$52,284$38,396$51,174$27,0000.70
National Median$31,482$25,5000.81

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with psychology graduates

Industrial-Organizational Psychologists

Apply principles of psychology to human resources, administration, management, sales, and marketing problems. Activities may include policy planning; employee testing and selection, training, and development; and organizational development and analysis. May work with management to organize the work setting to improve worker productivity.

$94,310/yrJobs growth:

Clinical and Counseling Psychologists

Assess, diagnose, and treat mental and emotional disorders of individuals through observation, interview, and psychological tests. Help individuals with distress or maladjustment understand their problems through their knowledge of case history, interviews with patients, and theory. Provide individual or group counseling services to assist individuals in achieving more effective personal, social, educational, and vocational development and adjustment. May design behavior modification programs and consult with medical personnel regarding the best treatment for patients.

$94,310/yrJobs growth:

Psychologists, All Other

All psychologists not listed separately.

$94,310/yrJobs growth:

Neuropsychologists

Apply theories and principles of neuropsychology to evaluate and diagnose disorders of higher cerebral functioning, often in research and medical settings. Study the human brain and the effect of physiological states on human cognition and behavior. May formulate and administer programs of treatment.

$94,310/yrJobs growth:

Clinical Neuropsychologists

Assess and diagnose patients with neurobehavioral problems related to acquired or developmental disorders of the nervous system, such as neurodegenerative disorders, traumatic brain injury, seizure disorders, and learning disabilities. Recommend treatment after diagnosis, such as therapy, medication, or surgery. Assist with evaluation before and after neurosurgical procedures, such as deep brain stimulation.

$94,310/yrJobs growth:

Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in psychology, such as child, clinical, and developmental psychology, and psychological counseling. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Managers, All Other

All managers not listed separately.

Loss Prevention Managers

Plan and direct policies, procedures, or systems to prevent the loss of assets. Determine risk exposure or potential liability, and develop risk control measures.

Social Science Research Assistants

Assist social scientists in laboratory, survey, and other social science research. May help prepare findings for publication and assist in laboratory analysis, quality control, or data management.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At St Catherine University, approximately 36% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 34 graduates with reported earnings and 45 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.