Psychology at St. Mary's College of Maryland

St. Mary's College psychology graduates start at roughly $28,000—below both national and state averages—but their earnings jump 49% to $42,000 by year four, moving them from the bottom half to the middle of the pack. This trajectory is noteworthy in a field where many programs show stagnant wage growth. Among Maryland's 21 psychology programs, St. Mary's sits at the 40th percentile initially, but that strong four-year performance narrows the gap with top programs like Bowie State and UMBC.

The $21,500 debt load works in graduates' favor here. While the first-year debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.76 isn't ideal, it's manageable given the upward earnings trend. By year four, when many borrowers are still making payments, that ratio looks considerably better. The debt is also below both national and state medians for psychology programs, which typically burden graduates with around $25,000.

For families considering this investment, understand that psychology requires patience. The field rarely delivers immediate financial returns, but St. Mary's graduates appear to find their footing faster than typical psychology majors. If your student is committed to the discipline and willing to navigate lean early years—perhaps with internships or graduate school planning—the reasonable debt and upward trajectory make this a workable choice. Just don't expect the quick payoff you'd see in STEM fields.