Psychology at St. Mary's University

St. Mary's psychology program sits squarely in the middle of Texas options—ranking at the 40th percentile statewide—but underperforms the national benchmark by about 10%. Starting salaries of $28,175 trail both the Texas median ($30,932) and national average ($31,482), though debt levels remain relatively typical at $26,000. The 44% earnings growth over four years is encouraging, bringing graduates closer to a sustainable income level by their mid-twenties.

However, the small sample size here—fewer than 30 graduates—means these numbers could swing considerably with just a few data points. The program serves a predominantly first-generation and lower-income population (42% on Pell grants), which may influence career paths and early salary outcomes. What's clear is that this isn't competing with UT Permian Basin or TCU psychology programs, which start graduates $10,000-$18,000 higher.

For families prioritizing affordability and access to a Catholic institution in San Antonio, the debt burden here is manageable—just under a year's starting salary. But if maximizing psychology career earnings is the goal, other Texas public universities offer better outcomes at lower cost. This program makes most sense for students who need the support systems and accessibility of a high-acceptance school, understanding they'll likely need to pursue graduate education to reach higher earning potential in psychology fields.