Psychology at Stony Brook University

Among New York's 92 psychology programs, Stony Brook stands out for delivering above-median starting salaries ($32,306 vs. $31,548 state median) while keeping debt meaningfully lower than average ($20,500 vs. $25,000). More importantly, this program shows exceptional earnings momentum—graduates see their income jump 56% by year four, reaching $50,246. That trajectory matters because many psychology bachelor's programs lead to modest early-career roles, but Stony Brook grads appear to be successfully transitioning into higher-paying positions relatively quickly.

The debt picture deserves attention, though. While the absolute amount is manageable, graduates carry more debt relative to other psychology programs nationally (84th percentile). The key question is whether that first-year starting salary, which sits just above typical entry-level psychology wages, makes those loan payments comfortable. By year four, when earnings reach $50,000, the financial picture brightens considerably—but those first few years require careful budgeting.

For families choosing between SUNY schools, Stony Brook's combination of reasonable debt and strong earnings growth makes it competitive. Your child won't match the exceptional $48,000 starting salaries at CUNY's Graduate School, but they'll graduate with less debt and a solid foundation for mid-career advancement. The real value here is in the growth trajectory, not the starting line.