Based on U.S. Department of Education data (October 2025 release).
Analysis
The bright spot here is clear: Texas A&M's psychology graduates see their earnings jump 42% by year four, reaching $47,558—well above what most psychology majors earn nationally. Starting at $33,480 isn't spectacular, but this program's graduates experience meaningful career progression that sets it apart from psychology programs where earnings often stagnate.
The debt picture tells two different stories. At $19,121, graduates carry significantly less debt than the national average ($25,500) and even beat the Texas average ($24,000). However, this program ranks in the 90th percentile nationally for debt levels, meaning 90% of psychology programs nationwide saddle students with more debt—a positive indicator that got buried in the percentile ranking. Among Texas psychology programs, A&M sits right in the middle for earnings performance (60th percentile).
For anxious parents, this represents solid value: manageable debt paired with above-average earning potential that improves substantially over time. While A&M psychology graduates won't match the immediate earning power of those from UT Permian Basin or TCU, the combination of reasonable debt and strong earnings growth makes this a financially sensible choice for students committed to psychology.
Where Texas A&M University-College Station Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all psychology bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Texas A&M University-College Station graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas A&M University-College Station | $33,480 | $47,558 | +42% |
| Rice University | $41,299 | $57,256 | +39% |
| Southern Methodist University | $38,115 | $52,450 | +38% |
| The University of Texas Permian Basin | $46,009 | $50,137 | +9% |
| The University of Texas at Dallas | $33,331 | $48,961 | +47% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Texas
Psychology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Texas (72 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Texas A&M University-College StationCollege Station | $13,099 | $33,480 | $47,558 | $19,121 | 0.57 |
 The University of Texas Permian BasinOdessa | $10,904 | $46,009 | $50,137 | $21,731 | 0.47 |
 Texas Christian UniversityFort Worth | $57,220 | $42,108 | $48,796 | $23,412 | 0.56 |
 Rice UniversityHouston | $58,128 | $41,299 | $57,256 | $12,505 | 0.30 |
 Southern Methodist UniversityDallas | $64,460 | $38,115 | $52,450 | $23,310 | 0.61 |
 University of St ThomasHouston | $33,660 | $37,572 | — | $21,468 | 0.57 |
| National Median | — | $31,482 | — | $25,500 | 0.81 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with psychology graduates
Industrial-Organizational Psychologists
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists
Psychologists, All Other
Neuropsychologists
Clinical Neuropsychologists
Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary
Managers, All Other
Loss Prevention Managers
Social Science Research Assistants
Explore Related Programs
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 Texas A&M University-College Station, approximately 19% 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 345 graduates with reported earnings and 499 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.