Median Earnings (1yr)
$33,647
67th percentile
60th percentile in Texas
Median Debt
$23,250
9% below national median

Analysis

Texas Tech's psychology graduates earn $42,334 four years out—about 37% above the Texas median for this major and nearly $8,000 more than the national benchmark. That 60th percentile ranking among Texas programs is meaningful when you consider the state has 72 schools offering psychology degrees. While students here aren't matching the earnings at UT Permian Basin or TCU, they're clearing a significantly higher bar than most state peers, and doing so with relatively manageable debt of $23,250.

The trajectory matters here. Starting at $33,647 may feel modest, but the 26% earnings growth over four years suggests these graduates are finding their footing in careers that reward experience. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.69 isn't exceptional, but it's workable—graduates owe less than they'll earn in their first year, which puts repayment within reach for most students.

For a psychology degree at a school with a 71% admission rate, this represents solid value. You're getting above-average outcomes at a price point that won't require heroic financial sacrifices. The robust sample size means these numbers reliably reflect the actual graduate experience, not outliers.

Where Texas Tech University Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How Texas Tech University graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Texas Tech University$33,647$42,334+26%
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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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Texas Tech UniversityLubbock$11,852$33,647$42,334$23,2500.69
The University of Texas Permian BasinOdessa$10,904$46,009$50,137$21,7310.47
Texas Christian UniversityFort Worth$57,220$42,108$48,796$23,4120.56
Rice UniversityHouston$58,128$41,299$57,256$12,5050.30
Southern Methodist UniversityDallas$64,460$38,115$52,450$23,3100.61
University of St ThomasHouston$33,660$37,572$21,4680.57
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 Texas Tech University, approximately 26% 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 197 graduates with reported earnings and 280 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.