Psychology at The Chicago School at Los Angeles

This small psychology program punches above its weight—its graduates earn nearly $9,000 more than the typical California psychology major and rank in the 95th percentile nationally. At $39,596, first-year earnings trail only UMass Global among California programs, placing The Chicago School's LA campus among the state's strongest performers for this degree.

The debt picture looks equally strong on paper: $40,645 represents just 1.03 times first-year earnings, far better than the typical psychology graduate who faces debt exceeding $25,500 nationally. However, context matters here. Most California psychology programs carry less debt (state median: $21,500), so while the debt-to-earnings ratio works mathematically, this program costs about twice what many in-state public options charge. Given that 61% of students receive Pell grants, that premium may hit low-income families particularly hard.

The critical caveat: fewer than 30 graduates reported data, making these numbers less reliable than larger programs. If your child is considering this path, the strong earnings suggest good career preparation, but verify current outcomes directly with the school before committing to debt levels that exceed state norms. For psychology majors—a field not known for high starting salaries—managing debt matters as much as maximizing earnings.