Median Earnings (1yr)
$31,367
49th percentile
40th percentile in Minnesota
Median Debt
$26,024
2% above national median

Analysis

Saint Scholastica's psychology graduates start behind but finish strong. First-year earnings of $31,367 land below Minnesota's median of $36,243—placing this program in just the 40th percentile statewide—but by year four, salaries jump to $50,740. That 62% growth rate suggests graduates are successfully transitioning into roles that value their degree, whether in mental health services, human resources, or graduate school prerequisites.

The debt load of $26,024 is manageable relative to that first-year salary, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.83 that's better than many psychology programs. Still, prospective students need to be realistic about that initial earning period. Graduates from the College of Saint Benedict and Metropolitan State start $9,000-$10,000 higher right out of the gate, which matters when you're making loan payments. The admission rate of 94% suggests Saint Scholastica is accessible, but the psychology program itself doesn't appear to provide a distinctive advantage over Minnesota's stronger options.

The trajectory here is positive, but families should weigh whether the slower start justifies enrollment when higher-performing Minnesota programs exist at similar price points. If your student is committed to this school for other reasons (location, size, campus culture), the program won't bury them in debt—but it's not a standout value in Minnesota's competitive psychology landscape.

Where The College of Saint Scholastica Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How The College of Saint Scholastica graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
The College of Saint Scholastica$31,367$50,740+62%
Gustavus Adolphus College$33,174$53,981+63%
University of St Thomas$38,396$51,174+33%
Concordia University-Saint Paul$36,243$49,552+37%
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities$36,294$49,126+35%

Compare to Similar Programs in Minnesota

Psychology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Minnesota (31 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
The College of Saint ScholasticaDuluth$40,454$31,367$50,740$26,0240.83
College of Saint BenedictSaint Joseph$53,884$41,029$45,302$27,0000.66
Metropolitan State UniversitySaint Paul$9,780$40,958$44,425$30,1550.74
Capella UniversityMinneapolis$14,436$39,764$43,554$40,8161.03
University of Minnesota-DuluthDuluth$14,318$38,543$45,061$24,2250.63
University of St ThomasSaint Paul$52,284$38,396$51,174$27,0000.70
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 The College of Saint Scholastica, approximately 23% 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 42 graduates with reported earnings and 94 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.