Psychology at The University of Texas at Austin

UT Austin's psychology program demonstrates something unusual: graduates start modestly at $33,556 but see their earnings jump 34% within four years—one of the stronger growth trajectories you'll find in this field. That first-year salary sits above the Texas median of $30,932, placing this program in the 60th percentile statewide, though it notably trails more specialized Texas schools like UT Permian Basin ($46,009) where smaller, professionally-focused cohorts often command higher starting pay. The real story emerges at the four-year mark when earnings reach $45,001, suggesting UT Austin's broader academic foundation and network deliver compounding advantages as graduates establish careers.

The debt picture here works in your child's favor. At $19,750, this program carries significantly less debt than both the Texas median ($24,000) and national median ($25,500)—likely reflecting UT Austin's reasonable in-state tuition despite its competitive admission standards. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.59 means your child would owe less than seven months of their starting salary, a manageable burden that shouldn't derail other life goals.

For a psychology degree from a flagship university with a 29% admission rate, this represents solid value: below-average debt paired with above-average earnings growth. The four-year trajectory matters more than the starting number here, particularly if your child plans graduate school or careers where UT Austin's institutional reputation opens doors.