Location: Albany, NY•In-State Tuition: $10,408•Out-of-State Tuition: $28,998•Admission Rate: 70%
Median Earnings (1yr)
$26,245
10th percentile
25th percentile in New York
Median Debt
$22,430
17% below national median
D/E Ratio: 0.85 ManageableSample: 64 graduates

Analysis

Recent graduates from University at Albany's Clinical Psychology program earn around $26,000 in their first year—roughly $8,000 below the state median and $8,000 below the national benchmark for this degree. Among New York psychology programs, this lands in the bottom quarter for earnings. Meanwhile, debt levels at $22,400 sit right at the state median but notably below the national average, keeping the debt-to-earnings ratio under 1.0. The challenge isn't crushing debt—it's the unexpectedly low starting salaries.

The earnings gap is significant when you consider alternatives within SUNY and CUNY systems. Baruch's psychology graduates earn more than double ($57,000), while even smaller programs like Canton State outpace Albany by $10,000. This suggests the issue may be specific to Albany's program outcomes rather than inherent to psychology degrees in New York. With 42% of students receiving Pell grants, these modest starting salaries hit hardest for families counting on early financial stability.

For families considering this program, the core question is whether your student plans immediate graduate school (where these earnings are somewhat expected) or needs to work full-time after graduation. If it's the latter, you're looking at potentially difficult first years financially, even with manageable debt. The state comparison data suggests stronger psychology programs exist within New York's public university system that deliver better early-career outcomes.

Where University at Albany Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all clinical, counseling and applied psychology bachelors's programs nationally

University at AlbanyOther clinical, counseling and applied psychology programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How University at Albany graduates compare to all programs nationally

University at Albany earns $26k — 10th percentile among clinical, counseling and applied psychology bachelors programs.

Compare to Similar Programs in New York

Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in New York (15 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
University at AlbanyAlbany$10,408$26,245—$22,4300.85
CUNY Bernard M Baruch CollegeNew York$7,464$57,204$46,414——
Pace UniversityNew York$51,424$40,671$57,765$26,0000.64
SUNY College of Technology at CantonCanton$8,689$36,254$40,641$26,0000.72
CUNY John Jay College of Criminal JusticeNew York$7,470$35,656$49,895$13,4210.38
The College of Saint RoseAlbany$37,452$32,008$49,446$20,5000.64
National Median—$34,506—$27,0000.78

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with clinical, counseling and applied psychology graduates

Human Resources Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate human resources activities and staff of an organization.

$140,030/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Training and Development Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the training and development activities and staff of an organization.

$127,090/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Management Analysts

Conduct organizational studies and evaluations, design systems and procedures, conduct work simplification and measurement studies, and prepare operations and procedures manuals to assist management in operating more efficiently and effectively. Includes program analysts and management consultants.

$101,190/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

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:

School Psychologists

Diagnose and implement individual or schoolwide interventions or strategies to address educational, behavioral, or developmental issues that adversely impact educational functioning in a school. May address student learning and behavioral problems and counsel students or families. May design and implement performance plans, and evaluate performance. May consult with other school-based personnel.

$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:

Human Resources Specialists

Recruit, screen, interview, or place individuals within an organization. May perform other activities in multiple human resources areas.

$72,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Training and Development Specialists

Design or conduct work-related training and development programs to improve individual skills or organizational performance. May analyze organizational training needs or evaluate training effectiveness.

$65,850/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree
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 University at Albany, approximately 42% 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.