Psychology at University of Alabama at Birmingham

UAB's Psychology program sits squarely in the middle of the pack nationally but punches above its weight within Alabama—ranking in the 60th percentile statewide despite starting graduates at $30,132. That's roughly $2,600 above the state median and positions UAB ahead of flagship University of Alabama, though still trailing Athens State and Troy. The $27,000 debt load is actually lower than both national and state medians, creating a manageable 0.90 debt-to-earnings ratio that beats many psychology programs at other schools.

The real story here is trajectory: earnings jump 25% from year one to year four, reaching $37,691. That growth rate suggests UAB graduates are finding opportunities to advance beyond entry-level positions, which can be a concern for psychology majors. While the initial salary won't impress anyone, the combination of modest debt and solid upward mobility makes this a relatively low-risk path for students planning to stay in Alabama or the broader Southeast.

For an in-state student at UAB, this represents decent value—you're not paying premium debt for below-average outcomes. However, parents should understand that psychology graduates typically need graduate school or strategic career pivots to reach higher earning potential. At this price point and with this debt load, UAB keeps those options reasonably open.