Research and Experimental Psychology at University of Arizona

That $28,494 first-year salary tells a complicated story. Nationally, UofA's Research and Experimental Psychology program ranks in just the 15th percentile for earnings—substantially below the $34,768 national median. But Arizona only has one institution offering this specific bachelor's degree, so the state comparison provides little additional context. The debt load of $21,325 sits right at the national median, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.75 that's manageable in absolute terms but reflects the broader challenge of psychology bachelor's degrees in the job market.

The real concern here isn't the debt—it's what this degree can command in entry-level positions. At less than $29,000 annually, your child would earn roughly $18,000 less than peers who graduate from top-quartile programs in this field. Research and experimental psychology typically requires graduate education for career advancement, which means this bachelor's degree functions more as a stepping stone than a terminal credential. If your child plans to pursue a PhD or master's degree in psychology or a related field, the relatively moderate debt makes this a defensible path. But if they're expecting this degree alone to launch a career, the earnings data suggests they'll face significant financial constraints in those critical first years after graduation.