Psychology at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith

Among Arkansas psychology programs, University of Arkansas-Fort Smith occupies an interesting middle ground—outperforming the state median by nearly $2,000 while keeping debt manageable at $22,500. That 60th percentile state ranking matters for families considering in-state options, though graduates still earn about $1,600 less than the national median for psychology majors. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.75 is reasonable, meaning graduates owe roughly nine months of their first-year salary.

The trajectory shows steady progress, with earnings climbing 18% to $35,086 by year four. This growth pattern is typical for psychology degrees, where entry-level roles often lead to better-positioned positions after establishing work experience. However, even at year four, these graduates trail John Brown University's first-year earners by about $200. The moderate sample size suggests these numbers reflect actual program outcomes rather than statistical noise.

For families weighing cost against outcomes, this program delivers respectable value if your student plans to work in Arkansas, where the cost of living makes these salaries more livable than they might appear. The $22,500 debt load is about $2,000 below the state average for psychology programs. Just understand that psychology bachelor's degrees typically require graduate education or strategic career pivoting to reach higher earning potential—this program prepares students for that path without crushing debt.