Research and Experimental Psychology at University of California-Davis

UC Davis's Research and Experimental Psychology program delivers strong long-term value despite modest starting salaries. While first-year earnings of $32,301 trail the national average by about $2,500, graduates see remarkable income growth, jumping 67% to nearly $54,000 by year four. More importantly, this program ranks in the 60th percentile among California psychology programs, outperforming the state median of $28,789 and beating prestigious competitors like UCLA ($27,748).

The financial picture is particularly compelling. At just $13,219 in median debt—exceptional for any bachelor's program and far below both national ($21,500) and state ($15,500) averages—students graduate with minimal financial burden. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.41 means graduates can reasonably expect to pay off loans within a few years while building toward solid mid-career earnings.

This represents an excellent investment for students serious about psychology or planning graduate school. The combination of UC Davis's research reputation, low debt load, and strong earnings trajectory in the California market makes this program a smart choice, especially compared to pricier alternatives that saddle students with significantly more debt for similar outcomes.