Research and Experimental Psychology at University of Central Missouri

University of Central Missouri's experimental psychology program lands squarely in the middle of the pack nationally, but trails most competitors within Missouri. First-year graduates earn $34,822—nearly $3,500 less than what Park University grads make with the same degree, and even below Northwest Missouri State's median. Among Missouri's seven programs, this ranks in just the 40th percentile, meaning three-fifths of in-state alternatives deliver stronger initial earnings.

The debt picture is more manageable, with graduates owing $20,810—slightly below both state and national medians. That 0.60 debt-to-earnings ratio means you're borrowing roughly seven months of first-year income, which isn't alarming. However, when Park University graduates are earning $5,500 more annually right out of the gate, that gap compounds quickly. Over a decade, even without salary growth differences, that's a $55,000 advantage.

For Missouri families, this program represents a safe but unexceptional choice. The debt won't sink you, but the earnings won't particularly distinguish you either. If your child is committed to experimental psychology and UCM offers compelling non-financial advantages—location, campus culture, specific faculty—the numbers won't derail their future. But purely as an investment, stronger options exist within Missouri's public system at similar or lower cost.