Psychology at University of Dayton

University of Dayton's psychology program stands out for something often missing in this field: meaningful earnings growth over time. While the $32,953 starting salary falls squarely in the middle of the pack—ranking 62nd percentile nationally and 60th in Ohio—graduates see their income jump 54% by year four to nearly $51,000. That's a trajectory worth noting in a discipline where many programs plateau early.

The $25,000 debt load matches both state and national medians, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.76. This means graduates owe less than one year's starting salary, a reasonable threshold. Within Ohio's competitive psychology landscape, this program holds its ground, though it trails elite small colleges like Kenyon by about $6,000 in starting pay. The moderate admission standards and low Pell enrollment suggest this serves a relatively advantaged student body, but the program delivers solid outcomes without pricing families into unmanageable debt.

For parents wondering if a psychology degree can lead somewhere financially, University of Dayton demonstrates that it can—provided graduates actively pursue career advancement. The sharp year-four earnings increase suggests many alumni successfully leverage their degree into better-paying positions, likely outside traditional psychology roles. This isn't a fast track to high earnings, but it's a stable foundation with clear upward mobility.