Psychology at University of Denver

University of Denver's psychology graduates start at $31,955 but see their earnings jump 56% to nearly $50,000 within four years—impressive growth that speaks to either strong career support or graduates' ability to leverage the degree into better positions. However, context matters: despite this upward trajectory, first-year earnings fall below the Colorado median for psychology majors, ranking in just the 40th percentile statewide. Multiple public universities—Adams State, Metro State, and CSU Fort Collins—send their psychology graduates out earning $5,000-6,000 more right away.

The debt picture is more favorable than typical psychology programs. At $21,083, DU graduates carry about $2,800 less debt than the Colorado median and considerably less than the national benchmark. Combined with that robust earnings growth, the financial math starts working by year four. The 0.66 debt-to-earnings ratio is manageable, though parents should recognize that first year out of college means making ends meet on about $32,000 before that trajectory improves.

For families paying private school tuition, the question is whether DU's network and resources justify starting behind state school graduates who enter the job market with higher salaries and similar debt loads. The strong earnings growth suggests this program eventually delivers value, but it takes time to materialize—a pattern that may reflect the realities of breaking into competitive fields rather than immediate career readiness.