Median Earnings (1yr)
$28,707
27th percentile
40th percentile in Connecticut
Median Debt
$27,000
6% above national median

Analysis

University of Hartford psychology graduates start modestly but experience remarkable earnings growth—their salaries jump 75% from $28,707 in year one to over $50,000 by year four. This trajectory matters more than the below-average starting point. While initial earnings fall in the 27th percentile nationally and 40th percentile among Connecticut psychology programs, that fourth-year figure substantially closes the gap with competitors and suggests graduates successfully transition into better-paying roles after gaining experience.

The $27,000 debt load is reasonable and actually lower than both state and national medians. With a debt-to-earnings ratio under 1.0 even in that challenging first year, graduates can manage payments while building their careers. The moderate sample size means these outcomes reflect real student experiences, not statistical noise.

For parents, the key question is whether your child can weather those early years of modest pay. Psychology often serves as a stepping stone to graduate school or careers that require post-graduation credentialing, which aligns with this earnings pattern. If your student plans to work immediately after graduation and needs strong earnings out of the gate, this program underperforms Connecticut alternatives like Trinity or Charter Oak. But if they're willing to invest time developing their career path—whether through further education, licensure, or experience—the strong growth trajectory and manageable debt make this a viable choice.

Where University of Hartford Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all psychology bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How University of Hartford graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
University of Hartford$28,707$50,168+75%
Fairfield University$39,890$61,555+54%
Connecticut College$40,141$53,436+33%
Sacred Heart University$29,166$52,667+81%
University of Connecticut$33,521$51,468+54%

Compare to Similar Programs in Connecticut

Psychology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Connecticut (24 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
University of HartfordWest Hartford$47,647$28,707$50,168$27,0000.94
Trinity CollegeHartford$67,420$48,406$22,9440.47
Charter Oak State CollegeNew Britain$8,506$45,428$22,7790.50
Connecticut CollegeNew London$64,812$40,141$53,436$24,1970.60
Fairfield UniversityFairfield$56,360$39,890$61,555$26,0000.65
Southern Connecticut State UniversityNew Haven$12,828$35,716$41,899$23,0000.64
National Median$31,482$25,5000.81

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with psychology graduates

Industrial-Organizational Psychologists

Apply principles of psychology to human resources, administration, management, sales, and marketing problems. Activities may include policy planning; employee testing and selection, training, and development; and organizational development and analysis. May work with management to organize the work setting to improve worker productivity.

$94,310/yrJobs growth:

Clinical and Counseling Psychologists

Assess, diagnose, and treat mental and emotional disorders of individuals through observation, interview, and psychological tests. Help individuals with distress or maladjustment understand their problems through their knowledge of case history, interviews with patients, and theory. Provide individual or group counseling services to assist individuals in achieving more effective personal, social, educational, and vocational development and adjustment. May design behavior modification programs and consult with medical personnel regarding the best treatment for patients.

$94,310/yrJobs growth:

Psychologists, All Other

All psychologists not listed separately.

$94,310/yrJobs growth:

Neuropsychologists

Apply theories and principles of neuropsychology to evaluate and diagnose disorders of higher cerebral functioning, often in research and medical settings. Study the human brain and the effect of physiological states on human cognition and behavior. May formulate and administer programs of treatment.

$94,310/yrJobs growth:

Clinical Neuropsychologists

Assess and diagnose patients with neurobehavioral problems related to acquired or developmental disorders of the nervous system, such as neurodegenerative disorders, traumatic brain injury, seizure disorders, and learning disabilities. Recommend treatment after diagnosis, such as therapy, medication, or surgery. Assist with evaluation before and after neurosurgical procedures, such as deep brain stimulation.

$94,310/yrJobs growth:

Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in psychology, such as child, clinical, and developmental psychology, and psychological counseling. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Managers, All Other

All managers not listed separately.

Loss Prevention Managers

Plan and direct policies, procedures, or systems to prevent the loss of assets. Determine risk exposure or potential liability, and develop risk control measures.

Social Science Research Assistants

Assist social scientists in laboratory, survey, and other social science research. May help prepare findings for publication and assist in laboratory analysis, quality control, or data management.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At University of Hartford, approximately 30% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 59 graduates with reported earnings and 101 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.