Psychology at University of Louisiana at Lafayette

At first glance, this program's $22,696 starting salary—in the bottom 5% nationally for psychology majors—looks worrisome. But the real story here is trajectory: graduates see 63% income growth by year four, reaching nearly $37,000. That's a steeper climb than most psychology programs deliver, though it still leaves ULL graduates trailing state peers who start stronger (Louisiana's median psychology grad begins at $27,926). Among Louisiana's 24 psychology programs, this ranks 25th percentile for earnings, meaning three-quarters of comparable in-state programs deliver better initial outcomes.

The $25,000 debt load sits right at the national median, which creates a manageable first-year ratio of 1.10. However, "manageable" means something different when you're earning $22,000 versus $31,000. That initial financial squeeze—working entry-level jobs while making loan payments—is real. The good news is that by year four, with earnings approaching $37,000, the financial picture improves considerably. Still, graduates from Dillard or Northwestern State start $10,000 ahead, meaning ULL students spend those crucial early career years playing catch-up.

For Louisiana families prioritizing low tuition and accessible admission (89% acceptance rate), this program offers a path forward—just understand your student will likely need supplemental income or family support in those first few years after graduation while building toward better-paying positions.