Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology at University of Mary Hardin-Baylor

University of Mary Hardin-Baylor's psychology bachelor's program produces earnings that land squarely in the middle of the pack nationally but perform better within Texas—ranking in the 60th percentile among the state's ten programs. At $33,805 in first-year earnings, graduates earn slightly below the national median but match the Texas median exactly. The $27,000 debt load creates a 0.80 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning students borrow about 80% of what they'll earn in their first year. This is manageable but not exceptional, particularly given the program's relatively open admission standards.

The real question for parents is what comes after graduation. Psychology bachelor's degrees often serve as stepping stones to graduate programs or entry-level human services positions. The first-year salary reflects this reality—graduates are likely entering roles that value the degree but don't pay premium wages immediately. However, the moderate debt burden means students aren't severely constrained in their next steps, whether that's pursuing a master's degree or gaining work experience before further education.

For families comfortable with a middle-tier financial outcome and a bachelor's degree that may require additional schooling to maximize earnings potential, this program delivers what you'd expect from a regional Texas university. The value proposition depends heavily on what your student plans to do next—this is a foundation degree, not a direct path to high earnings.