Median Earnings (1yr)
$30,336
40th percentile (60th in MS)
Median Debt
$24,600
4% below national median
Debt-to-Earnings
0.81
Manageable
Sample Size
115
Adequate data

Analysis

Ole Miss psychology graduates start modestly at $30,336 but see their earnings jump 48% by year four—a notably strong trajectory that outpaces the typical psychology graduate's earnings curve. Within Mississippi, this program ranks in the 60th percentile, placing it second among the state's 13 psychology programs and well above the state median of $24,592. That state-level performance matters for Mississippi families, where many students will choose in-state options for tuition purposes.

The $24,600 in typical debt sits slightly below national norms and translates to a manageable 0.81 debt-to-earnings ratio at graduation. While that first-year salary of $30,336 requires careful budgeting initially, the four-year earnings of $44,740 suggest graduates gain marketable skills or pivot into better-paying roles relatively quickly. This pattern is common in psychology, where many graduates move into adjacent fields like HR, social services, or sales rather than staying in pure psychology positions.

For Mississippi families, this represents solid value: their student would carry typical debt but graduate from the state's best-performing large psychology program. The real payoff comes in years two through four as earnings accelerate. Just understand that first year will be lean, and career advancement may require intentional networking or additional credentials beyond the bachelor's degree.

Where University of Mississippi Stands

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

University of MississippiOther psychology programs

Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.

Earnings Distribution

How University of Mississippi graduates compare to all programs nationally

University of Mississippi graduates earn $30k, placing them in the 40th percentile of all psychology bachelors programs nationally.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.

Compare to Similar Programs in Mississippi

Psychology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Mississippi (13 total in state)

SchoolEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
University of Mississippi$30,336$44,740$24,6000.81
University of Southern Mississippi$28,130$32,661$22,6850.81
Mississippi State University$27,416$37,133$25,4800.93
Blue Mountain Christian University$26,257$25,2500.96
Jackson State University$24,757$34,357$31,0001.25
Mississippi University for Women$24,426$22,3750.92
National Median$31,482$25,5000.81

Other Psychology Programs in Mississippi

Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Mississippi schools

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Debt
University of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg
$9,618$28,130$22,685
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State
$9,815$27,416$25,480
Blue Mountain Christian University
Blue Mountain
$19,280$26,257$25,250
Jackson State University
Jackson
$9,090$24,757$31,000
Mississippi University for Women
Columbus
$8,092$24,426$22,375

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 Mississippi, approximately 22% 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 115 graduates with reported earnings and 200 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.