Psychology at University of Mississippi
Bachelor's Degree
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
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)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Mississippi | $30,336 | $44,740 | $24,600 | 0.81 |
| University of Southern Mississippi | $28,130 | $32,661 | $22,685 | 0.81 |
| Mississippi State University | $27,416 | $37,133 | $25,480 | 0.93 |
| Blue Mountain Christian University | $26,257 | — | $25,250 | 0.96 |
| Jackson State University | $24,757 | $34,357 | $31,000 | 1.25 |
| Mississippi University for Women | $24,426 | — | $22,375 | 0.92 |
| National Median | $31,482 | — | $25,500 | 0.81 |
Other Psychology Programs in Mississippi
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Mississippi schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (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.