Median Earnings (1yr)
$30,336
40th percentile
60th percentile in Mississippi
Median Debt
$24,600
4% below national median

Analysis

Ole Miss psychology graduates start modestly at $30,336 but see their earnings jump 48% by year fourโ€”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

Earnings Distribution

How University of Mississippi 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 Mississippi$30,336$44,740+47%
Mississippi State University$27,416$37,133+35%
Mississippi College$23,683$35,654+51%
Jackson State University$24,757$34,357+39%
University of Southern Mississippi$28,130$32,661+16%

Compare to Similar Programs in Mississippi

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

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
University of MississippiUniversity$9,412$30,336$44,740$24,6000.81
University of Southern MississippiHattiesburg$9,618$28,130$32,661$22,6850.81
Mississippi State UniversityMississippi State$9,815$27,416$37,133$25,4800.93
Blue Mountain Christian UniversityBlue Mountain$19,280$26,257โ€”$25,2500.96
Jackson State UniversityJackson$9,090$24,757$34,357$31,0001.25
Mississippi University for WomenColumbus$8,092$24,426โ€”$22,3750.92
National Medianโ€”$31,482โ€”$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 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.