Psychology at University of Missouri-Kansas City

UMKC's psychology program stands out for doing exactly what you'd hope: graduates who start modestly see meaningful income growth over their first four years. With earnings jumping 26% from $32,000 to over $40,500, this trajectory suggests graduates are building careers rather than treading water in entry-level positions.

The debt picture is genuinely favorable here. At $21,000, graduates borrow about $4,500 less than Missouri's median for psychology programs and considerably less than the national average. That matters when your first-year earnings put you right at the state median—you're not underwater financially while you establish yourself. Among Missouri's psychology programs, this ranks in the 60th percentile for earnings, meaning it performs better than about three out of five competitors while keeping debt notably lower than most.

The reality check: even with growth, you're reaching just over $40,000 four years out. Psychology bachelor's degrees rarely lead to high-paying careers without graduate work, and UMKC doesn't change that equation. But if your child is committed to this path, the combination of reasonable debt and solid upward momentum makes this a financially survivable choice while they figure out whether graduate school or a career pivot makes sense.