Psychology at University of Missouri-St Louis

UMSL's psychology program sits squarely in the middle of national outcomes but trails most Missouri competitors—a gap that matters if you're paying in-state tuition. Graduates here earn $31,663 in their first year, essentially matching the national median but falling below the state average of $32,224. More concerning: this ranks in just the 40th percentile among Missouri programs, meaning six out of ten psychology programs in the state deliver better earnings. Meanwhile, the top five programs in Missouri all produce graduates earning $35,000-$37,000—roughly $4,000 to $5,000 more annually.

The financial picture improves somewhat with time, as earnings grow 25% to reach $39,445 by year four. The debt load of $22,977 is actually lower than both state and national medians, creating a manageable 0.73 debt-to-earnings ratio. This means graduates start with less than a year's salary in debt, which is reasonable for a social science degree. Still, you're essentially paying for middle-of-the-pack outcomes in a state where several alternatives consistently outperform.

For families choosing between Missouri schools, this program represents safety over upside. If your student can gain admission to Avila, Rockhurst, or Central Methodist—all showing stronger first-year earnings—those merit serious consideration. UMSL works if affordability is the top priority and the lower debt matters more than the earning differential.