Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology at University of North Texas

UNT's psychology bachelor's graduates start slowly at $32,553—below both state and national medians—but then something interesting happens. By year four, earnings jump 41% to nearly $46,000, pulling well ahead of typical outcomes for this degree. That trajectory suggests graduates are successfully leveraging their psychology backgrounds into better-paying roles, likely in human services, case management, or corporate training positions that value their skills but require some experience to access.

The debt picture strengthens this program's case considerably. At under $20,000, graduates owe roughly $8,000 less than both state and Texas peers, making that initial salary easier to manage while career momentum builds. Among the 10 Texas schools offering this program, UNT sits right at the median for earnings but offers notably lower debt, which fundamentally changes the value equation for families paying in-state tuition.

For parents of students genuinely interested in psychology—not just those pursuing it as a default liberal arts option—this program offers a reasonable path forward. The 41% earnings growth indicates the degree opens doors that widen over time, and the modest debt load won't hamstring your child during those early-career years. Just ensure they understand that $32,000 first-year salary and have a plan (possibly graduate school, or targeted internships) to accelerate that upward trajectory.