Psychology at University of North Texas

UNT's psychology program offers a compelling combination of low debt and strong earnings growth that sets it apart from typical psychology programs. With graduates owing just $19,500 at completion—well below both the national ($25,500) and Texas ($24,000) averages—students avoid the debt burden that often makes psychology degrees financially challenging.

The earnings trajectory tells an encouraging story. While first-year earnings of $30,396 sit near state and national medians, graduates see robust 47% income growth by year four, reaching $44,744. This puts UNT ahead of prestigious competitors like Rice ($41,299) and SMU ($38,115) in four-year outcomes, despite UNT's more accessible admission standards and lower costs. Among Texas psychology programs, UNT ranks solidly in the middle (40th percentile) for earnings while maintaining significantly lower debt loads.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.64 means graduates' initial debt equals roughly eight months of their first-year salary—a manageable burden that allows for financial flexibility early in their careers. For parents concerned about psychology's reputation for poor financial returns, UNT's combination of reasonable debt and strong earnings growth provides a practical path forward. This program demonstrates that psychology can be financially viable when debt is controlled and earnings momentum is strong.