Psychology at University of Northern Colorado

University of Northern Colorado's psychology graduates earn slightly above the national median but lag behind most Colorado programs, landing in just the 40th percentile statewide. With four-year earnings of $40,282, graduates are making about $3,000 less annually than the Colorado median—a gap that becomes more significant when you consider they're competing for many of the same jobs as psychology majors from CSU-Fort Collins and CU Denver, who earn closer to $37,000 right out of school.

The $23,000 debt load is reasonable in absolute terms and slightly below Colorado's median, but it translates to a 0.71 debt-to-earnings ratio that's higher than you'd ideally want. Psychology majors here carry more debt relative to their starting salaries than 75% of comparable programs nationwide. The 25% earnings growth over four years is encouraging, suggesting graduates do find better opportunities as they gain experience, but they're starting from a lower base than most Colorado peers.

For an in-state student paying discounted tuition, this program offers accessible entry into psychology with manageable debt. However, parents should know that several other Colorado public universities—including CSU-Fort Collins and Metro State—produce psychology graduates who earn $5,000-$7,000 more annually with similar debt levels. Unless UNC offers specific program features or career connections that matter to your student, those alternatives merit serious consideration.