Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology at University of Phoenix-Arizona

University of Phoenix-Arizona's psychology program carries a significant warning label: the sample size is under 30 graduates, making these numbers less reliable than typical data. That said, what we can see creates an unusual picture. The program posts $41,118 in first-year earnings—outperforming 89% of similar programs nationally, yet landing at just the 40th percentile among Arizona's seven psychology programs. In other words, this looks strong compared to psychology programs across the country, but middle-of-the-pack when compared to in-state alternatives like Embry-Riddle Prescott, which graduates earn nearly identical amounts.

The debt story is more straightforward and troubling. At $40,687, graduates leave with debt nearly equal to their first year's salary (0.99 ratio), and this is considerably higher than Arizona's typical psychology program debt of $32,654. The positive spin is that this debt level sits in the 12th percentile nationally—meaning 88% of psychology programs saddle students with more debt. But for a bachelor's degree, carrying debt that equals your entire first year's income creates immediate financial pressure.

Given the small sample size, these numbers could shift dramatically with more data. If you're considering this program, the in-state comparison matters most: you'd be paying about $8,000 more in debt than the state median for roughly median earnings. That's not catastrophic, but it's worth asking whether the online flexibility or other program features justify that premium.