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

The small sample size here demands caution, but the reported numbers tell an unusually positive story for a for-profit institution. At $41,118, first-year earnings outpace both the Texas median ($33,805) and national median ($34,506) by over $7,000—landing this program in the 89th percentile nationally. More importantly, debt sits at $40,687, which translates to a near 1:1 debt-to-earnings ratio. While that's not exceptional, it's far better than the debt loads that plague many for-profit programs.

The state percentile (60th in Texas) is lower than the national ranking because Texas psychology graduates generally earn less than the national average. Still, these earnings exceed what graduates from University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and UNT report. The real question is sustainability: with fewer than 30 graduates in this cohort, these figures could easily shift year to year. University of Phoenix's for-profit model also means you're likely paying closer to sticker price without the institutional aid that non-profit schools typically provide.

For families considering this path, the data suggests graduates aren't drowning in unmanageable debt relative to what they earn—but verify current tuition costs and get clarity on your specific financial aid package before assuming this 1:1 ratio will hold for your situation.