Psychology at University of Richmond

University of Richmond psychology graduates start modestly at $36,309 but see robust 41% earnings growth by year four, reaching $51,312—a trajectory that outpaces 86% of psychology programs nationally. While the first-year salary lands at the 60th percentile among Virginia's 41 psychology programs, it's the momentum that tells the real story here. Richmond beats the state median by $4,000 initially and pulls further ahead over time, though it still trails the top Virginia programs like VMI and William & Mary.

The $25,500 median debt sits right at the national average for psychology programs, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.70 that's quite manageable. That's roughly seven months of first-year salary—reasonable given how much graduates' earning power increases. The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means individual outcomes could vary more than at larger programs, but the pattern suggests Richmond's liberal arts environment and alumni network help psychology graduates build careers that grow substantially beyond entry-level positions.

For parents weighing Richmond's selective admissions (23% acceptance rate) and private school costs, this data suggests psychology majors here achieve better-than-average outcomes despite not immediately landing at the top of Virginia's range. The strong earnings progression matters more than the starting point for a field where many graduates pursue graduate school or career pivots in their mid-twenties.