Psychology at University of San Francisco

University of San Francisco's psychology graduates earn significantly more than their peers at most California schools, though they're not quite at the top of the state's range. With first-year earnings of $36,734 that jump to $53,096 by year four—a 45% increase—these graduates are clearly finding career traction in the Bay Area's competitive job market. That places them in the 88th percentile nationally and the 60th percentile statewide, a distinction that matters since California's psychology programs are generally stronger than the national average.

The $24,315 median debt sits below the national average and is manageable relative to first-year earnings, though it's slightly higher than California's median for psychology programs. The 0.66 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe less than their first year's salary, which is reasonable for a field not known for high starting pay. The strong earnings growth suggests USF's San Francisco location and alumni network are helping graduates move beyond entry-level positions relatively quickly.

For families considering USF, the key question is whether the San Francisco premium justifies attending over a UC or CSU option. The earnings trajectory here is genuinely impressive for psychology, but you're paying private school tuition for outcomes that are good—not exceptional—within California. If your child plans to work in the Bay Area and values smaller class sizes, this is a defensible choice. If staying in California with lower debt is the priority, you can find comparable outcomes elsewhere.