Psychology at University of Scranton

University of Scranton's psychology graduates start near the Pennsylvania median at $33,290, but four years out they're earning $51,527—a 55% jump that outpaces typical psychology career trajectories. This earnings growth matters because it transforms what initially looks like an average outcome into something more promising. While the program ranks in the 64th percentile nationally, it sits at just the 40th percentile among Pennsylvania schools, where elite liberal arts colleges dominate the top spots with first-year earnings above $50,000.

The debt picture is reasonable: at $26,131, graduates owe less than three-quarters of their first-year salary and slightly below both state and national medians. By year four, when earnings hit $51,000, that debt burden becomes quite manageable. The program can't match outcomes at Bucknell or Gettysburg, but those schools also carry significantly higher price tags and more selective admissions (Scranton admits 84% of applicants).

For families seeking a Jesuit education with solid psychology training, this represents a practical middle path. Your child will start behind peers at Pennsylvania's top-tier schools but can expect meaningful salary growth in those crucial early career years. The combination of below-average debt and strong earnings progression makes this workable, especially if graduate school isn't immediately on the horizon and that four-year earning potential appeals more than flashy starting salaries.