Psychology at University of South Alabama

A University of South Alabama psychology degree starts rough but shows significant momentum—graduates earn just $23,700 in their first year, ranking in the bottom 5% nationally, but by year four that figure jumps nearly 50% to $34,807. This trajectory matters because the debt burden of $25,949 becomes much more manageable as earnings climb. What's particularly interesting is the state context: while this program ranks poorly against national psychology programs, it sits at the 40th percentile within Alabama, suggesting the weak first-year number reflects broader regional wage patterns rather than program-specific issues.

The real question is whether families can weather that difficult first year. A debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.09 means graduates initially owe more than they earn annually, which creates tight financial quarters early on. However, the strong earnings growth suggests graduates are finding their footing relatively quickly—by year four, they're earning above both state and national medians for psychology majors. This pattern likely reflects graduates starting in entry-level social services or retail positions before transitioning into better-paying roles that leverage their degree.

For families, this means planning for a challenging transition period after graduation. If your student can live at home or maintain low expenses during those first couple years while building experience, the investment can pay off. But if they'll need to make full loan payments immediately while covering rent in a separate city, those early years could be financially stressful.