Psychology at University of West Georgia

University of West Georgia's psychology program starts graduates at just $25,058—roughly $6,000 below Georgia's median and landing in the bottom 5% nationally. That first year is financially challenging, with debt nearly matching annual earnings. However, the story shifts dramatically by year four, when median earnings jump to $37,430, representing 49% growth and actually surpassing several more prestigious Georgia programs that showed weaker earnings trajectories in our data.

Within Georgia's psychology landscape, this program sits at the 40th percentile—middle of the pack for the state but notably below top performers like Brenau ($36,497) and Life University ($34,260). The $26,000 debt load is typical for psychology programs and slightly below Georgia's median, making the initially tight debt-to-earnings ratio manageable as graduates gain experience. The real question is whether your student can weather that difficult first year, possibly living at home or working multiple jobs, to reach the stronger earning potential that emerges.

For families able to provide financial support during those early years, this represents a viable path to a psychology degree with eventual solid earnings. But if your student needs to be financially independent immediately after graduation, that $25,058 starting point creates real hardship. The program works best for students who have a runway—either family support or minimal living expenses—to make it through the initial low-earning period.