Psychology at Washburn University

Washburn's psychology program manages something unusual: it significantly outperforms the national median for psychology graduates ($38,264 versus $31,482) while keeping debt below the national average. This places it in the 95th percentile nationally—a strong showing for a program in a field often criticized for weak initial earnings.

The Kansas picture is more nuanced. At the 60th percentile statewide, Washburn sits solidly in the middle of Kansas options, trailing Fort Hays and the Ottawa University programs by roughly $1,500-$2,000 annually. More concerning is the slight earnings decline between years one and four, suggesting graduates aren't seeing the typical career progression you'd hope for. The $25,249 debt load translates to a 0.66 debt-to-income ratio—manageable but requiring careful budgeting in those early years.

For families considering psychology degrees in Kansas, this represents a reasonable choice: better than most programs nationally, competitive within the state, and with debt that won't derail your child's finances. The earnings plateau means they'll need to pursue additional credentials or pivot careers to see significant income growth, but that's true across psychology bachelor's programs. If your child is committed to the field and prefers staying in Kansas, Washburn delivers solid value without the financial risk that often accompanies psychology degrees.