Psychology at Washington State University

Washington State University's psychology program quietly outperforms most of the competition, ranking in the 85th percentile nationally with first-year earnings of $36,216—well above the national median of $31,482. While it sits at the 60th percentile within Washington state, it's actually competitive with much higher-profile programs like the University of Washington, and graduates see solid 32% earnings growth by year four.

The debt picture is reasonable at $21,500, creating a manageable 0.59 debt-to-earnings ratio that's below both national and state medians. This means graduates typically earn enough in their first year to service their loans comfortably. The robust sample size of 100+ graduates gives confidence these numbers reflect real outcomes, not statistical flukes.

For psychology majors, WSU delivers strong value—better earnings than three-quarters of programs nationwide, moderate debt levels, and steady income growth. Given the program's accessibility (85% admission rate) and solid financial outcomes, it represents a smart choice for students interested in psychology who want to avoid the debt burdens and competitive admission processes of private alternatives.