Analysis
Wayne State College's psychology bachelor's program comes with $23,250 in debtβlower than both the Nebraska state median ($25,716) and the national median ($25,500) for psychology degrees. With estimated first-year earnings around $35,218 based on comparable Nebraska programs, graduates would face a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.66, meaning debt equals roughly eight months of that first year's salary. That's manageable territory, though parents should note these earnings figures come from peer programs across the state rather than Wayne State's specific outcomes.
The estimated earnings align closely with the Nebraska state median and exceed the national median for psychology bachelor's degrees ($31,482), which tracks with what several Nebraska schools report: Concordia leads at $39,883, while Doane's graduates start at $34,896. Psychology undergrad degrees rarely lead to high initial salaries since many graduates pursue entry-level social services, education, or human resources rolesβthe real earnings jump typically comes with graduate training.
The value proposition here hinges on keeping costs contained, which Wayne State appears to do relative to other options. For a student planning to work immediately after graduation or pursue graduate school later, entering the workforce with under $24,000 in debt provides more flexibility than the typical psychology graduate faces. Just recognize that these earnings estimates reflect the broader Nebraska market for psychology BAs, not verified outcomes from Wayne State specifically.
Where Wayne State College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all psychology bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Nebraska
Psychology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Nebraska (16 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $7,970 | $35,218* | β | $23,250 | β | |
| $39,330 | $39,883* | $37,301 | $27,000 | 0.68 | |
| $8,886 | $38,928* | β | $28,833 | 0.74 | |
| $8,370 | $36,094* | $40,143 | $21,783 | 0.60 | |
| $41,658 | $35,540* | $40,348 | $27,000 | 0.76 | |
| $40,491 | $34,896* | $36,610 | $27,000 | 0.77 | |
| National Median | β | $31,482* | β | $25,500 | 0.81 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with psychology graduates
Industrial-Organizational Psychologists
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists
Psychologists, All Other
Neuropsychologists
Clinical Neuropsychologists
Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary
Managers, All Other
Loss Prevention Managers
Social Science Research Assistants
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Wayne State College, approximately 27% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 8 similar programs in NE. Actual outcomes may vary.