Psychology at William & Mary

William & Mary psychology graduates start at $36,818—higher than 89% of psychology programs nationally and well above Virginia's median of $32,142. More importantly, they carry just $19,379 in debt, about $6,000 less than typical psychology graduates both nationally and statewide. That 0.53 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates need less than seven months of pre-tax income to cover their loans, a manageable position for a liberal arts degree that often leads to graduate school or career pivots.

The real story emerges over time: earnings jump 39% to $51,232 by year four, suggesting these graduates are successfully navigating early-career transitions. While other Virginia schools like VMI show higher starting salaries, William & Mary's combination of strong earnings and low debt offers unusual breathing room. Psychology majors often pursue additional education or shift into adjacent fields—that flexibility matters more when you're not burdened by heavy loan payments. The school's 33% admission rate and high SAT scores indicate you're getting competitive peer networks without the debt load of similar selective institutions.

For an anxious parent, this looks like reasonable value: your child graduates with manageable debt, earnings that exceed most psychology programs, and room to explore graduate school or career options without financial pressure forcing immediate decisions.