Psychology at William Jewell College

William Jewell's psychology program lands below the middle of the pack among Missouri options, with first-year earnings of $31,232 trailing the state median by about $1,000. While that might sound minor, it places graduates in the 40th percentile statewide—meaning six out of ten Missouri psychology programs deliver better starting outcomes. The gap widens when comparing to top performers in the state: Avila and Central Methodist graduates earn roughly $5,000 more right out of the gate.

The debt picture offers some relief. At $23,969, graduates carry less than both state and national medians, and the 0.77 debt-to-earnings ratio means the burden equals about nine months of income—manageable by most standards. The 34% earnings jump to $41,897 by year four also suggests decent career trajectory, though this is where the small sample size (under 30 graduates) matters most. With so few data points, one or two outliers could skew these numbers significantly.

For parents weighing this investment, the question comes down to whether William Jewell's selective environment (34% admission rate) and presumably smaller class sizes justify below-median outcomes in a state with 39 psychology programs. If your student has more competitive offers from the schools listed above, the earnings difference is real enough to consider seriously. If William Jewell is offering substantial merit aid that further reduces that $24K debt load, the calculus shifts in its favor.