Analysis
William Peace's psychology graduates start at $28,202—below both the national and North Carolina medians—but the program's 33% earnings growth over four years brings alumni closer to competitive territory. While early earnings sit in just the 23rd percentile nationally, the program performs near the middle of the pack within North Carolina (40th percentile), suggesting it's not an outlier in a state with several strong psychology programs.
The $27,000 debt load is reasonable and actually slightly below the national norm for psychology degrees. With a debt-to-earnings ratio under 1.0, graduates can realistically manage their payments, though those first few years will require careful budgeting given the low starting salary. The earnings trajectory offers some reassurance—reaching $37,558 by year four represents meaningful progress, even if it still trails programs at Elon ($36,668 starting) or Wake Forest.
The critical caveat: this data reflects fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes could vary significantly. For a family considering this program, the question becomes whether William Peace's near-open admission and smaller environment justify accepting below-average starting pay. If your student thrives in intimate settings and plans to pursue graduate school (common in psychology), this could work. But if immediate earnings matter most, North Carolina offers stronger alternatives at similar debt levels.
Where William Peace University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all psychology bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How William Peace University graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| William Peace University | $28,202 | $37,558 | +33% |
| Duke University | $33,559 | $72,857 | +117% |
| Wake Forest University | $34,823 | $59,767 | +72% |
| Elon University | $36,668 | $48,045 | +31% |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | $31,804 | $46,914 | +48% |
Compare to Similar Programs in North Carolina
Psychology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in North Carolina (51 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 William Peace UniversityRaleigh | $33,150 | $28,202 | $37,558 | $27,000 | 0.96 |
 Elon UniversityElon | $44,536 | $36,668 | $48,045 | $23,250 | 0.63 |
 Wake Forest UniversityWinston-Salem | $64,758 | $34,823 | $59,767 | $21,500 | 0.62 |
 Campbell UniversityBuies Creek | $40,410 | $33,892 | $37,905 | $27,000 | 0.80 |
 Duke UniversityDurham | $65,805 | $33,559 | $72,857 | $15,415 | 0.46 |
 University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel Hill | $8,989 | $31,804 | $46,914 | $14,253 | 0.45 |
| National Median | — | $31,482 | — | $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 William Peace University, approximately 35% 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.
Sample Size: Based on 23 graduates with reported earnings and 33 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.