Psychology at William Peace University

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.