Psychology at Williams College

Williams delivers unusually strong outcomes for psychology majors, with graduates earning $43,943 in their first year—well above the national median of $31,482 and nearly $7,000 more than the typical Massachusetts psychology program. The debt picture is even more impressive: at just $13,416, Williams grads carry half the debt of their state peers and less than a third of psychology majors nationwide. This 0.31 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in about four months of gross earnings.

The one surprise here is the state ranking—60th percentile in Massachusetts—which reflects just how competitive the Commonwealth's psychology programs are. Bentley leads at $62,218, likely due to its business-psychology crossover appeal to employers. But consider what you're actually getting: Williams' elite liberal arts education, tiny classes, and powerful alumni network produce strong career momentum (earnings jump 30% to $57,158 by year four), all while keeping debt minimal thanks to generous financial aid.

For families who can get their student admitted to Williams, this is a straightforward win. Even if your child isn't certain about graduate school or a high-paying career track, they're positioned well with manageable debt and earnings that already exceed most psychology graduates nationwide. The moderate sample size suggests some volatility, but the fundamentals—low debt, solid starting salary, strong growth—point to genuine value.