Est. Earnings (1yr)
$38,019
Est. from OH median (4 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$17,999
Est. from OH median (6 programs)

Analysis

A $38,000 first-year salary would put Wright State-Lake Campus well ahead of most associate psychology programs nationally, where the typical graduate earns just $26,000. This estimate comes from the handful of Ohio schools reporting outcomes for two-year psychology degrees, and it suggests graduates can access better-paying work than their peers across the country. However, the debt burden here is also higher—nearly $18,000 versus the $11,000 national median—resulting in a debt-to-earnings ratio that consumes nearly half a first-year paycheck.

Psychology associate degrees typically serve as stepping stones to bachelor's programs or entry into human services work, and the relatively strong Ohio earnings suggest this regional labor market rewards even two-year credential holders. The estimated debt load, while substantial for an associate degree, remains manageable if those earnings hold. Still, with only 13 Ohio schools offering comparable programs and data suppressed at this campus specifically, these figures represent what similar programs achieve rather than verified outcomes for Wright State-Lake Campus graduates.

If your child plans to transfer and complete a bachelor's degree, this could be a reasonable starting point—the debt is concerning but not crushing, and Ohio's psychology job market appears stronger than most states. If they're planning to enter the workforce with just the associate degree, verify what local employers actually pay for this credential before committing.

Where Wright State University-Lake Campus Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all psychology associates's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Ohio

Psychology associates's programs at peer institutions in Ohio (13 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Wright State University-Lake CampusCelina$7,504$38,019*—$17,999*—
University of Cincinnati-Main CampusCincinnati$13,570$38,019*—$17,999*0.47
University of Cincinnati-Clermont CollegeBatavia$6,554$38,019*—$17,999*0.47
University of Cincinnati-Blue Ash CollegeBlue Ash$6,992$38,019*—$17,999*0.47
Sinclair Community CollegeDayton$3,435$29,717*$31,610$13,661*0.46
National Median—$26,232*—$11,198*0.43
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with psychology graduates

Industrial-Organizational Psychologists

Apply principles of psychology to human resources, administration, management, sales, and marketing problems. Activities may include policy planning; employee testing and selection, training, and development; and organizational development and analysis. May work with management to organize the work setting to improve worker productivity.

$94,310/yrJobs growth:

Clinical and Counseling Psychologists

Assess, diagnose, and treat mental and emotional disorders of individuals through observation, interview, and psychological tests. Help individuals with distress or maladjustment understand their problems through their knowledge of case history, interviews with patients, and theory. Provide individual or group counseling services to assist individuals in achieving more effective personal, social, educational, and vocational development and adjustment. May design behavior modification programs and consult with medical personnel regarding the best treatment for patients.

$94,310/yrJobs growth:

Psychologists, All Other

All psychologists not listed separately.

$94,310/yrJobs growth:

Neuropsychologists

Apply theories and principles of neuropsychology to evaluate and diagnose disorders of higher cerebral functioning, often in research and medical settings. Study the human brain and the effect of physiological states on human cognition and behavior. May formulate and administer programs of treatment.

$94,310/yrJobs growth:

Clinical Neuropsychologists

Assess and diagnose patients with neurobehavioral problems related to acquired or developmental disorders of the nervous system, such as neurodegenerative disorders, traumatic brain injury, seizure disorders, and learning disabilities. Recommend treatment after diagnosis, such as therapy, medication, or surgery. Assist with evaluation before and after neurosurgical procedures, such as deep brain stimulation.

$94,310/yrJobs growth:

Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in psychology, such as child, clinical, and developmental psychology, and psychological counseling. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Managers, All Other

All managers not listed separately.

Loss Prevention Managers

Plan and direct policies, procedures, or systems to prevent the loss of assets. Determine risk exposure or potential liability, and develop risk control measures.

Social Science Research Assistants

Assist social scientists in laboratory, survey, and other social science research. May help prepare findings for publication and assist in laboratory analysis, quality control, or data management.

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 Wright State University-Lake Campus, approximately 16% 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.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 4 similar programs in OH. Actual outcomes may vary.