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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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $7,504 | $38,019* | — | $17,999* | — | |
| $13,570 | $38,019* | — | $17,999* | 0.47 | |
| $6,554 | $38,019* | — | $17,999* | 0.47 | |
| $6,992 | $38,019* | — | $17,999* | 0.47 | |
| $3,435 | $29,717* | $31,610 | $13,661* | 0.46 | |
| National Median | — | $26,232* | — | $11,198* | 0.43 |
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 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.