Psychology majors explore different personality types, how humans develop, how we respond to our environment and why we behave the way that we do. A degree in this field of study can lead to careers in social work, marketing, human resources and public health programs, with more opportunities arising for those who choose to pursue an advanced degree.
The average starting salaries across all graduates with a bachelor’s in psychology is $35,000.
Most graduates who work in this field find they have to pursue an advanced degree to find more competitively paying positions. However, the college you attend can also play a big role in how much you earn.
Certain schools have a track record of creating a high earnings boost that allows their graduates to make more money than other psych majors.
This list rounds up the top 10 colleges with the highest paid graduates in psychology, based on salary data provided by PayScale.
Note: Although we believe that knowing the average salaries of graduates gives you some very useful information about these colleges, note that this ranking is based only on salary data and is not meant to rate the overall quality of the school. Also note this list is based only on the salaries of students with bachelor’s degrees and does not take into account those who have gone on to get advanced degrees.
1. Southern Methodist University: Dallas, Tex.
Southern Methodist Universitys Dallas Hall.
Founded in 1911, Southern Methodist University is a private research university. The school offers small classes and promotes research and discussion, two major elements of a psychology program. Psychology graduates from this program may only earn an average starting salary of $39,000, but they have the potential to earn the highest mid-career average salary of $109,000. The school is also ranked as the 3rd best university in the state of Texas.
2. California State University-San Marcos
This four-year public university is a popular choice for students from the state of California. The school boasts a fair value and a low student loan default rate. Students who graduate with a major in Psychology report average starting salaries of $38,000 and average mid-career salaries of $108,000! The school also offers a Master’s degree in Psychology as well as several other subjects.
3. Harvard University: Cambridge, Mass.
Established in 1636, Harvard is the oldest college in the United States. For centuries, this Ivy League school has maintained a tradition of offering rigorous academic programs that challenge students and lead them towards successful careers. Graduates of the psychology program at Harvard enter their first job earning an average of $44,000 a year. However, the average mid-career salary rises to $101,000.
4. Duke University: Durham, N.C.
Duke University comes in at #3 on this list with potential earnings very similar to Harvard. Psychology graduates from this private university earn an average mid-career salary of $101,000 a year, while students fresh out of college can expect an average salary of $43,000. Duke also comes in as the #3 overall best college in the U.S.
5. Cornell University: Ithaca, N.Y.
Cornell University is another Ivy League school that offers a high earnings potential to its psychology graduates. Located in Ithaca, NY, Cornell has a reputation of providing a strong education. It is a fair value for your money because the higher net cost is balanced by the rigorous academics and potential career earnings. The average starting salary for Cornell psychology grads is $44,000, while the average mid-career salary is $96,000.
6. Princeton University: Princeton, N.J.
Often listed on college rating sites as one of the best schools in the country, Princeton University is also known for producing some of the highest paid psychology graduates. The university was chartered in 1746, making it the fourth-oldest college in the country. Over time, the school has continued to produce graduates who are successful in their chosen fields of study. Psychology graduates from Princeton earn an average starting salary of $45,000 and an average mid-career salary of $94,000.
7. University of California – Berkeley
UC Berkeley is the flagship campus of the University of California system. The school offers numerous academic programs to a large student body, but has a good student to faculty ratio, which helps keep classes small. With average starting salaries of $45,000 and average mid-career salaries of $86,000, UC Berkeley is a good investment for psychology majors.
8. St. Lawrence University: Canton, N.Y.
St. Lawrence University is a small liberal arts school located in Canton, NY. The school is a good value for psychology students because it has a low net cost, but provides students with a top-notch education. The selective school provides graduates with an earnings boost that starts them at an average of $46,000 after graduation, rising to an average of $88,000 at the mid-career level.
9. Yale University: New Haven, Conn.
Yale University is the final Ivy League school on this list. The university was founded in 1701 and has maintained a tradition that includes strong diversity and commitment to providing students with a comprehensive education. Psychology majors may find Yale is a good value for their money because it provides an excellent education that leads to average starting salaries around $44,000 and average mid-career salaries of $91,000. The school is also currently ranked as the #2 best college in the country!
10. College of Saint Benedict: Saint Joseph, Minn.
The College of Saint Benedict is an all-female school. The school typically partners with Saint John’s University, which is an all-male school, to provide students with access to a top liberal arts education. Psychology graduates of the College of Saint Benedict start their careers earning an average salary of $47,000. This salary increases to an average of $84,000 at the mid-career level.
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