College ROI

Smarter Choices, Brighter Futures
General

Clinical Psychology

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Data derived specifically from PUMS raw data for Clinical Psychology.

Entry Level Salary
$31,000
Median Salary
$73,158
Unemployment Rate
4.6%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
20.7%
Working non-college jobs

Earnings Trajectory

Lifetime: $2,926,320
Entry (Early)
$31,000
Median (Prime)
$73,158
High (Prime)
$73,158

ROI Sensitivity Analysis

This analysis tests three "What-If" scenarios. While most students start at the Entry Level, calculating ROI using Median and High salaries helps illustrate the potential long-term payoff for top performers relative to the degree cost.

Lifetime Value Added (NPV)

Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
-177k
+188k
+188k
$25k / yr
-267k
+98k
+98k
$50k / yr
-357k
+8k
+8k

Break-even Age

Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
28
28
$25k / yr
Never
38
38
$50k / yr
Never
60
60

Return on Investment %

Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
$25k / yr
-246%
90%
90%
$50k / yr
-164%
4%
4%
Sensitivity Analysis Methodology: These grids assume you begin your career earning the salary specified in the column header (Entry Level = conservative baseline, Median/High = potential upside).
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator with your specific estimates of cost and salary.

Education Impact

Advanced Degree Rate67.9%
Analysis: A large percentage of students in this field pursue Master's or Doctoral degrees to maximize earnings.

Top Professions

Social scientists and related workers

10.9% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$60,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$78,785|$92,900
openings
23,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +3.7%

Therapists, All Other

6.6% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$41,650
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$73,158|N/A
openings
N/A /yr
Growth (10yr): N/A

Counselors, social workers, and other community and social service specialists

4.9% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$63,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$60,000|$57,480
openings
265,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): +7.6%

Clinical and counseling psychologists

4.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$25,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$120,000|$95,830
openings
4,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): +11.2%

Management occupations

3.7% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$42,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$80,176|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%

Counselors, all other

3.0% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$35,397
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$50,000|$49,830
openings
7,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +12.6%

Postsecondary teachers

2.8% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$12,381
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$81,036|$81,600
openings
136,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.9%

Medical and health services managers

2.4% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$28,800
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$28,800|$117,960
openings
62,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +23.2%

Educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors

2.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$58,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$58,000|$65,140
openings
31,000 /yr
Growth (10yr): +3.5%

School psychologists

2.1% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$52,063
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$82,000|$86,930
openings
3,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): +0.7%

About this Data:

  • Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 27 and under (PUMS).
  • Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
  • Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2024–2034).

Program Variants & Earnings Ranges

Summary of specific program titles and credential levels mapped to this major, showing the range of earnings across different colleges.

Program TitleCredential Level# CollegesMedian Earnings Range
No program variants found for this major.