College ROI

Smarter Choices, Brighter Futures
General

Counseling Psychology

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Data derived specifically from PUMS raw data for Counseling Psychology.

Entry Level Salary
$33,981
Median Salary
$60,000
Unemployment Rate
2.5%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
17.0%
Working non-college jobs

Earnings Trajectory

Lifetime: $2,400,000
Entry (Early)
$33,981
Median (Prime)
$60,000
High (Prime)
$60,000

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
-150k
+81k
+81k
$25k / yr
-240k
-9k
-9k
$50k / yr
-330k
-99k
-99k

Break-even Age

Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
34
34
$25k / yr
Never
Never
Never
$50k / yr
Never
Never
Never

Return on Investment %

Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
$25k / yr
-221%
-9%
-9%
$50k / yr
-152%
-46%
-46%
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 Rate73%
Analysis: A large percentage of students in this field pursue Master's or Doctoral degrees to maximize earnings.

Top Professions

Educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors

12.5% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$41,650
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$62,475|$65,140
openings
31,000 /yr
Growth (10yr): +3.5%

Counselors, all other

12.2% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$32,640
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$50,000|$49,830
openings
7,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +12.6%

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

5.5% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$33,765
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$55,150|$57,480
openings
265,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): +7.6%

Elementary and middle school teachers

4.0% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$41,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$52,000|$62,500
openings
132,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): -2%

Therapists, All Other

3.8% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$30,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$54,145|N/A
openings
N/A /yr
Growth (10yr): N/A

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

3.1% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$56,634
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$55,000|$57,480
openings
265,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): +7.6%

Social workers, all other

2.8% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$33,320
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$50,000|$69,480
openings
7,000 /yr
Growth (10yr): +3.9%

Social and community service managers

2.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$31,238
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$47,195|$78,240
openings
18,600 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.4%

Management occupations

2.2% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$53,095
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$80,000|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%

Social scientists and related workers

1.8% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$33,981
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$72,000|$92,900
openings
23,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +3.7%

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.