General
Educational Psychology
Data derived specifically from PUMS raw data for Educational Psychology.
Entry Level Salary
$32,600
Median Salary
$70,000
Unemployment Rate
2.5%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
13.5%
Working non-college jobs
Earnings Trajectory
Lifetime: $2,800,000
Entry (Early)
$32,600
Median (Prime)
$70,000
High (Prime)
$67,530
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
-163k
+162k
+142k
$25k / yr
-253k
+72k
+52k
$50k / yr
-342k
-18k
-38k
Break-even Age
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
29
30
$25k / yr
Never
40
44
$50k / yr
Never
Never
Never
Return on Investment %
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
∞
∞
$25k / yr
-232%
66%
48%
$50k / yr
-158%
-8%
-17%
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 Rate63.6%
Analysis: A large percentage of students in this field pursue Master's or Doctoral degrees to maximize earnings.
Top Professions
School psychologists
15.8% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$50,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$72,000|$86,930
openings
3,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): +0.7%
Elementary and middle school teachers
15.1% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$31,238
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$65,000|$62,500
openings
132,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): -2%
Special education teachers
4.2% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$31,238
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$67,000|$64,270
openings
37,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): -1.4%
Educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors
3.6% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$47,195
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$60,000|$65,140
openings
31,000 /yr
Growth (10yr): +3.5%
Education and childcare administrators
3.6% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$5,628
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$95,000|$100,650
openings
45,600 /yr
Growth (10yr): -0.3%
Secondary school teachers
2.9% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$69,781
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$67,530|$64,530
openings
72,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): -1.6%
Preschool and kindergarten teachers
2.4% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$33,320
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$47,384|$40,090
openings
78,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +3.1%
Postsecondary teachers
2.2% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$45,500
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$70,000|$81,600
openings
136,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.9%
Management occupations
2.1% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$72,858
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$112,089|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%
Teaching assistants
1.9% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$32,600
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$23,324|$35,550
openings
195,000 /yr
Growth (10yr): -0.9%
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 Title | Credential Level | # Colleges | Median Earnings Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| No program variants found for this major. | |||