Entry Level Salary
$36,028
Median Salary
$75,307
Unemployment Rate
3.3%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
25.3%
Working non-college jobs
Earnings Trajectory
Lifetime: $3,012,280
Entry (Early)
$36,028
Median (Prime)
$75,307
High (Prime)
$80,000
ROI Sensitivity AnalysisAssuming 4 Years to Graduation
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
-132k
+207k
+245k
$25k / yr
-222k
+117k
+155k
$50k / yr
-312k
+27k
+65k
Break-even Age
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
28
27
$25k / yr
Never
36
34
$50k / yr
Never
53
45
Return on Investment %
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
∞
∞
$25k / yr
-204%
108%
143%
$50k / yr
-143%
13%
30%
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).
These figures are medians for past graduates who received federal aid. Your cost and pay will differ. Run your own numbers in the Guided ROI Interview →
Education Impact
Advanced Degree Rate45.5%
Analysis: A large percentage of students in this field pursue Master's or Doctoral degrees to maximize earnings.
Top Professions
Elementary and middle school teachers
4.0% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$41,600
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$58,951|$64,170
openings
127,300 /yr
Growth (10yr): -0.4%
Management occupations
3.4% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$50,977
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$93,250|$126,520
openings
1,081,700 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.2%
Social workers, all other
3.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$44,938
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$60,000|$71,900
openings
5,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): +2.3%
Social scientists and related workers
2.7% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$37,943
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$89,877|$97,900
openings
20,600 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.1%
Registered nurses
2.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$56,808
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$77,203|$97,550
openings
180,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.6%
Postsecondary teachers
2.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$22,013
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$72,873|$82,250
openings
123,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6%
Educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors
2.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$42,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$61,942|$64,330
openings
27,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): +2.9%
Human resources workers
2.0% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$52,136
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$77,203|$76,700
openings
78,700 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%
Counselors, social workers, and other community and social service specialists
2.0% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$38,866
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$54,557|$58,300
openings
249,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +8.3%
Therapists, All Other
2.0% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$34,757
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$54,453|N/A
openings
N/A /yr
Growth (10yr): N/A
About this Data:
- Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 22 to 27 (American Community Survey).
- Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
- Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2025–2035).
Program Variants & Earnings Ranges
Summary of specific program titles and credential levels mapped to this major, showing the range of earnings across different colleges.
Completers Only: Federal median earnings data strictly reflects outcomes for students who successfully graduated. Students who do not complete their degree typically earn significantly less and face higher risks of debt default.
| Program Title | Credential Level | # Colleges | Median Earnings Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| behavioral sciences. | Undergrad Certificate | 3 | $44,026 - $44,026 |
| behavioral sciences. | Associate's Degree | 17 | $37,151 - $44,993 |
| behavioral sciences. | Bachelor's Degree | 41 | $35,817 - $58,883 |
| behavioral sciences. | Master's Degree | 12 | $63,128 - $75,887 |
| behavioral sciences. | Doctoral Degree | 6 | $125,925 - $125,925 |
| clinical, counseling and applied psychology. | Undergrad Certificate | 16 | Data N/A |
| clinical, counseling and applied psychology. | Associate's Degree | 8 | $41,767 - $41,767 |
| clinical, counseling and applied psychology. | Bachelor's Degree | 135 | $25,528 - $82,023 |
| clinical, counseling and applied psychology. | Post-bacc Certificate | 11 | $66,925 - $76,728 |
| clinical, counseling and applied psychology. | Master's Degree | 502 | $31,866 - $109,268 |
| clinical, counseling and applied psychology. | Doctoral Degree | 231 | $33,204 - $130,000 |
| clinical, counseling and applied psychology. | First Professional Degree | 13 | $42,129 - $98,429 |
| clinical, counseling and applied psychology. | Graduate Certificate | 88 | $51,904 - $86,802 |
| psychology, general. | Undergrad Certificate | 11 | $47,847 - $47,847 |
| psychology, general. | Associate's Degree | 233 | $24,154 - $67,015 |
| psychology, general. | Bachelor's Degree | 1313 | $18,428 - $99,007 |
| psychology, general. | Post-bacc Certificate | 3 | Data N/A |
| psychology, general. | Master's Degree | 288 | $45,818 - $111,549 |
| psychology, general. | Doctoral Degree | 130 | $47,470 - $144,730 |
| psychology, general. | Graduate Certificate | 13 | $65,990 - $65,990 |
| psychology, other. | Associate's Degree | 3 | $35,363 - $35,363 |
| psychology, other. | Bachelor's Degree | 27 | $23,999 - $79,923 |
| psychology, other. | Master's Degree | 26 | $53,593 - $99,841 |
| psychology, other. | Doctoral Degree | 14 | $67,625 - $109,439 |
| psychology, other. | Graduate Certificate | 7 | $56,601 - $56,601 |
| research and experimental psychology. | Associate's Degree | 1 | $49,186 - $49,186 |
| research and experimental psychology. | Bachelor's Degree | 151 | $33,565 - $99,344 |
| research and experimental psychology. | Master's Degree | 83 | $42,822 - $116,546 |
| research and experimental psychology. | Doctoral Degree | 71 | $99,149 - $120,917 |
| research and experimental psychology. | Graduate Certificate | 12 | $53,677 - $53,677 |