Entry Level Salary
$33,765
Median Salary
$72,000
Unemployment Rate
3.3%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
25.6%
Working non-college jobs
Earnings Trajectory
Lifetime: $2,880,000
Entry (Early)
$33,765
Median (Prime)
$72,000
High (Prime)
$75,000
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
-152k
+178k
+203k
$25k / yr
-242k
+88k
+113k
$50k / yr
-332k
-1k
+23k
Break-even Age
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
29
28
$25k / yr
Never
39
36
$50k / yr
Never
Never
54
Return on Investment %
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
∞
∞
$25k / yr
-222%
81%
104%
$50k / yr
-153%
-1%
11%
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 Rate45.1%
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
$40,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$56,000|$62,500
openings
132,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): -2%
Social workers, all other
3.4% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$41,532
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$56,275|$69,480
openings
7,000 /yr
Growth (10yr): +3.9%
Management occupations
3.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$46,856
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$90,000|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%
Social scientists and related workers
2.8% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$40,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$85,000|$92,900
openings
23,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +3.7%
Postsecondary teachers
2.4% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$21,238
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$68,000|$81,600
openings
136,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.9%
Educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors
2.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$40,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$59,351|$65,140
openings
31,000 /yr
Growth (10yr): +3.5%
Registered nurses
2.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$48,939
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$70,805|$93,600
openings
189,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.9%
Human resources workers
2.1% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$50,648
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$70,805|$74,220
openings
87,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.8%
Lawyers, judges, and related workers
2.0% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$74,970
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$125,000|$144,040
openings
34,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4%
Therapists, All Other
1.9% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$33,981
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$50,000|N/A
openings
N/A /yr
Growth (10yr): N/A
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.
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 | 4 | $44,026 - $44,026 |
| behavioral sciences. | Associate's Degree | 17 | $37,151 - $44,993 |
| behavioral sciences. | Bachelor's Degree | 48 | $35,817 - $58,883 |
| behavioral sciences. | Master's Degree | 14 | $62,066 - $75,887 |
| behavioral sciences. | Doctoral Degree | 6 | $125,925 - $125,925 |
| behavioral sciences. | Graduate Certificate | 1 | $62,923 - $62,923 |
| clinical, counseling and applied psychology. | Undergrad Certificate | 18 | Data N/A |
| clinical, counseling and applied psychology. | Associate's Degree | 11 | $41,767 - $41,767 |
| clinical, counseling and applied psychology. | Bachelor's Degree | 158 | $25,528 - $82,023 |
| clinical, counseling and applied psychology. | Post-bacc Certificate | 17 | $66,925 - $76,728 |
| clinical, counseling and applied psychology. | Master's Degree | 515 | $31,866 - $109,268 |
| clinical, counseling and applied psychology. | Doctoral Degree | 237 | $33,204 - $130,000 |
| clinical, counseling and applied psychology. | First Professional Degree | 16 | $42,129 - $98,429 |
| clinical, counseling and applied psychology. | Graduate Certificate | 92 | $51,904 - $86,802 |
| clinical, counseling and applied psychology. | Level 99 | 12 | $66,974 - $66,974 |
| psychology, general. | Undergrad Certificate | 20 | $39,292 - $64,714 |
| psychology, general. | Associate's Degree | 255 | $24,154 - $67,015 |
| psychology, general. | Bachelor's Degree | 1350 | $18,428 - $99,007 |
| psychology, general. | Post-bacc Certificate | 5 | Data N/A |
| psychology, general. | Master's Degree | 312 | $45,818 - $111,549 |
| psychology, general. | Doctoral Degree | 147 | $47,470 - $144,730 |
| psychology, general. | Graduate Certificate | 16 | $65,990 - $65,990 |
| psychology, general. | Level 99 | 20 | $47,652 - $63,873 |
| psychology, other. | Associate's Degree | 5 | $35,363 - $35,599 |
| psychology, other. | Bachelor's Degree | 33 | $23,999 - $79,923 |
| psychology, other. | Master's Degree | 32 | $53,593 - $99,841 |
| psychology, other. | Doctoral Degree | 15 | $67,625 - $109,439 |
| psychology, other. | Graduate Certificate | 9 | $56,601 - $56,601 |
| research and experimental psychology. | Associate's Degree | 1 | $49,186 - $49,186 |
| research and experimental psychology. | Bachelor's Degree | 159 | $33,565 - $99,344 |
| research and experimental psychology. | Master's Degree | 89 | $42,822 - $116,546 |
| research and experimental psychology. | Doctoral Degree | 71 | $99,149 - $120,917 |
| research and experimental psychology. | Graduate Certificate | 13 | $53,677 - $53,677 |