Entry Level Salary
$42,000
Median Salary
$63,721
Unemployment Rate
3.4%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
28.8%
Working non-college jobs
Earnings Trajectory
Lifetime: $2,548,840
Entry (Early)
$42,000
Median (Prime)
$63,721
High (Prime)
$69,670
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
-77k
+113k
+162k
$25k / yr
-167k
+23k
+72k
$50k / yr
-257k
-67k
-18k
Break-even Age
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
31
29
$25k / yr
Never
51
40
$50k / yr
Never
Never
Never
Return on Investment %
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
∞
∞
$25k / yr
-154%
21%
66%
$50k / yr
-118%
-31%
-8%
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 Rate41.9%
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
4.5% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$44,675
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$52,136|$64,170
openings
127,300 /yr
Growth (10yr): -0.4%
Management occupations
3.9% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$69,550
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$107,000|$126,520
openings
1,081,700 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.2%
Customer service representatives
3.7% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$75,029
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$46,343|$44,770
openings
289,500 /yr
Growth (10yr): -5.3%
Social workers, all other
3.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$45,184
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$69,514|$71,900
openings
5,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): +2.3%
Educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors
3.1% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$6,176
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$57,928|$64,330
openings
27,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): +2.9%
Computer systems analysts
2.9% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$31,578
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$48,582|$105,850
openings
32,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +7.9%
Lawyers, judges, and related workers
2.6% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$118,418
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$182,182|$155,120
openings
31,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.5%
Postsecondary teachers
2.5% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$58,523
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$90,035|$82,250
openings
123,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6%
Counselors, social workers, and other community and social service specialists
2.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$4,818
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$7,412|$58,300
openings
249,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +8.3%
Financial managers
2.1% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$43,724
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$60,000|$166,570
openings
65,600 /yr
Growth (10yr): +9.7%
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).
Undergraduate Pathway Guidance
Social psychology is studied under Psychology or Sociology programs at the undergraduate level.