Psychology at American University
Washington, DC · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Psychology, General
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
25
Optimistic
24
Base Case
24
Pessimistic
Earnings
$25,773/yr (-19% vs median)
AI Risk
High (49% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (125,000 openings/yr)
ROI
2.9x earnings multiple
How AI Changes the Outlook
Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Psychology graduates.
| Optimistic No Disruption |
Base Case Gradual AI |
Pessimistic Aggressive AI |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-Year Earnings | $677K | $662K | $585K |
| Earnings Multiple | 3.0x | 2.9x | 2.6x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 51% | 47% | 34% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 25 | 24 | 24 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$226,172
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,500
10.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$62,657
143% growth from Year 1
About American University
With a 47% acceptance rate, American University is moderately selective, serving 7,593 students in Washington, DC.
See all programs and financial aid at American University →Top Career Paths
Managers, all other
$136,550/yr
Psychologists, all other
$117,580/yr
Industrial-organizational psychologists
$109,840/yr
Compare & Explore
Psychology at Other Schools
Other Majors at American University
Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?
For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does American University's Psychology program score?
This program scores 24/100 — on the lower end for Psychology. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Psychology to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Psychology careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 49% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Psychology earnings lower at American University?
Lower starting pay at American University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →