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Research and Experimental Psychology at Amherst College

Amherst, MA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $45,786/yr (30% vs median)

AI Risk High (44% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (203,900 openings/yr)

ROI 1.9x earnings multiple

Ranked #21 of 84 Research and Experimental Psychology programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Research and Experimental Psychology graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$509K	$508K	$475K
Earnings Multiple	1.9x	1.9x	1.8x
Probability of Field Employment	52%	48%	36%
DegreeOutlook Score	45	45	41

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$269,120

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$72,984

73% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$10,800

2.8 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $45,786 put Amherst College's Research and Experimental Psychology program 30% above the national median of $35,198 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

The financial case is thin at 1.9x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

Some AI exposure exists in Research and Experimental Psychology's typical career paths, with 44% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 7% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $45,786 far exceeding the $10,800 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #21 of 84 nationally, this is a top-5% Research and Experimental Psychology program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

About Amherst College

Amherst College's 10% admission rate places it in the top tier of selectivity nationally, with a smaller student body of 1,907 in Amherst, MA. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $72,984 — 73% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Amherst College →

Top Career Paths

Managers, all other $136,550/yr

Psychologists, all other $117,580/yr

Health specialties teachers, postsecondary $105,620/yr

View all 11 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Research and Experimental Psychology at Other Schools

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Research and Experimental Psychology at Amherst College?

A score of 45/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Research and Experimental Psychology. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.

Will AI replace Research and Experimental Psychology careers?

With 44% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $475,408 in decade earnings vs $509,286 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

What makes Amherst College's Research and Experimental Psychology program stand out?

Ranked #21 of 84 programs nationally, Amherst College lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.

Is Amherst College a hidden gem for Research and Experimental Psychology?

After financial aid, the average student pays $72,984 over four years — 73% below the $269,120 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →