Psychology at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Psychology, General
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
43
Optimistic
43
Base Case
42
Pessimistic
Earnings
$23,744/yr (-25% vs median)
AI Risk
High (49% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (125,000 openings/yr)
ROI
16.1x earnings multiple (5.8x out-of-state)
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 | $735K | $714K | $624K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 16.6x | 16.1x | 14.1x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 5.9x | 5.8x | 5.0x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 51% | 47% | 34% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 43 | 43 | 42 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$44,300
Out-of-state: $123,980 (5.8x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,916
9.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$65,762
177% growth from Year 1
About California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
Admission to California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is competitive, with 30% of applicants accepted, serving a student body of 21,521 in San Luis Obispo, CA.
See all programs and financial aid at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo →Top Career Paths
Managers, all other
$136,550/yr
Psychologists, all other
$117,580/yr
Industrial-organizational psychologists
$109,840/yr
Compare & Explore
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Explore the Trade Alternative
Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo's Psychology program score?
This program scores 43/100 — 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 does California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo rank so high for Psychology?
The #138 ranking out of 926 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Why are Psychology earnings lower at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo?
Lower starting pay at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo 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 →