Psychology at California State University-Monterey Bay
Seaside, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Psychology, General
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
45
Optimistic
45
Base Case
44
Pessimistic
Earnings
$29,168/yr (-8% vs median)
AI Risk
High (49% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (125,000 openings/yr)
ROI
19.0x earnings multiple (7.3x 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 | $571K | $565K | $515K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 19.2x | 19.0x | 17.3x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 7.4x | 7.3x | 6.7x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 51% | 47% | 34% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 45 | 45 | 44 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$29,748
Out-of-state: $77,268 (7.3x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$11,000
4.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$54,215
86% growth from Year 1
About California State University-Monterey Bay
California State University-Monterey Bay has a 95% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a mid-sized student body of 5,811 in Seaside, CA. With 43% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.
See all programs and financial aid at California State University-Monterey Bay →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 California State University-Monterey Bay
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
What does a 45/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Psychology at California State University-Monterey Bay?
At 45/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Psychology programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Psychology at California State University-Monterey Bay?
The 49% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is California State University-Monterey Bay one of the best schools for Psychology?
Among 926 Psychology programs, California State University-Monterey Bay's #100 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →