Psychology at Colorado Mesa University

Grand Junction, CO · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Psychology, General
42 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
43
Optimistic
42
Base Case
41
Pessimistic
Earnings $34,116/yr (8% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (125,000 openings/yr)
ROI 12.9x earnings multiple (5.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #172 of 926 Psychology, General programs Top 25%

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 $503K $502K $470K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.9x 12.9x 12.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.2x 5.2x 4.8x
Probability of Field Employment 51% 47% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 43 42 41

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$38,848
Out-of-state: $97,248 (5.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$61,324
-58% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,093
8.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$47,690
40% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $34,116/yr, edging above the $31,705 national average for Psychology — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 12.9x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Psychology programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Psychology's typical career paths, with 49% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 7% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $23,093 represents roughly 8 months of the $34,116 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #172 of 926 nationally, this is a top-5% Psychology program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $34,116 to $47,690 over five years — a 40% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Colorado Mesa University

Colorado Mesa University has a 81% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a mid-sized student body of 7,604 in Grand Junction, CO.

See all programs and financial aid at Colorado Mesa University →

Top Career Paths

Managers, all other $136,550/yr
Psychologists, all other $117,580/yr
Industrial-organizational psychologists $109,840/yr
View all 6 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Psychology at Other Schools

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For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Psychology at Colorado Mesa University?
A score of 42/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Psychology. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Psychology careers?
With 49% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $469,593 in decade earnings vs $502,544 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Colorado Mesa University's Psychology program stand out?
Ranked #172 of 926 programs nationally, Colorado Mesa University lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →