Psychology at Concordia University-Irvine

Irvine, CA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Psychology, General
20 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
21
Optimistic
20
Base Case
19
Pessimistic
Earnings $17,772/yr (-44% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (125,000 openings/yr)
ROI 3.5x earnings multiple
Ranked #918 of 926 Psychology, General programs

Program Analysis

The earnings data for Concordia Irvine's General Psychology program highlight a common reality: a bachelor's degree in this field often serves as a foundational step rather than a direct pipeline to high-paying roles. At a smaller, private university in a high cost-of-living area like Irvine, many graduates with a general psychology degree initially find themselves in social services, education support, or entry-level HR positions. These roles, while valuable, may not offer salaries commensurate with the regional cost of living without further specialization. The impressive salaries you see for psychologists and managers almost universally require extensive graduate education (Master's or PhD), which a bachelor's alone doesn't provide. If you choose this path, prioritize internships and develop strong data analysis and research skills to differentiate yourself, and be prepared to pursue advanced degrees to unlock higher earning potential in this field.

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 $595K $587K $531K
Earnings Multiple 3.6x 3.5x 3.2x
Probability of Field Employment 51% 47% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 21 20 19

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$165,560
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$112,184
32% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,000
16.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$47,966
170% growth from Year 1

About Concordia University-Irvine

Concordia University-Irvine accepts 60% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, a compact campus enrolling 1,456 students in Irvine, CA. After financial aid, the average student pays $112,184 over four years — 32% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Concordia University-Irvine →

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

Other Majors at Concordia University-Irvine

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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Psychology at Concordia University-Irvine?
A score of 20/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Psychology. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Is Psychology at Concordia University-Irvine worth the student debt?
Median debt of $25,000 against $17,772/yr starting salary means roughly 1.4 years of earnings go to repayment. That's above average — financial aid and loan terms matter here.
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 $531,003 in decade earnings vs $595,159 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Psychology from Concordia University-Irvine?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →