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Psychology at Cornell University

Ithaca, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Psychology, General

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $36,630/yr (16% vs median)

AI Risk High (49% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (125,000 openings/yr)

ROI 2.7x earnings multiple

Ranked #293 of 926 Psychology, General programs Top 50%

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	$745K	$724K	$630K
Earnings Multiple	2.8x	2.7x	2.4x
Probability of Field Employment	51%	47%	34%
DegreeOutlook Score	40	39	37

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$264,056

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$129,348

51% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$13,000

4.3 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$77,682

112% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $36,630/yr, edging above the $31,705 national average for Psychology — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

An earnings multiple of 2.7x means the program roughly breaks even in financial terms over ten years. Non-financial factors need to justify the investment.

AI risk is moderate — 49% task exposure — and the 15% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

At $13,000 in median debt against $36,630 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

Ranked #293 out of 926 programs, Cornell University's Psychology offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

Earnings growth from $36,630 to $77,682 over five years (112% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Cornell University

Cornell University admits 8% of applicants — among the most selective institutions in the country, with a mid-sized student body of 15,935 in Ithaca, NY. After financial aid, the average student pays $129,348 over four years — 51% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Cornell 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

Other Majors at Cornell University

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Cornell University's Psychology program score?

This program scores 39/100 — 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.

How affordable is Psychology at Cornell University after financial aid?

Sticker price is $264,056, but the average net cost is $129,348 — a 51% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.

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