Psychology at Cornell University

Ithaca, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Psychology, General
39 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
40
Optimistic
39
Base Case
37
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%

Program Analysis

Your Cornell Psychology degree carries significant weight, leveraging the university's elite reputation and robust academic environment. The rigorous analytical, research, and critical thinking skills you'll develop are highly valued across numerous industries, explaining why graduates frequently pivot into leadership roles like management or specialized consulting, where top firms actively recruit from Ivy League institutions. These programs prize your ability to understand human behavior and data, rather than just clinical application. While some routine tasks in psychology might face AI integration, your Cornell education emphasizes complex problem-solving, ethical reasoning, and nuanced human interaction—skills that are highly resilient. To maximize your prospects, actively engage in research labs and pursue internships early, leveraging Cornell’s expansive alumni network to explore diverse career paths beyond traditional psychology.

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

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 →