Home Schools Duke University Psychology
Psychology · Psychology Rank #530 of 926

Psychologyat Duke University

Graduates earn $33,559/yr in their first year — about 6.0% above the national Psychology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $697K; scenarios range from $611K to $716K depending on AI disruption.

Durham, NC Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
33 AT RISK
34
Optimistic
32
Pessimistic
Earnings
$33,559
1-year post-graduation
ROI
1.8x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$697K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
54% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Duke University

Your Duke Psychology degree opens doors far beyond traditional therapy. The program's rigor, combined with the university's elite reputation and extensive alumni network, positions graduates for diverse and competitive roles. Many leverage their critical thinking and human behavior insights into fields like consulting, marketing analytics, human resources, or user experience research, often with major firms in the Research Triangle Park and nationwide. This explains why management roles are a common trajectory. While some analytical aspects of the field face automation risk, your ability to understand complex human systems and lead teams remains invaluable. To maximize your outcome, actively seek internships early and explore interdisciplinary minors or certificates that align your psychological foundation with business or technology applications.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$611K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score32/100
Earnings Multiple2.3x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$697K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score33/100
Earnings Multiple2.6x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$716K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score34/100
Earnings Multiple2.7x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Duke University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Psychology graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Managers, all other
+4.5% 10-yr growth · 106,700 openings/yr
$136,550/yr
Moderate
2
Psychologists, all other
+4.3% 10-yr growth · 3,900 openings/yr
$117,580/yr
Moderate
3
Industrial-organizational psychologists
+6.3% 10-yr growth · 400 openings/yr
$109,840/yr
Moderate
4
Clinical and counseling psychologists
+11.2% 10-yr growth · 4,800 openings/yr
$95,830/yr
Moderate
5
Psychology teachers, postsecondary
+3.6% 10-yr growth · 4,000 openings/yr
$80,330/yr
Moderate
6
Social science research assistants
+4.4% 10-yr growth · 5,200 openings/yr
$58,040/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Psychology

How Duke University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Bentley University
MA · Private nonprofit
47
DW Score
$62K
1-yr earn
1.7x
ROI
Georgetown University
DC · Private nonprofit
46
DW Score
$52K
1-yr earn
1.7x
ROI
Bucknell University
PA · Private nonprofit
41
DW Score
$52K
1-yr earn
1.4x
ROI
Gettysburg College
PA · Private nonprofit
43
DW Score
$50K
1-yr earn
1.6x
ROI
Trinity College
CT · Private nonprofit
43
DW Score
$48K
1-yr earn
0.8x
ROI
Also at Duke University

Other top programs at Duke University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Duke University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Psychology offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Psychology trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Psychology at Duke University

What does a 33/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Psychology at Duke University?

At 33/100, 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 Duke University?

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.