Psychology at Fairmont State University

Fairmont, WV · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Psychology, General
34 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
34
Optimistic
34
Base Case
33
Pessimistic
Earnings $29,307/yr (-8% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (125,000 openings/yr)
ROI 13.6x earnings multiple (6.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #504 of 926 Psychology, General programs

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 $455K $459K $438K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 13.5x 13.6x 13.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.2x 6.2x 6.0x
Probability of Field Employment 51% 47% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 34 34 33

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$33,816
Out-of-state: $73,488 (6.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$36,220
-7% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,494
9.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$39,548
35% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $29,307/yr, roughly in line with the $31,705 national median for Psychology. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 13.6x 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 4% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $22,494 represents roughly 9 months of the $29,307 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #504 of 926 Psychology programs, Fairmont State University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $29,307 to $39,548 over five years — a 35% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Fairmont State University

Fairmont State University accepts 99% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a smaller institution with 2,690 students in Fairmont, WV.

See all programs and financial aid at Fairmont State 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 Fairmont State University

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 Fairmont State University?
A score of 34/100 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 $438,326 in decade earnings vs $455,392 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →