Psychology at Howard University

Washington, DC · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Psychology, General
26 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
26
Optimistic
26
Base Case
24
Pessimistic
Earnings $18,934/yr (-40% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (125,000 openings/yr)
ROI 4.9x earnings multiple
Ranked #779 of 926 Psychology, General programs

Program Analysis

A General Psychology degree from Howard offers a robust academic foundation, but the initial earnings reflect common pathways for this major. A bachelor's often leads to roles in human services, community outreach, or entry-level HR support within the D.C. area's government agencies, non-profits, or advocacy organizations. These positions, while impactful and aligned with many students' values, typically don't command the salaries of specialized corporate fields. The higher-paying psychologist roles you see on this page almost universally require advanced degrees—master's or doctorates—which most graduates haven't completed by year five. To unlock those earning potentials, leverage Howard's strong network for internships that build analytical or research skills, and strategically plan for graduate studies.

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 $671K $656K $581K
Earnings Multiple 5.0x 4.9x 4.4x
Probability of Field Employment 51% 47% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 26 26 24

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$133,376
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$191,676
-44% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,437
15.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$55,395
193% growth from Year 1

About Howard University

A 35% acceptance rate puts Howard University in competitive admissions territory, serving 9,604 students in Washington, DC. Pell Grant recipients make up 41% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at Howard 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 Howard 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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Psychology at Howard University?
A score of 26/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Psychology. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Is Psychology at Howard University worth the student debt?
Median debt of $24,437 against $18,934/yr starting salary means roughly 1.3 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 $581,210 in decade earnings vs $670,877 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Psychology from Howard University?
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 →