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Psychology · Psychology Rank #779 of 926

Psychologyat Howard University

Graduates earn $18,934/yr in their first year — about 40.0% below the national Psychology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $656K; scenarios range from $581K to $671K depending on AI disruption.

Washington, DC Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
26 AT RISK
26
Optimistic
24
Pessimistic
Earnings
$18,934
1-year post-graduation
ROI
3.2x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$656K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
54% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Howard University

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.

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
$581K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score24/100
Earnings Multiple4.4x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$656K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score26/100
Earnings Multiple4.9x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$671K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score26/100
Earnings Multiple5.0x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Howard 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 Howard 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
Same state (DC)
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 Howard University

Other top programs at Howard University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Howard 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 Howard University

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.