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Psychology at Lafayette College

Easton, PA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Psychology, General
38 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
38
Optimistic
38
Base Case
36
Pessimistic
Earnings $36,235/yr (14% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (125,000 openings/yr)
ROI 2.8x earnings multiple
Ranked #332 of 926 Psychology, General programs Top 50%

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 $715K $696K $611K
Earnings Multiple 2.9x 2.8x 2.4x
Probability of Field Employment 51% 47% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 38 38 36

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$250,296
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$129,984
48% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,000
5.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$74,290
105% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $36,235 at Lafayette College come in 14% above the national median of $31,705 for Psychology programs.

The financial case is thin at 2.8x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

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 15% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $36,235 far exceeding the $16,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #332 of 926 Psychology programs, Lafayette College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $74,290 show a 105% jump from the $36,235 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Lafayette College

Lafayette College accepts 31% of applicants — selective, though not ultra-competitive, with a smaller student body of 2,746 in Easton, PA. The average net cost of $129,984 over four years represents a 48% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Lafayette College →

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

Compare this program → View all 926 schools offering Psychology →

Psychology at Other Schools

Bentley University ($62,218) Georgetown University ($51,959) Bucknell University ($51,645) Gettysburg College ($50,040) Trinity College ($48,406) CUNY Graduate School and University Center ($48,299) The University of Texas Permian Basin ($46,009) Charter Oak State College ($45,428)

Other Majors at Lafayette College

Chemical Engineering ($79,602) Engineering, General ($76,507) Mechanical Engineering ($72,481) Civil Engineering ($70,391) Economics ($68,164) International Relations and National Security Studies ($58,433) Political Science and Government ($48,112) Sociology and Anthropology ($43,321)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Psychology trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 Lafayette College?
A score of 38/100 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 $610,545 in decade earnings vs $715,119 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →