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Psychology, General at McNeese State University

Lake Charles, LA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $26,414/yr (-17% vs median)

AI Risk High (49% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (125,000 openings/yr)

ROI 14.5x earnings multiple (12.3x out-of-state)

Ranked #481 of 926 Psychology, General programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Psychology, General graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$489K	$490K	$461K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	14.5x	14.5x	13.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	12.3x	12.3x	11.6x
Probability of Field Employment	51%	47%	34%
DegreeOutlook Score	35	34	34

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$33,840

Out-of-state: $39,840 (12.3x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$45,028

-33% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$23,936

10.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$43,040

63% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $26,414/yr fall 17% below the $31,705 national median for Psychology, General. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

The 14.5x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 49% task exposure — and the 6% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $23,936 debt-to-$26,414 income ratio translates to about 11 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #481 out of 926 programs, McNeese State University's financial outcomes for Psychology, General trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $26,414 to $43,040 over five years (63% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About McNeese State University

With a 68% acceptance rate, McNeese State University is moderately selective, a smaller institution with 4,846 students in Lake Charles, LA.

See all programs and financial aid at McNeese 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, General at Other Schools

Other Majors at McNeese 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

How does McNeese State University's Psychology, General program score?

This program scores 34/100 — on the lower end for Psychology, General. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

How vulnerable is Psychology, General to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Psychology, General careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 49% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.

Why are Psychology, General earnings lower at McNeese State University?

Lower starting pay at McNeese State University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →