Psychology at McNeese State University
Lake Charles, LA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Psychology, General
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
35
Optimistic
34
Base Case
34
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)
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 | $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)
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,936
10.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$43,040
63% growth from Year 1
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
Compare & Explore
Psychology 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 program score?
This program scores 34/100 — on the lower end for Psychology. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Psychology to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Psychology 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 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 →