Psychology at Naropa University

Boulder, CO · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Psychology, General
18 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
19
Optimistic
18
Base Case
17
Pessimistic
Earnings $17,708/yr (-44% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (125,000 openings/yr)
ROI 3.3x earnings multiple
Ranked #925 of 926 Psychology, General programs

Program Analysis

Your financial outcomes for this General Psychology degree at Naropa are significantly lower than what you might expect from a typical four-year program. This often stems from the unique, contemplative focus of Naropa's curriculum. While deeply enriching personally, it may not directly align with the specific vocational training often sought by employers for immediate high-earning roles in fields like corporate HR or traditional clinical settings. The listed high-paying psychologist careers almost universally require graduate-level education and licensure, which your bachelor's degree alone does not provide. Consequently, many graduates initially enter roles such as mental health technicians, case managers, or administrative support, especially in the competitive Boulder market, where starting salaries are modest. Consider this program as a foundational step for personal growth and further specialized study; if high initial earnings are your primary goal, you'll need to strategically plan for advanced degrees or pivot into fields that value the unique soft skills this program develops.

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 $453K $457K $437K
Earnings Multiple 3.3x 3.3x 3.2x
Probability of Field Employment 51% 47% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 19 18 17

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$138,400
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$115,448
17% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,500
17.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$34,309
94% growth from Year 1

About Naropa University

Naropa University accepts 94% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a smaller student body of 368 in Boulder, CO. With 57% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at Naropa 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

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 Naropa University's Psychology program score?
This program scores 18/100 — on the lower end for Psychology. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Do Naropa University Psychology graduates earn enough to justify the loans?
The debt-to-income ratio of 1.4x suggests an extended repayment window. Whether it's 'worth it' depends on career trajectory, not just first-year pay.
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 Naropa University?
Lower starting pay at Naropa 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 →