Psychology, General at Rice University

Houston, TX · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
40 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
41
Optimistic
40
Base Case
36
Pessimistic
Earnings $41,299/yr (30% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (125,000 openings/yr)
ROI 2.7x earnings multiple
Ranked #261 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, General graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $633K $621K $556K
Earnings Multiple 2.7x 2.7x 2.4x
Probability of Field Employment 51% 47% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 41 40 36

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$232,512
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$50,560
78% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,505
3.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$67,648
64% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates of Rice University's Psychology, General program earn $41,299/yr in their first year — 30% above the $31,705 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

The financial case is thin at 2.7x — 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, General's typical career paths, with 49% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 12% gap from the optimistic case.

At $12,505 in median debt against $41,299 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #261 of 926 Psychology, General programs, Rice University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $67,648 show a 64% jump from the $41,299 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Rice University

Rice University admits 8% of applicants — among the most selective institutions in the country, a compact campus enrolling 4,562 students in Houston, TX. The average net cost of $50,560 over four years represents a 78% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Rice 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 Rice 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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Psychology, General at Rice University?
A score of 40/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Psychology, General. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Psychology, General careers?
With 49% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $556,156 in decade earnings vs $633,093 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Is Rice University a hidden gem for Psychology, General?
After financial aid, the average student pays $50,560 over four years — 78% below the $232,512 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →