Psychology at Saint Peter's University

Jersey City, NJ · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Psychology, General
22 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
22
Optimistic
22
Base Case
20
Pessimistic
Earnings $18,775/yr (-41% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (125,000 openings/yr)
ROI 3.7x earnings multiple
Ranked #901 of 926 Psychology, General programs

Program Analysis

The earnings data for Saint Peter's Psychology program suggests a challenging entry into the workforce compared to the national average for this major. This often stems from the highly competitive labor market in the greater New York City area, where many graduates without advanced degrees typically enter roles like human services, entry-level HR, or administrative support. While a psychology background is valuable, these positions don't always command high starting salaries. Saint Peter's, as a smaller private institution, may not have the direct recruiting pipelines into higher-paying corporate or research roles that larger universities might. To truly leverage a psychology degree for higher earnings, particularly given the high AI risk for some generalist roles, a concrete plan for graduate school or significant, targeted internships in high-demand areas like data analytics or user experience research is crucial from day one.

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 $626K $615K $552K
Earnings Multiple 3.8x 3.7x 3.4x
Probability of Field Employment 51% 47% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 22 22 20

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$164,216
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$51,892
68% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,850
15.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$51,613
175% growth from Year 1

About Saint Peter's University

A 91% acceptance rate means Saint Peter's University is accessible to most applicants, with a smaller student body of 1,939 in Jersey City, NJ. 54% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity. After financial aid, the average student pays $51,892 over four years — 68% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Saint Peter's 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

Other Majors at Saint Peter's University

Consider the Trade Route?

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

How does Saint Peter's University's Psychology program score?
This program scores 22/100 — on the lower end for Psychology. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Do Saint Peter's University Psychology graduates earn enough to justify the loans?
The debt-to-income ratio of 1.3x 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 Saint Peter's University?
Lower starting pay at Saint Peter's University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
How affordable is Psychology at Saint Peter's University after financial aid?
Sticker price is $164,216, but the average net cost is $51,892 — a 68% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →