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Psychology at Salem State University

Salem, MA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Psychology, General
45 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
46
Optimistic
45
Base Case
43
Pessimistic
Earnings $36,492/yr (15% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (125,000 openings/yr)
ROI 11.1x earnings multiple (7.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #84 of 926 Psychology, General programs Top 10%

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 $533K $530K $490K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.1x 11.1x 10.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.0x 7.0x 6.5x
Probability of Field Employment 51% 47% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 46 45 43

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$47,912
Out-of-state: $75,844 (7.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$73,764
-54% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,749
7.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$52,718
44% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Salem State University's Psychology graduates start at $36,492/yr — above the $31,705 national average, though not by a wide margin.

The 11.1x 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 8% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $22,749 debt-to-$36,492 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

A #84 ranking out of 926 Psychology programs nationally puts Salem State University in the top 10% — a strong but not elite position.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $36,492 to $52,718 shows 44% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Salem State University

A 96% acceptance rate means Salem State University is accessible to most applicants, a compact campus enrolling 4,286 students in Salem, MA.

See all programs and financial aid at Salem 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

Compare this program → View all 926 schools offering Psychology →

Psychology at Other Schools

Bentley University ($62,218) Georgetown University ($51,959) Bucknell University ($51,645) Gettysburg College ($50,040) Trinity College ($48,406) CUNY Graduate School and University Center ($48,299) The University of Texas Permian Basin ($46,009) Charter Oak State College ($45,428)

Other Majors at Salem State University

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($80,641) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($57,706) Chemistry ($49,439) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($46,897) Biology, General ($45,670) Social Work ($45,450) Criminal Justice and Corrections ($44,812) Health and Medical Administrative Services ($40,506)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Psychology trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 Salem State University's Psychology program score?
This program scores 45/100 — 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →