Psychology at San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Psychology, General
53 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
54
Optimistic
53
Base Case
51
Pessimistic
Earnings $34,803/yr (10% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (125,000 openings/yr)
ROI 19.8x earnings multiple (7.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #8 of 926 Psychology, General programs Top 1%

Program Analysis

The strong performance of SF State's Psychology program is deeply tied to the unique labor market dynamics of the San Francisco Bay Area. Your undergraduate psychology foundation here is highly valued, translating into diverse opportunities beyond traditional clinical paths. Local employers, including numerous tech companies, healthcare providers, and non-profits, actively seek graduates skilled in critical thinking, data interpretation, and understanding human behavior for roles in human resources, user experience research, project coordination, and social services. The robust local economy and extensive professional networks mean abundant opportunities for internships and early career growth. To truly leverage this degree and mitigate the general AI risk, actively seek out internships that align with your specific career interests and consider supplementing your studies with practical skills in areas like data analysis or research methods to build a specialized, in-demand profile.

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 $598K $589K $533K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 20.1x 19.8x 17.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.7x 7.6x 6.9x
Probability of Field Employment 51% 47% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 54 53 51

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$29,696
Out-of-state: $77,216 (7.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$51,528
-74% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$15,000
5.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$60,290
73% growth from Year 1

About San Francisco State University

San Francisco State University has a 96% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, one of the larger campuses at 20,033 students in San Francisco, CA. 41% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at San Francisco 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

Psychology at Other Schools

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Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 53/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Psychology at San Francisco State University?
At 53/100, San Francisco State University's Psychology program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Should I worry about AI if I study Psychology at San Francisco State University?
The 49% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is San Francisco State University one of the best schools for Psychology?
Among 926 Psychology programs, San Francisco State University's #8 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →