Psychology at Southeast Missouri State University

Cape Girardeau, MO · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Psychology, General
37 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
38
Optimistic
37
Base Case
37
Pessimistic
Earnings $30,477/yr (-4% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (125,000 openings/yr)
ROI 13.1x earnings multiple
Ranked #367 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 graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $498K $497K $466K
Earnings Multiple 13.1x 13.1x 12.3x
Probability of Field Employment 51% 47% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 38 37 37

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$37,984
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$58,128
-53% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,970
8.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$45,794
50% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $30,477/yr, roughly in line with the $31,705 national median for Psychology. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 13.1x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Psychology programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Psychology's typical career paths, with 49% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 6% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $21,970 represents roughly 9 months of the $30,477 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #367 of 926 Psychology programs, Southeast Missouri State University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $45,794 show a 50% jump from the $30,477 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Southeast Missouri State University

Southeast Missouri State University accepts 78% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving 6,588 students in Cape Girardeau, MO.

See all programs and financial aid at Southeast Missouri 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

Other Majors at Southeast Missouri State 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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Psychology at Southeast Missouri State University?
A score of 37/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Psychology. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Psychology careers?
With 49% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $466,493 in decade earnings vs $497,867 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →