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Psychology at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Edinburg, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Psychology, General

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $26,541/yr (-16% vs median)

AI Risk High (49% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (125,000 openings/yr)

ROI 12.6x earnings multiple (6.2x out-of-state)

Ranked #535 of 926 Psychology, General programs

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	$497K	$497K	$466K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	12.6x	12.6x	11.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	6.2x	6.2x	5.8x
Probability of Field Employment	51%	47%	34%
DegreeOutlook Score	33	33	32

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$39,436

Out-of-state: $79,756 (6.2x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$26,000

34% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$11,604

5.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$44,064

66% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $26,541/yr fall 16% below the $31,705 national median for Psychology. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 12.6x 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.

At $11,604 in median debt against $26,541 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

Ranked #535 of 926 Psychology programs, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $44,064 show a 66% jump from the $26,541 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley has a 85% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, serving a student body of 27,026 in Edinburg, TX. 64% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity. The average net cost of $26,000 over four years represents a 34% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley →

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 The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

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 at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley?

A score of 33/100 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 $465,973 in decade earnings vs $497,084 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Psychology from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley?

First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →