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Psychology at The University of the South

Sewanee, TN · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Psychology, General

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $35,379/yr (12% vs median)

AI Risk High (49% exposed)

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

ROI 2.6x earnings multiple

Ranked #613 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	$572K	$566K	$516K
Earnings Multiple	2.7x	2.6x	2.4x
Probability of Field Employment	51%	47%	34%
DegreeOutlook Score	32	31	29

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$214,792

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$109,992

49% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$17,148

5.8 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$57,410

62% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $35,379 at The University of the South come in 12% above the national median of $31,705 for Psychology programs.

The financial case is thin at 2.6x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

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 10% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $35,379 far exceeding the $17,148 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #613 of 926 Psychology programs, The University of the South falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $57,410 show a 62% jump from the $35,379 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About The University of the South

A 51% admission rate makes The University of the South accessible to a wide range of qualified students, a compact campus enrolling 1,598 students in Sewanee, TN. The average net cost of $109,992 over four years represents a 49% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at The University of the South →

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 the South

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 the South?

A score of 31/100 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 $515,862 in decade earnings vs $572,324 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

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