Research and Experimental Psychologyat University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Graduates earn $31,568/yr in their first year — about 10.0% below the national Research and Experimental Psychology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $632K; scenarios range from $568K to $642K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Michigan
At a top-tier institution like the University of Michigan, your Research and Experimental Psychology degree is a robust foundation, often preparing you for advanced studies rather than immediate high-paying entry-level roles. Many graduates pursue Master's or Ph.D. programs to become practicing psychologists, researchers, or university faculty, where significant earning potential materializes later. The program's rigor in data analysis and research methodology is highly valued, opening doors to fields like market research, data analytics, and human factors within Ann Arbor's vibrant tech and healthcare ecosystem, or nationally.
While AI risk is noted, your UMich training emphasizes critical thinking and complex problem-solving, skills that complement AI tools rather than being replaced by them. You'll learn to design experiments and interpret nuanced human behavior, areas where human expertise remains paramount. Leverage UMich's extensive research opportunities and alumni network; actively seek internships that apply your analytical skills in corporate or research settings. This proactive engagement will significantly shape your post-graduation trajectory.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Michigan's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Research and Experimental Psychology
How University of Michigan stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Michigan
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Michigan, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Research and Experimental Psychology at University of Michigan
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Research and Experimental Psychology at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor?
A score of 45/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Research and Experimental Psychology. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Research and Experimental Psychology careers?
With 44% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $567,654 in decade earnings vs $641,673 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.