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Psychology at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Psychology, General

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $31,804/yr (0% vs median)

AI Risk High (49% exposed)

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

ROI 15.9x earnings multiple (3.6x out-of-state)

Ranked #65 of 926 Psychology, General programs Top 10%

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	$578K	$571K	$520K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	16.1x	15.9x	14.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	3.7x	3.6x	3.3x
Probability of Field Employment	51%	47%	34%
DegreeOutlook Score	47	46	45

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$35,956

Out-of-state: $157,320 (3.6x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$51,932

-44% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$13,999

5.3 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$56,424

77% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Psychology program produces graduates earning $31,804/yr — within striking distance of the $31,705 national average for this field.

With a 15.9x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 10% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Psychology career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $13,999 in median debt clears quickly against $31,804 in annual earnings.

At #65 of 926 programs, this Psychology program outperforms the majority of its peers. The top 10% ranking reflects consistently above-average outcomes.

The $31,804-to-$56,424 earnings arc over five years reflects a 77% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Admission to University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is competitive, with 19% of applicants accepted, serving a student body of 20,556 in Chapel Hill, NC.

See all programs and financial aid at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill →

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 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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 46/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Psychology at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?

At 46/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Psychology programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Should I worry about AI if I study Psychology at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?

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.

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