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Psychology · Psychology Rank #65 of 926

Psychologyat University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Graduates earn $31,804/yr in their first year — right at the national average. Base-case 10-year earnings $571K; scenarios range from $520K to $578K depending on AI disruption.

Chapel Hill, NC Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
46 AVERAGE
47
Optimistic
45
Pessimistic
Earnings
$31,804
1-year post-graduation
ROI
14.7x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$571K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
54% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Your UNC Chapel Hill psychology degree offers a robust foundation in understanding human behavior, critical thinking, and research methods—skills highly valued across many sectors. However, unlike more vocational majors, a general psychology degree often serves as a stepping stone. The initial compensation reflects this broad applicability, as many graduates leverage their analytical and interpersonal skills in fields like human resources, marketing, or social services, where entry-level salaries can be moderate.

To reach the higher earning potentials seen in specialized psychology roles or senior management, further education—often a Master's or Ph.D.—is typically required, channeling you into fields like clinical practice, industrial-organizational psychology, or advanced research. The high AI risk indicated points to the potential automation of general data analysis or administrative tasks common in early-career roles, emphasizing the importance of developing niche expertise. Leverage UNC's strong academic reputation and alumni network to explore internships or research opportunities that align with specific career interests early on, giving you a distinct advantage in a competitive landscape.

AI Outlook Integration

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.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$520K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score45/100
Earnings Multiple14.5x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$571K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score46/100
Earnings Multiple15.9x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$578K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score47/100
Earnings Multiple16.1x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Psychology graduates typically work

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.

1
Managers, all other
+4.5% 10-yr growth · 106,700 openings/yr
$136,550/yr
Moderate
2
Psychologists, all other
+4.3% 10-yr growth · 3,900 openings/yr
$117,580/yr
Moderate
3
Industrial-organizational psychologists
+6.3% 10-yr growth · 400 openings/yr
$109,840/yr
Moderate
4
Clinical and counseling psychologists
+11.2% 10-yr growth · 4,800 openings/yr
$95,830/yr
Moderate
5
Psychology teachers, postsecondary
+3.6% 10-yr growth · 4,000 openings/yr
$80,330/yr
Moderate
6
Social science research assistants
+4.4% 10-yr growth · 5,200 openings/yr
$58,040/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Psychology

How University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Bentley University
MA · Private nonprofit
47
DW Score
$62K
1-yr earn
1.7x
ROI
Georgetown University
DC · Private nonprofit
46
DW Score
$52K
1-yr earn
1.7x
ROI
Bucknell University
PA · Private nonprofit
41
DW Score
$52K
1-yr earn
1.4x
ROI
Gettysburg College
PA · Private nonprofit
43
DW Score
$50K
1-yr earn
1.6x
ROI
Trinity College
CT · Private nonprofit
43
DW Score
$48K
1-yr earn
0.8x
ROI
Also at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Other top programs at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Psychology offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Psychology trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Psychology at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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.