Psychology at University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Psychology, General
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
42
Optimistic
41
Base Case
40
Pessimistic
Earnings
$32,673/yr (3% vs median)
AI Risk
High (49% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (125,000 openings/yr)
ROI
13.1x earnings multiple (6.0x out-of-state)
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 | $509K | $508K | $474K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 13.1x | 13.1x | 12.2x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 6.0x | 6.0x | 5.6x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 51% | 47% | 34% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 42 | 41 | 40 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$38,912
Out-of-state: $85,088 (6.0x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,500
7.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$48,150
47% growth from Year 1
About University of Northern Iowa
With 94% of applicants admitted, University of Northern Iowa prioritizes broad access, serving 7,599 students in Cedar Falls, IA.
See all programs and financial aid at University of Northern Iowa →Top Career Paths
Managers, all other
$136,550/yr
Psychologists, all other
$117,580/yr
Industrial-organizational psychologists
$109,840/yr
Compare & Explore
Psychology at Other Schools
Other Majors at University of Northern Iowa
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 University of Northern Iowa?
A score of 41/100 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 $474,175 in decade earnings vs $509,456 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes University of Northern Iowa's Psychology program stand out?
Ranked #213 of 926 programs nationally, University of Northern Iowa lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →