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Psychology at University of South Alabama

Mobile, AL · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Psychology, General

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $23,700/yr (-25% vs median)

AI Risk High (49% exposed)

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

ROI 13.3x earnings multiple (6.9x out-of-state)

Ranked #542 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	$517K	$515K	$479K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	13.4x	13.3x	12.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	6.9x	6.9x	6.4x
Probability of Field Employment	51%	47%	34%
DegreeOutlook Score	33	32	32

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$38,704

Out-of-state: $74,608 (6.9x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$60,568

-56% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$23,561

11.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$44,930

90% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $23,700 place University of South Alabama below the $31,705 national median for Psychology — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

The 13.3x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 49% task exposure — and the 7% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $23,561 debt-to-$23,700 income ratio translates to about 12 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #542 out of 926 programs, University of South Alabama's financial outcomes for Psychology trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $23,700 to $44,930 over five years (90% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About University of South Alabama

A 65% admission rate makes University of South Alabama accessible to a wide range of qualified students, with a mid-sized student body of 8,540 in Mobile, AL.

See all programs and financial aid at University of South Alabama →

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 South Alabama

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

How does University of South Alabama's Psychology program score?

This program scores 32/100 — on the lower end for Psychology. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

How vulnerable is Psychology to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Psychology careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 49% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.

Why are Psychology earnings lower at University of South Alabama?

Lower starting pay at University of South Alabama may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.

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