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Psychology · Psychology Rank #867 of 926

Psychologyat Virginia Union University

Graduates earn $21,626/yr in their first year — about 32.0% below the national Psychology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $455K; scenarios range from $436K to $452K depending on AI disruption.

Richmond, VA Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
24 AT RISK
25
Optimistic
23
Pessimistic
Earnings
$21,626
1-year post-graduation
ROI
5.1x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$455K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
54% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Virginia Union University

A general psychology degree from Virginia Union provides a foundational understanding of human behavior, highly valued in many fields. However, without further specialization or advanced degrees, graduates often enter roles in human services, community outreach, or administrative support, especially within the Richmond area's non-profit and public sector landscape. These positions, while incredibly impactful, typically don't command high starting salaries.

Your career trajectory will largely depend on how you build upon this foundation. To improve your financial outlook, proactively seek internships that align with specific career interests and explore minors or certifications in areas like data analytics, human resources, or social work. Many higher-earning psychology careers, such as licensed therapists or organizational psychologists, necessitate graduate-level education, so plan accordingly if those paths appeal to you.

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
$436K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score23/100
Earnings Multiple7.3x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$455K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score24/100
Earnings Multiple7.7x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$452K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score25/100
Earnings Multiple7.6x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Virginia Union University'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 Virginia Union University 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 Virginia Union University

Other top programs at Virginia Union University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Virginia Union University, 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 Virginia Union University

What does a 24/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Psychology at Virginia Union University?

At 24/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Psychology programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

What's the payoff timeline for a Psychology degree from Virginia Union University?

At $27,000 in median debt, graduates carry 15 months of starting salary in loans. Income-driven repayment plans may be relevant for many borrowers.

Should I worry about AI if I study Psychology at Virginia Union University?

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.

Is Virginia Union University a good choice for Psychology despite lower starting pay?

Starting salary is one data point. If Virginia Union University's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.