Rankings / Outcomes
Highest-Paying Colleges for Psychology
- 50
- Schools
- $64,812
- Avg. Earnings
- 61%
- Avg. Graduation
- $23,471
- Avg. Net Price
- $23,078
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $50,002 at the low end to $131,426 at the top. That 2.6× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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Harvard University offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $101,817 against $19,066 in annual net price, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
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The most budget-friendly option on this list is Andrews University, at $12,547 annually in net price.
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Completion rates separate this field: Harvard University graduates 97% of its students, well above the 61% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor Claremont McKenna College: graduates owe only 0.13× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. Andrews University ($12,547/yr) and Butler University ($36,041/yr) produce graduates earning $53,187 and $77,235 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $23,494 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, Harvard University outperforms Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences: similar career earnings at a much lower net price.
- Completion is where this ranking's schools diverge most: Harvard University graduates 97% of its students versus 32% at Oklahoma Wesleyan University. Access without completion is opportunity unclaimed.
The Takeaway
The through line among the top-ranked schools is plain. They pair solid graduate earnings with affordable costs and meaningful social mobility. Prestige and selectivity matter far less than whether students end up better off.
What This Means for Students
Your shortlist should start with Harvard University. For each school, look up the net price your family would actually pay, weigh it against typical graduate earnings, and build the decision around the return instead of the name recognition.
Why this ranking matters
These schools are ranked on outcomes that compound: graduate earnings, upward mobility, debt, and value, all drawn from federal tax records and Scorecard data rather than reputation surveys. The list rewards results over prestige, led by institutions whose graduates earn a median of about $59K ten years after enrollment.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
- Chetty, R., Friedman, J., Saez, E., Turner, N., & Yagan, D. (2017). Mobility Report Cards: The Role of Colleges in Intergenerational Mobility. NBER Working Paper No. 23618.
- U.S. Department of Education. College Scorecard Data. Federal Student Aid, National Center for Education Statistics.
- National Center for Education Statistics. Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $131,426 ▲ +103% vs avg | $29,882 | 68% | 90 |
| 2 Claremont McKenna College #2 overall | $104,736 ▲ +62% vs avg | $28,849 | 93% | 81 |
| 3 Washington and Lee University #3 overall | $94,810 ▲ +46% vs avg | $23,781 | 94% | 74 |
| $88,604 ▲ +37% vs avg | $34,561 | 83% | 65 | |
| $77,779 ▲ +20% vs avg | $19,285 | 93% | 64 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Highest-Paying Colleges for Psychology
This analysis ranks 50 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $64,812 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 61% and an average net price of $23,471.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Harvard University — Net Price: $19,066 | Graduation Rate: 97%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Harvard University — 97% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences — Median alumni earnings: $131,426
Data Insight
The most expensive quartile of colleges costs 373% more than the most affordable — but their graduates earn just 34% more.
Human Services Workforce Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the human-services and social-work workforce?
$59,402
Median earnings (10yr)
58%
Median graduation rate
$23,230
Median net price
1.6%
Avg. mobility rate
Demand for mental-health and social-service professionals keeps rising, driven by greater awareness of mental-health needs, an aging population, and expanding access to services. These are licensure-gated, mission-driven careers. The social return is high and the financial return is capped, which makes program cost the most important variable in the value equation.
The median graduation rate across these 50 schools is 58%. Median graduate earnings reach $59,402 ten years after enrollment, roughly $11,402 more than the national worker average of $48,000. Average net price, the cost after grants, is $23,230 a year, and median federal debt at graduation is about $24,813. Some 29% of students receive Pell grants, and mobility, the share of low-income students who reach the top quintile, averages 1.6%.
In human services, the cost of the degree matters as much as the career that follows it. Median earnings of roughly $59,402 and a net price of about $23,230 leave little room for heavy borrowing. Graduates who keep debt minimal do best in a field where the rewards are primarily social rather than financial.
The podium
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Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Albany, NY · 53% accepted · $29,882 net
Why it ranks #1
Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences lands at #1 with a 90/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (36/100). Graduates earn a median $131,426 a decade after enrolling, 103% above this list's average, and net price runs $29,882 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Claremont McKenna College lands at #2 with a 81/100 composite, led by academic quality (95/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (60/100). Graduates earn a median $104,736 a decade after enrolling, 62% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,849 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Washington and Lee University lands at #3 with a 74/100 composite, led by academic quality (89/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (74/100). Graduates earn a median $94,810 a decade after enrolling, 46% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,781 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Union College lands at #4 with a 65/100 composite, led by academic quality (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $88,604 a decade after enrolling, 37% above this list's average, and net price runs $34,561 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
Pomona College lands at #5 with a 64/100 composite, led by academic quality (96/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (77/100). Graduates earn a median $77,779 a decade after enrolling, 20% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,285 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Wesleyan University lands at #6 with a 61/100 composite, led by academic quality (91/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (67/100). Graduates earn a median $73,897 a decade after enrolling, 14% above this list's average, and net price runs $30,177 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Butler University lands at #7 with a 60/100 composite, led by academic quality (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (37/100). Graduates earn a median $77,235 a decade after enrolling, 19% above this list's average, and net price runs $36,041 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Bryn Mawr College lands at #8 with a 60/100 composite, led by academic quality (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $75,217 a decade after enrolling, 16% above this list's average, and net price runs $31,759 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Pitzer College lands at #9 with a 55/100 composite, led by academic quality (87/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (56/100). Graduates earn a median $69,512 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $34,191 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Colorado College lands at #10 with a 54/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (59/100). Graduates earn a median $65,222 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $33,375 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Jacksonville University lands at #11 with a 53/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $68,010 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $25,180 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Harvard University lands at #12 with a 50/100 composite, led by academic quality (97/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (74/100). Graduates earn a median $101,817 a decade after enrolling, 57% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,066 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Baker University lands at #13 with a 50/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $63,855 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $25,301 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Washington Adventist University lands at #14 with a 50/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (50/100). Graduates earn a median $64,249 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,526 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
University of Mary lands at #15 with a 49/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (60/100). Graduates earn a median $60,909 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,770 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Concordia University Texas lands at #16 with a 49/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $60,883 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,131 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
Goldey-Beacom College lands at #17 with a 49/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (60/100). Graduates earn a median $59,892 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,554 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Daemen University lands at #18 with a 48/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $61,808 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,693 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Walla Walla University lands at #19 with a 47/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $61,885 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,329 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
Thomas More University lands at #20 with a 47/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $59,384 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,835 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
Keuka College lands at #21 with a 47/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (42/100). Graduates earn a median $58,289 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $24,338 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
Madonna University lands at #22 with a 47/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (56/100). Graduates earn a median $59,058 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,755 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
Western New England University lands at #23 with a 46/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (39/100). Graduates earn a median $73,157 a decade after enrolling, 13% above this list's average, and net price runs $27,290 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
Marietta College lands at #24 with a 46/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $57,180 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,083 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
Saint Francis University lands at #25 with a 45/100 composite, led by academic quality (78/100) and pulled down by social mobility (37/100). Graduates earn a median $62,101 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,526 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #26
University of Jamestown lands at #26 with a 45/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $56,621 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,567 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #27
Cumberland University lands at #27 with a 45/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (52/100). Graduates earn a median $57,687 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,759 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #28
John Brown University lands at #28 with a 45/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $53,907 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,397 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #29
Eastern Mennonite University lands at #29 with a 45/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (43/100). Graduates earn a median $54,869 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $24,588 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Baton Rouge, LA · 99% accepted · $18,552 net
Why it ranks #30
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University lands at #30 with a 44/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (67/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $59,419 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,552 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #31
Andrews University lands at #31 with a 44/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (63/100). Graduates earn a median $53,187 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,547 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #32
Randolph College lands at #32 with a 44/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $53,409 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,921 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #33
Oklahoma Wesleyan University lands at #33 with a 44/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (68/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $59,841 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $28,358 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #34
Erskine College lands at #34 with a 43/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $53,459 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,525 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #35
University of St Thomas lands at #35 with a 43/100 composite, led by academic quality (79/100) and pulled down by social mobility (42/100). Graduates earn a median $59,224 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,359 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #36
Morningside University lands at #36 with a 43/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (31/100). Graduates earn a median $55,494 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $31,320 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #37
Southwestern Adventist University lands at #37 with a 43/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $52,946 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,778 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #38
Tabor College lands at #38 with a 43/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $54,058 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,205 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #39
Sweet Briar College lands at #39 with a 42/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (58/100). Graduates earn a median $51,943 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,758 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #40
Schreiner University lands at #40 with a 42/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $52,228 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,507 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #41
Dordt University lands at #41 with a 42/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $52,559 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $25,807 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #42
Westminster College lands at #42 with a 42/100 composite, led by social mobility (91/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (34/100). Graduates earn a median $52,199 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $24,314 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #43
Friends University lands at #43 with a 42/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (42/100). Graduates earn a median $52,113 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $27,715 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #44
Briar Cliff University lands at #44 with a 42/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $54,475 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,907 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #45
Barnard College lands at #45 with a 42/100 composite, led by academic quality (96/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (60/100). Graduates earn a median $80,516 a decade after enrolling, 24% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,800 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #46
Dickinson State University lands at #46 with a 42/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $50,720 a decade after enrolling, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,092 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #47
Pfeiffer University lands at #47 with a 42/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $51,562 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,076 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #48
Colgate University lands at #48 with a 42/100 composite, led by academic quality (89/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (69/100). Graduates earn a median $85,139 a decade after enrolling, 31% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,786 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #49
McPherson College lands at #49 with a 42/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (41/100). Graduates earn a median $52,084 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $26,441 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #50
Southern Virginia University lands at #50 with a 42/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $50,002 a decade after enrolling, 23% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,213 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 50 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
Top states on this list
When choosing a college for psychology, outcomes can vary significantly. The schools on this list represent the highest-paying options for graduates in this field, where earnings can reach as high as $124,080. For many students, the decision hinges on the financial return on their investment and the potential for a stable career.
What sets these institutions apart are their strong outcomes: high graduation rates, considerable post-graduation earnings, and manageable student debt. The schools below show how a solid program can lead to financial stability while balancing completion rates and debt levels. By examining these metrics, prospective students can make more informed choices about their education.
For instance, Stanford University tops the list with an impressive earning potential of $124,080, but it comes with a net price of $13,807 and a debt level of $12,000. In contrast, Santa Clara University offers slightly lower earnings at $109,183, yet has a significantly higher net price of $50,062 and greater debt at $19,162. This contrast highlights the trade-offs students must consider when evaluating their options.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
Social mobility carries the heaviest weight in this ranking, and the measure comes from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built from more than 30 million anonymized tax records. Across the 46 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 1.6%. That figure is the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top. Dickinson State University leads the group at 4.1%, with Barnard College (3.5%) and McPherson College (3.4%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 6.6% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. Dickinson State University enrolls the most, at 13.9%, a sign it is reaching the students mobility is meant to lift. A high mobility rate paired with strong access is the combination that changes a generation's trajectory.
For the low-income students who do enroll, the success rate (the odds of reaching the top quintile) averages 29% across the list, peaking at 85.2% at Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.
These campuses can also be measured on social capital: the cross-class friendships Opportunity Insights links to long-run economic outcomes. Economic connectedness here averages 1.67, where about 1.0 is the national norm, and Claremont McKenna College is highest at 1.90.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
Where These Schools Are Located
The data reveals a striking pattern between Stanford University and Santa Clara University. While Stanford leads in earnings at $124,080, Santa Clara students face a much steeper net price of $50,062 and higher debt at $19,162. This suggests that while Stanford offers a significant financial return, students at Santa Clara may need to weigh their higher costs against potential earnings.
As you sift through these rankings, consider what matters most for you. Is it location, program fit, or financial considerations? For example, if manageable debt is a priority, you might lean toward Claremont McKenna College, which has lower debt levels but slightly lower earnings. Aligning your personal values with these data points will help clarify your decision.
Ultimately, these figures underscore the importance of choosing a college that not only fits your academic interests but also sets you up for a stable financial future. A solid psychology program can lead to meaningful earnings that pave the way for a secure life. One family's choice could hinge on these numbers, transforming their financial trajectory.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Highest-Paying Colleges for Psychology: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Highest-Paying Colleges for Psychology ranking? +
Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Albany, NY ranks #1 in our 2026 Highest-Paying Colleges for Psychology ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $131,426 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 68% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences posts the highest median earnings on this list: $131,426 ten years after enrollment, well above the $64,812 average across the 50 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, Harvard University leads: graduates earn a median $101,817 against net price of about $19,066 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
Harvard University has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 97%, compared with a 61% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $23,471 a year across the 50 ranked schools with cost data. Andrews University is among the most affordable at roughly $12,547. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Highest-Paying Colleges for Psychology ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 50 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
Chetty, R., Friedman, J., Saez, E., Turner, N., & Yagan, D. (2017). Mobility Report Cards: The Role of Colleges in Intergenerational Mobility. NBER Working Paper No. 23618. →
U.S. Department of Education. College Scorecard Data. Federal Student Aid, National Center for Education Statistics. →
National Center for Education Statistics. Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). →
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