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Psychology at Alfred University

Alfred, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Psychology, General

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $26,433/yr (-17% vs median)

AI Risk High (49% exposed)

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

ROI 3.5x earnings multiple

Ranked #858 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	$559K	$554K	$507K
Earnings Multiple	3.5x	3.5x	3.2x
Probability of Field Employment	51%	47%	34%
DegreeOutlook Score	25	24	24

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$158,120

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$90,804

43% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$26,500

12.0 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$51,248

94% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $26,433 place Alfred University below the $31,705 national median for Psychology — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

The 3.5x return on tuition is positive but not overwhelming. Financial outcomes depend on keeping costs close to in-state rates.

AI risk is moderate — 49% task exposure — and the 9% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $26,500 debt load exceeds a year of the $26,433 starting salary, suggesting a multi-year repayment window before graduates break even financially.

At #858 out of 926 programs, Alfred University's financial outcomes for Psychology trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $26,433 to $51,248 over five years (94% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Alfred University

A 48% admission rate makes Alfred University accessible to a wide range of qualified students, a smaller institution with 1,401 students in Alfred, NY. After financial aid, the average student pays $90,804 over four years — 43% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Alfred University →

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 Alfred University

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 Alfred University's Psychology program score?

This program scores 24/100 — on the lower end for Psychology. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

Do Alfred University Psychology graduates earn enough to justify the loans?

The debt-to-income ratio of 1.0x suggests an extended repayment window. Whether it's 'worth it' depends on career trajectory, not just first-year pay.

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 Alfred University?

Lower starting pay at Alfred University 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 →