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Psychology at California State University-Northridge

Northridge, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Psychology, General

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $28,603/yr (-10% vs median)

AI Risk High (49% exposed)

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

ROI 19.6x earnings multiple (7.3x out-of-state)

Ranked #104 of 926 Psychology, General programs Top 25%

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	$563K	$557K	$509K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	19.8x	19.6x	18.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	7.4x	7.3x	6.7x
Probability of Field Employment	51%	47%	34%
DegreeOutlook Score	44	44	44

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$28,380

Out-of-state: $75,900 (7.3x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$30,396

-7% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$12,712

5.3 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$52,901

85% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $28,603/yr, Psychology graduates from California State University-Northridge land near the $31,705 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

With a 19.6x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 9% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Psychology career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

The median debt load of $12,712 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

California State University-Northridge ranks #104 among 926 Psychology programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The $28,603-to-$52,901 earnings arc over five years reflects a 85% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About California State University-Northridge

With 93% of applicants admitted, California State University-Northridge prioritizes broad access, serving a student body of 32,357 in Northridge, CA. With 56% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at California State University-Northridge →

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 California State University-Northridge

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 44/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Psychology at California State University-Northridge?

At 44/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Psychology programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Should I worry about AI if I study Psychology at California State University-Northridge?

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 California State University-Northridge one of the best schools for Psychology?

Among 926 Psychology programs, California State University-Northridge's #104 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.

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