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Psychology at California State University-Sacramento

Sacramento, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Psychology, General
48 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
49
Optimistic
48
Base Case
47
Pessimistic
Earnings $32,603/yr (3% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (125,000 openings/yr)
ROI 18.4x earnings multiple (7.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #28 of 926 Psychology, General programs Top 5%

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 $564K $558K $510K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 18.5x 18.4x 16.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.2x 7.2x 6.5x
Probability of Field Employment 51% 47% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 49 48 47

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$30,408
Out-of-state: $77,928 (7.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$42,048
-38% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$15,000
5.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$55,115
69% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

California State University-Sacramento's Psychology program produces graduates earning $32,603/yr — within striking distance of the $31,705 national average for this field.

With a 18.4x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 10% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Psychology career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $15,000 in median debt clears quickly against $32,603 in annual earnings.

California State University-Sacramento ranks #28 among 926 Psychology programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The $32,603-to-$55,115 earnings arc over five years reflects a 69% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About California State University-Sacramento

A 94% acceptance rate means California State University-Sacramento is accessible to most applicants, one of the larger campuses at 27,867 students in Sacramento, CA. 49% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

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

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

Compare this program → View all 926 schools offering Psychology →

Psychology at Other Schools

Bentley University ($62,218) Georgetown University ($51,959) Bucknell University ($51,645) Gettysburg College ($50,040) Trinity College ($48,406) CUNY Graduate School and University Center ($48,299) The University of Texas Permian Basin ($46,009) Charter Oak State College ($45,428)

Other Majors at California State University-Sacramento

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($116,001) Construction Engineering ($90,836) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($74,450) Civil Engineering ($71,342) Mechanical Engineering ($66,462) Computer Engineering ($66,266) Computer Science ($60,028) Interior Architecture ($50,108)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Psychology trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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

What does a 48/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Psychology at California State University-Sacramento?
At 48/100, 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-Sacramento?
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-Sacramento one of the best schools for Psychology?
Among 926 Psychology programs, California State University-Sacramento's #28 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 →