Psychology at Central Washington University

Ellensburg, WA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Psychology, General
47 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
48
Optimistic
47
Base Case
45
Pessimistic
Earnings $36,964/yr (17% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (125,000 openings/yr)
ROI 13.9x earnings multiple (4.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #49 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 $515K $513K $478K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 14.0x 13.9x 13.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.8x 4.8x 4.5x
Probability of Field Employment 51% 47% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 48 47 45

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$36,768
Out-of-state: $107,084 (4.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$58,860
-60% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,834
6.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$50,290
36% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $36,964/yr, edging above the $31,705 national average for Psychology — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 13.9x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Psychology programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Psychology's typical career paths, with 49% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 7% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $18,834 represents roughly 6 months of the $36,964 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #49 of 926 nationally, this is a top-5% Psychology program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $36,964 to $50,290 over five years — a 36% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Central Washington University

Central Washington University has a 90% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, enrolling 8,081 students in Ellensburg, WA.

See all programs and financial aid at Central Washington 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 Central Washington University

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Psychology at Central Washington University?
A score of 47/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Psychology. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Psychology careers?
With 49% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $477,674 in decade earnings vs $514,736 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Central Washington University's Psychology program stand out?
Ranked #49 of 926 programs nationally, Central Washington University lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →