Psychology, General at Pacific Lutheran University

Tacoma, WA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
25 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
26
Optimistic
25
Base Case
25
Pessimistic
Earnings $30,757/yr (-3% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (125,000 openings/yr)
ROI 2.7x earnings multiple
Ranked #837 of 926 Psychology, General programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Psychology, General graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $551K $546K $501K
Earnings Multiple 2.7x 2.7x 2.5x
Probability of Field Employment 51% 47% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 26 25 25

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$203,856
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$85,480
58% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,969
8.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$52,603
71% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Pacific Lutheran University's Psychology, General program produces graduates earning $30,757/yr — within striking distance of the $31,705 national average for this field.

The financial case is thin at 2.7x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

Some AI exposure exists in Psychology, General's typical career paths, with 49% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 9% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $21,969 represents roughly 9 months of the $30,757 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #837 of 926 Psychology, General programs, Pacific Lutheran University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $52,603 show a 71% jump from the $30,757 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Pacific Lutheran University

A 81% acceptance rate means Pacific Lutheran University is accessible to most applicants, a smaller institution with 2,350 students in Tacoma, WA. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $85,480 — 58% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Pacific Lutheran 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, General at Other Schools

Other Majors at Pacific Lutheran 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, General at Pacific Lutheran University?
A score of 25/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Psychology, General. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Psychology, General careers?
With 49% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $501,463 in decade earnings vs $550,609 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Is Pacific Lutheran University a hidden gem for Psychology, General?
After financial aid, the average student pays $85,480 over four years — 58% below the $203,856 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →