Psychology at San Diego State University

San Diego, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Psychology, General
38 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
39
Optimistic
38
Base Case
38
Pessimistic
Earnings $29,346/yr (-7% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (125,000 openings/yr)
ROI 15.2x earnings multiple (6.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #306 of 926 Psychology, General programs Top 50%

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 $503K $503K $470K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 15.2x 15.2x 14.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.2x 6.2x 5.8x
Probability of Field Employment 51% 47% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 39 38 38

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$33,160
Out-of-state: $80,680 (6.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$64,696
-95% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,872
6.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$46,082
57% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $29,346 track close to the $31,705 national median for Psychology programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 15.2x 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 $14,872 represents roughly 6 months of the $29,346 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #306 of 926 Psychology programs, San Diego State University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $46,082 show a 57% jump from the $29,346 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About San Diego State University

San Diego State University admits 34% of applicants, placing it among selective institutions, with 33,654 students enrolled in San Diego, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at San Diego State 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

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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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Psychology at San Diego State University?
A score of 38/100 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 $470,191 in decade earnings vs $503,449 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →