Psychology, General at Santa Clara University

Santa Clara, CA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
43 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
43
Optimistic
43
Base Case
40
Pessimistic
Earnings $38,587/yr (22% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (125,000 openings/yr)
ROI 3.0x earnings multiple
Ranked #140 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, General graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $735K $715K $624K
Earnings Multiple 3.1x 3.0x 2.6x
Probability of Field Employment 51% 47% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 43 43 40

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$236,964
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$203,836
14% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$17,000
5.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$77,958
102% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $38,587/yr, edging above the $31,705 national average for Psychology, General — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

The financial case is thin at 3.0x — 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 15% gap from the optimistic case.

At $17,000 in median debt against $38,587 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #140 of 926 nationally, this is a top-5% Psychology, General program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $77,958 show a 102% jump from the $38,587 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Santa Clara University

With a 44% acceptance rate, Santa Clara University is moderately selective, enrolling 6,235 students in Santa Clara, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara University

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, General at Santa Clara University?
A score of 43/100 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 $623,830 in decade earnings vs $735,154 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Santa Clara University's Psychology, General program stand out?
Ranked #140 of 926 programs nationally, Santa Clara University lands in the top 25%. 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 →