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Research and Experimental Psychology at Smith College

Northampton, MA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $43,717/yr (24% vs median)

AI Risk High (44% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (203,900 openings/yr)

ROI 2.4x earnings multiple

Ranked #34 of 84 Research and Experimental Psychology programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Research and Experimental Psychology graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$587K	$581K	$530K
Earnings Multiple	2.4x	2.4x	2.2x
Probability of Field Employment	52%	48%	36%
DegreeOutlook Score	42	42	38

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$246,272

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$104,724

57% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$18,114

5.0 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$62,558

43% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $43,717/yr, edging above the $35,198 national average for Research and Experimental Psychology — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

The financial case is thin at 2.4x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

Some AI exposure exists in Research and Experimental Psychology's typical career paths, with 44% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 10% gap from the optimistic case.

At $18,114 in median debt against $43,717 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #34 of 84 Research and Experimental Psychology programs, Smith College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $43,717 to $62,558 over five years — a 43% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Smith College

Smith College admits 20% of applicants, placing it among selective institutions, a smaller institution with 2,501 students in Northampton, MA. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $104,724 — 57% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Smith College →

Top Career Paths

Managers, all other $136,550/yr

Psychologists, all other $117,580/yr

Health specialties teachers, postsecondary $105,620/yr

View all 11 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Research and Experimental Psychology at Other Schools

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Research and Experimental Psychology at Smith College?

A score of 42/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Research and Experimental Psychology. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.

Will AI replace Research and Experimental Psychology careers?

With 44% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $529,650 in decade earnings vs $587,130 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Is Smith College a hidden gem for Research and Experimental Psychology?

After financial aid, the average student pays $104,724 over four years — 57% below the $246,272 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 →