Home › University of Louisiana at Lafayette › Psychology

Psychology at University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Lafayette, LA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Psychology, General

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $22,696/yr (-28% vs median)

AI Risk High (49% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (125,000 openings/yr)

ROI 12.5x earnings multiple (5.4x out-of-state)

Ranked #594 of 926 Psychology, General programs

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	$525K	$523K	$485K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	12.6x	12.5x	11.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	5.4x	5.4x	5.0x
Probability of Field Employment	51%	47%	34%
DegreeOutlook Score	32	31	31

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$41,672

Out-of-state: $96,584 (5.4x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$56,472

-36% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$24,401

12.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$45,269

99% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $22,696/yr fall 28% below the $31,705 national median for Psychology. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

The 12.5x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 49% task exposure — and the 8% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $24,401 debt load exceeds a year of the $22,696 starting salary, suggesting a multi-year repayment window before graduates break even financially.

At #594 out of 926 programs, University of Louisiana at Lafayette's financial outcomes for Psychology trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $22,696 to $45,269 over five years (99% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About University of Louisiana at Lafayette

University of Louisiana at Lafayette has a 89% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a mid-sized student body of 12,269 in Lafayette, LA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Louisiana at Lafayette →

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 University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of Louisiana at Lafayette's Psychology program score?

This program scores 31/100 — on the lower end for Psychology. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

Do University of Louisiana at Lafayette Psychology graduates earn enough to justify the loans?

The debt-to-income ratio of 1.1x suggests an extended repayment window. Whether it's 'worth it' depends on career trajectory, not just first-year pay.

How vulnerable is Psychology to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Psychology careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 49% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.

Why are Psychology earnings lower at University of Louisiana at Lafayette?

Lower starting pay at University of Louisiana at Lafayette may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →