Psychology at University of Massachusetts-Amherst

Amherst, MA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Psychology, General
42 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
42
Optimistic
42
Base Case
41
Pessimistic
Earnings $32,223/yr (2% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (125,000 openings/yr)
ROI 8.9x earnings multiple (3.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #179 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 graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $627K $616K $552K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 9.0x 8.9x 8.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.0x 3.9x 3.5x
Probability of Field Employment 51% 47% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 42 42 41

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$69,428
Out-of-state: $157,172 (3.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$94,764
-36% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,172
8.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$62,236
93% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $32,223/yr, Psychology graduates from University of Massachusetts-Amherst land near the $31,705 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

At 8.9x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI risk is moderate — 49% task exposure — and the 12% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $22,172 debt-to-$32,223 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #179 out of 926 programs, University of Massachusetts-Amherst's Psychology program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth from $32,223 to $62,236 over five years (93% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About University of Massachusetts-Amherst

University of Massachusetts-Amherst accepts 58% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, with 23,694 students enrolled in Amherst, MA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Massachusetts-Amherst →

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 Massachusetts-Amherst

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

How does University of Massachusetts-Amherst's Psychology program score?
This program scores 42/100 — on the lower end for Psychology. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
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 does University of Massachusetts-Amherst rank so high for Psychology?
The #179 ranking out of 926 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →