Psychology, General at University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
31 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
31
Optimistic
31
Base Case
29
Pessimistic
Earnings $34,139/yr (8% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (125,000 openings/yr)
ROI 2.4x earnings multiple
Ranked #580 of 926 Psychology, General programs

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 $660K $646K $574K
Earnings Multiple 2.4x 2.4x 2.1x
Probability of Field Employment 51% 47% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 31 31 29

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$272,948
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$127,708
53% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,000
4.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$67,060
96% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $34,139 per year, Psychology, General graduates from University of Southern California earn slightly above the $31,705 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

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 Psychology, General's typical career paths, with 49% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 13% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $14,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Ranked #580 of 926 Psychology, General programs, University of Southern California falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $67,060 show a 96% jump from the $34,139 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About University of Southern California

With just 10% of applicants admitted, University of Southern California ranks among the nation's most selective schools, serving a student body of 20,817 in Los Angeles, CA. After financial aid, the average student pays $127,708 over four years — 53% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Southern California →

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 University of Southern California

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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Psychology, General at University of Southern California?
A score of 31/100 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 $574,197 in decade earnings vs $660,303 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Is University of Southern California a hidden gem for Psychology, General?
After financial aid, the average student pays $127,708 over four years — 53% below the $272,948 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 →