Home › University of Southern Maine › Psychology

Psychology at University of Southern Maine

Portland, ME · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Psychology, General

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $33,621/yr (6% vs median)

AI Risk High (49% exposed)

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

ROI 10.7x earnings multiple (4.3x out-of-state)

Ranked #395 of 926 Psychology, General programs Top 50%

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	$464K	$467K	$444K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	10.6x	10.7x	10.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	4.3x	4.3x	4.1x
Probability of Field Employment	51%	47%	34%
DegreeOutlook Score	37	36	35

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$43,680

Out-of-state: $108,416 (4.3x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$46,916

-7% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$15,000

5.4 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$42,001

25% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $33,621/yr, edging above the $31,705 national average for Psychology — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

With a 10.7x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 4% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Psychology career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $15,000 in median debt against $33,621 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

A #395 ranking among 926 Psychology programs places University of Southern Maine in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

A 25% earnings increase from $33,621 to $42,001 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About University of Southern Maine

University of Southern Maine has a 79% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a smaller student body of 4,245 in Portland, ME.

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

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 Southern Maine

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 36/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Psychology at University of Southern Maine?

At 36/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Psychology programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Should I worry about AI if I study Psychology at University of Southern Maine?

The 49% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.

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