Research and Experimental Psychology at Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
38 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
38
Optimistic
38
Base Case
37
Pessimistic
Earnings $37,377/yr (6% vs median)
AI Risk High (44% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (203,900 openings/yr)
ROI 1.8x earnings multiple
Ranked #58 of 84 Research and Experimental Psychology programs

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 $460K $462K $441K
Earnings Multiple 1.8x 1.8x 1.7x
Probability of Field Employment 52% 48% 36%
DegreeOutlook Score 38 38 37

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$251,928
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$88,468
65% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$15,285
4.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

At $37,377 per year, Research and Experimental Psychology graduates from Washington University in St Louis earn slightly above the $35,198 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

The financial case is thin at 1.8x — 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 4% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $15,285 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Ranked #58 of 84 Research and Experimental Psychology programs, Washington University in St Louis falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About Washington University in St Louis

With just 12% of applicants admitted, Washington University in St Louis ranks among the nation's most selective schools, with a mid-sized student body of 7,897 in Saint Louis, MO. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $88,468 — 65% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Washington University in St Louis →

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

Other Majors at Washington University in St Louis

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Research and Experimental Psychology at Washington University in St Louis?
A score of 38/100 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 $440,831 in decade earnings vs $459,665 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Is Washington University in St Louis a hidden gem for Research and Experimental Psychology?
After financial aid, the average student pays $88,468 over four years — 65% below the $251,928 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 →