Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology: is this bachelor's degree worth it?
National picture across 77 reporting college programs.
MODELED SCENARIO · Negative payoff
−$196,474 over 10 years
National scenario across reporting bachelor's degree programs, using median year-4 earnings, their institutions’ average net prices and a typical 4-year duration.
At these assumptions, the estimated earnings premium does not recover the modeled economic investment within ten years.
39.2 yrsModeled economic break-even
−74%Modeled 10-year ROI
$51,727Observed earnings · year 4
Observed national outcomes
$51,727Median reported earnings · year 4
$50,103Average reported earnings · year 5
$27,000Median federal debt
27thYear-4 earnings percentile at this credential
77Reporting programs
66With year-4 earnings
The same field can produce a different equation.
Keep the federal field fixed and compare observed outcomes at every reportable credential level. These are separate graduate cohorts—not a promise that more schooling causes the difference.
OPEN PROFILE
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
- Year-4 earnings
- Not available
- Federal debt
- $13,500
- Reporting programs
- 1
Associate's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $41,767
- Federal debt
- $12,000
- Reporting programs
- 3
Bachelor's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $51,727
- Federal debt
- $27,000
- Reporting programs
- 77
Post-baccalaureate Certificate
- Year-4 earnings
- $72,081
- Federal debt
- $19,000
- Reporting programs
- 4
Master's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $65,278
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 335
Doctoral Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $100,222
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 97
First Professional Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $66,437
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 4
Graduate/Professional Certificate
- Year-4 earnings
- $75,818
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 26
Non-Credential Program (Preparatory Coursework/Teacher Certification)
- Year-4 earnings
- $66,974
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 1
Where the middle half of programs lands
Year‑4 earnings differ by college. This band shows the 25th percentile, national median and 75th percentile among reporting programs.
Median
25th percentile$46,060National median$51,72775th percentile$58,869
66 programs report year‑4 earnings.See the spread, not just the national number.
1Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott$82,0232Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach$82,0233Boston College$76,3284Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia$75,5495CUNY Bernard M Baruch College$73,0076Los Angeles Pacific University$71,9357Pace University$67,8118Azusa Pacific University$66,4119Christian Brothers University$64,89710Western Michigan University$64,679Observed year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking
Related occupations
Official CIP–SOC links add career context without claiming that every graduate enters the same job.
Psychology Teachers, PostsecondarySOC 25-1066 · 18 crosswalk linksManagers, All OtherSOC 11-9199 · 15 crosswalk linksPsychologists, All OtherSOC 19-3039 · 13 crosswalk linksClinical and Counseling PsychologistsSOC 19-3033 · 7 crosswalk linksSchool PsychologistsSOC 19-3034 · 2 crosswalk linksCoaches and ScoutsSOC 27-2022 · 1 crosswalk linksCounselors, All OtherSOC 21-1019 · 1 crosswalk linksEducational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and AdvisorsSOC 21-1012 · 1 crosswalk linksHuman Resources ManagersSOC 11-3121 · 1 crosswalk linksHuman Resources SpecialistsSOC 13-1071 · 1 crosswalk linksIndustrial-Organizational PsychologistsSOC 19-3032 · 1 crosswalk linksManagement AnalystsSOC 13-1111 · 1 crosswalk links
Same degree, different outcomes
Compare reported outcomes using the same federal field and credential. ROI uses each institution’s average net price as a scenario—not an individual aid offer.
| # | College | Location | Earnings, year 4 | Federal debt | 10-year ROI | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-PrescottBachelor's Degree | Prescott, AZ | $82,023 | $24,620 | +9% | Positive payoff |
| 2 | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona BeachBachelor's Degree | Daytona Beach, FL | $82,023 | $24,620 | +7% | Positive payoff |
| 3 | Boston CollegeBachelor's Degree | Chestnut Hill, MA | $76,328 | $17,361 | -10% | Negative payoff |
| 4 | Saint Joseph's University - PhiladelphiaBachelor's Degree | Philadelphia, PA | $75,549 | Not available | +2% | Positive payoff |
| 5 | CUNY Bernard M Baruch CollegeBachelor's Degree | New York, NY | $73,007 | Not available | +46% | Positive payoff |
| 6 | Los Angeles Pacific UniversityBachelor's Degree | Glendora, CA | $71,935 | $46,561 | -1% | Negative payoff |
| 7 | Pace UniversityBachelor's Degree | New York, NY | $67,811 | $26,000 | -25% | Negative payoff |
| 8 | Azusa Pacific UniversityBachelor's Degree | Azusa, CA | $66,411 | Not available | -20% | Negative payoff |
| 9 | Christian Brothers UniversityBachelor's Degree | Memphis, TN | $64,897 | $46,000 | -9% | Negative payoff |
| 10 | Western Michigan UniversityBachelor's Degree | Kalamazoo, MI | $64,679 | $27,000 | -18% | Negative payoff |
| 11 | California State University, San BernardinoBachelor's Degree | San Bernardino, CA | $63,062 | $14,958 | -9% | Negative payoff |
| 12 | Emmanuel CollegeBachelor's Degree | Boston, MA | $62,013 | $27,000 | -41% | Negative payoff |
| 13 | Indiana Wesleyan University-MarionBachelor's Degree | Marion, IN | $60,898 | $38,759 | -41% | Negative payoff |
| 14 | Indiana Wesleyan University-National & GlobalBachelor's Degree | Marion, IN | $60,898 | $38,759 | -36% | Negative payoff |
| 15 | Albright CollegeBachelor's Degree | Reading, PA | $60,589 | $39,762 | -40% | Negative payoff |
| 16 | Crown CollegeBachelor's Degree | Saint Bonifacius, MN | $60,077 | $46,863 | -47% | Negative payoff |
| 17 | University of ChicagoBachelor's Degree | Chicago, IL | $59,898 | $12,000 | -38% | Negative payoff |
| 18 | Farmingdale State CollegeBachelor's Degree | Farmingdale, NY | $58,570 | $20,175 | -39% | Negative payoff |
| 19 | University at AlbanyBachelor's Degree | Albany, NY | $58,501 | $22,430 | -46% | Negative payoff |
| 20 | Thomas Jefferson UniversityBachelor's Degree | Philadelphia, PA | $56,119 | $47,976 | -62% | Negative payoff |
| 21 | University of California, San DiegoBachelor's Degree | La Jolla, CA | $56,000 | $15,000 | -52% | Negative payoff |
| 22 | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh CampusBachelor's Degree | Pittsburgh, PA | $55,736 | $25,000 | -64% | Negative payoff |
| 23 | Champlain CollegeBachelor's Degree | Burlington, VT | $55,701 | $23,269 | -67% | Negative payoff |
| 24 | Husson UniversityBachelor's Degree | Bangor, ME | $55,648 | Not available | -60% | Negative payoff |
| 25 | CUNY John Jay College of Criminal JusticeBachelor's Degree | New York, NY | $55,595 | $13,421 | -45% | Negative payoff |
| 26 | Florida Institute of TechnologyBachelor's Degree | Melbourne, FL | $55,282 | $32,000 | -68% | Negative payoff |
| 27 | Middle Tennessee State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Murfreesboro, TN | $55,031 | $23,375 | -57% | Negative payoff |
| 28 | Mount Saint Mary's UniversityBachelor's Degree | Los Angeles, CA | $52,940 | $27,000 | -70% | Negative payoff |
| 29 | University of Washington-Seattle CampusBachelor's Degree | Seattle, WA | $52,771 | $14,259 | -67% | Negative payoff |
| 30 | University of Washington-Bothell CampusBachelor's Degree | Bothell, WA | $52,771 | $14,259 | -66% | Negative payoff |
| 31 | Lesley UniversityBachelor's Degree | Cambridge, MA | $52,367 | $26,000 | -76% | Negative payoff |
| 32 | Boston UniversityBachelor's Degree | Boston, MA | $51,086 | $27,000 | -78% | Negative payoff |
| 33 | SUNY College of Technology at CantonBachelor's Degree | Canton, NY | $51,077 | $26,000 | -75% | Negative payoff |
| 34 | Tiffin UniversityBachelor's Degree | Tiffin, OH | $50,934 | $27,000 | -79% | Negative payoff |
| 35 | Mississippi State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Mississippi State, MS | $50,176 | $26,000 | -79% | Negative payoff |
| 36 | Saint Cloud State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Saint Cloud, MN | $49,922 | $24,948 | -79% | Negative payoff |
| 37 | University of Michigan-FlintBachelor's Degree | Flint, MI | $49,832 | $28,500 | -77% | Negative payoff |
| 38 | Johnson & Wales University-ProvidenceBachelor's Degree | Providence, RI | $48,967 | $27,000 | -87% | Negative payoff |
| 39 | Delaware Valley UniversityBachelor's Degree | Doylestown, PA | $48,732 | $25,000 | -87% | Negative payoff |
| 40 | Oregon Institute of TechnologyBachelor's Degree | Klamath Falls, OR | $48,724 | $38,546 | -85% | Negative payoff |
| 41 | Franklin UniversityBachelor's Degree | Columbus, OH | $48,543 | $35,500 | -87% | Negative payoff |
| 42 | Purdue University GlobalBachelor's Degree | West Lafayette, IN | $47,339 | $42,443 | -89% | Negative payoff |
| 43 | SUNY MorrisvilleBachelor's Degree | Morrisville, NY | $46,764 | $28,274 | -93% | Negative payoff |
| 44 | Arizona Christian UniversityBachelor's Degree | Glendale, AZ | $46,659 | $24,000 | -95% | Negative payoff |
| 45 | Oklahoma Baptist UniversityBachelor's Degree | Shawnee, OK | $46,512 | $25,147 | -94% | Negative payoff |
| 46 | University of North TexasBachelor's Degree | Denton, TX | $46,468 | $19,583 | -94% | Negative payoff |
| 47 | New England CollegeBachelor's Degree | Henniker, NH | $46,270 | $43,585 | -96% | Negative payoff |
| 48 | California State University, Los AngelesBachelor's Degree | Los Angeles, CA | $46,060 | $12,500 | -95% | Negative payoff |
| 49 | Belhaven UniversityBachelor's Degree | Jackson, MS | $45,213 | $41,825 | -99% | Negative payoff |
| 50 | Gardner-Webb UniversityBachelor's Degree | Boiling Springs, NC | $42,936 | $29,166 | -108% | Negative payoff |
| 51 | University of Mary Hardin-BaylorBachelor's Degree | Belton, TX | $42,301 | $27,000 | -109% | Negative payoff |
| 52 | Clayton State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Morrow, GA | $42,032 | $35,448 | -114% | Negative payoff |
| 53 | Keystone CollegeBachelor's Degree | La Plume, PA | $41,571 | $27,000 | -113% | Negative payoff |
| 54 | Wayne State CollegeBachelor's Degree | Wayne, NE | $41,391 | $23,659 | -115% | Negative payoff |
| 55 | Point UniversityBachelor's Degree | West Point, GA | $40,621 | $39,500 | -116% | Negative payoff |
| 56 | Faulkner UniversityBachelor's Degree | Montgomery, AL | $39,459 | $27,691 | -121% | Negative payoff |
| 57 | Grace College and Theological SeminaryBachelor's Degree | Winona Lake, IN | $39,291 | $19,500 | -122% | Negative payoff |
| 58 | Toccoa Falls CollegeBachelor's Degree | Toccoa Falls, GA | $33,831 | $24,250 | -142% | Negative payoff |
| 59 | University of Puerto Rico at PonceBachelor's Degree | Ponce, PR | $31,751 | $5,000 | -159% | Negative payoff |
| 60 | Bob Jones UniversityBachelor's Degree | Greenville, SC | $31,332 | Not available | -155% | Negative payoff |
| 61 | University of Puerto Rico-CarolinaBachelor's Degree | Carolina, PR | $26,214 | Not available | -181% | Negative payoff |
| 62 | University of Puerto Rico-AreciboBachelor's Degree | Arecibo, PR | $25,528 | $4,500 | -187% | Negative payoff |
| 63 | Biola UniversityBachelor's Degree | La Mirada, CA | Not available | $27,568 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $31,495 |
| 64 | Walden UniversityBachelor's Degree | Minneapolis, MN | Not available | $55,500 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $33,817 |
| 65 | Ball State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Muncie, IN | Not available | $27,075 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $14,940 |
| 66 | Thomas CollegeBachelor's Degree | Waterville, ME | Not available | $27,000 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $18,885 |
| 67 | Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health SciencesBachelor's Degree | Boston, MA | Not available | $27,000 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $39,545 |
| 68 | Augsburg UniversityBachelor's Degree | Minneapolis, MN | Not available | $29,625 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $23,873 |
| 69 | Bellevue UniversityBachelor's Degree | Bellevue, NE | Not available | $24,846 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $17,550 |
| 70 | Bryant UniversityBachelor's Degree | Smithfield, RI | Not available | $24,574 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $41,219 |
| 71 | Aspen UniversityBachelor's Degree | Phoenix, AZ | Not available | $51,756 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 72 | University of Phoenix-ArizonaBachelor's Degree | Phoenix, AZ | Not available | $40,687 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $13,520 |
| 73 | The College of Saint RoseBachelor's Degree | , | $58,869 | $20,500 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 74 | Florida Institute of Technology-OnlineBachelor's Degree | , | $55,282 | $32,000 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 75 | Clarks Summit UniversityBachelor's Degree | , | $39,916 | $24,520 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 76 | Hodges UniversityBachelor's Degree | , | $37,534 | $46,375 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 77 | University of Phoenix-CaliforniaBachelor's Degree | , | Not available | $40,687 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
This page keeps the field and credential level fixed. Federal categories can still combine multiple catalog programs or concentrations. Automated ROI is limited to associate and bachelor’s degrees because institution-wide annual net price is not a reliable proxy for short certificate prices. ROI is an illustrative scenario, not a federal determination.