Master's-12% vs national median138 grads tracked
Psychology at Western Carolina University
Ranked 171st of 205 master's programs in Psychology by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$52,963
middle 50%: $38,738 – $63,610
Median · 5 years out
$58,897
middle 50%: $41,272 – $72,081
Median · 10 years out
$75,294
middle 50%: $65,353 – $93,359
Salary trajectory
Median earnings vs the national median for Psychology (master's) graduates.
This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates
Western Carolina University Psychology master's graduates earn a median of $53k in year one. Salaries reach $75k after ten years.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PSEO, release V4.13.0 2025Q4. Earnings are for graduates working in covered states; figures are medians in nominal dollars.
Will the degree pay for itself?
Drag the sliders — payback uses this program's actual salary curve.
Assumes a 6.5% APR loan and this program's median salary trajectory (interpolated between years 1, 5 and 10).
Paid off in
6.5 yrs
≈ $7,049 total interest
Same major at other universities
Ball State University
$59,510 · 5 yrs out
Northeastern State University
$59,353 · 5 yrs out
Texas A&M University - Central Texas
$59,324 · 5 yrs out
Nicholls State University
$59,282 · 5 yrs out
Valparaiso University
$59,187 · 5 yrs out
Olivet Nazarene University
$58,897 · 5 yrs out
East Central University
$58,659 · 5 yrs out
Augusta University
$58,511 · 5 yrs out
Southeastern Louisiana University
$58,363 · 5 yrs out
Pennsylvania State University (The) - Harrisburg
$58,363 · 5 yrs out
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
$58,227 · 5 yrs out
Virginia State University
$57,726 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Western Carolina University
Education (Doctorate)
$96,791 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$95,724 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$88,779 · 5 yrs out
Engineering, General (Bachelor's)
$88,474 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Bachelor's)
$86,622 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$86,297 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$86,297 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Master's)
$86,216 · 5 yrs out
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's)
$85,927 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$85,430 · 5 yrs out
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctorate)
$84,494 · 5 yrs out
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's)
$81,907 · 5 yrs out