Psychology programs in the West produce graduates with career earnings ranging from $28,720 to $109,183—demonstrating significant variation in program outcomes. Across 137 programs, graduates earn a median of $62,740, which is $6,923 higher than the national average, indicating strong regional employment markets in behavioral sciences and social sciences fields.
Leading the rankings is Santa Clara University, achieving the highest program earnings at $58,545 for psychology degree graduates. University of The Pacific follows closely with $57,652 earnings, while San Jose State University rounds out the top tier at $55,532. These top-performing programs demonstrate how program selection within public universities and private colleges directly impacts median earnings and long-term career outcomes.
| Rank | School | Location | Earnings | Net Price | Acceptance Rate | Grad Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #121 | Fort Lewis CollegePublic | Durango, CO | $46,256 Median Psychology Earnings | $18,622 | 77.3% | 35.6% |
| #122 | Missoula, MT | $46,192 Median Psychology Earnings | $13,960 | 95.9% | 48.0% | |
| #123 | Idaho State UniversityPublic | Pocatello, ID | $46,073 Median Psychology Earnings | $10,593 | — | 39.4% |
| #124 | Pueblo, CO | $45,974 Median Psychology Earnings | $9,374 | 94.9% | 39.7% | |
| #125 | Arcata, CA | $45,889 Median Psychology Earnings | $8,483 | 98.2% | 48.5% | |
| #126 | Las Cruces, NM | $45,637 Median Psychology Earnings | $6,648 | 89.0% | 55.2% | |
| #127 | Denver, CO | $45,585 Median Psychology Earnings | $6,743 | 74.7% | 46.2% | |
| #128 | Westmont CollegePrivate | Santa Barbara, CA | $45,455 Median Psychology Earnings | $20,899 | 77.0% | 70.3% |
| #129 | Westminster UniversityPrivate | Salt Lake City, UT | $44,695 Median Psychology Earnings | $22,972 | 66.6% | 63.8% |
| #130 | Ottawa University-SurprisePrivate | Surprise, AZ | $43,959 Median Psychology Earnings | $28,636 | 78.1% | 18.2% |
| #131 | Las Vegas, NM | $43,926 Median Psychology Earnings | $13,511 | — | 26.2% | |
| #132 | Fairbanks, AK | $43,764 Median Psychology Earnings | $7,992 | — | 38.0% | |
| #133 | Portales, NM | $43,334 Median Psychology Earnings | $3,663 | 91.7% | 45.1% | |
| #134 | Naropa UniversityPrivate | Boulder, CO | $43,238 Median Psychology Earnings | $21,457 | 100.0% | 36.7% |
| #135 | University Of IdahoPublic | Moscow, ID | $42,825 Median Psychology Earnings | $11,270 | 75.5% | 57.3% |
| #136 | Palo Alto UniversityPrivate | Palo Alto, CA | $42,658 Median Psychology Earnings | — | — | — |
| #137 | Southern Utah UniversityPublic | Cedar City, UT | $42,393 Median Psychology Earnings | $6,070 | 81.8% | 60.7% |
| #138 | Rexburg, ID | $42,283 Median Psychology Earnings | $4,378 | 95.8% | 55.5% | |
| #139 | University Of UtahPublic | Salt Lake City, UT | $39,661 Median Psychology Earnings | $13,123 | 86.0% | 65.0% |
| #140 | Lewiston, ID | $38,717 Median Psychology Earnings | $13,080 | 87.7% | 40.2% |
