Compare 10 Social Psychology. programs in Massachusetts. Average earnings: $43,749.
The highest-earning Social Psychology program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $53K earnings gap across 10 programs in Massachusetts, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand.
Harvard's Social Psychology program leads with graduates earning $76,453, well above the state average of $43,749. Northeastern follows at $57,605, while Smith College produces graduates earning $46,833—demonstrating that program quality varies even among highly selective institutions.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Harvard graduates borrow $14,000 and face just a 3.6% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. However, when parent loans are included, the picture changes—family debt burdens at top programs can exceed 25% of discretionary income.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Harvard UniversityPrivate | $76,453 | 77 | $14,000 | Excellent | $28,000 | Good |
| #2 | Northeastern UniversityPrivate | $57,605 | 112 | $24,250 | Good | $34,984 | High |
| #3 | Smith CollegePrivate | $46,833 | 64 | $17,550 | Good | $30,366 | High |
| #4 | Amherst CollegePrivate | $46,087 | 55 | $13,740 | Good | $47,598 | High |
| #5 | Tufts UniversityPrivate | $43,798 | 67 | $16,250 | Good | $38,325 | High |
| #6 | Brandeis UniversityPrivate | $37,494 | 93 | $25,648 | Challenging | $35,451 | High |
| #7 | Emmanuel CollegePrivate | $36,603 | 22 | $27,000 | High | $41,546 | High |
| #8 | Wellesley CollegePrivate | $36,283 | 56 | $10,000 | Good | $38,825 | High |
| #9 | Mount Holyoke CollegePrivate | $32,439 | 63 | $22,902 | High | $31,129 | High |
| #10 | Bay Path UniversityPrivate | $23,898 | 23 | $24,901 | High | $16,500 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
