Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology: earnings, debt, and careers
CIP 42.28. Official graduate outcomes from the U.S. Department of Education across 1,751 programs, and the careers this field is linked to.
Graduate earnings by credential level
| Credential | Programs | Graduates (recent year) | Median earnings, 1 yr | Median earnings, 4 yrs | Typical program median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate certificate | 64 | 485 | $41,337 | $54,445 | $24,036 4 programs |
| Associate's degree | 22 | 70 | $30,019 | $44,389 | Data unavailable |
| Bachelor's degree | 249 | 4,726 | $40,105 | $50,523 | $25,000 79 programs |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 28 | 0 | $60,336 | $66,661 | $19,450 2 programs |
| Master's degree | 687 | 27,533 | $56,926 | $65,184 | Data unavailable |
| Doctoral degree | 288 | 2,926 | $77,076 | $99,878 | Data unavailable |
| Professional degree (JD, MD, and similar) | 116 | 1,711 | $66,912 | $70,514 | Data unavailable |
| Graduate certificate | 297 | 3,501 | $59,228 | $65,509 | Data unavailable |
National earnings are published by the Department of Education for each field and credential level Verified data. Typical program median debt is ConnectPrep's calculation: the median across programs of each program's median federal debt Calculated estimate. It covers federal loans only.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, Most Recent Field of Study Data. Varies by measure; see measure definitions. Published October 15, 2026. Retrieved October 18, 2026. Methodology.
Undergraduate certificate programs with the highest early earnings
| School | Median earnings, 1 yr | Median earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Missouri-Columbia MO · Public · 16 graduates measured | $42,699 | Data unavailable | $21,125 |
| Florida Atlantic University FL · Public · 30 graduates measured | $24,802 | Data unavailable | Data unavailable |
Ranked by published median earnings one year after completion. Programs with suppressed earnings do not appear, so this is not a ranking of program quality.
Bachelor's degree programs with the highest early earnings
| School | Median earnings, 1 yr | Median earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ouachita Baptist University AR · Private, nonprofit · 19 graduates measured | $61,780 | Data unavailable | $26,000 |
| Boston College MA · Private, nonprofit · 70 graduates measured | $53,507 | $76,328 | $19,000 |
| Middle Tennessee State University TN · Public · 24 graduates measured | $50,120 | $55,031 | $17,000 |
| CUNY Bernard M Baruch College NY · Public · 29 graduates measured | $49,776 | $73,007 | Data unavailable |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott AZ · Private, nonprofit · 39 graduates measured | $48,898 | $82,023 | $24,000 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach FL · Private, nonprofit · 39 graduates measured | $48,898 | $82,023 | $24,000 |
| Warner Pacific University OR · Private, nonprofit · 42 graduates measured | $48,805 | Data unavailable | $41,073 |
| Warner Pacific University Professional and Graduate Studies OR · Private, nonprofit · 42 graduates measured | $48,805 | Data unavailable | $41,073 |
| Johnson & Wales University-Providence RI · Private, nonprofit · 23 graduates measured | $48,207 | $48,967 | Data unavailable |
| Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion IN · Private, nonprofit · 49 graduates measured | $47,373 | $60,898 | $49,315 |
| Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global IN · Private, nonprofit · 49 graduates measured | $47,373 | $60,898 | $49,315 |
| Los Angeles Pacific University CA · Private, nonprofit · 37 graduates measured | $47,338 | $71,935 | $30,125 |
| Maryville University of Saint Louis MO · Private, nonprofit · 24 graduates measured | $47,047 | Data unavailable | $25,000 |
| Franklin University OH · Private, nonprofit · 31 graduates measured | $46,921 | $48,543 | Data unavailable |
| University of Phoenix-Arizona AZ · Private, for-profit · 289 graduates measured | $46,690 | Data unavailable | $44,002 |
Ranked by published median earnings one year after completion. Programs with suppressed earnings do not appear, so this is not a ranking of program quality.
Post-baccalaureate certificate programs with the highest early earnings
| School | Median earnings, 1 yr | Median earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Cincinnati-Main Campus OH · Public · 25 graduates measured | $69,150 | $72,278 | $21,500 |
| Bowling Green State University-Main Campus OH · Public · 17 graduates measured | $50,826 | Data unavailable | Data unavailable |
Ranked by published median earnings one year after completion. Programs with suppressed earnings do not appear, so this is not a ranking of program quality.
Master's degree programs with the highest early earnings
| School | Median earnings, 1 yr | Median earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach FL · Private, nonprofit · 91 graduates measured | $102,962 | $109,268 | Data unavailable |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide FL · Private, nonprofit · 91 graduates measured | $102,962 | $109,268 | Data unavailable |
| University of Massachusetts Global CA · Public · 34 graduates measured | $99,745 | Data unavailable | Data unavailable |
| Fresno Pacific University CA · Private, nonprofit · 28 graduates measured | $96,593 | Data unavailable | Data unavailable |
| Chapman University CA · Private, nonprofit · 33 graduates measured | $95,430 | $107,808 | Data unavailable |
| Teachers College at Columbia University NY · Private, nonprofit · 75 graduates measured | $94,270 | $91,522 | Data unavailable |
| Loyola Marymount University CA · Private, nonprofit · 24 graduates measured | $92,908 | $100,264 | Data unavailable |
| CUNY Bernard M Baruch College NY · Public · 69 graduates measured | $88,263 | $101,297 | Data unavailable |
| George Mason University VA · Public · 83 graduates measured | $87,085 | $75,619 | Data unavailable |
| Alliant International University-San Diego CA · Private, for-profit · 133 graduates measured | $86,989 | $86,459 | Data unavailable |
| Azusa Pacific University CA · Private, nonprofit · 87 graduates measured | $86,903 | $70,125 | Data unavailable |
| San Diego State University CA · Public · 19 graduates measured | $86,530 | Data unavailable | Data unavailable |
| Saint Mary's College of California CA · Private, nonprofit · 25 graduates measured | $86,092 | Data unavailable | Data unavailable |
| Colorado State University-Fort Collins CO · Public · 23 graduates measured | $85,087 | $87,258 | Data unavailable |
| Seattle University WA · Private, nonprofit · 34 graduates measured | $84,415 | $93,491 | Data unavailable |
Ranked by published median earnings one year after completion. Programs with suppressed earnings do not appear, so this is not a ranking of program quality.
Doctoral degree programs with the highest early earnings
| School | Median earnings, 1 yr | Median earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Touro University Worldwide CA · Private, nonprofit · 23 graduates measured | $111,201 | Data unavailable | Data unavailable |
| Long Island University NY · Private, nonprofit · 27 graduates measured | $109,993 | $109,668 | Data unavailable |
| University of North Dakota ND · Public · 18 graduates measured | $104,086 | $100,034 | Data unavailable |
| St. John's University-New York NY · Private, nonprofit · 22 graduates measured | $102,691 | $97,270 | Data unavailable |
| Auburn University AL · Public · 16 graduates measured | $101,065 | $103,093 | Data unavailable |
| Kean University NJ · Public · 18 graduates measured | $98,824 | Data unavailable | Data unavailable |
| University of the Pacific CA · Private, nonprofit · 30 graduates measured | $98,741 | $100,222 | Data unavailable |
| Pacifica Graduate Institute CA · Private, for-profit · 22 graduates measured | $95,583 | $105,793 | Data unavailable |
| University of San Francisco CA · Private, nonprofit · 16 graduates measured | $94,953 | Data unavailable | Data unavailable |
| Pacific University OR · Private, nonprofit · 102 graduates measured | $94,211 | $108,345 | Data unavailable |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion AZ · Public · 87 graduates measured | $90,291 | $100,105 | Data unavailable |
| Arizona State University Digital Immersion AZ · Public · 87 graduates measured | $90,291 | $100,105 | Data unavailable |
| National University CA · Private, nonprofit · 17 graduates measured | $89,962 | Data unavailable | Data unavailable |
| Texas A&M University-College Station TX · Public · 32 graduates measured | $89,608 | $91,194 | Data unavailable |
| Marshall University WV · Public · 19 graduates measured | $89,529 | Data unavailable | Data unavailable |
Ranked by published median earnings one year after completion. Programs with suppressed earnings do not appear, so this is not a ranking of program quality.
Professional degree (JD, MD, and similar) programs with the highest early earnings
| School | Median earnings, 1 yr | Median earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus NJ · Private, nonprofit · 24 graduates measured | $89,810 | $98,429 | Data unavailable |
| Rider University NJ · Private, nonprofit · 19 graduates measured | $63,492 | Data unavailable | Data unavailable |
| Columbia International University SC · Private, nonprofit · 27 graduates measured | $39,399 | $42,129 | Data unavailable |
Ranked by published median earnings one year after completion. Programs with suppressed earnings do not appear, so this is not a ranking of program quality.
Graduate certificate programs with the highest early earnings
| School | Median earnings, 1 yr | Median earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fordham University NY · Private, nonprofit · 40 graduates measured | $82,109 | $84,790 | Data unavailable |
| Fielding Graduate University CA · Private, nonprofit · 44 graduates measured | $78,071 | $86,802 | Data unavailable |
| Southwestern Oklahoma State University OK · Public · 20 graduates measured | $75,396 | Data unavailable | Data unavailable |
| Wayne State University MI · Public · 27 graduates measured | $67,706 | $65,420 | Data unavailable |
| Post University CT · Private, for-profit · 54 graduates measured | $64,379 | $77,373 | Data unavailable |
| The Chicago School at Chicago IL · Private, nonprofit · 102 graduates measured | $63,759 | $79,692 | Data unavailable |
| The Chicago School at Los Angeles CA · Private, nonprofit · 102 graduates measured | $63,759 | $79,692 | Data unavailable |
| The Chicago School at Washington DC DC · Private, nonprofit · 102 graduates measured | $63,759 | $79,692 | Data unavailable |
| The Chicago School at Dallas · Private, nonprofit · 102 graduates measured | $63,759 | $79,692 | Data unavailable |
| Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine PA · Private, nonprofit · 27 graduates measured | $63,537 | Data unavailable | Data unavailable |
| University of Denver CO · Private, nonprofit · 21 graduates measured | $63,430 | Data unavailable | Data unavailable |
| George Mason University VA · Public · 205 graduates measured | $63,151 | $84,541 | Data unavailable |
| MidAmerica Nazarene University KS · Private, nonprofit · 24 graduates measured | $62,589 | $65,804 | Data unavailable |
| Purdue University Global IN · Public · 86 graduates measured | $61,432 | Data unavailable | Data unavailable |
| Rhode Island College RI · Public · 17 graduates measured | $60,877 | $69,995 | Data unavailable |
Ranked by published median earnings one year after completion. Programs with suppressed earnings do not appear, so this is not a ranking of program quality.
Careers linked to Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology
| Occupation | Median wage, all workers | Change 2025 to 2035 | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human resources managers | $149,280 | +5.5% | Bachelor's degree |
| Training and development managers | $133,000 | +6.4% | Bachelor's degree |
| Managers, all other | $141,900 | +4.9% | Bachelor's degree |
| Human resources specialists | $75,940 | +6.4% | Bachelor's degree |
| Management analysts | $101,860 | +10.1% | Bachelor's degree |
| Training and development specialists | $69,280 | +10.8% | Bachelor's degree |
| Industrial-organizational psychologists | $193,950 | +6.5% | Master's degree |
| Clinical and counseling psychologists | $100,580 | +11.7% | Doctoral or professional degree |
| School psychologists | $95,990 | +0.8% | Master's degree |
| Psychologists, all other | $110,840 | +2.3% | Master's degree |
| Educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors | $64,330 | +2.9% | Master's degree |
| Counselors, all other | $50,860 | +5.9% | Master's degree |
| Psychology teachers, postsecondary | $80,340 | +4.0% | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Coaches and scouts | $47,320 | +6.1% | Bachelor's degree |
Occupations mapped to this field in the NCES and BLS CIP to SOC crosswalk. Occupation wages describe all workers, not recent graduates.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk. CIP 2020 and SOC 2018 taxonomies. Published April 30, 2020. Retrieved October 18, 2026. Methodology.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, National. May 2025 reference period. Published April 30, 2026. Retrieved October 18, 2026. Methodology.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, Table 1.2: Occupational projections, 2025-35, and worker characteristics, 2025. Base year 2025, projected year 2035. Published August 27, 2026. Retrieved October 18, 2026. Methodology.
Detailed CIP codes in this field (18)
- 42.2801 Clinical Psychology
- 42.2802 Community Psychology
- 42.2803 Counseling Psychology
- 42.2804 Industrial and Organizational Psychology
- 42.2805 School Psychology
- 42.2806 Educational Psychology
- 42.2807 Clinical Child Psychology
- 42.2808 Environmental Psychology
- 42.2809 Geropsychology
- 42.2810 Health/Medical Psychology
- 42.2811 Family Psychology
- 42.2812 Forensic Psychology
- 42.2813 Applied Psychology
- 42.2814 Applied Behavior Analysis
- 42.2815 Performance and Sport Psychology
- 42.2816 Somatic Psychology
- 42.2817 Transpersonal/Spiritual Psychology
- 42.2899 Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology, Other