Psychology at College of the Desert
with a mid-sized student body of 8,900 in Palm Desert, CA.
Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $25,792 track close to the $27,272 national median for Psychology programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.
Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 116.4x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Psychology programs nationally.
Some AI exposure exists in Psychology's career paths, with 49% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 14% gap from the optimistic case.
At #6 of 36 nationally, this is a top-5% Psychology program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.
Five-year earnings of $30,561 are relatively flat compared to the $25,792 starting salary — typical of trades with stable but capped salary bands.
Psychology has a registered apprenticeship option through Health Information Management Privacy And Security Officer with a median wage of $136,550/yr — worth exploring for students who prefer structured on-the-job training.
Earnings Overview
Projected 10-Year Earnings
Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.
Top Career Paths
Top career paths for Psychology graduates by median salary.
| Career Path | Median Salary | Growth | AI-ProofAI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Managers, all other | $136,550 | +4.5% | 53% |
| Psychologists, all other | $117,580 | +4.3% | 56% |
| Industrial-organizational psychologists | $109,840 | +6.3% | 51% |
Psychology Career Guide
Psychology opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.
Compare & Explore
Psychology Overview
Psychology at Other Schools
Other Majors at College of the Desert
Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?
Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.