Psychology, General at Merced College

Merced, CA · Public · Associate Degree

with a mid-sized student body of 9,677 in Merced, CA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $34,441 put Merced College's Psychology, General program 26% above the national median of $27,272 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

The 150.9x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 49% task exposure — and the 0% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Psychology, General graduates.

Ranked #1 out of 36 programs, Merced College's Psychology, General program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Psychology, General 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.

67 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
61
Low End
67
Score
69
High End
Earnings $34,441/yr (26% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (51% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (125,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Year 1 Earnings
$34K
Reported median after graduation
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
150.9x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
6 of 6
Occupations with strong AI resilience
Program Tuition (In-State)
$2,388
Out-of-state: $16,308
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$32,072
Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Psychology, General 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%
Managers, all other
$136,550
+4.5% growth 53% AI-proof
Psychologists, all other
$117,580
+4.3% growth 56% AI-proof
Industrial-organizational psychologists
$109,840
+6.3% growth 51% AI-proof

View all 6 career paths with full salary data →

About Psychology, General Careers

Your understanding of human behavior opens doors to diverse fields. You might begin as a social science research assistant, using statistical software to analyze survey data and prepare reports for a research team. With advanced education, you could become a clinical psychologist, spending your days in a private office providing one-on-one therapy to help clients navigate life’s challenges. Another common path is management, where you’ll use your insights to lead teams, mediate conflicts, and motivate employees to meet project goals.

Read the full Psychology, General career guide →

Compare & Explore

Psychology, General Overview

Psychology, General at Other Schools

Other Majors at Merced College

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Psychology, General at Merced College?
This program scores 67/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Psychology, General graduates.
How vulnerable is Psychology, General to AI automation?
The 49% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
What makes Merced College's Psychology, General program stand out?
The #1 ranking out of 36 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable, and the job market supports this trade.
Is there demand for Psychology, General workers?
The career paths mapped to Psychology, General have roughly 125,000 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →