Psychology at South Texas College

McAllen, TX · Public · Associate Degree · Psychology, General

with a mid-sized student body of 16,131 in McAllen, TX.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $19,552 place South Texas College below the $27,272 national median for Psychology — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 33.1x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Psychology programs nationally.

The 40% gap between optimistic and pessimistic AI scenarios is notable. With 49% of typical tasks exposed to automation, AI adoption could meaningfully shift career outcomes for Psychology graduates.

Ranked #32 of 36 Psychology programs, South Texas College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $31,308 show a 60% jump from the $19,552 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration in this trade.

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.

42 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
33
Low End
42
Score
44
High End
Earnings $19,552/yr (-28% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (51% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (125,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$343K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
34.9x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
6 of 6
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$9,840
Out-of-state: $15,000
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$31,308
60% growth from Year 1

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%
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 →

Psychology Career Guide

Explore what Psychology graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 36 programs nationwide.

Read the full Psychology career guide →

Compare & Explore

Psychology Overview

Psychology at Other Schools

Other Majors at South Texas 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 at South Texas College?
This program scores 42/100 — on the lower end for Psychology. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Psychology to AI automation?
AI won't eliminate Psychology careers, but it may reshape them. At South Texas College, a score of 42/100 already accounts for the 49% task exposure — the ROI calculation factors in reduced employment probability.
Is South Texas College a good choice for Psychology despite lower starting pay?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
How many job openings are there for Psychology graduates?
The career paths mapped to Psychology have roughly 125,000 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Demand is driven by consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →