Psychology, General at South Texas College

McAllen, TX · Public · Associate Degree

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, General — 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, General 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, General graduates.

Ranked #32 of 36 Psychology, General 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, 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.

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, 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 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, General at South Texas College?
This program scores 42/100 — on the lower end for Psychology, General. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Will AI affect Psychology, General careers?
AI won't 'replace' Psychology, General careers outright, but it is likely to reduce job openings. We model 49% task exposure, which compresses employment probability in our scenarios.
Is South Texas College a good choice for Psychology, General 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.
Is there demand for Psychology, General workers?
With approximately 125,000 annual openings across mapped careers, Psychology, General offers a very large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →