Psychology at Merced College

Merced, CA · Public · Associate Degree · Psychology, General

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 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 graduates.

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

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.

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 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

Psychology opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.

Read the full Psychology career guide →

Compare & Explore

Psychology Overview

Psychology 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 at Merced College?
This program scores 67/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Psychology graduates.
How vulnerable is Psychology to AI automation?
The 49% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — Merced College graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
What makes Merced College's Psychology 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 workers?
At 125,000 annual openings, Psychology has a very large employment base. Merced College graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →