Psychology at Pasadena City College

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

one of the larger campuses at 20,624 students in Pasadena, CA.

Program Analysis

Pasadena City College's Psychology program produces graduates earning $24,894/yr — within striking distance of the $27,272 national average for this trade.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 175.6x 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.

At #5 of 36 nationally, this is a top-5% Psychology program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $41,258 show a 66% jump from the $24,894 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration in this trade.

One registered apprenticeship pathway (Health Information Management Privacy And Security Officer with a median wage of $136,550/yr) connects to Psychology careers, offering a paid training alternative to the classroom model.

61 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
53
Low End
61
Score
63
High End
Earnings $24,894/yr (-9% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (51% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (125,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$437K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
185.1x
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)
$2,360
Out-of-state: $21,512
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$41,258
66% 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

From day-one roles to senior positions, Psychology careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering other programs.

Read the full Psychology career guide →

Compare & Explore

Psychology Overview

Psychology at Other Schools

Other Majors at Pasadena City College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 61/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Psychology at Pasadena City College?
At 61/100, Pasadena City College's Psychology program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Should I worry about AI if I study Psychology at Pasadena City College?
AI exposure of 49% is a real factor. For Pasadena City College specifically, the gap between optimistic ($436,858) and pessimistic ($260,446) decade earnings reflects that uncertainty.
Why does Pasadena City College rank so high for Psychology?
The #5 ranking out of 36 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable, and the job market supports this trade.
Will Psychology graduates from Pasadena City College find jobs?
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 →