Psychology at San Diego Mesa College

San Diego, CA · Public · Associate Degree · Psychology, General

enrolling 15,899 students in San Diego, CA.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $26,229/yr, roughly in line with the $27,272 national median for Psychology. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The 189.9x 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 exposure is significant at 49% of job tasks, producing a 40% spread between best and worst-case decade earnings. The field isn't immune to disruption.

A #2 ranking out of 36 Psychology programs nationally puts San Diego Mesa College in the top 10% — a strong but not elite position.

Earnings growth from $26,229 to $42,029 over five years (60% increase) indicates that graduates in this trade see meaningful salary progression.

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.

62 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
54
Low End
62
Score
64
High End
Earnings $26,229/yr (-4% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (51% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (125,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$460K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
200.1x
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)
$2,300
Out-of-state: $18,188
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$42,029
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 San Diego Mesa 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 San Diego Mesa College?
At 62/100, San Diego Mesa College's Psychology program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
How vulnerable is Psychology to AI automation?
Our scenarios model 49% of Psychology tasks as AI-exposed. That doesn't mean job loss — it means role evolution. San Diego Mesa College's 62/100 score weights this risk into the overall assessment.
How many job openings are there for Psychology graduates?
With approximately 125,000 annual openings across mapped careers, Psychology offers a very large employment pool. San Diego Mesa College graduates enter a market shaped by consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →