Research and Experimental Psychology: degree ROI, salary & best colleges
Research and Experimental Psychology graduates earn a median $55,695 four years after finishing — $7,335/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. At a typical $16,906/yr net price ($67,624 over four years), that pays back in about 9.2 years. Federal data pools 200 bachelor's programs graduating roughly 16,469 students a year. (Scorecard field-of-study, 2026 · our math.)
Research and Experimental Psychology ranks #132 of 202 bachelor's fields by earnings — pays more than 35% of majors.
| # | College | State | Grad earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dartmouth College | NH | $99,344 |
| 2 | Columbia University in the City of New York | NY | $86,946 |
| 3 | Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus | GA | $83,012 |
| 4 | University of Connecticut | CT | $80,873 |
| 5 | University of Connecticut-Stamford | CT | $80,873 |
| 6 | University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus | CT | $80,873 |
| 7 | Tufts University | MA | $79,571 |
| 8 | Washington University in St Louis | MO | $75,261 |
| 9 | University of Chicago | IL | $73,483 |
| 10 | George Washington University | DC | $72,325 |
| 11 | Harvard University | MA | $70,167 |
| 12 | Amherst College | MA | $69,204 |
College Scorecard field-of-study (2026), program-level median earnings for this CIP · our ranking.
How we compute this. Earnings are the national median for graduates of this field measured 1 and 4 years after completion (Scorecard field-of-study, bachelor's). Premium = 4-year earnings − the $48,360 high-school baseline. Payback = a representative 4-year net cost (median college net price × 4) ÷ premium. Field medians blend every school — a specific program can pay far more or less. Full method on the methodology page; the field ranking is on ROI by major.