by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Psychology](/majors/psychology/general-psychology/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 17 schools on the early-career earnings of their general psychology graduates.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send general psychology graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Simpson College tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying general psychology schools in Iowa. Simpson College is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Indianola. General Psychology graduates of Simpson College earn a median of about $50,609 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #2 makes Drake University one of the highest-paying schools for general psychology. Located in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the general psychology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $50,270.
A rank of #3 makes Wartburg College one of the highest-paying schools for general psychology. Wartburg College is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Waverly. Students who complete the general psychology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $47,608.
Strong graduate earnings at Cornell College earned it the #4 place for general psychology. Set in the town of Mount Vernon, Cornell College is a private not-for-profit institution. General Psychology graduates of Cornell College earn a median of about $47,314 a year early in their careers.
Upper Iowa University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in general psychology, landing the #5 spot this year. Upper Iowa University is a private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Fayette. Early-career general psychology graduates from Upper Iowa University make a median of around $50,014 per year.
Waldorf College earned the #6 position for general psychology graduate earnings this year. Located in the rural area of Forest City, Waldorf College is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, general psychology degree recipients from Waldorf College typically earn about $47,938 annually.
Saint Ambrose University earned the #7 position for general psychology graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Davenport, Saint Ambrose University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, general psychology degree recipients from Saint Ambrose University typically earn about $55,188 annually.
Coe College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general psychology schools. Coe College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. Students who complete the general psychology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $47,763.
Iowa State University came in at #9 for general psychology graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a public institution. Students who complete the general psychology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $50,080.
Mount Mercy University landed the #10 spot for general psychology salaries this year. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Mount Mercy University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, general psychology degree recipients from Mount Mercy University typically earn about $47,791 annually.
Grand View University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general psychology schools. Grand View University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Des Moines. Students who complete the general psychology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $46,059.
University Of Northern Iowa earned the #12 position for general psychology graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a public institution. Students who complete the general psychology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $48,150.
Buena Vista University placed #13 among the highest-paying schools for general psychology. Located in the town of Storm Lake, Buena Vista University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, general psychology degree recipients from Buena Vista University typically earn about $38,073 annually.
Loras College landed the #14 spot for general psychology salaries this year. Loras College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dubuque. Students who complete the general psychology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $53,404.
William Penn University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general psychology schools. Set in the town of Oskaloosa, William Penn University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, general psychology degree recipients from William Penn University typically earn about $35,122 annually.
Central College placed #16 among the highest-paying schools for general psychology. Central College is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Pella. General Psychology graduates of Central College earn a median of about $41,342 a year early in their careers.
Clarke University landed the #17 spot for general psychology salaries this year. Clarke University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dubuque. After graduating, general psychology degree recipients from Clarke University typically earn about $45,991 annually.
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their general psychology graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 17 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.