Psychology Degree in Bend, OR — Salary & ROI 2026
Psychology degree analysis for Bend, OR. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$47K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$70K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
11.8 yrs
in Bend
Cost of Living
107
index (100 = avg)
Psychology in Bend, OR Overview
While Bend has a smaller college scene with 2 institutions, Psychology students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $16,767/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Psychology enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Research Methods and Statistics. The adjusted starting salary in Bend is approximately $47,080.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
2
Public Tuition
$11,580/yr
Private Tuition
$54,584/yr
Room & Board
$16,767/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$7,503/yr
Unemployment
7%
Graduation Rate
49%
Psychology Salary in Bend (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Bend's cost of living index of 107 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Psychology salary: $44,000 starting, $65,000 mid-career, $82,000 senior level.Bend adjustment factor: 1.07x based on the local cost of living index.
Psychology ROI Calculator for Bend
Estimate your return on investment for a Psychology degree using local Bend tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $11,580 | Private avg: $54,584
Bend avg aid: $7,503/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$113,388
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$9,630
vs HS diploma in Bend
ROI Payback Period
11.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Bend
$229,012
Lifetime earnings premium ($342,400) minus total education cost ($113,388)
Student Loan Payoff for Psychology in Bend
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Bend for Psychology
Oregon State University-Cascades
public
$11,580/yr
$46,320 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Central Oregon Community College
$4,536/yr
Top Employers for Psychology in Bend
Bend offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Psychology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Bend Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Psychology Job Titles
Psychology in Nearby Oregon Cities
Portland, OR
$49K starting · COL 112
24 colleges
Eugene, OR
$57K starting · COL 130
14 colleges
Salem, OR
$53K starting · COL 120
14 colleges
Gresham, OR
$48K starting · COL 110.2
5 colleges
Hillsboro, OR
$51K starting · COL 115.5
5 colleges
Beaverton, OR
$47K starting · COL 105.9
4 colleges
Medford, OR
$49K starting · COL 111
4 colleges
Springfield, OR
$53K starting · COL 120.3
3 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Bend
International Relations
$54K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$51K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$54K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$54K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$54K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$54K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$54K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$47K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Psychology Degree in Bend — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Psychology ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Bend.