Psychology Degree in Topeka, KS — Salary & ROI 2026
Psychology degree analysis for Topeka, KS. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$37K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$55K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
10.5 yrs
in Topeka
Cost of Living
84
index (100 = avg)
Psychology in Topeka, KS Overview
Topeka, Kansas (pop. 126,587) has 14 colleges offering Psychology programs. The local cost of living index of 84 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $1,052/month. Psychology enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Research Methods and Statistics. The adjusted starting salary in Topeka is approximately $36,960.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
14
Public Tuition
$8,640/yr
Private Tuition
$44,161/yr
Room & Board
$11,239/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,855/yr
Unemployment
3.4%
Graduation Rate
75%
Psychology Salary in Topeka (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Topeka's cost of living index of 84 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Psychology salary: $44,000 starting, $65,000 mid-career, $82,000 senior level.Topeka adjustment factor: 0.84x based on the local cost of living index.
Psychology ROI Calculator for Topeka
Estimate your return on investment for a Psychology degree using local Topeka tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,640 | Private avg: $44,161
Topeka avg aid: $13,855/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$79,516
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$7,560
vs HS diploma in Topeka
ROI Payback Period
10.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Topeka
$189,284
Lifetime earnings premium ($268,800) minus total education cost ($79,516)
Student Loan Payoff for Psychology in Topeka
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Topeka for Psychology
Washburn University
public
$8,640/yr
$34,560 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Washburn Institute of Technology
$3,564/yr
Top Employers for Psychology in Topeka
Topeka offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Psychology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Topeka Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Psychology Job Titles
Psychology in Nearby Kansas Cities
Wichita, KS
$46K starting · COL 104
20 colleges
Overland Park, KS
$45K starting · COL 103
13 colleges
Kansas City, KS
$36K starting · COL 82.5
6 colleges
Olathe, KS
$43K starting · COL 96.8
6 colleges
Lawrence, KS
$48K starting · COL 108
5 colleges
Shawnee, KS
$38K starting · COL 86.5
3 colleges
Lenexa, KS
$42K starting · COL 96.2
3 colleges
Manhattan, KS
$42K starting · COL 95
6 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Topeka
International Relations
$42K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$40K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$42K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$42K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$42K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$42K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$42K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$37K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Psychology Degree in Topeka — 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 Topeka.