Research and Experimental Psychology, Other.
Data details: Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity, and summary are for this specific degree (6-digit CIP) from IPEDS. Salary, debt, and related financial outcomes are based on the degree category (4-digit CIP) from the College Scorecard API. ← Back to search
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Please use your own discretion when interpreting these results. For certain degrees, a limited number of institutions report to the government's College Scorecard API, which may cause the data to be skewed or less representative of national trends. Consider these figures as informative but not definitive, and consult additional sources or advisors for important decisions.
Debt to Income Ratio
Debt-to-income analysis for Research and Experimental Psychology, Other.: The DTI for this program is 64.0%, which is within the generally accepted range for higher education. While not as low as some top-performing degrees, this ratio suggests that most graduates can manage their student loan payments, especially if they secure employment in related fields. If you are considering Research and Experimental Psychology, Other., compare your expected starting salary (currently $34263) to the average debt ($21930) to ensure it fits your financial goals in .
Degrees with a DTI between 0.5 and 0.8 are common, but it's wise to plan your budget and consider loan repayment options.
Important financial note for Research and Experimental Psychology, Other.: The debt-to-income ratio for this program is 64.0%, which is above the recommended maximum of 80%. This means that, on average, graduates may need to dedicate a significant portion of their first-year earnings to student loan payments. If you are considering Research and Experimental Psychology, Other., be sure to weigh the average starting salary ($34263) against the typical student debt ($21930), and explore scholarships, grants, or alternative funding sources to reduce your financial burden in and beyond.
Key Insights
Research and Experimental Psychology, Other. is a program that attracts motivated students who want to make an impact. Starting pay for new grads is typically $34263, and with an average debt of $21930, the debt-to-income ratio comes in at 0.64—which is about average for college grads.
This program sees about 22179 graduates annually, so you’ll be joining a well-established network. Whether you’re aiming for a high-paying job, a stable career, or a chance to make an impact, Research and Experimental Psychology, Other. is a great foundation. Remember, your journey is shaped by the opportunities you pursue—so get involved and stay curious!
Degree Overview
Research and Experimental Psychology, Other (CIP 42.2799) is a scientifically rigorous psychology field centered on designing experiments, collecting data, and testing theories to understand how the mind and behavior actually work. Unlike applied or clinical psychology programs, this degree is focused on psychology as a science. It emphasizes experimentation, measurement, statistics, and theory-building rather than treatment or counseling. Programs under the “Other” designation allow institutions to offer specialized or interdisciplinary research tracks that do not fall neatly into traditional subfields like cognitive, social, or developmental psychology.
For a degree search site, Research and Experimental Psychology represents depth, precision, and academic seriousness. This is the degree behind the studies people read about—those experiments that explain decision-making, attention, memory, emotion, learning, perception, and behavior. Graduates are trained to ask not just “what happens,” but “why it happens” and “how we know.” This degree appeals to students who want a strong research foundation, preparation for graduate school, and elite analytical skills applicable far beyond psychology.
What Is a Research and Experimental Psychology Degree?
A Research and Experimental Psychology degree is an academic program focused on the scientific investigation of behavior and mental processes. Programs in this category emphasize experimental design, hypothesis testing, statistical analysis, and empirical research. The “Other” classification allows schools to offer customized or emerging research-oriented psychology tracks that may integrate neuroscience, data science, human factors, or interdisciplinary behavioral research.
Rather than preparing students for direct clinical practice, this degree emphasizes:
- Designing controlled experiments
- Collecting behavioral and physiological data
- Analyzing results using statistical methods
- Evaluating psychological theories
- Communicating scientific findings
Universities offer this degree to:
- Prepare students for graduate study and academic research
- Train behavioral scientists and research specialists
- Support interdisciplinary science and data-driven careers
- Develop strong foundations for evidence-based professions
This degree is often considered the most “scientific” path within psychology.
What Will You Learn?
Students learn how psychological knowledge is created—not just what is known, but how it is discovered. You’ll study how to design experiments that isolate variables, how to measure behavior reliably, and how to interpret results without bias. Coursework emphasizes logic, skepticism, and evidence-based reasoning.
You’ll also learn how to critique published research, replicate findings, and understand the limits of psychological conclusions.
Core Skills You’ll Build
Graduates typically develop skills such as:
- Experimental design—creating controlled, testable studies
- Statistical analysis—analyzing behavioral data accurately
- Research methodology—quantitative and qualitative approaches
- Data management and interpretation—handling complex datasets
- Critical evaluation—assessing research validity and bias
- Scientific writing—clear, precise research communication
- Ethical research practices—protecting human participants
- Logical and analytical reasoning—drawing defensible conclusions
These skills are highly transferable to data science, policy, analytics, and research-heavy careers.
Topics You May Explore
Because this is an “Other” classification, coursework varies by program focus, but commonly includes:
- Experimental Psychology: principles of controlled research
- Research Methods in Psychology: study design and measurement
- Statistical Methods and Data Analysis: probability, regression, ANOVA
- Cognitive and Behavioral Experiments: attention, memory, learning
- Perception and Sensation: vision, hearing, and sensory processing
- Psychophysiology or Neuroscience Foundations: brain–behavior links
- Psychometrics: test construction and measurement theory
- Replication and Open Science: research transparency and rigor
- Independent Research or Thesis: original experimental work
Most programs require students to conduct original research under faculty supervision.
What Jobs Can You Get With This Degree?
A Research and Experimental Psychology degree is primarily a preparation-for-advancement degree. While some graduates enter the workforce directly, many use it as a launchpad for graduate school.
Common career paths include:
- Research Assistant or Lab Manager: academic or industry research
- Behavioral or Data Analyst: research-driven organizations
- User Researcher (Entry-Level): human behavior and usability studies
- Market or Consumer Research Analyst: experimental analysis
- Program Evaluation Specialist: policy and social research
- Graduate School Path: psychology, neuroscience, data science, or related fields
- Doctoral Researcher: academic or industry scientist (PhD-level)
Becoming a licensed psychologist requires additional graduate education.
Where Can You Work?
Graduates work in research-intensive and data-driven environments:
- Universities and academic research labs
- Healthcare and behavioral research organizations
- Technology and UX research teams
- Market research and analytics firms
- Government agencies and policy institutes
- Nonprofits and social science research centers
- Private research and consulting firms
Research psychology training translates well to any role involving experimentation and evidence.
How Much Can You Earn?
Earnings vary widely depending on education level and role.
Typical ranges include:
- Research assistants or analysts: often $45,000–$65,000
- Behavioral or UX researchers: commonly $70,000–$100,000
- Doctoral-level researchers or scientists: often $90,000–$130,000+
Graduate degrees substantially increase both responsibility and earning potential.
Is This Degree Hard?
Research and Experimental Psychology is considered academically demanding. Students must be comfortable with statistics, abstract reasoning, long-term projects, and intellectual uncertainty. Success requires patience, precision, and a willingness to question assumptions.
The difficulty lies in thinking scientifically about complex, variable human behavior.
Who Should Consider This Degree?
This degree may be a strong fit if you:
- Enjoy designing experiments and analyzing data
- Like asking “how do we know this is true?”
- Are considering graduate or doctoral study
- Prefer evidence and logic over opinion
- Want transferable research and analytical skills
How to Prepare in High School
To prepare for a research-focused psychology program:
- Take statistics, biology, and advanced math courses
- Develop strong reading, writing, and critical thinking skills
- Practice data analysis and basic research projects
- Learn about the scientific method and experimental design
- Participate in science fairs, research clubs, or internships
Research and Experimental Psychology, Other (CIP 42.2799) is a degree for students who want to be producers of knowledge, not just consumers of it. It provides rigorous scientific training, elite analytical skills, and a powerful foundation for graduate study and research-driven careers. For those who want to understand the mind through evidence, experimentation, and precision, this is one of the strongest paths within psychology.
Personality Fit (RIASEC Profile)
Official assessment tool by the U.S. Department of Labor