2027 Best Value General Psychology Schools in Tennessee
[General Psychology](/majors/psychology/general-psychology/psychology-general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 32 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general psychology students.
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2027 Best Value General Psychology Schools in Tennessee
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general psychology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Psychology Schools
Middle Tennessee State University tops our 2027 list of the best value general psychology schools in Tennessee. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,266, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $22,000. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $45,755. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
Austin Peay State University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general psychology schools. Located in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,006, while out-of-state students pay about $14,766. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Austin Peay State University generally make around $28,705. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Memphis earned it the #3 place for general psychology. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,728, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $31,582 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
A rank of #4 makes Vanderbilt University one of the best values for general psychology. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Students borrow a median of $11,209 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $36,716. Set against $11,209 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general psychology will find it at The University Of Tennessee Martin, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,560, compared with $16,600 for out-of-state students. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,373 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee Martin generally make around $27,433. Set against $26,373 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Tennessee Martin admits about 88% of applicants.
Tennessee Technological University landed the #6 spot for general psychology value this year. Located in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,376, with out-of-state students paying around $15,576. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of Tennessee Technological University earn a median of $28,394 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga placed #7 among the best values for general psychology. Set in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,448, with out-of-state students paying around $18,512. Students borrow a median of $21,898 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $48,892. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Bethel University Tennessee placed #8 among the best values for general psychology. Located in the town of McKenzie, Bethel University Tennessee is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,712. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $28,583 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of Bethel University Tennessee earn a median of $62,331 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,583 median debt. Bethel University Tennessee admits about 60% of applicants.
Christian Brothers University landed the #9 spot for general psychology value this year. Christian Brothers University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Memphis. In-state tuition and fees average $38,420. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Christian Brothers University generally make around $26,064. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Christian Brothers University admits about 87% of applicants.
Tennessee Wesleyan College landed the #10 spot for general psychology value this year. Tennessee Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,814. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $29,750 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $58,859. Set against $29,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Trevecca Nazarene University placed #11 among the best values for general psychology. Trevecca Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,300. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $21,375 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of Trevecca Nazarene University earn a median of $37,019 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Trevecca Nazarene University admits about 69% of applicants.
East Tennessee State University placed #12 among the best values for general psychology. East Tennessee State University is a large public school located in the city of Johnson City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,216, while out-of-state students pay about $13,726. Students borrow a median of $17,976 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of East Tennessee State University earn a median of $26,403 early in their careers. Set against $17,976 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Tennessee State University earned the #13 position for value in general psychology this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,616 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,416. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $27,500. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $45,898. That is a strong return on a $27,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
South College landed the #14 spot for general psychology value this year. South College is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Knoxville. Students from in state pay about $18,535 in tuition and fees. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,533 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of South College earn a median of $51,389 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cumberland University placed #15 among the best values for general psychology. Located in the town of Lebanon, Cumberland University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $27,840. Students borrow a median of $22,437 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of Cumberland University earn a median of $27,023 early in their careers. Set against $22,437 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Lee University placed #16 among the best values for general psychology. Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. In-state tuition and fees average $23,790. Students borrow a median of $26,450 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of Lee University earn a median of $27,576 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,450 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Maryville College landed the #17 spot for general psychology value this year. Set in the suburb of Maryville, Maryville College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,284. Students borrow a median of $26,283 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Maryville College generally make around $42,971. Set against $26,283 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Maryville College admits about 61% of applicants.
Lincoln Memorial University came in at #18 for value in general psychology this year. Set in the town of Harrogate, Lincoln Memorial University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $26,938. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $20,693. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Lincoln Memorial University generally make around $64,307. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Carson Newman College placed #19 among the best values for general psychology. Set in the suburb of Jefferson City, Carson Newman College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,700. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of Carson Newman College earn a median of $28,217 early in their careers. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Carson Newman College admits about 90% of applicants.
Bryan College Dayton placed #20 among the best values for general psychology. Bryan College Dayton is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Dayton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,800. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $23,880. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $44,067. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Milligan College landed the #21 spot for general psychology value this year. Set in the suburb of Milligan, Milligan College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,450. Students borrow a median of $26,150 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of Milligan College earn a median of $64,327 early in their careers. Set against $26,150 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Milligan College admits about 72% of applicants.
Freed Hardeman University placed #22 among the best values for general psychology. Set in the town of Henderson, Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $25,620. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Freed Hardeman University generally make around $54,530. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Tusculum College came in at #23 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the town of Greeneville, Tusculum College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,250. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $28,500. General Psychology graduates of Tusculum College earn a median of $30,170 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Johnson University placed #24 among the best values for general psychology. Set in the rural area of Knoxville, Johnson University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,122. Students borrow a median of $23,819 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of Johnson University earn a median of $34,290 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,819 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Southern Adventist University landed the #25 spot for general psychology value this year. Set in the suburb of Collegedale, Southern Adventist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $27,300. Students borrow a median of $25,498 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Southern Adventist University generally make around $61,366. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 32 Best Value General Psychology Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general psychology:
More General Psychology Rankings
View All General Psychology Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 32 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 32 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
