by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Psychology](/majors/psychology/general-psychology/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 22 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying general psychology schools.
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Below are the schools whose general psychology graduates go on to earn the most.
For graduate earnings in general psychology, no school beat Belmont University this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the general psychology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $65,747.
A rank of #2 makes Vanderbilt University one of the highest-paying schools for general psychology. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career general psychology graduates from Vanderbilt University make a median of around $62,840 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at Rhodes College earned it the #3 place for general psychology. Rhodes College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Memphis. General Psychology graduates of Rhodes College earn a median of about $54,788 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #4 makes Sewanee The University Of The South one of the highest-paying schools for general psychology. Set in the rural area of Sewanee, Sewanee The University Of The South is a private not-for-profit institution. General Psychology graduates of Sewanee The University Of The South earn a median of about $57,410 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in general psychology will find them at Freed Hardeman University, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Henderson, Freed Hardeman University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career general psychology graduates from Freed Hardeman University make a median of around $42,465 per year.
Trevecca Nazarene University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general psychology schools. Set in the city of Nashville, Trevecca Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, general psychology degree recipients from Trevecca Nazarene University typically earn about $37,019 annually.
University Of Memphis ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general psychology schools. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a public institution. After graduating, general psychology degree recipients from University Of Memphis typically earn about $43,526 annually.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga came in at #8 for general psychology graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a public institution. General Psychology graduates of The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earn a median of about $43,791 a year early in their careers.
Middle Tennessee State University earned the #9 position for general psychology graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a public institution. Early-career general psychology graduates from Middle Tennessee State University make a median of around $41,564 per year.
Union University placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for general psychology. Union University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Jackson. After graduating, general psychology degree recipients from Union University typically earn about $35,790 annually.
Tennessee State University placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for general psychology. Set in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a public institution. After graduating, general psychology degree recipients from Tennessee State University typically earn about $40,136 annually.
Tusculum College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general psychology schools. Located in the town of Greeneville, Tusculum College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the general psychology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $40,794.
Lipscomb University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general psychology schools. Lipscomb University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. After graduating, general psychology degree recipients from Lipscomb University typically earn about $43,062 annually.
King College came in at #14 for general psychology graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Bristol, King College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the general psychology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $40,527.
Cumberland University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general psychology schools. Set in the town of Lebanon, Cumberland University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the general psychology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $43,079.
Austin Peay State University came in at #16 for general psychology graduate earnings this year. Austin Peay State University is a public school located in the city of Clarksville. After graduating, general psychology degree recipients from Austin Peay State University typically earn about $38,578 annually.
Lee University placed #17 among the highest-paying schools for general psychology. Lee University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. Early-career general psychology graduates from Lee University make a median of around $39,475 per year.
Tennessee Technological University earned the #18 position for general psychology graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a public institution. After graduating, general psychology degree recipients from Tennessee Technological University typically earn about $37,538 annually.
The University Of Tennessee Martin landed the #19 spot for general psychology salaries this year. The University Of Tennessee Martin is a public school located in the town of Martin. After graduating, general psychology degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee Martin typically earn about $37,451 annually.
East Tennessee State University earned the #20 position for general psychology graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a public institution. Early-career general psychology graduates from East Tennessee State University make a median of around $37,942 per year.
Carson Newman College landed the #21 spot for general psychology salaries this year. Set in the suburb of Jefferson City, Carson Newman College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, general psychology degree recipients from Carson Newman College typically earn about $28,217 annually.
Christian Brothers University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general psychology schools. Located in the city of Memphis, Christian Brothers University is a private not-for-profit institution. General Psychology graduates of Christian Brothers University earn a median of about $26,064 a year early in their careers.
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries general psychology graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 22 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.