2027 Best Value Psychology Schools in Tennessee
[Psychology](/majors/psychology/) 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 33 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for psychology students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Psychology Schools in Tennessee
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the psychology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Psychology Schools
Our analysis ranked Austin Peay State University the best value for a degree in psychology in Tennessee. Located in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,006 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,766. Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $57,144. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Middle Tennessee State University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,266, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,371 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $36,033 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
University Of Memphis is a great value for students pursuing a degree in psychology, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,728, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $83,559 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Vanderbilt University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in psychology, landing the #4 spot this year. 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. Psychology graduates carry a median of $11,209 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $36,716 early in their careers. Set against $11,209 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes The University Of Tennessee Martin one of the best values for psychology. The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Martin. Students from in state pay about $10,560 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,600. Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,373 in student loans. Psychology graduates of The University Of Tennessee Martin earn a median of $27,433 early in their careers. Set against $26,373 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Tennessee Martin admits about 88% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. Located in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,448, while out-of-state students pay about $18,512. Psychology graduates carry a median of $21,898 in student loans. Psychology graduates of The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earn a median of $48,892 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Tennessee Technological University placed #7 among the best values for psychology. Tennessee Technological University is a large public school located in the town of Cookeville. In-state tuition and fees average $11,376, while out-of-state students pay about $15,576. Psychology graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Tennessee Technological University generally make around $28,394. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Bethel University Tennessee ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. Set in the town of McKenzie, Bethel University Tennessee is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,712. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $28,583. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Bethel University Tennessee generally make around $62,331. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bethel University Tennessee admits about 60% of applicants.
Christian Brothers University placed #9 among the best values for psychology. Located in the city of Memphis, Christian Brothers University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,420. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $45,942. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Christian Brothers University generally make around $26,064. That is a strong return on a $45,942 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Tennessee Wesleyan College placed #10 among the best values for psychology. Set in the town of Athens, Tennessee Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,814. Psychology graduates carry a median of $29,750 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $58,859. Set against $29,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
East Tennessee State University earned the #11 position for value in psychology this year. Located in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,216, with out-of-state students paying around $13,726. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $17,976. Early-career psychology graduates make about $26,403. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Trevecca Nazarene University placed #12 among the best values for psychology. Located in the city of Nashville, Trevecca Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $31,300 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $21,375. Psychology graduates of Trevecca Nazarene University earn a median of $41,524 early in their careers. Set against $21,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee landed the #13 spot for psychology value this year. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. Students from in state pay about $13,812 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $23,081. Psychology graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $47,265 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,081 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Tennessee State University placed #14 among the best values for psychology. Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Nashville. In-state tuition and fees average $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $22,416. Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,500 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Tennessee State University earn a median of $45,898 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
South College came in at #15 for value in psychology this year. Set in the city of Knoxville, South College is a very large private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,535. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $24,533. 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 landed the #16 spot for psychology value this year. Located in the town of Lebanon, Cumberland University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,840. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $22,437. Psychology graduates of Cumberland University earn a median of $27,023 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,437 median debt. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Lee University landed the #17 spot for psychology value this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,790. Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,450 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $38,743. That is a strong return on a $26,450 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Maryville College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. Located in the suburb of Maryville, Maryville College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,284. Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,283 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Maryville College generally make around $42,971. That is a strong return on a $26,283 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Lincoln Memorial University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. Set in the town of Harrogate, Lincoln Memorial University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,938. Students borrow a median of $20,693 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Lincoln Memorial University generally make around $64,307. That is a strong return on a $20,693 median debt. Lincoln Memorial University admits about 63% of applicants.
Carson Newman College landed the #20 spot for psychology value this year. Located in the suburb of Jefferson City, Carson Newman College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,700. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Carson Newman College generally make around $28,217. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Bryan College Dayton came in at #21 for value in psychology this year. Located in the town of Dayton, Bryan College Dayton is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $19,800 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $23,880. Psychology graduates of Bryan College Dayton earn a median of $44,067 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Milligan College earned the #22 position for value in psychology this year. Milligan College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Milligan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,450. Students borrow a median of $26,150 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Milligan College earn a median of $64,327 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Freed Hardeman University placed #23 among the best values for psychology. Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Henderson. Students from in state pay about $25,620 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Freed Hardeman University generally make around $54,530. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Tusculum College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. Located in the town of Greeneville, Tusculum College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $29,250 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,500 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Tusculum College earn a median of $30,170 early in their careers. Set against $28,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Johnson University earned the #25 position for value in psychology this year. Set in the rural area of Knoxville, Johnson University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $21,122 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $23,819. Psychology graduates of Johnson University earn a median of $34,290 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 33 Best Value Psychology Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in psychology:
View All Psychology Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 33 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 33 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.
