Best Value Psychology Colleges in Tennessee

Tennessee psychology programs reveal a striking cost divide where Tennessee State University delivers the same field at $10,026 net price while Vanderbilt charges $19,040 for similar outcomes. Public universities dominate the affordable end, with six schools under $15,000, yet private institutions like Christian Brothers University squeeze into third place at just $10,896 despite a $37,300 sticker price. The earnings spread tells another story, ranging from $24,550 to $31,305, with Vanderbilt graduates earning the highest median income at $31,305 annually. Tennessee's healthcare sector, anchored by HCA Healthcare and numerous medical facilities across Nashville and Memphis, creates steady demand for psychology graduates in clinical support, patient advocacy, and mental health services. The state's music industry also employs psychology graduates in artist relations and therapeutic roles. Most Tennessee psychology programs maintain relatively open admission policies, with acceptance rates above 70 percent, making quality education accessible. However, graduation rates vary dramatically from 33 percent at Tennessee State to 92.7 percent at Vanderbilt, suggesting significant differences in student support and academic rigor across institutions.

Programs

$10,026 – $32,096

Net Price Range

$26,919

Avg. Program Earnings

55.7%

Avg. Graduation Rate

34 Psychology, General Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Tennessee State University Nashville, Tennessee	$10,026	$31,133	$8,568	33.0%
2	The University of Tennessee-Martin Martin, Tennessee	$10,299	$28,598	$10,208	54.8%	88.4%
3	Christian Brothers University Memphis, Tennessee	$10,896	$26,353	$37,300	56.0%	87.5%
4	Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, Tennessee	$12,599	$29,250	$9,506	54.0%	72.5%
5	The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga Chattanooga, Tennessee	$12,817	$27,357	$10,144	53.1%	82.7%
6	University of Memphis Memphis, Tennessee	$13,253	$24,973	$10,344	49.4%	94.6%
7	Tennessee Technological University Cookeville, Tennessee	$14,207	$26,353	$10,084	54.2%	78.1%
8	Austin Peay State University Clarksville, Tennessee	$14,846	$25,812	$8,675	44.5%	93.8%
9	Vanderbilt University Nashville, Tennessee	$19,040	$31,305	$63,946	92.7%	6.7%
10	East Tennessee State University Johnson City, Tennessee	$15,794	$24,550	$9,950	49.9%	85.3%
11	The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Knoxville, Tennessee	$18,109	$27,961	$13,484	73.5%	68.4%
12	Lee University Cleveland, Tennessee	$20,399	$26,850	$22,690	60.7%	72.6%
13	Freed-Hardeman University Henderson, Tennessee	$20,082	$25,967	$25,000	68.4%	91.2%
14	Tusculum University Greeneville, Tennessee	$22,874	$28,327	$28,500	30.5%	81.1%
15	Lipscomb University Nashville, Tennessee	$25,610	$30,988	$38,824	68.7%	71.1%
16	The University of the South Sewanee, Tennessee	$27,498	$26,353	$53,698	82.4%	52.3%
17	Rhodes College Memphis, Tennessee	$25,060	$23,649	$54,892	81.6%	53.9%
18	Belmont University Nashville, Tennessee	$32,096	$18,771	$41,320	71.7%	96.3%
19	Trevecca Nazarene University Nashville, Tennessee	$14,459		$29,790	54.8%	70.9%
20	Tennessee Wesleyan University Athens, Tennessee	$14,879		$29,264	43.6%	60.7%
21	Union University Jackson, Tennessee	$26,815		$38,450	70.9%	52.6%
22	Milligan University Milligan, Tennessee	$21,131		$39,350	60.3%	66.7%
23	Southern Adventist University Collegedale, Tennessee	$24,334		$25,590	51.4%	65.8%
24	Maryville College Maryville, Tennessee	$20,986		$38,514	47.2%	69.5%
25	The University of Tennessee Southern Pulaski, Tennessee	$15,133		$10,506	35.7%	80.3%
26	Lincoln Memorial University Harrogate, Tennessee	$17,999		$26,150	53.9%	78.5%
27	King University Bristol, Tennessee	$23,508		$34,800	46.4%	60.8%
28	Johnson University Knoxville, Tennessee	$20,303		$20,318	62.2%	63.2%
29	Welch College Gallatin, Tennessee	$19,983		$20,796	61.4%
30	Fisk University Nashville, Tennessee	$26,135		$24,298	43.5%	71.0%
31	Cumberland University Lebanon, Tennessee	$18,292		$27,840	47.0%	66.2%
32	Carson-Newman University Jefferson City, Tennessee	$18,661		$34,700	46.4%	79.8%
33	Bryan College-Dayton Dayton, Tennessee	$16,494		$18,900	55.9%
34	Bethel University McKenzie, Tennessee	$21,803		$18,168	34.9%	88.8%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $13,014 gap between the cheapest and most expensive psychology programs?

Tennessee State University offers psychology education at $10,026 net cost while Vanderbilt reaches $19,040, yet both produce graduates earning over $30,000 annually. Public funding allows state schools to maintain lower prices, with in-state tuition at Tennessee State just $8,568 compared to Vanderbilt's $63,946 sticker price. Private schools often provide substantial financial aid, as seen with Christian Brothers University dropping from $37,300 to $10,896 net cost. The earnings difference between these schools averages only $5,000, making affordability a key consideration.

How do graduation rates affect psychology program value in Tennessee?

Graduation rates span from 33 percent at Tennessee State University to 92.7 percent at Vanderbilt, directly impacting return on investment. Middle Tennessee State University graduates 54 percent of students with $19,940 average debt and $29,250 earnings. Students at schools with higher completion rates typically enter the workforce sooner and begin earning psychology salaries faster. The University of Tennessee-Knoxville achieves a 73.5 percent graduation rate while maintaining reasonable costs at $18,109 net price.

Does student debt burden vary significantly across Tennessee psychology programs?

Psychology graduates carry debt loads ranging from $11,187 at Vanderbilt to $26,630 at Tusculum University, creating different financial starting points. Tennessee Technological University produces graduates with just $13,625 in debt while maintaining $26,353 median earnings, offering strong debt-to-income ratios. Most public universities keep debt below $25,000, while private schools show more variation. East Tennessee State University graduates average only $16,387 in debt with a $15,794 net program cost.

Where do psychology graduates find employment opportunities in Tennessee?

Tennessee's healthcare infrastructure, led by HCA Healthcare and regional medical centers, employs psychology graduates in clinical support, patient services, and mental health roles across Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville. The state's music industry in Nashville creates unique opportunities in artist relations, therapy, and entertainment psychology. With no state income tax, psychology graduates keep more of their $24,550 to $31,305 annual earnings compared to neighboring states. Mental health facilities and social services also provide steady employment throughout the state's urban and rural areas.

Is private education worth the cost premium for Tennessee psychology students?

Private psychology programs like Christian Brothers University prove competitive at $10,896 net cost with 56 percent graduation rates, while Vanderbilt justifies its $19,040 price with 92.7 percent completion and $31,305 median earnings. Lee University graduates earn $26,850 annually with 60.7 percent graduation rates at $20,399 net cost, comparable to mid-tier public options. However, several public universities like Tennessee Technological University deliver similar outcomes at lower prices. The decision depends on individual financial aid packages and career goals rather than blanket private versus public considerations.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.