2026 Best Value General Psychology Schools in Tennessee
[General Psychology](/majors/psychology/general-psychology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 33 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general psychology students.
What’s on this page:
2026 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 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools in Tennessee. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,266, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $45,755 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general psychology, landing the #2 spot this year. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public school located in the city of Chattanooga. Students from in state pay about $10,448 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,512 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,898 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earn a median of $48,892 early in their careers. Set against $21,898 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Students looking for strong value in general psychology will find it at Trevecca Nazarene University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Nashville, Trevecca Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $31,300. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $21,375. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $37,019. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Trevecca Nazarene University admits about 69% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general psychology will find it at The University Of Tennessee Martin, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,560, compared with $16,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,373 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee Martin generally make around $27,433. That is a strong return on a $26,373 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Tennessee State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general psychology, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,616 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,416. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,500 in student loans. General 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. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Memphis ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,728, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $31,582 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
Tennessee Technological University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Tennessee Technological University is a large public school located in the town of Cookeville. In-state tuition and fees average $11,376, compared with $15,576 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $28,394. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Tennessee Technological University admits about 76% of applicants.
Christian Brothers University came in at #8 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of Memphis, Christian Brothers University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,420. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $27,000. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $26,064. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
East Tennessee State University came in at #9 for value in general psychology this year. Set in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,216 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,726 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,976 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $26,403. Set against $17,976 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Austin Peay State University landed the #10 spot for general psychology value this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $14,766. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Austin Peay State University generally make around $28,705. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Bryan College Dayton came in at #11 for value in general psychology this year. Set in the town of Dayton, Bryan College Dayton is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $19,800 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,880 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Bryan College Dayton generally make around $44,067. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Vanderbilt University came in at #12 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Students borrow a median of $11,209 to complete the general psychology program here. General 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. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Lincoln Memorial University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Set in the town of Harrogate, Lincoln Memorial University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $26,938 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $20,693. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $64,307. That is a strong return on a $20,693 median debt. Lincoln Memorial University admits about 63% of applicants.
Cumberland University placed #14 among the best values for general psychology. 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. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,437 in student loans. General 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.
Carson Newman College earned the #15 position for value in general psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Jefferson City, Carson Newman College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,700. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $25,250. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $28,217. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Freed Hardeman University landed the #16 spot for general psychology value this year. Located in the town of Henderson, Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $25,620 in tuition and fees. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Freed Hardeman University generally make around $54,530. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Johnson University earned the #17 position for value in general psychology this year. Located in the rural area of Knoxville, Johnson University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,122. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $23,819. General Psychology graduates of Johnson University earn a median of $34,290 early in their careers. Set against $23,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Johnson University admits about 65% of applicants.
Lee University earned the #18 position for value in general psychology this year. Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,790. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $26,450. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $27,576. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Bethel University Tennessee earned the #19 position for value in general psychology this year. Set in the town of McKenzie, Bethel University Tennessee is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $18,712 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,583 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Bethel University Tennessee generally make around $62,331. That is a strong return on a $28,583 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
King College earned the #20 position for value in general psychology this year. King College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bristol. In-state tuition and fees average $20,397. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from King College generally make around $28,795. Set against $24,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Adventist University earned the #21 position for value in general psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Collegedale, Southern Adventist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,300. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,498 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Southern Adventist University generally make around $61,366. That is a strong return on a $25,498 median debt. Southern Adventist University admits about 66% of applicants.
Tusculum College landed the #22 spot for general psychology value this year. Tusculum College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Greeneville. Students from in state pay about $29,250 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,500 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Tusculum College generally make around $30,170. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Rhodes College placed #23 among the best values for general psychology. Set in the city of Memphis, Rhodes College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,110. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,589 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Rhodes College generally make around $37,563. Set against $24,589 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Lipscomb University landed the #24 spot for general psychology value this year. Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Students from in state pay about $40,572 in tuition and fees. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,062 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Lipscomb University generally make around $28,252. That is a strong return on a $25,062 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Fisk University placed #25 among the best values for general psychology. Located in the city of Nashville, Fisk University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,858. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Fisk University generally make around $38,089. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 37%.
Rest of the Top 28 Best Value General Psychology Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general psychology this year:
More General Psychology Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, 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 22 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.
