2027 Best Value General Psychology Schools in Tennessee
[General Psychology](/majors/psychology/general-psychology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 32 schools to find the best return on investment for general psychology students.
What’s on this page:
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
Leading the list is Middle Tennessee State University, our #1 best value for general psychology in Tennessee. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,266, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Students looking for strong value in general psychology will find it at Austin Peay State University, which ranked #2. Austin Peay State University is a large public school located in the city of Clarksville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,006, compared with $14,766 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Memphis is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general psychology, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Vanderbilt University earned it the #4 place for general psychology. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $11,209 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $36,716. Set against $11,209 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Tennessee Martin earned it the #5 place for general psychology. The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Martin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $27,433. That is a strong return on a $26,373 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Tennessee Technological University placed #6 among the best values for general psychology. Set in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,376, while out-of-state students pay about $15,576. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $28,394. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general psychology schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $18,512. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $21,898. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $48,892. That is a strong return on a $21,898 median debt. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga admits about 81% of applicants.
Bethel University Tennessee earned the #8 position for value in general psychology this year. Bethel University Tennessee is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of McKenzie. In-state tuition and fees average $18,712. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $28,583 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Bethel University Tennessee generally make around $62,331. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Christian Brothers University earned the #9 position for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of Memphis, Christian Brothers University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $38,420. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $27,000. General Psychology graduates of Christian Brothers University earn a median of $26,064 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Christian Brothers University admits about 87% of applicants.
Tennessee Wesleyan College earned the #10 position for value in general psychology 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. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Tennessee Wesleyan College generally make around $58,859. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Trevecca Nazarene University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value general psychology schools. Trevecca Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Students from in state pay about $31,300 in tuition and fees. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $21,375 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $37,019. Set against $21,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
East Tennessee State University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value general psychology schools. Located in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,216, while out-of-state students pay about $13,726. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $17,976. 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.
Tennessee State University placed #13 among the best values for general psychology. Located in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, compared with $22,416 for out-of-state students. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,500 in student loans. 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 earned the #14 position for value in general psychology this year. South College is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Knoxville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,535. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $24,533. 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 earned the #15 position for value in general psychology this year. Located in the town of Lebanon, Cumberland University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,840. Students borrow a median of $22,437 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Cumberland University generally make around $27,023. Set against $22,437 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cumberland University admits about 67% of applicants.
Lee University placed #16 among the best values for general psychology. Set in the city of Cleveland, Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,790. Students borrow a median of $26,450 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $27,576. That is a strong return on a $26,450 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Maryville College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value general psychology schools. Maryville College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Maryville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,284. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,283 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $42,971. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Lincoln Memorial University landed the #18 spot for general psychology value this year. Located in the town of Harrogate, Lincoln Memorial University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,938. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $20,693 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general 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 #19 spot for general psychology value this year. Carson Newman College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Jefferson City. In-state tuition and fees average $34,700. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $25,250. General Psychology graduates of Carson Newman College earn a median of $28,217 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Bryan College Dayton ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value general psychology schools. Located in the town of Dayton, Bryan College Dayton is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $19,800. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $23,880 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $44,067. Set against $23,880 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Milligan College came in at #21 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Milligan, Milligan College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,450. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,150 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Milligan College generally make around $64,327. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Freed Hardeman University earned the #22 position for value in general psychology this year. 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. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $54,530. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Freed Hardeman University admits about 60% of applicants.
Tusculum College earned the #23 position 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. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $28,500 in student loans. General 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. Tusculum College admits about 72% of applicants.
Johnson University came in at #24 for value in general psychology this year. Set in the rural area of Knoxville, Johnson University is a small private not-for-profit institution. 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. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Southern Adventist University placed #25 among the best values for general psychology. 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. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $61,366. That is a strong return on a $25,498 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
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
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 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.
