2026 Best Value Psychology Schools in the Southeast Region
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
For return on investment in psychology, no school beat University Of Florida this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $16,897 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $51,689 early in their careers. Set against $16,897 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida Online came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,876, compared with $16,579 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,897 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $26,003. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in psychology will find it at Florida State University, which ranked #3. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $54,693. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
A rank of #4 makes Northern Virginia Community College one of the best values for psychology. Set in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,891, while out-of-state students pay about $12,410. Students borrow a median of $14,413 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Northern Virginia Community College earn a median of $40,126 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in psychology will find it at Florida International University, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $53,418 early in their careers. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #6 among the best values for psychology. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $21,267. Early-career psychology graduates make about $65,384. Set against $21,267 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Florida Atlantic University landed the #7 spot for psychology value this year. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $14,836 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $24,989. That is a strong return on a $14,836 median debt. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus landed the #8 spot for psychology value this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,058, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $24,323. Psychology graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $83,560 early in their careers. Set against $24,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
Northern Kentucky University landed the #9 spot for psychology value this year. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,088, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Students borrow a median of $26,088 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $56,669 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
University Of Central Florida earned the #10 position for value in psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $19,432 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $53,351. That is a strong return on a $19,432 median debt. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
The University Of West Florida earned the #11 position for value in psychology this year. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Students borrow a median of $17,915 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $35,074. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Dalton State College earned the #12 position for value in psychology this year. Dalton State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dalton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,336, compared with $10,656 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $18,061. Psychology graduates of Dalton State College earn a median of $30,688 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,061 median debt.
Florida Gulf Coast University placed #13 among the best values for psychology. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,118, with out-of-state students paying around $25,162. Psychology graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $30,367. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Copiah Lincoln Community College earned the #14 position for value in psychology this year. Set in the rural area of Wesson, Copiah Lincoln Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,200, compared with $5,200 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $31,241 ten years after entry.
Berea College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Set in the town of Berea, Berea College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,658. Students borrow a median of $5,801 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Berea College earn a median of $31,428 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 19% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Florida came in at #16 for value in psychology this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $30,816. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.
American Public University System landed the #17 spot for psychology value this year. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400. Students borrow a median of $31,973 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $43,590. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
East Mississippi Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. East Mississippi Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Scooba. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,095, compared with $7,445 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $9,422. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from East Mississippi Community College generally make around $34,012. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #19 for value in psychology this year. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $25,105. Early-career psychology graduates make about $28,485. That is a strong return on a $25,105 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Marshall University landed the #20 spot for psychology value this year. Marshall University is a large public school located in the city of Huntington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,162, compared with $20,342 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Marshall University generally make around $64,937. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Marshall University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Georgia placed #21 among the best values for psychology. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $21,552. Early-career psychology graduates make about $67,848. That is a strong return on a $21,552 median debt. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
Murray State University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,900 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Psychology graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $23,674. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
John Tyler Community College placed #23 among the best values for psychology. Located in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,082, while out-of-state students pay about $11,520. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $11,262. Early-career psychology graduates make about $36,623. Set against $11,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Middle Tennessee State University earned the #24 position for value in psychology this year. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. Students from in state pay about $10,266 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $23,371 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $35,497. That is a strong return on a $23,371 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Set in the rural area of Perkinston, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,250, with out-of-state students paying around $7,850. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $11,653. Psychology graduates of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College earn a median of $34,214 early in their careers. Set against $11,653 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Psychology Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for psychology this year:
Narrow Psychology Schools by State
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 396 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 227 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.
[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.
