2026 Best Value Psychology Schools in Kentucky
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in psychology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Psychology Schools
Leading the list is Northern Kentucky University, our #1 best value for psychology in Kentucky. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,088 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $26,088. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $56,669. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in psychology will find it at Berea College, which ranked #2. Berea College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berea. Students from in state pay about $51,658 in tuition and fees. Psychology graduates carry a median of $5,801 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Berea College generally make around $31,428. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 19%.
A rank of #3 makes Murray State University one of the best values for psychology. 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, compared with $19,836 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $23,674. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Kentucky State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in psychology, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Frankfort, Kentucky State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,387, while out-of-state students pay about $13,578. Psychology graduates carry a median of $33,746 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Kentucky State University generally make around $28,497. Set against $33,746 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
A rank of #5 makes Eastern Kentucky University one of the best values for psychology. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,320, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,645 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of $28,273 early in their careers. Set against $27,645 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of The Cumberlands earned the #6 position for value in psychology this year. University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Williamsburg. In-state tuition and fees average $9,875. Psychology graduates carry a median of $21,750 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $44,882. Set against $21,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Western Kentucky University earned the #7 position for value in psychology this year. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,652, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,846 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $43,494. Set against $24,846 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Morehead State University placed #8 among the best values for psychology. Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Morehead. Students from in state pay about $10,024 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,980. Students borrow a median of $23,420 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Morehead State University generally make around $25,789. Set against $23,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Georgetown College came in at #9 for value in psychology this year. Set in the town of Georgetown, Georgetown College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $42,840. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Georgetown College earn a median of $33,921 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Pikeville College placed #10 among the best values for psychology. Set in the town of Pikeville, Pikeville College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $24,850. Students borrow a median of $23,770 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Pikeville College generally make around $57,157. Set against $23,770 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Kentucky ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,502, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $71,690. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Lindsey Wilson College placed #12 among the best values for psychology. Set in the town of Columbia, Lindsey Wilson College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $27,808. Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,119 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Lindsey Wilson College generally make around $42,797. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Louisville landed the #13 spot for psychology value this year. Set in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,136, compared with $29,482 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $23,500. Psychology graduates of University Of Louisville earn a median of $30,416 early in their careers. Set against $23,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Campbellsville University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Campbellsville University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Campbellsville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,998. Psychology graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Campbellsville University generally make around $37,651. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Brescia University landed the #15 spot for psychology value this year. Brescia University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Owensboro. In-state tuition and fees average $31,550. Psychology graduates carry a median of $32,248 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Brescia University earn a median of $22,619 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $32,248 median debt. Roughly 35% of applicants are accepted.
Asbury University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Located in the town of Wilmore, Asbury University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $33,640. Students borrow a median of $28,104 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Asbury University earn a median of $50,086 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,104 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Thomas More College came in at #17 for value in psychology this year. Thomas More College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Crestview Hills. Students from in state pay about $39,025 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,960 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $57,440. That is a strong return on a $26,960 median debt. Thomas More College admits about 90% of applicants.
Centre College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Located in the town of Danville, Centre College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $52,820. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $27,000. Psychology graduates of Centre College earn a median of $26,636 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Centre College admits about 54% of applicants.
Transylvania University landed the #19 spot for psychology value this year. Set in the city of Lexington, Transylvania University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $46,870 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Transylvania University earn a median of $45,208 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Transylvania University admits about 86% of applicants.
Bellarmine University came in at #20 for value in psychology this year. Bellarmine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Louisville. Students from in state pay about $48,770 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,376 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $29,028. That is a strong return on a $26,376 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Midway College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Located in the rural area of Midway, Midway College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $19,110. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $27,403. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Spalding University earned the #22 position for value in psychology this year. Spalding University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Louisville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,000. Students borrow a median of $31,750 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $70,736. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Kentucky Wesleyan College placed #23 among the best values for psychology. Kentucky Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Owensboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,673. Students borrow a median of $25,333 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Kentucky Wesleyan College generally make around $32,568. Set against $25,333 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
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 · 27 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong psychology education at a price that pays off.
