by our College Data Analytics Team
[Psychology](/majors/psychology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong psychology education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 24 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value psychology schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in psychology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Berea College, our #1 best value for psychology in Kentucky. Berea College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berea. In-state tuition and fees average $51,658. 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. That is a strong return on a $5,801 median debt. Roughly 19% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in psychology will find it at Northern Kentucky University, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,088, with out-of-state students paying around $21,912. Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,088 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $56,762. Set against $26,088 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.
Murray State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,900, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Psychology graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. 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%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kentucky State University earned it the #4 place for psychology. Kentucky State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Frankfort. In-state tuition and fees average $9,387, compared with $13,578 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $33,746 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Kentucky State University generally make around $28,497. That is a strong return on a $33,746 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
A rank of #5 makes Western Kentucky University one of the best values for psychology. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,652, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $24,846. Early-career psychology graduates make about $43,598. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Morehead State University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. Located in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,024, with out-of-state students paying around $14,980. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $23,420. Early-career psychology graduates make about $25,789. That is a strong return on a $23,420 median debt. Morehead State University admits about 77% of applicants.
Georgetown College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. Located in the town of Georgetown, Georgetown College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $42,840 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Georgetown College generally make around $33,921. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of The Cumberlands landed the #8 spot for psychology value this year. Set in the town of Williamsburg, University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,875. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $21,750. Early-career psychology graduates make about $44,885. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of The Cumberlands admits about 99% of applicants.
Brescia University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. Set in the city of Owensboro, Brescia University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,550. Psychology graduates carry a median of $32,248 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $22,619. That is a strong return on a $32,248 median debt. Roughly 35% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Kentucky University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. Students from in state pay about $10,320 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $27,645. 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. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Louisville landed the #11 spot for psychology value this year. University Of Louisville is a very large public school located in the city of Louisville. Students from in state pay about $13,136 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,482. Psychology graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. 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.
Lindsey Wilson College placed #12 among the best values for psychology. Lindsey Wilson College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Columbia. In-state tuition and fees average $27,808. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $24,119. Early-career psychology graduates make about $42,797. That is a strong return on a $24,119 median debt.
Kentucky Wesleyan College landed the #13 spot for psychology value this year. Located in the city of Owensboro, Kentucky Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $34,673 in tuition and fees. 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. That is a strong return on a $25,333 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kentucky earned the #14 position for value in psychology this year. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,502, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $71,636. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Campbellsville University placed #15 among the best values for psychology. Located in the town of Campbellsville, Campbellsville University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $27,998 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $37,650. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Campbellsville University admits about 80% of applicants.
Pikeville College landed the #16 spot for psychology value this year. Pikeville College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Pikeville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. That is a strong return on a $23,770 median debt.
Centre College earned the #17 position for value in psychology this year. Located in the town of Danville, Centre College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $52,820. Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Centre College generally make around $26,636. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Asbury University earned the #18 position for value in psychology this year. Asbury University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Wilmore. In-state tuition and fees average $33,640. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $28,104. Early-career psychology graduates make about $50,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Bellarmine University came in at #19 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. Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,376 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Bellarmine University generally make around $29,028. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Thomas More College landed the #20 spot for psychology value this year. Located in the suburb of Crestview Hills, Thomas More College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,025. Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,960 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $57,440. That is a strong return on a $26,960 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Transylvania University placed #21 among the best values for psychology. Set in the city of Lexington, Transylvania University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,870. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $27,000. 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. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Kentucky Christian University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. Set in the town of Grayson, Kentucky Christian University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,300. Students borrow a median of $27,500 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Kentucky Christian University generally make around $71,465. Set against $27,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Spalding University earned the #23 position for value in psychology this year. Set in the city of Louisville, Spalding University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $29,000. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $31,750. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Spalding University generally make around $70,733. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Midway College placed #24 among the best values for psychology. Located in the rural area of Midway, Midway College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $19,110 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Midway College generally make around $27,403. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.