by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 20 schools to find the best return on investment for psychology students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in psychology, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in psychology, no school beat Copiah Lincoln Community College this year. Located in the rural area of Wesson, Copiah Lincoln Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,200, compared with $5,200 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $31,241.
Students looking for strong value in psychology will find it at East Mississippi Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the rural area of Scooba, East Mississippi Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,095, compared with $7,445 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $9,422 in student loans. Psychology graduates of East Mississippi Community College earn a median of $34,012 early in their careers. Set against $9,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Itawamba Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in psychology, landing the #3 spot this year. Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Fulton. In-state tuition and fees average $3,420, with out-of-state students paying around $5,820. Psychology graduates carry a median of $10,942 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $40,832. That is a strong return on a $10,942 median debt.
Holmes Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Located in the rural area of Goodman, Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,710, with out-of-state students paying around $6,610. Students borrow a median of $7,250 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Holmes Community College generally make around $32,145. Set against $7,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Mississippi Main Campus earned it the #5 place for psychology. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of University. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,772, with out-of-state students paying around $28,600. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $24,600. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $30,336. Set against $24,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Mississippi Main Campus admits about 97% of applicants.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College landed the #6 spot for psychology value this year. Set in the rural area of Perkinston, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,250 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,850. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $11,653. Early-career psychology graduates make about $34,214. Set against $11,653 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Mississippi Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Located in the town of Senatobia, Northwest Mississippi Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,740. Psychology graduates carry a median of $9,990 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $35,001. That is a strong return on a $9,990 median debt.
Mississippi University For Women placed #8 among the best values for psychology. Mississippi University For Women is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Columbus. In-state tuition and fees average $8,492. Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,375 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Mississippi University For Women earn a median of $24,426 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,375 median debt. Mississippi University For Women admits about 90% of applicants.
Delta State University came in at #9 for value in psychology this year. Set in the town of Cleveland, Delta State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,605. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $19,625. Early-career psychology graduates make about $18,767. That is a strong return on a $19,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
University Of Southern Mississippi ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Located in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,998, with out-of-state students paying around $11,998. Students borrow a median of $22,685 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of University Of Southern Mississippi earn a median of $57,059 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Mississippi State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Set in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,202, with out-of-state students paying around $27,637. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $25,998. Psychology graduates of Mississippi State University earn a median of $27,837 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Alcorn State University earned the #12 position for value in psychology this year. Alcorn State University is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Alcorn State. In-state tuition and fees average $8,785. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $27,563. Early-career psychology graduates make about $23,388. Set against $27,563 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Tougaloo College landed the #13 spot for psychology value this year. Set in the city of Tougaloo, Tougaloo College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,407. Students borrow a median of $42,875 to complete the psychology program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $34,724. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
William Carey University came in at #14 for value in psychology this year. Set in the city of Hattiesburg, William Carey University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,480. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $32,693. Psychology graduates of William Carey University earn a median of $21,799 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. William Carey University admits about 60% of applicants.
Blue Mountain College landed the #15 spot for psychology value this year. Blue Mountain College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Blue Mountain. In-state tuition and fees average $20,180. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $25,250. Early-career psychology graduates make about $26,257. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Jackson State University came in at #16 for value in psychology this year. Set in the city of Jackson, Jackson State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,965, while out-of-state students pay about $11,965. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Jackson State University generally make around $24,757. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Jackson State University admits about 93% of applicants.
Mississippi College came in at #17 for value in psychology this year. Mississippi College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Clinton. In-state tuition and fees average $23,500. Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $69,672. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 29%.
Belhaven University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Set in the city of Jackson, Belhaven University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $30,250. Students borrow a median of $41,825 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Belhaven University generally make around $28,316. That is a strong return on a $41,825 median debt. Belhaven University admits about 50% of applicants.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.