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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Counseling Psychology Schools in Tennessee

1 Colleges in the United States
$24,546 Avg Student Debt
$50,123 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Counseling Psychology Badge [Counseling Psychology](/majors/psychology/clinical-counseling-applied-psychology/counseling-psychology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 8 schools to find the best return on investment for counseling psychology students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Counseling Psychology Schools in Tennessee

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in counseling psychology, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Counseling Psychology Schools

1

For return on investment in counseling psychology, no school beat University Of Memphis this year. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,728, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Students borrow a median of $26,315 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $85,214. That is a strong return on a $26,315 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

2

Austin Peay State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in counseling psychology, landing the #2 spot this year. Austin Peay State University is a large public school located in the city of Clarksville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,006, while out-of-state students pay about $14,766. Students borrow a median of $24,530 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $44,360. Set against $24,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Austin Peay State University admits about 96% of applicants.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Tennessee earned it the #3 place for counseling psychology. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $22,859. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $47,265. That is a strong return on a $22,859 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

4

Students looking for strong value in counseling psychology will find it at Freed Hardeman University, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Henderson, Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $25,620 in tuition and fees. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,479 in student loans. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Freed Hardeman University generally make around $54,530. That is a strong return on a $24,479 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.

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Notes and References

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 · 8 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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