2026 Best Value General Psychology Schools in Tennessee
[General Psychology](/majors/psychology/general-psychology/psychology-general/) 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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 33 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general psychology students.
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2026 Best Value General Psychology Schools in Tennessee
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general psychology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Psychology Schools
Middle Tennessee State University earned the #1 spot for value among general psychology schools in Tennessee. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,266, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $22,000. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $45,755. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earned it the #2 place for general psychology. Set in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,448, with out-of-state students paying around $18,512. Students borrow a median of $21,898 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga generally make around $48,892. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Students looking for strong value in general psychology will find it at Trevecca Nazarene University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Nashville, Trevecca Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,300. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $21,375. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $37,019. That is a strong return on a $21,375 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
A rank of #4 makes The University Of Tennessee Martin one of the best values for general psychology. The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Martin. Students from in state pay about $10,560 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,600. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $26,373. General Psychology graduates of The University Of Tennessee Martin earn a median of $27,433 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,373 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Tennessee State University earned it the #5 place for general psychology. Located in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $22,416. Students borrow a median of $27,500 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $45,898. That is a strong return on a $27,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
University Of Memphis came in at #6 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,728, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $31,582. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
Tennessee Technological University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Set in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,376, compared with $15,576 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of Tennessee Technological University earn a median of $28,394 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt. Tennessee Technological University admits about 76% of applicants.
Christian Brothers University earned the #8 position for value in general psychology this year. Set in the city of Memphis, Christian Brothers University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,420. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Christian Brothers University generally make around $26,064. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
East Tennessee State University placed #9 among the best values for general psychology. East Tennessee State University is a large public school located in the city of Johnson City. In-state tuition and fees average $10,216, with out-of-state students paying around $13,726. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $17,976 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from East Tennessee State University generally make around $26,403. Set against $17,976 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Austin Peay State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Austin Peay State University is a large public school located in the city of Clarksville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,006, while out-of-state students pay about $14,766. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of Austin Peay State University earn a median of $28,705 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Bryan College Dayton placed #11 among the best values for general psychology. Bryan College Dayton is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Dayton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,800. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $23,880 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $44,067. That is a strong return on a $23,880 median debt.
Vanderbilt University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $11,209. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $36,716. Set against $11,209 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Lincoln Memorial University earned the #13 position for value in general psychology this year. Lincoln Memorial University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Harrogate. In-state tuition and fees average $26,938. Students borrow a median of $20,693 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of Lincoln Memorial University earn a median of $64,307 early in their careers. Set against $20,693 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lincoln Memorial University admits about 63% of applicants.
Cumberland University came in at #14 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the town of Lebanon, Cumberland University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $27,840. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,437 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Cumberland University generally make around $27,023. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Carson Newman College landed the #15 spot for general psychology value this year. Located in the suburb of Jefferson City, Carson Newman College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,700. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $25,250. General Psychology graduates of Carson Newman College earn a median of $28,217 early in their careers. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Freed Hardeman University came in at #16 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the town of Henderson, Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,620. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Freed Hardeman University generally make around $54,530. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Freed Hardeman University admits about 60% of applicants.
Johnson University earned the #17 position for value in general psychology this year. Located in the rural area of Knoxville, Johnson University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $21,122 in tuition and fees. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $23,819 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of Johnson University earn a median of $34,290 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Johnson University admits about 65% of applicants.
Lee University placed #18 among the best values for general psychology. Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,790. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,450 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of Lee University earn a median of $27,576 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,450 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Bethel University Tennessee ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Bethel University Tennessee is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of McKenzie. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,712. Students borrow a median of $28,583 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of Bethel University Tennessee earn a median of $62,331 early in their careers. Set against $28,583 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
King College placed #20 among the best values for general psychology. Set in the city of Bristol, King College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $20,397 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,875 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from King College generally make around $28,795. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Adventist University came in at #21 for value in general psychology this year. Southern Adventist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Collegedale. In-state tuition and fees average $27,300. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $25,498. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Southern Adventist University generally make around $61,366. Set against $25,498 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Tusculum College landed the #22 spot for general psychology value this year. Tusculum College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Greeneville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,250. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $28,500 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $30,170. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Rhodes College came in at #23 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of Memphis, Rhodes College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,110. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $24,589. General Psychology graduates of Rhodes College earn a median of $37,563 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,589 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Lipscomb University landed the #24 spot for general psychology value this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,572. Students borrow a median of $25,062 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $28,252. Set against $25,062 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Fisk University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Located in the city of Nashville, Fisk University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $25,858 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Fisk University generally make around $38,089. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 37% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 28 Best Value General Psychology Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general psychology this year:
More General Psychology Rankings
View All General Psychology Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 33 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 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.
