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

19 Colleges in the United States
2,504 Psychology Degrees Awarded
$43,018 Avg Early-Career Salary

Psychology is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 35 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best psychology schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Psychology in Tennessee

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall psychology education in Tennessee.

Top Schools in Psychology

1
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Our analysis ranked Vanderbilt University the best school in the country for a degree in psychology. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 94% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 173 psychology students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $36,716. Vanderbilt University graduates carry a median of $11,209 in student loans. See the full psychology program report for Vanderbilt University

2
Belmont University crest
Belmont University
Nashville, TN

A rank of #2 makes Belmont University one of the top schools for psychology. Located in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 70% of students finish within six years. Belmont University awarded about 48 psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Belmont University generally make around $49,699. Belmont University graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in psychology from Belmont University

3

Students looking for a strong psychology program will find one at The University Of Tennessee, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. There were roughly 423 psychology students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Tennessee in the most recent data year. Students who receive their psychology degree from The University Of Tennessee earn around $47,265 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,081 to complete this degree. See the full psychology program report for The University Of Tennessee

4

Sewanee The University Of The South came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best psychology schools. Sewanee The University Of The South is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Sewanee. Sewanee The University Of The South graduates 80% of students within six years. About 47 psychology degrees were awarded at Sewanee The University Of The South in the most recent year. Psychology graduates of Sewanee The University Of The South earn a median of $35,379 early in their careers. Sewanee The University Of The South graduates carry a median of $17,148 in student loans. Get the full psychology details for Sewanee The University Of The South

5
Rhodes College crest
Rhodes College
Memphis, TN

Rhodes College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in psychology, ranking #5. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Memphis. About 84% of students finish within six years. Rhodes College awarded about 29 psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their psychology degree from Rhodes College earn around $37,563 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,589 to complete this degree. Get the full psychology details for Rhodes College

6

Middle Tennessee State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best psychology schools. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. Middle Tennessee State University graduates 54% of students within six years. About 350 psychology degrees were awarded at Middle Tennessee State University in the most recent year. Psychology graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $35,497 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,371 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in psychology from Middle Tennessee State University

7

The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga placed #7 among the best psychology schools. This large public university is located in the city of Chattanooga. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga graduates 50% of students within six years. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga awarded about 268 psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Psychology graduates of The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earn a median of $48,892 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,898. See the full psychology program report for The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga

8

Trevecca Nazarene University landed the #8 spot for psychology this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Trevecca Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 70 psychology students who graduated with this degree at Trevecca Nazarene University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Trevecca Nazarene University generally make around $41,518. Students borrow a median of $21,375 to complete this degree. See the full psychology program report for Trevecca Nazarene University

9

Lincoln Memorial University landed the #9 spot for psychology this year. Located in the town of Harrogate, Lincoln Memorial University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 47%. Lincoln Memorial University awarded about 17 psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the psychology program make about $64,307 in their early career. Lincoln Memorial University graduates carry a median of $20,693 in student loans. Get the full psychology details for Lincoln Memorial University

10

East Tennessee State University placed #10 among the best psychology schools. East Tennessee State University is a large public school located in the city of Johnson City. East Tennessee State University graduates 53% of students within six years. About 146 psychology degrees were awarded at East Tennessee State University in the most recent year. Psychology graduates of East Tennessee State University earn a median of $26,403 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,976. Get the full psychology details for East Tennessee State University

11

Tennessee Technological University placed #11 among the best psychology schools. Tennessee Technological University is a large public school located in the town of Cookeville. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 49 psychology degrees were awarded at Tennessee Technological University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Tennessee Technological University generally make around $28,394. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in psychology from Tennessee Technological University

12

Bryan College Dayton landed the #12 spot for psychology this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Dayton. Bryan College Dayton graduates 50% of students within six years. There were roughly 25 psychology students who graduated with this degree at Bryan College Dayton in the most recent data year. Psychology graduates of Bryan College Dayton earn a median of $44,067 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,880. See the full psychology program report for Bryan College Dayton

13

University Of Memphis ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best psychology schools. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. About 51% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 249 psychology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Memphis in the most recent data year. Graduates of the psychology program make about $83,475 in their early career. University Of Memphis graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the psychology program at University Of Memphis

14

Southern Adventist University placed #14 among the best psychology schools. Southern Adventist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Collegedale. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. Southern Adventist University awarded about 40 psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their psychology degree from Southern Adventist University earn around $44,970 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,498 to complete this degree. Read more about the psychology program at Southern Adventist University

15
Lipscomb University crest
Lipscomb University
Nashville, TN

Lipscomb University earned the #15 position for psychology this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 74 psychology degrees were awarded at Lipscomb University in the most recent year. Psychology graduates of Lipscomb University earn a median of $44,434 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,062 to complete this degree. Read more about the psychology program at Lipscomb University

16

Freed Hardeman University landed the #16 spot for psychology this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Henderson. Freed Hardeman University graduates 69% of students within six years. About 56 psychology degrees were awarded at Freed Hardeman University in the most recent year. Students who receive their psychology degree from Freed Hardeman University earn around $54,530 in the first couple years of their career. Freed Hardeman University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the psychology program at Freed Hardeman University

17

Cumberland University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best psychology schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Lebanon. Roughly 42% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 26 psychology degrees were awarded at Cumberland University in the most recent year. Psychology graduates of Cumberland University earn a median of $27,023 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,437 to complete this degree. See the full psychology program report for Cumberland University

18
Johnson University crest
Johnson University
Knoxville, TN

Johnson University placed #18 among the best psychology schools. Johnson University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Knoxville. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. About 20 psychology degrees were awarded at Johnson University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Johnson University generally make around $34,290. Students borrow a median of $23,819 to complete this degree. Read more about the psychology program at Johnson University

19
Carson Newman College crest
Carson Newman College
Jefferson City, TN

Carson Newman College earned the #19 position for psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Jefferson City, Carson Newman College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. Carson Newman College awarded about 19 psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Psychology graduates of Carson Newman College earn a median of $28,217 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete this degree. See the full psychology program report for Carson Newman College

20

The University Of Tennessee Martin earned the #20 position for psychology this year. Set in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. About 23 psychology degrees were awarded at The University Of Tennessee Martin in the most recent year. Graduates of the psychology program make about $27,433 in their early career. The University Of Tennessee Martin graduates carry a median of $26,373 in student loans. Get the full psychology details for The University Of Tennessee Martin

21
Lee University crest
Lee University
Cleveland, TN

Lee University came in at #21 for psychology this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Lee University graduates 63% of students within six years. There were roughly 54 psychology students who graduated with this degree at Lee University in the most recent data year. Psychology graduates of Lee University earn a median of $38,509 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,450. Get the full psychology details for Lee University

22

Austin Peay State University landed the #22 spot for psychology this year. Set in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 39%. There were roughly 106 psychology students who graduated with this degree at Austin Peay State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Austin Peay State University generally make around $56,735. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Get the full psychology details for Austin Peay State University

23

Bethel University Tennessee placed #23 among the best psychology schools. Bethel University Tennessee is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of McKenzie. Roughly 17% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 14 psychology degrees were awarded at Bethel University Tennessee in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Bethel University Tennessee generally make around $62,331. Bethel University Tennessee graduates carry a median of $28,583 in student loans. Read more about the psychology program at Bethel University Tennessee

24
Union University crest
Union University
Jackson, TN

Union University came in at #24 for psychology this year. Located in the city of Jackson, Union University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 66% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 13 psychology students who graduated with this degree at Union University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their psychology degree from Union University earn around $68,508 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,506. More information about a degree in psychology from Union University

25
King College crest
King College
Bristol, TN

King College landed the #25 spot for psychology this year. Located in the city of Bristol, King College is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 32 psychology students who graduated with this degree at King College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from King College generally make around $28,795. Students borrow a median of $24,875 to complete this degree. Read more about the psychology program at King College

Rest of the Top 29 Psychology Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s psychology ranking:

26
Fisk University crest
Fisk University
Nashville, TN
27
28
29
Tusculum College crest
Tusculum College
Greeneville, TN

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 35 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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