# Best Psychology Colleges in Tennessee

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-08-03 | Schools: 32 | Category: By State
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-psychology-tennessee

## Methodology

Psychology programs in Tennessee ranked by outcomes and program concentration

CollegeRanker uses a 4-pillar algorithm: Academic Quality (15-20%), Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25-35%), Value & Affordability (20-25%). Social mobility data from Raj Chetty's Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records). No subjective surveys.

## Summary

When choosing a psychology program in Tennessee, prospective students face an important decision. With 28 schools to consider, it's crucial to weigh factors like graduation rates, earnings, and overall student debt. For many, this choice can shape their future career and financial well-being.

What sets apart the leading psychology programs in this ranking are their outcomes. The best schools not only boast high graduation rates but also provide substantial post-graduation earnings. For instance, Vanderbilt University stands out with an impressive earning potential of $91,565, coupled with a 93% graduation rate, while some other institutions show much lower figures in both categories.

Take Vanderbilt University and Trevecca Nazarene University as examples. Vanderbilt graduates earn nearly double what Trevecca graduates do, $91,565 compared to $49,378. However, Trevecca offers a lower net price of $16,813, versus Vanderbilt's $15,846. These contrasts in earnings and costs are essential to consider as students assess their fit with each program.

## Key Findings

- Vanderbilt University graduates earn an average of $91,565, the highest in the state.
- The University of the South has an 81% graduation rate, significantly above the average of 56%.
- Christian Brothers University students face an average debt of $27,000 despite lower earnings of $57,478.
- Trevecca Nazarene University has a lower net price of $16,813 but also lower earnings than the state average.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [Vanderbilt University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/vanderbilt-university) | Nashville, TN | 93% | $91,565 | $15,846 | $14,000 | 0.15x |
| 2 | [Maryville College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/maryville-college) | Maryville, TN | 49% | $49,279 | $19,360 | $25,375 | 0.51x |
| 3 | [Johnson University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/johnson-university) | Knoxville, TN | 59% | $40,596 | $22,063 | $21,500 | 0.53x |
| 4 | [Tennessee Wesleyan University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/tennessee-wesleyan-university) | Athens, TN | 46% | $45,989 | $14,836 | $20,000 | 0.43x |
| 5 | [Trevecca Nazarene University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/trevecca-nazarene-university) | Nashville, TN | 54% | $49,378 | $16,813 | $18,744 | 0.38x |
| 6 | [Bethel University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/bethel-university-tn) | McKenzie, TN | 35% | $47,482 | $12,595 | $27,249 | 0.57x |
| 7 | [Cumberland University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/cumberland-university) | Lebanon, TN | 46% | $57,687 | $18,759 | $17,952 | 0.31x |
| 8 | [Christian Brothers University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/christian-brothers-university) | Memphis, TN | 55% | $57,478 | $9,854 | $27,000 | 0.47x |
| 9 | [Lincoln Memorial University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lincoln-memorial-university) | Harrogate, TN | 52% | $49,956 | $20,406 | $20,000 | 0.4x |
| 10 | [Middle Tennessee State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/middle-tennessee-state-university) | Murfreesboro, TN | 54% | $48,541 | $13,359 | $20,000 | 0.41x |
| 11 | [The University of the South](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/the-university-of-the-south) | Sewanee, TN | 81% | $64,911 | $27,872 | $22,855 | 0.35x |
| 12 | [Rhodes College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/rhodes-college) | Memphis, TN | 83% | $66,651 | $28,585 | $21,761 | 0.33x |
| 13 | [Southern Adventist University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/southern-adventist-university) | Collegedale, TN | 50% | $53,723 | $24,345 | $24,500 | 0.46x |
| 14 | [Lipscomb University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lipscomb-university) | Nashville, TN | 70% | $55,541 | $24,739 | $19,500 | 0.35x |
| 15 | [Austin Peay State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/austin-peay-state-university) | Clarksville, TN | 42% | $44,301 | $9,735 | $20,547 | 0.46x |
| 16 | [East Tennessee State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/east-tennessee-state-university) | Johnson City, TN | 52% | $44,859 | $15,983 | $19,442 | 0.43x |
| 17 | [Lee University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lee-university) | Cleveland, TN | 62% | $43,222 | $18,878 | $25,750 | 0.6x |
| 18 | [University of Memphis](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-memphis) | Memphis, TN | 50% | $48,458 | $12,397 | $23,300 | 0.48x |
| 19 | [Union University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/union-university) | Jackson, TN | 68% | $53,990 | $27,171 | $20,714 | 0.38x |
| 20 | [Belmont University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/belmont-university) | Nashville, TN | 71% | $55,930 | $33,147 | $20,500 | 0.37x |
| 21 | [Milligan University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/milligan-university) | Milligan, TN | 62% | $46,641 | $21,365 | $25,219 | 0.54x |
| 22 | [King University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/king-university) | Bristol, TN | 47% | $59,831 | $22,347 | $22,750 | 0.38x |
| 23 | [Bryan College-Dayton](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/bryan-college-dayton) | Dayton, TN | 53% | $54,434 | $20,614 | $23,000 | 0.42x |
| 24 | [Tusculum University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/tusculum-university) | Greeneville, TN | 28% | $44,367 | $21,131 | $23,250 | 0.52x |
| 25 | [Tennessee State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/tennessee-state-university) | Nashville, TN | 33% | $42,730 | $15,796 | $27,000 | 0.63x |
| 26 | [The University of Tennessee-Knoxville](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/the-university-of-tennessee-knoxville) | Knoxville, TN | 74% | $60,249 | $18,976 | $20,500 | 0.34x |
| 27 | [The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/the-university-of-tennessee-chattanooga) | Chattanooga, TN | 52% | $51,151 | $14,265 | $19,500 | 0.38x |
| 28 | [Carson-Newman University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/carson-newman-university) | Jefferson City, TN | 50% | $48,382 | $20,251 | $21,500 | 0.44x |
| 29 | [Freed-Hardeman University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/freed-hardeman-university) | Henderson, TN | 70% | $47,485 | $21,574 | $21,500 | 0.45x |
| 30 | [The University of Tennessee-Martin](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/the-university-of-tennessee-martin) | Martin, TN | 54% | $44,213 | $10,701 | $21,024 | 0.48x |
| 31 | [Fisk University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/fisk-university) | Nashville, TN | 35% | $45,454 | $32,020 | $27,000 | 0.59x |
| 32 | [Welch College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/welch-college) | Gallatin, TN | 57% | $42,198 | $25,263 | $19,500 | 0.46x |

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "Best Psychology Colleges in Tennessee." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-08-03. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-psychology-tennessee

## License

This data summary is provided for informational purposes. Underlying data from federal sources (College Scorecard, IPEDS) is public domain. Opportunity Insights data is available under their data use agreement at https://opportunityinsights.org/data/.