Unlock Your Psychology Career Potential: Compare the Best Psychology Degree Programs in Tennessee for 2024

$19,644

Avg. Net Price

72%

Avg. Admitted

29%

Avg. Enrolled

57%

Avg. Graduation Rate

13/1

Avg. Student / Faculty

Psychology Degree Programs in Tennessee

Find and compare the best psychology degree programs by state.

34

Number of Schools

In Tennessee, there are 34 4-year schools that offer psychology degrees

146

Number of Programs

With 34 schools offering psychology programs, the total number of programs offered in Tennessee is 146

3,841

Number of Graduates

The 146 psychology programs in Tennessee produced 3,841 psychology graduates in 2021

Psychology Degree Programs in Tennessee

Tennessee Psychology Degrees Programs

Top (10) Psychology Programs in Tennessee

Vanderbilt University

2021 Psychology Graduates: 133
Average Cost to Attend: $77,412
Average Amount Grant / Scholarship: $4,617
Average Net Price: $27,553
Average Admitted: 7%
Average Enrolled: 48%
Average Graduation Rate: 93%
Student / Faculty: 8 / 1
Full-Time Instructors: 65%
Tennessee Ranking: #1
National Ranking: #24

Milligan University

2021 Psychology Graduates: 41
Average Cost to Attend: $47,408
Average Amount Grant / Scholarship: $854
Average Net Price: $20,448
Average Admitted: 60%
Average Enrolled: 34%
Average Graduation Rate: 70%
Student / Faculty: 9 / 1
Full-Time Instructors: 63%
Tennessee Ranking: #2
National Ranking: #145

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

2021 Psychology Graduates: 769
Average Cost to Attend: $30,746
Average Amount Grant / Scholarship: $19,570
Average Net Price: $21,512
Average Admitted: 75%
Average Enrolled: 27%
Average Graduation Rate: 72%
Student / Faculty: 17 / 1
Full-Time Instructors: 78%
Tennessee Ranking: #3
National Ranking: #190

Freed-Hardeman University

2021 Psychology Graduates: 52
Average Cost to Attend: $36,300
Average Amount Grant / Scholarship: $1,648
Average Net Price: $17,074
Average Admitted: 88%
Average Enrolled: 37%
Average Graduation Rate: 65%
Student / Faculty: 13 / 1
Full-Time Instructors: 54%
Tennessee Ranking: #4
National Ranking: #178

Middle Tennessee State University

2021 Psychology Graduates: 393
Average Cost to Attend: $22,666
Average Amount Grant / Scholarship: $17,589
Average Net Price: $12,617
Average Admitted: 68%
Average Enrolled: 36%
Average Graduation Rate: 54%
Student / Faculty: 16 / 1
Full-Time Instructors: 73%
Tennessee Ranking: #5
National Ranking: #272

Rhodes College

2021 Psychology Graduates: 27
Average Cost to Attend: $66,278
Average Amount Grant / Scholarship: $1,725
Average Net Price: $30,525
Average Admitted: 57%
Average Enrolled: 20%
Average Graduation Rate: 85%
Student / Faculty: 10 / 1
Full-Time Instructors: 85%
Tennessee Ranking: #6
National Ranking: #149

Tennessee Technological University

2021 Psychology Graduates: 30
Average Cost to Attend: $24,050
Average Amount Grant / Scholarship: $7,808
Average Net Price: $15,481
Average Admitted: 79%
Average Enrolled: 33%
Average Graduation Rate: 60%
Student / Faculty: 18 / 1
Full-Time Instructors: 77%
Tennessee Ranking: #7
National Ranking: #351

Southern Adventist University

2021 Psychology Graduates: 113
Average Cost to Attend: $35,910
Average Amount Grant / Scholarship: $2,221
Average Net Price: $24,127
Average Admitted: 74%
Average Enrolled: 40%
Average Graduation Rate: 57%
Student / Faculty: 13 / 1
Full-Time Instructors: 98%
Tennessee Ranking: #8
National Ranking: #396

The University of the South

2021 Psychology Graduates: 50
Average Cost to Attend: $66,208
Average Amount Grant / Scholarship: $1,634
Average Net Price: $29,626
Average Admitted: 60%
Average Enrolled: 19%
Average Graduation Rate: 80%
Student / Faculty: 10 / 1
Full-Time Instructors: 84%
Tennessee Ranking: #9
National Ranking: #250

Union University

2021 Psychology Graduates: 124
Average Cost to Attend: $37,600
Average Amount Grant / Scholarship: $1,754
Average Net Price: $27,660
Average Admitted: 53%
Average Enrolled: 25%
Average Graduation Rate: 68%
Student / Faculty: 9 / 1
Full-Time Instructors: 66%
Tennessee Ranking: #10
National Ranking: #359

Psychology Programs Offered in Tennessee

There are 146 undergraduate psychology programs offered by 34 different 4-year colleges, comprising 9 public and 25 private schools.

Additionally, psychology programs in Tennessee produced 2,583 bachelor’s graduates, 1,083 master’s graduates and 119 doctorate graduates.

The table below details the programs offered and the total number of graduates in Tennessee.

Psychology GraduatesBSMAPMCPhD
Applied Psychology18
Behavioral Neuroscience2
Biopsychology2
Clinical Psychology87
Community Psychology3
Counseling and Applied Psychology5612229
Counseling Psychology1167
Developmental Psychology34
Educational Psychology4210
General Psychology1,5298638
Industrial Organizational Psychology1918
Marriage and Family Therapy74
Mental Health Counseling1221
Psychometrics Psychology5
Research Psychology3321913
School Psychology113
Social Work57256819
Total Graduates2,5831,0831119
US Department of Education

Credits Accepted for Tennessee Schools

The types of academic credits available to Tennessee students are varied and include:

  • Dual enrollment
  • Credit for life experiences
  • Advanced placement (AP) credits

Psychology Admission, Enrollment, and Graduation in Tennessee

On average, Tennessee schools admitted 72% of students who applied to 4-year institutions. Of those who were offered admission, 29% enrolled.

The average freshman retention rate for Tennessee schools is 73%, compared to 71% for all universities nationwide.

The overall graduation rate for 4-year colleges and universities in Tennessee is 57%, compared to 56% for all universities nationwide.

The top three schools in Tennessee for highest graduation rate are Vanderbilt University (93%), Rhodes College (85%), and The University of the South (80%).

The top three schools with the highest number of psychology graduates in Tennessee are The University of Tennessee-Knoxville (769), Middle Tennessee State University (393), and University of Memphis (373).

RegionTennesseeU.S.
Applied6,2368,766
Admitted72%73%
Enrolled29%26%
1st Year Return73%71%
Graduation57%56%
US Department of Education

Student & Faculty Information in Tennessee

In the fall of 2021, Tennessee schools that offered psychology programs had an average of 69% full-time instructional or research faculty members and 27% part-time instructional faculty members.

The average student-to-faculty ratio for Tennessee schools offering psychology programs is 13:1.

The table below shows a comparison of the percentage of full-time instructional and research faculty members and the student-to-faculty ratio between Tennessee and the United States as a whole:

RegionTennesseeU.S.
Full-Time Instructional65%56%
Full-Time Research4%6%
Part-Time Instructional27%35%
Student Faculty Ratio13:115:1
US Department of Education

Tuition and Student Expenses in Tennessee

If you’re an undergraduate psychology student in Tennessee, the average tuition you’ll pay depends on the institution you choose. Typically, tuition costs range from $6,816 to $54,840 per year, with an average of $21,898. In addition to tuition, you’ll also need to budget for books and supplies, which can cost between $1,125 and $1,800 annually, with an average of $1,380.

The three most affordable undergraduate psychology schools in Tennessee are The University of Tennessee-Martin ($20,798), Tennessee State University ($22,624), and Middle Tennessee State University ($22,666). Meanwhile, the three most expensive institutions are the Vanderbilt University ($77,412), Rhodes College ($66,278), and The University of the South ($66,208).

As for prospective graduate psychology students, the average cost of tuition and fees for graduate programs varies widely based on the school and program chosen. Graduate tuition costs between $8,226 and $51,600 per year, with an average of $16,005. However, most graduate programs also require additional fees, such as application fees, technology fees, and library fees, which can add up to hundreds or even thousands of dollars. In-state graduate fees typically range from $48 to $1,978, with an average of $954.

The three most affordable graduate psychology schools in Tennessee are Carson-Newman University ($9,632), Bryan College-Dayton ($9,760), and Milligan University ($9,796). Meanwhile, the three most expensive graduate programs are Vanderbilt University ($52,162), Rhodes College ($50,910), and Belmont University ($25,180).

If you’re curious about how Tennessee schools stack up against national averages, you can compare average total expenses in the table below. Note that these figures don’t take into account financial aid, grants, loans, or scholarships. If you’re interested in that information, you can find it in the sections below.

Average Expenses for Psychology SchoolsTennesseeU.S.
On Campus Room & Board$10,260$11,729
On-Campus Living Expenses$4,344$3,474
Total Living Expenses$14,604$15,203
Tuition for In-State, Undergraduate$21,898$21,301
Books and Supplies, Undergraduate$1,380$1,254
Total Undergraduate Expenses$37,882$37,758
In-State, Graduate Tuition$16,005$14,479
In-State, Graduate Fees$954$1,155
Total Graduate Expenses$16,959$15,634
US Department of Education

Cost to Attend, Financial Aid, Net Price in Tennessee

Average Net Price

In Tennessee, the cost to attend a college or university that offers psychology programs is a significant financial investment. The key term to know for college affordability is the net price.

The average net price for a college or university in Tennessee that offers psychology programs is $19,644. This figure is calculated based on the most recent data provided by each institution to the US Department of Education.

Net price is determined by adding up the costs of tuition, room and board, living expenses, books, and supplies and then subtracting the average financial aid, such as grants, scholarships, and loans, received by federal financial aid recipients.

FinancialTennesseeU.S.
Cost to Attend$37,882$37,758
Average Financial Aid$16,224$13,984
Percent Receiving Aid96%90%
Net Price$19,644$17,524
US Department of Education

Net Price by Family Income

Depending on the federal, state, or institutional grant aid available, the table below shows the average amount students pay to attend Tennessee universities shown by family income bracket.

Students may pay more or less depending on their individual circumstances; however, these are the average costs as tracked by the university and reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Average Net Price by Income2020-20212021-2022
$0 – $30,000$10,122$10,241
$30,001 – $48,000$11,945$11,800
$48,001 – $75,000$16,112$15,961
$75,001 – $110,000$18,408$18,422
$110,001 and more$18,846$18,830
US Department of Education

Additional Top Ranked Psychology Degree Programs in Tennessee

Find information on each school’s ranking, number of graduates, net price, and graduation rate along with a link the school’s full 2024 report.

RankSchool# of GraduatesNet PriceGraduation
#11Lee University79$19,15958%
#12Christian Brothers University48$18,99759%
#13Lipscomb University128$26,61471%
#14The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga240$13,55254%
#15East Tennessee State University270$14,48251%
#16University of Memphis373$14,25154%
#17Austin Peay State University234$14,52942%
#18Trevecca Nazarene University138$15,79549%
#19Lincoln Memorial University42$23,32457%
#20The University of Tennessee-Martin64$11,64652%
#21King University79$22,02945%
#22Belmont University78$35,26868%
#23Carson-Newman University36$18,14757%
#24Maryville College41$22,32056%
#25Bryan College-Dayton28$15,90160%
#26Tusculum University21$13,23440%
#27Tennessee State University118$11,88031%
US Department of Education

Psychology Salary Reports for Tennessee

We use annual surveys of 100,000 psychologists to compile data on salary, employment projections, cost-of-living adjustments, comparisons to related professions, salary based on years of experience, and rankings by city.