Psychology at Carson-Newman University

Carson-Newman psychology graduates earn about $28,200 in their first year—roughly $3,000 below the national median and $900 below Tennessee's typical outcome for this major. While that 40th percentile state ranking sounds middling, the gap becomes starker when you see that Tennessee's top programs produce graduates earning $35,000-$37,000 annually. Even Middle Tennessee State, a public university, delivers outcomes 15% stronger than Carson-Newman.

The debt load of $25,250 nearly matches the first year's salary, though it's fairly typical for psychology programs both nationally and within Tennessee. The real concern is whether these earnings grow substantially over time—psychology bachelor's degrees often require graduate school for higher-paying positions, which means additional years of education and debt before seeing significant income gains.

The small sample size here (under 30 graduates) warrants real caution. A few graduates pursuing immediate grad school or facing unusual circumstances could skew these numbers considerably. For families considering Carson-Newman, it's worth asking the department directly about graduate school placement rates and career trajectories beyond that first year. At this price point, you'd want confidence that typical graduates either see meaningful salary growth quickly or successfully transition into advanced degrees that justify the initial investment.