Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology at Christian Brothers University

Christian Brothers University's psychology program charges nearly double the typical debt load for this field—$46,000 versus a $27,000 national median—though graduates do earn modestly above both state and national benchmarks at $38,554. That 1.19 debt-to-earnings ratio means students typically borrow more than their first year's salary, which creates real financial pressure for a field that often requires graduate school to reach full earning potential.

The 68th percentile national ranking sounds respectable, but context matters here: this program ranks in the bottom 5% nationally for debt burden. Even compared to Tennessee alternatives like Middle Tennessee State (which costs significantly less), the debt premium is steep. The earnings advantage over MTSU is only about $3,400 annually—not nearly enough to justify the additional borrowing over a typical 10-year repayment period.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) adds uncertainty to these figures, but the debt numbers reflect institutional aid policies that won't vary much year to year. For families considering this program, the fundamental question is whether the Christian Brothers educational experience justifies taking on nearly $20,000 more debt than the typical Tennessee psychology student. Unless your family has resources to minimize borrowing, more affordable in-state options would leave your child with better financial flexibility for graduate school or early career years.