Psychology at Lee University

Lee's psychology program starts graduates at just $27,576—well below both the national median ($31,482) and Tennessee median ($29,086). That's concerning for a degree carrying $26,450 in debt, creating a nearly 1:1 debt-to-earnings ratio that would strain most recent graduates' budgets. Within Tennessee, this program ranks at the 40th percentile, meaning roughly 60% of the state's psychology programs deliver stronger starting salaries.

The story improves somewhat over time. Earnings jump 32% to reach $36,511 by year four, bringing graduates closer to top Tennessee programs like Rhodes College ($37,563) and Vanderbilt ($36,716). This growth trajectory suggests graduates find better opportunities with experience, though they're playing catch-up for several years while managing that debt load.

Here's the reality: psychology graduates typically need graduate school for the field's better-paying careers, and starting $4,000 below the state median while carrying above-average debt complicates that path. If your child is committed to psychology and considering graduate school anyway, they might find better initial positioning at Middle Tennessee State ($32,433 starting) or one of the state's top-tier programs that offer both higher earnings and likely stronger graduate school placement.