Psychology at Rhodes College

Rhodes College psychology graduates face a challenge common to the major—modest starting pay—but they navigate it better than most. At $37,563, first-year earnings sit in the 94th percentile nationally and 80th percentile in Tennessee, essentially matching what Vanderbilt psychology grads earn. That's a meaningful advantage in a field where the national median hovers around $31,500. Four years out, earnings jump 42% to over $53,000, suggesting graduates are successfully moving into higher-paying roles that value liberal arts training beyond entry-level positions.

The debt load of roughly $25,000 is manageable, creating a first-year ratio of 0.65—well below the concerning 1.0 threshold. Compared to other Tennessee psychology programs charging similar amounts, Rhodes delivers superior outcomes. However, these figures come from a small sample (under 30 graduates), so individual results will vary more than at larger programs. The 15% Pell Grant population also suggests this data may not reflect outcomes for students with fewer financial resources.

For families who can afford Rhodes' private school tuition and see value in a selective liberal arts environment, the psychology program holds up well against alternatives. Just understand you're betting on the long-term career flexibility that comes from a strong institutional brand rather than immediate high earnings—a trade-off that appears to be working for recent graduates.