Psychology at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

UT-Knoxville's psychology program starts below both national and state medians—at $29,086, it ties Tennessee's median and lands in the 30th percentile nationally—but the 30% earnings growth over four years suggests graduates find their footing relatively quickly. That first-year figure trails private competitors like Rhodes ($37,563) and even regional public schools like Middle Tennessee State ($32,433), though the debt burden of $23,081 comes in slightly below both state and national averages. At 0.79, the debt-to-earnings ratio isn't alarming, but it does mean graduates start with nearly eight months of their first year's income owed.

The state percentile tells a more nuanced story: ranking in the 60th percentile among Tennessee's 34 psychology programs means this sits comfortably in the top half in-state, even if it doesn't crack the top tier. For families prioritizing a flagship university experience at public school prices, this program delivers respectable outcomes—just not standout ones. The robust sample size (100+ graduates) makes these figures reliable, not flukes.

The bottom line: This is a middle-of-the-pack psychology degree from a solid flagship institution. Students who leverage UT's broader resources—internships, research opportunities, graduate school preparation—will likely see better outcomes than these medians suggest. But for those pursuing psychology primarily for immediate earning potential, the starting salary requires realistic expectations and possibly a plan for graduate education.