Psychology at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

A bachelor's in psychology from UT-Knoxville comes with an estimated $13,750 in debt—meaningfully lower than the $16,472 national median for psychology programs. With estimated first-year earnings around $36,890 based on comparable programs nationwide, you're looking at a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.37, which translates to roughly five months of gross pay to cover the loan balance. That's a manageable starting point, though it's worth noting that psychology bachelor's degrees nationally cluster around this same $36,890 mark, with top-performing programs reaching $47,000+.

The challenge here isn't the debt load—it's what comes after graduation. Psychology undergrads frequently need additional credentials (master's degrees, licensure) to access higher-paying career paths in clinical work or counseling. The modest first-year figure reflects a field where many graduates either pursue further education or enter adjacent roles in social services, human resources, or research assistance. UT-Knoxville's solid academic reputation (median SAT of 1304) should position graduates competitively for graduate programs if that's the plan.

The relatively light debt burden gives your child flexibility to take those next steps without being financially handcuffed. If graduate school isn't on the horizon, though, understand that $37,000 annually is a tight budget for independent living in most markets. The math works—barely—but you'll want a clear conversation about post-graduation plans before committing.