Behavioral Sciences at Trevecca Nazarene University

Trevecca Nazarene's behavioral sciences program leaves debt nearly matching three-quarters of first-year income, based on what similar programs nationally produce. With an estimated $26,900 in debt against first-year earnings around $35,400, graduates face payments that could strain their budgets considerably—especially in Nashville where cost of living continues to climb. The debt burden here mirrors the national median for behavioral sciences bachelor's programs, which isn't surprising given the field's modest entry-level salaries across the board.

The challenge with behavioral sciences degrees is that they often serve as stepping stones rather than endpoints. Many graduates need additional credentials—a master's in counseling, social work, or applied behavior analysis—to access higher-paying positions. That means this undergraduate debt becomes the foundation of a larger borrowing picture. If your child plans to stop at the bachelor's level, they should understand that $35,000 annually translates to roughly $2,200 monthly after taxes, making even standard loan payments tight alongside Nashville rent and living expenses.

Given the uncertainty in these estimates and the field's typical career trajectory, clarity on post-graduation plans matters enormously. If graduate school is likely, calculate total borrowing across both degrees before committing. If your child intends to work immediately after graduation, identify specific behavioral sciences roles in Nashville that hire bachelor's-level graduates and verify those salary ranges independently.