Psychology at Trevecca Nazarene University

Trevecca Nazarene's psychology program punches well above its weight. Despite serving a more economically diverse student body than elite Tennessee schools (30% receive Pell grants), it produces earnings that rival Rhodes College and Vanderbilt—landing at the 80th percentile statewide and 90th percentile nationally. Graduates earn $37,019 in their first year, roughly $8,000 more than the typical Tennessee psychology major and $5,500 above the national median.

The debt picture strengthens the case. At $21,375, graduates borrow about $4,000 less than both state and national averages, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.58. That means students can pay off their loans with roughly 58% of their first year's salary—a manageable burden that many higher-ranked psychology programs don't achieve. The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) provides reasonable confidence in these outcomes.

For families seeking a psychology degree in Tennessee, this represents unusually strong value. You're getting earnings competitive with the state's most selective private colleges at a fraction of the debt burden, from an institution with a 70% admission rate. That's a combination worth serious consideration, especially if your student values the smaller Christian college environment.