Psychology at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Knoxville, TN · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Psychology, General
32 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
33
Optimistic
32
Base Case
32
Pessimistic
Earnings $29,086/yr (-8% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (125,000 openings/yr)
ROI 9.3x earnings multiple (3.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #571 of 926 Psychology, General programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Psychology graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $503K $503K $470K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 9.3x 9.3x 8.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.9x 3.9x 3.7x
Probability of Field Employment 51% 47% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 33 32 32

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$53,936
Out-of-state: $127,896 (3.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$72,436
-34% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,832
9.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$45,972
58% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $29,086/yr, Psychology graduates from The University of Tennessee-Knoxville land near the $31,705 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 9.3x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

Some AI exposure exists in Psychology's typical career paths, with 49% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 7% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $21,832 represents roughly 9 months of the $29,086 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #571 of 926 Psychology programs, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $45,972 show a 58% jump from the $29,086 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville accepts 46% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, one of the larger campuses at 28,763 students in Knoxville, TN.

See all programs and financial aid at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville →

Top Career Paths

Managers, all other $136,550/yr
Psychologists, all other $117,580/yr
Industrial-organizational psychologists $109,840/yr
View all 6 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Psychology at Other Schools

Other Majors at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Psychology at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville?
A score of 32/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Psychology. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Psychology careers?
With 49% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $470,178 in decade earnings vs $503,428 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →