Psychology Degree in Chattanooga, TN — Salary & ROI 2026
Psychology degree analysis for Chattanooga, TN. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$35K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$52K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
12.1 yrs
in Chattanooga
Cost of Living
80
index (100 = avg)
Psychology in Chattanooga, TN Overview
While Chattanooga has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Psychology students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $12,210/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Psychology enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Research Methods and Statistics. The adjusted starting salary in Chattanooga is approximately $35,200.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$9,648/yr
Private Tuition
$39,466/yr
Room & Board
$12,210/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$9,310/yr
Unemployment
3%
Graduation Rate
50%
Psychology Salary in Chattanooga (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Chattanooga's cost of living index of 80 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Psychology salary: $44,000 starting, $65,000 mid-career, $82,000 senior level.Chattanooga adjustment factor: 0.80x based on the local cost of living index.
Psychology ROI Calculator for Chattanooga
Estimate your return on investment for a Psychology degree using local Chattanooga tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $9,648 | Private avg: $39,466
Chattanooga avg aid: $9,310/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$87,432
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$7,200
vs HS diploma in Chattanooga
ROI Payback Period
12.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Chattanooga
$168,568
Lifetime earnings premium ($256,000) minus total education cost ($87,432)
Student Loan Payoff for Psychology in Chattanooga
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Chattanooga for Psychology
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
public
$9,648/yr
$38,592 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Chattanooga State Community College
$4,320/yr
Top Employers for Psychology in Chattanooga
Chattanooga offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Psychology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Chattanooga Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Psychology Job Titles
Psychology in Nearby Tennessee Cities
Nashville, TN
$40K starting · COL 92
35 colleges
Memphis, TN
$41K starting · COL 93
22 colleges
Knoxville, TN
$37K starting · COL 85
5 colleges
Clarksville, TN
$40K starting · COL 90
9 colleges
Murfreesboro, TN
$40K starting · COL 91
10 colleges
Franklin, TN
$52K starting · COL 118.5
4 colleges
Jackson, TN
$36K starting · COL 82.5
3 colleges
Johnson City, TN
$46K starting · COL 105
6 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Chattanooga
International Relations
$40K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$38K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$40K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$40K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$40K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$40K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$40K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$35K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Psychology Degree in Chattanooga — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Psychology ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Chattanooga.