Psychology at East Tennessee State University
Johnson City, TN · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Psychology, General
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
30
Optimistic
29
Base Case
29
Pessimistic
Earnings
$26,403/yr (-17% vs median)
AI Risk
High (49% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (125,000 openings/yr)
ROI
11.4x earnings multiple (8.2x out-of-state)
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 | $450K | $454K | $435K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 11.3x | 11.4x | 10.9x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 8.2x | 8.2x | 7.9x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 51% | 47% | 34% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 30 | 29 | 29 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$39,800
Out-of-state: $55,160 (8.2x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,387
7.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$37,942
44% growth from Year 1
About East Tennessee State University
With 87% of applicants admitted, East Tennessee State University prioritizes broad access, enrolling 9,807 students in Johnson City, TN.
See all programs and financial aid at East Tennessee State University →Top Career Paths
Managers, all other
$136,550/yr
Psychologists, all other
$117,580/yr
Industrial-organizational psychologists
$109,840/yr
Compare & Explore
Psychology at Other Schools
Other Majors at East Tennessee State University
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
How does East Tennessee State University's Psychology program score?
This program scores 29/100 — on the lower end for Psychology. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Psychology to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Psychology careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 49% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Psychology earnings lower at East Tennessee State University?
Lower starting pay at East Tennessee State University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →