Best Online Psychology Programs in Chattanooga, TN (2026)
Chattanooga, Tennessee has a population of about 182,832. The city’s median household income is $61,028 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 35.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited psychology programs within 100 miles of Chattanooga. In the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area, the top-earning psychology-related role is Clinical and Counseling Psychologist at a median $108,300 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Psychology Schools to Chattanooga
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer psychology programs. Distances are calculated from Chattanooga city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richmont Graduate University | Chattanooga, TN | 2.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga | Chattanooga, TN | 3.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Covenant College | Lookout Mountain, GA | 10.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Southern Adventist University | Collegedale, TN | 11.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lee University | Cleveland, TN | 22.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Tennessee schools on the Tennessee psychology page.
Psychology Wages Near Chattanooga
Chattanooga is part of the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area (BLS area code 16860). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Tennessee statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologist | $108,300 | Chattanooga, TN-GA | $118,361 |
| Industrial-Organizational Psychologist | N/A | TN statewide | – |
| School Psychologist | $63,090 | Chattanooga, TN-GA | $68,951 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $58,930 | Chattanooga, TN-GA | $64,404 |
| Marriage and Family Therapist | $47,770 | Chattanooga, TN-GA | $52,208 |
| Substance Abuse and Mental Health Counselor | $50,220 | Chattanooga, TN-GA | $54,885 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $61,300 | Chattanooga, TN-GA | $66,995 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker | $50,120 | Chattanooga, TN-GA | $54,776 |
Source: BLS, May 2024 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes wage data at the metro (MSA) and state level – not by individual city.
Chattanooga at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $61,028 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 35.5% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 91.5 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Psychology-related employment in Hamilton County | 7,264 workers, 659 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Chattanooga-Area Cities With Psychology Programs
- East Ridge, TN – 4.9 mi away (21,302 pop)
- Cleveland, TN – 22.8 mi away (71,601 pop)
- Dalton, GA – 25.9 mi away (87,688 pop)
- Calhoun, GA – 43.3 mi away (33,092 pop)
- Rome, GA – 55.4 mi away (61,019 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited psychology programs are near Chattanooga, TN?
Our directory lists 5 psychology programs within 100 miles of Chattanooga. The closest is Richmont Graduate University in Chattanooga, TN (2.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Lee University (22.4 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying psychology roles near Chattanooga?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying psychology-related roles near Chattanooga are: Clinical and Counseling Psychologist ($108,300), School Psychologist ($63,090), Healthcare Social Worker ($61,300). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Tennessee statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in East Ridge instead of Chattanooga?
East Ridge, TN is 4.9 miles from Chattanooga and has its own set of local psychology programs – see the city’s page. For online programs, distance matters less; for hybrid or in-person formats, comparing both can help.
Is Chattanooga an affordable place to study psychology?
Chattanooga’s median household income of $61,028 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Chattanooga while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Tennessee public universities often offer reduced in-state online tuition.
How do I verify a program is accredited?
Confirm institutional accreditation via the U.S. Department of Education database (U.S. Dept. of Education database), and check for any program-specific accreditation listed by the school.
Related Resources
Back to Best Online Psychology Programs in Tennessee (2026)
Return to Best Online Psychology Programs in Tennessee (2026)