2027 Best Value Education Schools in Tennessee
[Education](/majors/education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 41 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for education students.
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2027 Best Value Education Schools in Tennessee
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Education Schools
Roane State Community College earned the #1 spot for value among education schools in Tennessee. Roane State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Harriman. Students from in state pay about $4,998 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,630 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $9,408 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Roane State Community College generally make around $36,933. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Columbia State Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Located in the town of Columbia, Columbia State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,948, compared with $17,772 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,674 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Columbia State Community College generally make around $44,481. Set against $12,674 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Pellissippi State Community College one of the best values for education. Set in the suburb of Knoxville, Pellissippi State Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,786, with out-of-state students paying around $17,770. Education graduates carry a median of $8,951 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Pellissippi State Community College generally make around $43,816. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chattanooga State Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Chattanooga, Chattanooga State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,772 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,756. Education graduates carry a median of $12,079 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Chattanooga State Community College generally make around $37,252. Set against $12,079 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Walters State Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Set in the city of Morristown, Walters State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,752, with out-of-state students paying around $17,736. Students borrow a median of $10,210 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Walters State Community College earn a median of $12,280 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,210 median debt.
Volunteer State Community College landed the #6 spot for education value this year. Set in the suburb of Gallatin, Volunteer State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,756, while out-of-state students pay about $17,740. Typical student debt for education graduates is $12,462. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Volunteer State Community College generally make around $40,137. That is a strong return on a $12,462 median debt.
Nashville State Community College landed the #7 spot for education value this year. Nashville State Community College is a large public school located in the city of Nashville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,730, compared with $17,714 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,745 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $41,456. That is a strong return on a $16,745 median debt.
Austin Peay State University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Set in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,006, compared with $14,766 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Austin Peay State University generally make around $51,163. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Christian Brothers University came in at #9 for value in education this year. Christian Brothers University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Memphis. Students from in state pay about $38,420 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $32,416 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Christian Brothers University generally make around $54,632. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee Martin ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Set in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,560 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,600. Education graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Education graduates of The University Of Tennessee Martin earn a median of $43,660 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. The University Of Tennessee Martin admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Memphis earned the #11 position for value in education this year. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Education graduates carry a median of $22,687 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $44,390. Set against $22,687 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
Middle Tennessee State University earned the #12 position for value in education this year. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,266 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $20,003. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $45,183. That is a strong return on a $20,003 median debt. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
Tennessee Technological University placed #13 among the best values for education. Located in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,376, while out-of-state students pay about $15,576. Education graduates carry a median of $14,566 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $40,971. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Tennessee Technological University admits about 76% of applicants.
Bethel University Tennessee landed the #14 spot for education value this year. Bethel University Tennessee is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of McKenzie. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,712. Education graduates carry a median of $28,583 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $49,949. Set against $28,583 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Martin Methodist College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Martin Methodist College is a small public school located in the town of Pulaski. In-state tuition and fees average $10,924. Typical student debt for education graduates is $23,308. Education graduates of Martin Methodist College earn a median of $40,832 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga came in at #16 for value in education this year. Located in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,448, while out-of-state students pay about $18,512. Students borrow a median of $22,517 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Vanderbilt University came in at #17 for value in education this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Education graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Education graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $67,447 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Motlow State Community College placed #18 among the best values for education. Motlow State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Tullahoma. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,738, while out-of-state students pay about $17,722. Typical student debt for education graduates is $6,470. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Motlow State Community College generally make around $43,750. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tennessee Wesleyan College landed the #19 spot for education value this year. Located in the town of Athens, Tennessee Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,814. Education graduates carry a median of $29,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Tennessee Wesleyan College generally make around $58,859. That is a strong return on a $29,750 median debt. Tennessee Wesleyan College admits about 69% of applicants.
Lane College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Located in the city of Jackson, Lane College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,790. Students borrow a median of $36,881 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $24,128. That is a strong return on a $36,881 median debt.
East Tennessee State University landed the #21 spot for education value this year. Set in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,216, while out-of-state students pay about $13,726. Education graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Education graduates of East Tennessee State University earn a median of $50,494 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Tennessee State University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Nashville. In-state tuition and fees average $8,616, compared with $22,416 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Tennessee State University generally make around $34,756. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Trevecca Nazarene University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Trevecca Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Students from in state pay about $31,300 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,962 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Trevecca Nazarene University earn a median of $64,335 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
South College landed the #24 spot for education value this year. Located in the city of Knoxville, South College is a very large private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,535. Students borrow a median of $24,533 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from South College generally make around $51,389. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cumberland University placed #25 among the best values for education. Set in the town of Lebanon, Cumberland University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $27,840. Education graduates carry a median of $21,902 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Cumberland University generally make around $46,297. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cumberland University admits about 67% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 41 Best Value Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in education:
View All Education Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 41 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 41 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
