2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k
When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that decision.
In 2019-2020, 365,980 liberal arts students received their degree, making the major the 2nd most popular in the country.
Across Tennessee, there were 8,909 liberal arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 21 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in liberal arts. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great liberal arts programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.
To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the liberal arts program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
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One Size Does Not Fit All
The liberal studies school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k”.
We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.
Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k.
Top 21 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts (Income $0-$30k) in Tennessee
Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Vanderbilt University landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 16 degrees to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Vanderbilt, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Vanderbilt is $3,156 for tennessee liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
The student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Southwest Tennessee Community College. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k. Southwest is located in Memphis, Tennessee and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 654 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.
Southwest also took the #4 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Southwest is $4,721 for tennessee liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts at Southwest Tennessee Community College
Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Pellissippi State Community College landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Knoxville, Tennessee, this medium-sized public school awarded 1,065 degrees to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our tennessee liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, Pellissippi State Community College has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Pellissippi State Community College is $4,880 for Tennessee Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Liberal Arts at Pellissippi State Community College
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Motlow State Community College. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k. Tullahoma, Tennessee is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal studies degrees to 923 students in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our tennessee liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, Motlow has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Motlow is $6,004 for tennessee liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts at Motlow State Community College
Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Roane State Community College landed the #5 spot on the list. This medium-sized school is located in Harriman, Tennessee, and it awarded 600 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our tennessee liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, Roane State Community College has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Roane State Community College is $3,322 for Tennessee Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Walters State Community College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. Walters State Community College is located in Morristown, Tennessee and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 631 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.
WSCC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee” list. The yearly cost to attend Walters State Community College is $2,897 for tennessee liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Liberal Arts at Walters State Community College
Columbia State Community College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Columbia State Community College is located in Columbia, Tennessee and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 625 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our tennessee liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, Columbia State Community College has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Columbia State Community College is $5,816 for Tennessee Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Liberal Arts at Columbia State Community College
Volunteer State Community College landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Gallatin, Tennessee is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal studies degrees to 841 students in 2019-2020.
VSCC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee” list. The yearly cost to attend Volunteer State Community College is $6,368 for tennessee liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Nashville State Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. Nashville, Tennessee is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal studies degrees to 670 students in 2019-2020.
Nashville State Community College also took the #9 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Nashville State Community College is $7,139 for Tennessee Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts at Nashville State Community College
With a ranking of #10, Middle Tennessee State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, this large public school awarded 130 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.
Middle Tennessee State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee” list. The estimated yearly cost for Middle Tennessee State University is $8,919 for Tennessee Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts at Middle Tennessee State University
With a ranking of #11, Chattanooga State Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Chattanooga, Tennessee, this medium-sized public school awarded 539 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.
Chattanooga State Community College also made our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee” list, coming in at #16. The yearly cost to attend Chattanooga State Community College is $5,986 for Tennessee Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Liberal Arts at Chattanooga State Community College
With a ranking of #12, Jackson State Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Jackson, Tennessee, and it awarded 369 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.
JSCC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee” list. The estimated yearly cost for Jackson State Community College is $7,421 for Tennessee Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Liberal Arts at Jackson State Community College
Northeast State Community College landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Northeast State Community College is located in Blountville, Tennessee and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 579 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.
Northeast State Technical Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee” list. The yearly cost to attend Northeast State Technical Community College is $5,680 for tennessee liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full Northeast State Technical Community College Liberal Arts Report
Dyersburg State Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. Dyersburg State Community College is a public institution located in Dyersburg, Tennessee. The school has a small population, and it awarded 335 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.
DSCC also made our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee” list, coming in at #19. It costs about $5,881 for Tennessee Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Dyersburg State Community College.
Read more about Liberal Arts at Dyersburg State Community College
Cleveland State Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. Located in Cleveland, Tennessee, this small public school awarded 526 degrees to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.
Cleveland State Community College also took the #20 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Cleveland State Community College is $4,278 for tennessee liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
East Tennessee State University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. East Tennessee State University is located in Johnson City, Tennessee and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 97 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.
ETSU also took the #15 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend East Tennessee State University is $10,632 for tennessee liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
University of Memphis landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Memphis, Tennessee, this large public school awarded 105 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our tennessee liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, UofM has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Memphis is $10,256 for tennessee liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Tennessee State University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Tennessee State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Nashville, Tennessee. It awarded 6 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Tennessee State University, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Tennessee State University is $11,015 for tennessee liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Belmont University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. Belmont University is a medium-sized school located in Nashville, Tennessee that handed out 31 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.
Belmont also took the #2 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee” ranking. It costs about $25,980 for Tennessee Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Belmont University.
The student loan default rate at the school is 3.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Austin Peay State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #20. Austin Peay State University is a fairly large public school situated in Clarksville, Tennessee. It awarded 79 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.
Austin Peay State University also took the #18 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Austin Peay State University is $10,909 for tennessee liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts at Austin Peay State University
Lee University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cleveland, Tennessee is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s liberal studies degrees to 56 students in 2019-2020.
Lee University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee” list. The estimated yearly cost for Lee University is $13,841 for Tennessee Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
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Notes and References
References
- 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).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
Read more about our data sources and methodologies
Footnotes
- *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
- Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.
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