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2022 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts General Studies (Income $0-$30k) in Tennessee

24 Ranked Colleges
10,620 Degrees Awarded
$8,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.

In 2019-2020, 559,661 liberal arts general studies students received their degree, making the major the 1st most popular in the country. In 2017-2018, liberal arts general studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $26,786 and had an average of $16,538 in loans still to pay off.

Across Tennessee, there were 10,620 liberal arts general studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $27,038 and $17,881 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 24 colleges that offer a degree in liberal arts general studies. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent liberal arts general studies programs, but they also 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 general studies program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 24 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts General Studies (Income $0-$30k) in Tennessee

#1

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee

Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts 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. Vanderbilt is a private not-for-profit institution located in Nashville, Tennessee. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 16 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Vanderbilt also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Tennessee” list, coming in at #1. The yearly cost to attend Vanderbilt University is $3,156 for tennessee liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Vanderbilt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Southwest Tennessee Community College. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. Southwest is a medium-sized school located in Memphis, Tennessee that handed out 654 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Southwest not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Tennessee” list. The yearly cost to attend Southwest Tennessee Community College is $4,721 for Tennessee Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Southwest Tennessee Community College

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Pellissippi State Community College. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k. Knoxville, Tennessee is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 1,065 students in 2019-2020.

Pellissippi State Community College also took the #8 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Pellissippi State Community College is $4,880 for Tennessee Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Pellissippi State Community College

#4

Motlow State Community College

Tullahoma, Tennessee

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Motlow State Community College. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Tullahoma, Tennessee, this medium-sized public school handed out 923 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

Motlow also took the #5 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Motlow State Community College is $6,004 for tennessee liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Motlow State Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#5

Roane State Community College

Harriman, Tennessee

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Roane State Community College. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k. Harriman, Tennessee is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 600 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Roane State Community College, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Roane State Community College is $3,322 for Tennessee Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Roane State Community College

#6

Walters State Community College

Morristown, Tennessee

Walters State Community College landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Morristown, Tennessee, and it awarded 631 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

WSCC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Tennessee” list. The estimated yearly cost for Walters State Community College is $2,897 for tennessee liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Walters State Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#7

Columbia State Community College

Columbia, Tennessee

Columbia State Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. Columbia State Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Columbia, Tennessee. It awarded 625 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Columbia State Community College, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Columbia State Community College is $5,816 for tennessee liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Columbia State Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

With a ranking of #8, Volunteer State Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. Volunteer State Community College is a public institution located in Gallatin, Tennessee. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 841 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

VSCC also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Tennessee” list, coming in at #9. The yearly cost to attend Volunteer State Community College is $6,368 for Tennessee Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full VSCC Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#9

Nashville State Community College

Nashville, Tennessee

Nashville State Community College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. Nashville State Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Nashville, Tennessee. It awarded 670 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our tennessee liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, Nashville State Community College has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Tennessee” ranking. It costs about $7,139 for Tennessee Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Nashville State Community College.

Full Nashville State Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#10

Middle Tennessee State University

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

With a ranking of #10, Middle Tennessee State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. Murfreesboro, Tennessee is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 253 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our tennessee liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, Middle Tennessee State University has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Middle Tennessee State University is $8,919 for tennessee liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Middle Tennessee State University

#11

Chattanooga State Community College

Chattanooga, Tennessee

With a ranking of #11, Chattanooga State Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. Chattanooga State Community College is a medium-sized school located in Chattanooga, Tennessee that handed out 539 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Chattanooga State Community College also took the #20 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Chattanooga State Community College is $5,986 for tennessee liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Chattanooga State Community College

#12

Jackson State Community College

Jackson, Tennessee

Jackson State Community College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. JSCC is a public institution located in Jackson, Tennessee. The school has a small population, and it awarded 371 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

JSCC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Tennessee” list. The estimated yearly cost for JSCC is $7,421 for tennessee liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at JSCC

#13

Northeast State Community College

Blountville, Tennessee

Northeast State Community College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. 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 arts degrees to qualified students.

Northeast State Technical Community College also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Tennessee” list, coming in at #21. The estimated yearly cost for Northeast State Technical Community College is $5,680 for tennessee liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Northeast State Community College

#14

Dyersburg State Community College

Dyersburg, Tennessee

Dyersburg State Community College landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. DSCC is located in Dyersburg, Tennessee and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 335 ’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

DSCC also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Tennessee” list, coming in at #23. The estimated yearly cost for DSCC is $5,881 for tennessee liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full DSCC Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#15

Tennessee Technological University

Cookeville, Tennessee

Tennessee Technological University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Cookeville, Tennessee, this fairly large public school awarded 43 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

Tennessee Tech University also took the #6 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Tennessee” ranking. It costs about $11,641 for Tennessee Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Tennessee Technological University.

The low student loan default rate of 4.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Tennessee Technological University Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#16

Cleveland State Community College

Cleveland, Tennessee

Cleveland State Community College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cleveland, Tennessee is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 526 students in 2019-2020.

Cleveland State Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Tennessee” list. The estimated yearly cost for Cleveland State Community College is $4,278 for tennessee liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Cleveland State Community College

#17

Tennessee State University

Nashville, Tennessee

Tennessee State University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Nashville, Tennessee, and it awarded 35 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our tennessee liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, Tennessee State University has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Tennessee State University is $11,015 for tennessee liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Tennessee State University

The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and it awarded 18 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Chattanooga also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Tennessee” list, coming in at #22. It costs about $8,108 for Tennessee Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga

#19

East Tennessee State University

Johnson City, Tennessee

East Tennessee State University landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Johnson City, Tennessee, and it awarded 133 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

ETSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Tennessee” list. The estimated yearly cost for East Tennessee State University is $10,632 for tennessee liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at East Tennessee State University

#20

University of Memphis

Memphis, Tennessee

University of Memphis ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. UofM is a large school located in Memphis, Tennessee that handed out 131 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

UofM not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Tennessee” list. It costs about $10,256 for tennessee liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Memphis.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at University of Memphis

#21

Austin Peay State University

Clarksville, Tennessee

With a ranking of #21, Austin Peay State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Clarksville, Tennessee, and it awarded 1,189 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our tennessee liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, Austin Peay State University has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Tennessee” ranking. It costs about $10,909 for Tennessee Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Austin Peay State University.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Austin Peay State University

#22

Belmont University

Nashville, Tennessee

Belmont University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. Belmont University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Nashville, Tennessee. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 31 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Belmont, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Belmont is $25,980 for Tennessee Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Belmont University

#23

Lee University

Cleveland, Tennessee

With a ranking of #23, Lee University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. Lee University is a medium-sized school located in Cleveland, Tennessee that handed out 56 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Lee University also took the #14 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Lee University is $13,841 for Tennessee Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Lee University

#24

Union University

Jackson, Tennessee

With a ranking of #24, Union University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Jackson, Tennessee, and it awarded 40 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Union also took the #7 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Union is $26,079 for tennessee liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Union Liberal Arts General Studies Report

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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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