2027 Best Value General Chemistry Schools in Tennessee
[General Chemistry](/majors/physical-sciences/chemistry/general-chemistry/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 10 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general chemistry students.
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2027 Best Value General Chemistry Schools in Tennessee
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general chemistry degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Chemistry Schools
Austin Peay State University tops our 2027 list of the best value general chemistry schools in Tennessee. Austin Peay State University is a large public school located in the city of Clarksville. Students from in state pay about $9,006 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,766 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $20,500. General Chemistry graduates of Austin Peay State University earn a median of $42,475 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Memphis came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $20,000. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $36,881. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Vanderbilt University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general chemistry, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. That is a strong return on a $13,975 median debt. The acceptance rate is 6%.
The University Of Tennessee Martin is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general chemistry, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,560, with out-of-state students paying around $16,600. Students borrow a median of $23,770 to complete the general chemistry program here. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $40,400. That is a strong return on a $23,770 median debt. The University Of Tennessee Martin admits about 88% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Tennessee Technological University earned it the #5 place for general chemistry. Set in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,376, compared with $15,576 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $20,104. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $46,981. That is a strong return on a $20,104 median debt. Tennessee Technological University admits about 76% of applicants.
Middle Tennessee State University came in at #6 for value in general chemistry this year. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. Students from in state pay about $10,266 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $22,754. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $43,575. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga placed #7 among the best values for general chemistry. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public school located in the city of Chattanooga. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,448, while out-of-state students pay about $18,512. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $24,999. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $41,588. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
East Tennessee State University came in at #8 for value in general chemistry 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, compared with $13,726 for out-of-state students. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $21,301 in student loans. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $45,444. Set against $21,301 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
The University Of Tennessee earned the #9 position for value in general chemistry this year. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $41,589. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Rhodes College came in at #10 for value in general chemistry this year. Set in the city of Memphis, Rhodes College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,110. Students borrow a median of $23,078 to complete the general chemistry program here. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $40,807. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
