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2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k

12 Ranked Colleges
693 Degrees Awarded
$12,100 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Political Science Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Political Science Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2019-2020, 48,597 people earned their degree in political science and government, making the major the 21st most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, political science and government graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $33,977 and had an average of $22,822 in loans still to pay off.

Across Tennessee, there were 693 political science and government graduates with average earnings and debt of $29,388 and $22,152 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Political Science Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 12 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in political science and government. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality political science and government programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the political science and government program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Political Science & Government Schools

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Political Science Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Political Science Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Political Science Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 12 Best Value Colleges for Political Science & Government (Income $30-$48k) in Tennessee

#1

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Vanderbilt University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k list. Vanderbilt is a fairly large school located in Nashville, Tennessee that handed out 105 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Vanderbilt also made our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Tennessee” list, coming in at #1. It costs about $6,017 for Tennessee Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Vanderbilt University.

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%. The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Vanderbilt University

#2

Rhodes College

Memphis, Tennessee

Out of the 12 schools in the Best Value Political Science Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Rhodes College landed the #2 spot on the list. Rhodes College is located in Memphis, Tennessee and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 23 ’s political science degrees to qualified students.

Rhodes College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Tennessee” list. The estimated yearly cost for Rhodes College is $16,061 for tennessee political science students whose families make $30-$48k.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The low student loan default rate of 2.0% 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 more about Political Science & Government at Rhodes College

#3

Middle Tennessee State University

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Middle Tennessee State University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Political Science Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k. Middle Tennessee State University is a large school located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee that handed out 57 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Middle Tennessee State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Tennessee” list. The yearly cost to attend Middle Tennessee State University is $10,637 for tennessee political science students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Middle Tennessee State University

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend The University of Tennessee - Knoxville. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Political Science Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k. This large school is located in Knoxville, Tennessee, and it awarded 170 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Knoxville also took the #4 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Tennessee” ranking. It costs about $13,745 for Tennessee Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend The University of Tennessee - Knoxville.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at UT Knoxville

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Political Science Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k. This fairly large school is located in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and it awarded 48 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Chattanooga not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Tennessee” list. The yearly cost to attend The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga is $10,515 for tennessee political science students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full UT Chattanooga Political Science & Government Report

#6

University of Memphis

Memphis, Tennessee

University of Memphis did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #6. This large school is located in Memphis, Tennessee, and it awarded 50 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our tennessee political science students whose families make $30-$48k list, UofM has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UofM is $12,264 for tennessee political science students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Political Science & Government at UofM

With a ranking of #7, The University of Tennessee - Martin did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Martin, Tennessee, this medium-sized public school handed out 9 diplomas to qualified ’s political science students in 2019-2020.

UT Martin did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Tennessee” list. The estimated yearly cost for UT Martin is $9,855 for Tennessee Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full The University of Tennessee - Martin Political Science & Government Report

#8

Tennessee Technological University

Cookeville, Tennessee

Tennessee Technological University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #8. Located in Cookeville, Tennessee, this fairly large public school handed out 28 diplomas to qualified ’s political science students in 2019-2020.

Tennessee Tech University also made our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Tennessee” list, coming in at #6. The estimated yearly cost for Tennessee Technological University is $13,421 for tennessee political science students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Tennessee Tech University

#9

East Tennessee State University

Johnson City, Tennessee

East Tennessee State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. Johnson City, Tennessee is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s political science degrees to 35 students in 2019-2020.

ETSU also made our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Tennessee” list, coming in at #11. The yearly cost to attend East Tennessee State University is $12,703 for Tennessee Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at ETSU

#10

Tennessee State University

Nashville, Tennessee

Tennessee State University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Tennessee State University is a medium-sized school located in Nashville, Tennessee that handed out 23 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Tennessee State University also took the #12 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Tennessee State University is $11,711 for Tennessee Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Tennessee State University Political Science & Government Report

#11

Austin Peay State University

Clarksville, Tennessee

Austin Peay State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #11. Clarksville, Tennessee is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s political science degrees to 32 students in 2019-2020.

Austin Peay State University also made our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Tennessee” list, coming in at #10. The estimated yearly cost for Austin Peay State University is $12,298 for tennessee political science students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Austin Peay State University Political Science & Government Report

Sewanee - The University of the South ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k list. Sewanee is a private not-for-profit institution located in Sewanee, Tennessee. The school has a small population, and it awarded 37 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our tennessee political science students whose families make $30-$48k list, Sewanee has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Tennessee” ranking. It costs about $15,686 for Tennessee Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Sewanee.

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 3.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Sewanee Political Science & Government 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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