2027 Best Value Art Studies Schools in Tennessee
[Art Studies](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/art-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 7 schools to find the best return on investment for art studies students.
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2027 Best Value Art Studies Schools in Tennessee
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the art studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Art Studies Schools
Austin Peay State University earned the #1 spot for value among art studies schools in Tennessee. Set in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,006, while out-of-state students pay about $14,766. Students borrow a median of $24,750 to complete the art studies program here. Art Studies graduates of Austin Peay State University earn a median of $19,157 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,750 median debt. Austin Peay State University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Memphis came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,728, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,850 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $26,451. That is a strong return on a $28,850 median debt. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Middle Tennessee State University earned it the #3 place for art studies. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,266, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,760 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $29,084. Set against $24,760 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Set in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,448, with out-of-state students paying around $18,512. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earn a median of $21,766 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
A rank of #5 makes East Tennessee State University one of the best values for art studies. Set in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,216, with out-of-state students paying around $13,726. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $23,875 in student loans. Early-career art studies graduates make about $16,696. Set against $23,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Rhodes College came in at #6 for value in art studies this year. Located in the city of Memphis, Rhodes College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $57,110 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $23,078. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Rhodes College generally make around $40,807. Set against $23,078 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Belmont University came in at #7 for value in art studies this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,540. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $23,447. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Belmont University generally make around $49,699. Set against $23,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
