by our College Data Analytics TeamWhen pursuing a degree in today's world, there are many different options to choose from. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our Best Colleges for the Money (Income $48-$75k) in Tennessee ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard. The amount of financial aid you could receive at various schools, including some with high sticker prices, may surprise you.
See What's Included in This Value Report:
After analyzing 45 schools in Tennessee, we came up with our list of those that offered the best value programs. Instead of depending on subjective information to rank the best value schools, we focus on objective factors in our analysis. In the next few paragraphs, we'll talk a little about what we use in our analysis and why.
When determining the value of a school in our Best Colleges for the Money (Income $48-$75k) in Tennessee ranking, we first look at its average net price of a student coming from a family that makes $48-$75k a year. The net price is defined as the sum of room and board, tuition, and fees minus any financial aid that the student receives. But, a school that excels in providing value for your money must also be a great school overall as well.
To take this into account we include a college's overall Best Colleges ranking which itself looks at a combination of various factors like degree completion, educational resources, student body caliber and post-graduation earnings for the school as a whole.
Find out more about our best value ranking methodology.
Keep scrolling for the top schools in this ranking or select one of the other rankings methods below.
If you know what major you want to study, check out our list of the best value schools by major. If you're interested in other degree levels, you can view one of the lists below.
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Vanderbilt University tops this year’s ranking as the best value (income $48-$75k) school in Tennessee for overall quality. This fairly large private not-for-profit school is located in Nashville, Tennessee.
Vanderbilt University has the honor of being ranked #1 in Tennessee for overall quality on top of being a good value. Students from families who make $48-$75k a year pay an annual average net price of $9,117.
Out of the 45 schools in Tennessee that were part of this year’s ranking, Roane State Community College landed the #2 spot on the list. Roane State Community College is located in Harriman, Tennessee and has a small student population. It is a public school.
Not only is Roane State Community College a great value, but it is also ranked #30 in Tennessee for overall quality. Students from families who make $48-$75k a year pay an annual average net price of $5,466.
A rank of #3 on our Best Colleges for the Money (Income $48-$75k) in Tennessee list means Jackson State Community College is a great place for students working on their degree. Jackson, Tennessee is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. It is a public school.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Jackson State Community College is ranked #15 for quality in the state of Tennessee. Students from families who make $48-$75k a year pay an annual average net price of $9,181.
The quality degree programs at Southwest Tennessee Community College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of Best Colleges for the Money (Income $48-$75k) in Tennessee. Southwest is located in Memphis, Tennessee and has a medium-sized student population. It is a public school.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Southwest Tennessee Community College is ranked #25 for quality in the state of Tennessee. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $48-$75k per year is $7,745.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Chattanooga State Community College. It ranked #5 on our 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $48-$75k) in Tennessee list. This medium-sized public school is located in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Chattanooga State Community College has the honor of being ranked #24 in Tennessee for overall quality on top of being a good value. Students from families who make $48-$75k a year pay an annual average net price of $8,454.
Pellissippi State Community College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for the Money (Income $48-$75k) in Tennessee ranking. Pellissippi State Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Not only is Pellissippi State Community College a great value, but it is also ranked #34 in Tennessee for overall quality. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $48-$75k per year is $6,606.
Learn More About Value at Pellissippi State Community College
Sewanee - The University of the South came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for the Money (Income $48-$75k) in Tennessee ranking. Located in Sewanee, Tennessee, the school is a small private not-for-profit institution.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Sewanee - The University of the South is ranked #3 for quality in the state of Tennessee. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $48-$75k per year is $16,685.
Read full value report on Sewanee - The University of the South
Dyersburg State Community College landed the #8 spot on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $48-$75k) in Tennessee ranking. DSCC is a public institution located in Dyersburg, Tennessee.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Dyersburg State Community College is ranked #37 for quality in the state of Tennessee. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $48-$75k per year is $6,425.
With a ranking of #9, Nashville State Community College did quite well on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $48-$75k) in Tennessee list. Nashville State Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Nashville, Tennessee.
Nashville State Community College has the honor of being ranked #38 in Tennessee for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $48-$75k per year is $7,520.
Volunteer State Community College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Colleges for the Money (Income $48-$75k) in Tennessee list. VSCC is a public institution located in Gallatin, Tennessee.
Volunteer State Community College has the honor of being ranked #35 in Tennessee for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $48-$75k per year is $8,493.
Middle Tennessee State University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for the Money (Income $48-$75k) in Tennessee ranking. Middle Tennessee State University is a large public school located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Middle Tennessee State University is ranked #9 for quality in the state of Tennessee. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $48-$75k per year is $13,990.
Walters State Community College did quite well in the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $48-$75k) in Tennessee ranking, coming in at #12. WSCC is located in Morristown, Tennessee and has a medium-sized student population. It is a public school.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Walters State Community College is ranked #43 for quality in the state of Tennessee. Students from families who make $48-$75k a year pay an annual average net price of $6,001.
With a ranking of #13, Trevecca Nazarene University did quite well on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $48-$75k) in Tennessee list. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, the school is a small private not-for-profit institution.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Trevecca Nazarene University is ranked #11 for quality in the state of Tennessee. Students from families who make $48-$75k a year pay an annual average net price of $13,914.
Northeast State Community College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Colleges for the Money (Income $48-$75k) in Tennessee list. This medium-sized public school is located in Blountville, Tennessee.
Northeast State Community College has the honor of being ranked #40 in Tennessee for overall quality on top of being a good value. Students from families who make $48-$75k a year pay an annual average net price of $7,516.
Columbia State Community College did quite well in the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $48-$75k) in Tennessee ranking, coming in at #15. Columbia State Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Columbia, Tennessee.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Columbia State Community College is ranked #36 for quality in the state of Tennessee. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $48-$75k per year is $8,840.
With a ranking of #16, The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga did quite well on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $48-$75k) in Tennessee list. UT Chattanooga is a fairly large public school situated in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga is ranked #13 for quality in the state of Tennessee. Students from families who make $48-$75k a year pay an annual average net price of $14,294.
Learn More About Value at The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga
University of Memphis did quite well in the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $48-$75k) in Tennessee ranking, coming in at #17. Memphis, Tennessee is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. It is a public school.
University of Memphis has the honor of being ranked #10 in Tennessee for overall quality on top of being a good value. Students from families who make $48-$75k a year pay an annual average net price of $15,155.
Motlow State Community College landed the #18 spot on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $48-$75k) in Tennessee ranking. Motlow is a medium-sized public school situated in Tullahoma, Tennessee.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Motlow State Community College is ranked #33 for quality in the state of Tennessee. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $48-$75k per year is $10,322.
Christian Brothers University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for the Money (Income $48-$75k) in Tennessee ranking. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Memphis, Tennessee.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Christian Brothers University is ranked #21 for quality in the state of Tennessee. Students from families who make $48-$75k a year pay an annual average net price of $13,778.
East Tennessee State University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Colleges for the Money (Income $48-$75k) in Tennessee list. Johnson City, Tennessee is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. It is a public school.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, East Tennessee State University is ranked #12 for quality in the state of Tennessee. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $48-$75k per year is $15,151.
Cleveland State Community College did quite well in the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $48-$75k) in Tennessee ranking, coming in at #21. Cleveland State Community College is a small public school situated in Cleveland, Tennessee.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Cleveland State Community College is ranked #41 for quality in the state of Tennessee. Students from families who make $48-$75k a year pay an annual average net price of $8,797.
Tennessee Technological University landed the #22 spot on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $48-$75k) in Tennessee ranking. Located in Cookeville, Tennessee, the school is a medium-sized public institution.
Not only is Tennessee Technological University a great value, but it is also ranked #14 in Tennessee for overall quality. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $48-$75k per year is $15,740.
Read full value report on Tennessee Technological University
Bryan College - Dayton ranked #23 on this year’s Best Colleges for the Money (Income $48-$75k) in Tennessee list. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Dayton, Tennessee.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Bryan College - Dayton is ranked #18 for quality in the state of Tennessee. Students from families who make $48-$75k a year pay an annual average net price of $15,353.
Lincoln Memorial University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Colleges for the Money (Income $48-$75k) in Tennessee list. Harrogate, Tennessee is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. It is a private not-for-profit school.
Lincoln Memorial University has the honor of being ranked #17 in Tennessee for overall quality on top of being a good value. Students from families who make $48-$75k a year pay an annual average net price of $16,254.
The University of Tennessee - Martin landed the #25 spot on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $48-$75k) in Tennessee ranking. Located in Martin, Tennessee, the school is a medium-sized public institution.
Not only is The University of Tennessee - Martin a great value, but it is also ranked #31 in Tennessee for overall quality. Students from families who make $48-$75k a year pay an annual average net price of $13,278.
Read full value report on The University of Tennessee - Martin
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Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.