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2024 Best Schools for the Money (No Aid) in Tennessee

45 Colleges
$10,065 Avg Undergrad Tuition & Fees*
$9,353 Avg Room & Board*

When pursuing a degree in today's world, there are many different options to choose from. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our Best Value Tennessee Schools ranking - to help you make that decision.

See What's Included in This Value Report:

Choosing the Best School for You

We analyzed 45 schools across Tennessee to determine which have the best value programs. Instead of depending on subjective information to rank the best value schools, we focus on objective factors in our analysis. More specifically, the following explains what we consider and why.

Our Methodology

To determine the value of a school in our Best Colleges for the Money in Tennessee ranking, we first add average tuition, fees, and room and board costs (without aid) together. 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 consider a college's overall Best Colleges ranking which itself looks at a host of different factors like degree completion, educational resources, student body caliber and post-graduation earnings for the school as a whole.

To learn more, visit our best value ranking methodology page.

Additional Rankings

Keep scrolling for the top schools in this ranking or select one of the other rankings methods below.

With Aid (All Income Levels) Best Value Degrees
With Aid (Income $0-$30k) Best Value Degrees
With Aid (Income $30-$48k) Best Value Degrees
With Aid (Income $48-$75k) Best Value Degrees
With Aid (Income $75-$110k) Best Value Degrees
With Aid (Income Over $110k) Best Value Degrees
Want to see the list of best value schools for families with specific income levels or whether or not aid is being applied? Click on one of the tiles above. Are you more interested in the best value schools in your area? Try narrowing this list by location. Also, you may want to check out our other college rankings.

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.

Best Value Schools (No Aid) in Tennessee

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

1

Our 2024 rankings named The University of Tennessee - Knoxville the best value (no aid) school in Tennessee. Located in Knoxville, Tennessee, the school is a large public institution.

The University of Tennessee - Knoxville has the honor of being ranked #2 in Tennessee for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average cost without aid for the school is $25,394 a year for undergraduates. The average cost to attend the school for graduate students if you don’t receive any aid is $25,530 a year.

Read full value report on The University of Tennessee - Knoxville

2

Out of the 45 schools in Tennessee that were part of this year’s ranking, Jackson State Community College landed the #2 spot on the list. JSCC is a small public school situated in Jackson, Tennessee.

Jackson State Community College has the honor of being ranked #15 in Tennessee for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $15,504 a year. The average cost to attend the school for graduate students if you don’t receive any aid is $10,886 a year.

Read full value report on Jackson State Community College

3
Chattanooga State Community College crest
Chattanooga State Community College
Chattanooga, Tennessee

Out of the 45 schools in Tennessee that were part of this year’s ranking, Chattanooga State Community College landed the #3 spot on the list. This medium-sized public school is located in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Not only is Chattanooga State Community College a great value, but it is also ranked #24 in Tennessee for overall quality. The average cost without aid for the school is $11,630 a year for undergraduates. The average cost to attend the school for graduate students if you don’t receive any aid is $7,200 a year.

Full Chattanooga State Community College Value Report

4
Middle Tennessee State University crest
Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, Tennessee

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Middle Tennessee State University. It ranked #4 on our 2024 Best Colleges for the Money in Tennessee list. Located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, the school is a large public institution.

Not only is Middle Tennessee State University a great value, but it is also ranked #9 in Tennessee for overall quality. The average cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $18,808 a year. The average cost without aid for the school is $20,394 per year for graduate students.

Read full value report on Middle Tennessee State University

5
UofM crest
University of Memphis
Memphis, Tennessee

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Memphis. It ranked #5 on our 2024 Best Colleges for the Money in Tennessee list. 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. The average cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $19,410 a year. The average cost to attend the school for graduate students if you don’t receive any aid is $20,262 a year.

Full University of Memphis Value Report

6

Southwest Tennessee Community College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for the Money in Tennessee ranking. Memphis, Tennessee is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. 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 cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $13,861 a year. The average cost to attend the school for graduate students if you don’t receive any aid is $9,431 a year.

Learn More About Value at Southwest Tennessee Community College

7
ETSU crest
East Tennessee State University
Johnson City, Tennessee

With a ranking of #7, East Tennessee State University did quite well on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money in Tennessee list. Located in Johnson City, Tennessee, the school is a fairly large public institution.

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 cost without aid for the school is $19,020 a year for undergraduates. The average cost without aid for the school is $20,318 per year for graduate students.

Learn More About Value at East Tennessee State University

8

Tennessee Technological University did quite well in the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money in Tennessee ranking, coming in at #8. Tennessee Technological University is a medium-sized public school located in Cookeville, Tennessee.

Tennessee Technological University has the honor of being ranked #14 in Tennessee for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $18,652 a year. The average cost without aid for the school is $20,612 per year for graduate students.

Full Tennessee Technological University Value Report

9

With a ranking of #9, The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga did quite well on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money in Tennessee list. UT Chattanooga is a public institution located in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Not only is The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga a great value, but it is also ranked #13 in Tennessee for overall quality. The average cost without aid for the school is $19,348 a year for undergraduates. The average cost without aid for the school is $19,974 per year for graduate students.

Full The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga Value Report

10
Motlow crest
Motlow State Community College
Tullahoma, Tennessee

Motlow State Community College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Colleges for the Money in Tennessee list. Motlow is located in Tullahoma, Tennessee and has a medium-sized student population. It is a public school.

Not only is Motlow State Community College a great value, but it is also ranked #33 in Tennessee for overall quality. The average cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $9,262 a year. The average cost without aid for the school is $4,846 per year for graduate students.

Full Motlow State Community College Value Report

11
Union crest
Union University
Jackson, Tennessee

Union University did quite well in the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money in Tennessee ranking, coming in at #11. Union is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Jackson, Tennessee.

Not only is Union University a great value, but it is also ranked #7 in Tennessee for overall quality. The average cost without aid for the school is $26,880 a year for undergraduates. The average cost without aid for the school is $22,026 per year for graduate students.

Read full value report on Union University

12

Pellissippi State Community College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for the Money in Tennessee ranking. Knoxville, Tennessee is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. It is a public school.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Pellissippi State Community College is ranked #34 for quality in the state of Tennessee. The average cost without aid for the school is $10,756 a year for undergraduates. The average cost to attend the school for graduate students if you don’t receive any aid is $6,300 a year.

Read full value report on Pellissippi State Community College

13
Roane State Community College crest
Roane State Community College
Harriman, Tennessee

Roane State Community College did quite well in the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money in Tennessee ranking, coming in at #13. Roane State Community College is a small public school located in Harriman, Tennessee.

Roane State Community College has the honor of being ranked #30 in Tennessee for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $12,894 a year. The average cost without aid for the school is $8,258 per year for graduate students.

Full Roane State Community College Value Report

14
Southern Adventist crest
Southern Adventist University
Collegedale, Tennessee

Southern Adventist University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Colleges for the Money in Tennessee list. Southern Adventist is a private not-for-profit institution located in Collegedale, Tennessee.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Southern Adventist University is ranked #5 for quality in the state of Tennessee. The average cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $31,450 a year. The average cost without aid for the school is $20,120 per year for graduate students.

Full Southern Adventist University Value Report

15
Austin Peay State University crest
Austin Peay State University
Clarksville, Tennessee

Austin Peay State University landed the #15 spot on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money in Tennessee ranking. Located in Clarksville, Tennessee, the school is a medium-sized public institution.

Austin Peay State University has the honor of being ranked #22 in Tennessee for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average cost without aid for the school is $20,487 a year for undergraduates. The average cost to attend the school for graduate students if you don’t receive any aid is $21,897 a year.

Read full value report on Austin Peay State University

16
William Jennings Bryan College crest
Bryan College - Dayton
Dayton, Tennessee

Bryan College - Dayton came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for the Money in Tennessee ranking. William Jennings Bryan College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Dayton, Tennessee.

Bryan College - Dayton has the honor of being ranked #18 in Tennessee for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $25,410 a year. The average cost to attend the school for graduate students if you don’t receive any aid is $17,810 a year.

Read full value report on Bryan College - Dayton

17
Tennessee State University crest
Tennessee State University
Nashville, Tennessee

Tennessee State University landed the #17 spot on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money in Tennessee ranking. Tennessee State University is located in Nashville, Tennessee and has a medium-sized student population. It is a public school.

Not only is Tennessee State University a great value, but it is also ranked #28 in Tennessee for overall quality. The average cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $16,884 a year. The average cost without aid for the school is $19,280 per year for graduate students.

Learn More About Value at Tennessee State University

18
Bethel crest
Bethel University
McKenzie, Tennessee

Bethel University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Colleges for the Money in Tennessee list. McKenzie, Tennessee is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. It is a private not-for-profit school.

Not only is Bethel University a great value, but it is also ranked #20 in Tennessee for overall quality. The average cost without aid for the school is $23,349 a year for undergraduates. The average cost without aid for the school is $21,091 per year for graduate students.

Full Bethel University Value Report

19
TNU crest
Trevecca Nazarene University
Nashville, Tennessee

Trevecca Nazarene University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Colleges for the Money in Tennessee list. TNU is located in Nashville, Tennessee and has a small student population. It is a private not-for-profit school.

Not only is Trevecca Nazarene University a great value, but it is also ranked #11 in Tennessee for overall quality. The average cost without aid for the school is $36,298 a year for undergraduates. The average cost without aid for the school is $20,985 per year for graduate students.

Learn More About Value at Trevecca Nazarene University

20

The University of Tennessee - Martin ranked #20 on this year’s Best Colleges for the Money in Tennessee list. Located in Martin, Tennessee, the school is a medium-sized public institution.

The University of Tennessee - Martin has the honor of being ranked #31 in Tennessee for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average cost without aid for the school is $16,662 a year for undergraduates. The average cost without aid for the school is $17,548 per year for graduate students.

Learn More About Value at The University of Tennessee - Martin

21

Dyersburg State Community College landed the #21 spot on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money in Tennessee ranking. DSCC is located in Dyersburg, Tennessee and has a small student population. It is a public school.

Not only is Dyersburg State Community College a great value, but it is also ranked #37 in Tennessee for overall quality. The average cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $14,070 a year. The average cost to attend the school for graduate students if you don’t receive any aid is $9,660 a year.

Full Dyersburg State Community College Value Report

22

Columbia State Community College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Colleges for the Money in Tennessee list. Columbia State Community College is a public institution located 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 cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $14,836 a year. The average cost to attend the school for graduate students if you don’t receive any aid is $10,170 a year.

Read full value report on Columbia State Community College

23
Lee University crest
Lee University
Cleveland, Tennessee

Lee University landed the #23 spot on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money in Tennessee ranking. Lee University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Cleveland, Tennessee.

Not only is Lee University a great value, but it is also ranked #16 in Tennessee for overall quality. The average cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $29,010 a year. The average cost without aid for the school is $23,560 per year for graduate students.

Read full value report on Lee University

24

With a ranking of #24, Cleveland State Community College did quite well on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money in Tennessee list. Cleveland State Community College is a public institution located in Cleveland, Tennessee.

Not only is Cleveland State Community College a great value, but it is also ranked #41 in Tennessee for overall quality. The average cost without aid for the school is $11,242 a year for undergraduates. The average cost to attend the school for graduate students if you don’t receive any aid is $6,842 a year.

Learn More About Value at Cleveland State Community College

25
WSCC crest
Walters State Community College
Morristown, Tennessee

Walters State Community College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for the Money in Tennessee ranking. Walters State Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Morristown, Tennessee.

Not only is Walters State Community College a great value, but it is also ranked #43 in Tennessee for overall quality. The average cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $8,575 a year. The average cost without aid for the school is $4,176 per year for graduate students.

Full Walters State Community College Value Report

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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