2027 Best Value Finance Schools in Tennessee
[Finance](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/finance-financial-management/finance/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 15 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value finance schools.
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2027 Best Value Finance Schools in Tennessee
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in finance, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Finance Schools
For return on investment in finance, no school beat Austin Peay State University this year. Located in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,006, while out-of-state students pay about $14,766. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the finance program here. Early-career finance graduates make about $48,264. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee Martin came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value finance schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $16,600. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the finance program here. Early-career finance graduates make about $45,325. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The University Of Tennessee Martin admits about 88% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Christian Brothers University earned it the #3 place for finance. Christian Brothers University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Memphis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,420. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $32,416. Early-career finance graduates make about $51,040. Set against $32,416 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Christian Brothers University admits about 87% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Middle Tennessee State University earned it the #4 place for finance. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. In-state tuition and fees average $10,266, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $22,700. Finance graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $46,505 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
University Of Memphis is a great value for students pursuing a degree in finance, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,728, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Finance graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Finance graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $44,395 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value finance schools. Located in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,448, while out-of-state students pay about $18,512. Students borrow a median of $23,324 to complete the finance program here. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga generally make around $50,000. That is a strong return on a $23,324 median debt. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga admits about 81% of applicants.
Tennessee Technological University placed #7 among the best values for finance. Tennessee Technological University is a large public school located in the town of Cookeville. Students from in state pay about $11,376 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,576 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,087 to complete the finance program here. Finance graduates of Tennessee Technological University earn a median of $41,176 early in their careers. Set against $16,087 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Tennessee Technological University admits about 76% of applicants.
East Tennessee State University earned the #8 position for value in finance this year. East Tennessee State University is a large public school located in the city of Johnson City. In-state tuition and fees average $10,216, compared with $13,726 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $18,125. Finance graduates of East Tennessee State University earn a median of $39,936 early in their careers. Set against $18,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Tennessee State University admits about 86% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee landed the #9 spot for finance value this year. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,812 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $23,250. Finance graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $53,826 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Lee University placed #10 among the best values for finance. Set in the city of Cleveland, Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,790. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $26,422. Early-career finance graduates make about $38,249. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lee University admits about 70% of applicants.
Carson Newman College earned the #11 position for value in finance this year. Located in the suburb of Jefferson City, Carson Newman College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,700. Finance graduates carry a median of $22,843 in student loans. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Carson Newman College generally make around $48,797. That is a strong return on a $22,843 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Freed Hardeman University landed the #12 spot for finance value this year. Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Henderson. Students from in state pay about $25,620 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $24,479. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Freed Hardeman University generally make around $54,530. Set against $24,479 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Lipscomb University earned the #13 position for value in finance this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $40,572. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $23,529. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Lipscomb University generally make around $48,949. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Sewanee The University Of The South came in at #14 for value in finance this year. Sewanee The University Of The South is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Sewanee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,120. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $22,091. Finance graduates of Sewanee The University Of The South earn a median of $36,927 early in their careers. Set against $22,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Belmont University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value finance schools. Located in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,540. Finance graduates carry a median of $23,447 in student loans. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Belmont University generally make around $49,699. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 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.
