2027 Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools in Tennessee

[General Business/Commerce](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/general-business-commerce/business-commerce-general/) 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 8 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general business/commerce schools.
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2027 Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools in Tennessee
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general business/commerce degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools
Our analysis ranked Strayer University Tennessee the best value for a degree in general business/commerce in Tennessee. Set in the city of Nashville, Strayer University Tennessee is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,920. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $44,664. General Business/commerce graduates of Strayer University Tennessee earn a median of $49,793 early in their careers. Set against $44,664 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Middle Tennessee State University one of the best values for general business/commerce. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,266, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $24,450. General Business/commerce graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $40,100 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,450 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
A rank of #3 makes Bethel University Tennessee one of the best values for general business/commerce. Located in the town of McKenzie, Bethel University Tennessee is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,712. Students borrow a median of $24,188 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of Bethel University Tennessee earn a median of $62,083 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
South College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general business/commerce, landing the #4 spot this year. South College is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Knoxville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,535. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $24,533 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of South College earn a median of $51,389 early in their careers. Set against $24,533 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cumberland University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general business/commerce, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Lebanon, Cumberland University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $27,840. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $21,902 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $47,696. That is a strong return on a $21,902 median debt. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
King College placed #6 among the best values for general business/commerce. Located in the city of Bristol, King College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $20,397. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $25,579 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $49,297. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Fisk University placed #7 among the best values for general business/commerce. Fisk University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,858. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $26,310 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $38,089. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 37% of applicants are accepted.
Belmont University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. In-state tuition and fees average $42,540. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Belmont University generally make around $58,377. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Belmont University admits about 95% of applicants.
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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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.