2026 Best Value Business, Management & Marketing Schools in Tennessee

[Business, Management & Marketing](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong business, management & marketing education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 78 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for business, management & marketing students.
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2026 Best Value Business, Management & Marketing Schools in Tennessee
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the business, management & marketing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Business, Management & Marketing Schools
Our analysis ranked Southwest Tennessee Community College the best value for a degree in business, management & marketing in Tennessee. Set in the city of Memphis, Southwest Tennessee Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,766, compared with $17,750 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for business, management & marketing graduates is $11,406. Early-career business, management & marketing graduates make about $32,879. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pellissippi State Community College earned it the #2 place for business, management & marketing. Pellissippi State Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Knoxville. In-state tuition and fees average $4,786, with out-of-state students paying around $17,770. Business, Management & Marketing graduates carry a median of $8,540 in student loans. Early-career business, management & marketing graduates make about $32,529. Set against $8,540 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Walters State Community College one of the best values for business, management & marketing. Located in the city of Morristown, Walters State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,752, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. Students borrow a median of $10,210 to complete the business, management & marketing program here. Soon after graduation, business, management & marketing degree recipients from Walters State Community College generally make around $25,882. Set against $10,210 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbia State Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in business, management & marketing, landing the #4 spot this year. Columbia State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Columbia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,948, while out-of-state students pay about $17,772. Students borrow a median of $12,674 to complete the business, management & marketing program here. Business, Management & Marketing graduates of Columbia State Community College earn a median of $31,640 early in their careers. Set against $12,674 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cleveland State Community College earned it the #5 place for business, management & marketing. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,762, compared with $17,746 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the business, management & marketing program here. Soon after graduation, business, management & marketing degree recipients from Cleveland State Community College generally make around $44,583. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.
Dyersburg State Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value business, management & marketing schools. Located in the town of Dyersburg, Dyersburg State Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,758, while out-of-state students pay about $18,060. Business, Management & Marketing graduates carry a median of $10,611 in student loans. Soon after graduation, business, management & marketing degree recipients from Dyersburg State Community College generally make around $22,410. That is a strong return on a $10,611 median debt.
Roane State Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value business, management & marketing schools. Located in the town of Harriman, Roane State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,998, while out-of-state students pay about $18,630. Business, Management & Marketing graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Early-career business, management & marketing graduates make about $29,823. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Nashville State Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value business, management & marketing schools. Set in the city of Nashville, Nashville State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,730, with out-of-state students paying around $17,714. Students borrow a median of $15,687 to complete the business, management & marketing program here. Early-career business, management & marketing graduates make about $34,306. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chattanooga State Community College placed #9 among the best values for business, management & marketing. Set in the city of Chattanooga, Chattanooga State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,772 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,756 for out-of-state students. Business, Management & Marketing graduates carry a median of $15,162 in student loans. Early-career business, management & marketing graduates make about $36,401. That is a strong return on a $15,162 median debt.
Northeast State Community College placed #10 among the best values for business, management & marketing. Set in the rural area of Blountville, Northeast State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,782, while out-of-state students pay about $17,766. Typical student debt for business, management & marketing graduates is $6,404. Soon after graduation, business, management & marketing degree recipients from Northeast State Community College generally make around $20,157. That is a strong return on a $6,404 median debt.
Jackson State Community College earned the #11 position for value in business, management & marketing this year. Located in the city of Jackson, Jackson State Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,740, with out-of-state students paying around $17,724. Business, Management & Marketing graduates carry a median of $8,553 in student loans. Early-career business, management & marketing graduates make about $32,334. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Tennessee Martin came in at #12 for value in business, management & marketing this year. The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Martin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,560, compared with $16,600 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for business, management & marketing graduates is $24,153. Business, Management & Marketing graduates of The University Of Tennessee Martin earn a median of $52,983 early in their careers. Set against $24,153 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Le Moyne Owen College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value business, management & marketing schools. Set in the city of Memphis, Le Moyne Owen College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,076. Graduates go on to earn a median of $35,594 ten years after entry. Le Moyne Owen College admits about 99% of applicants.
Tennessee State University placed #14 among the best values for business, management & marketing. Located in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $22,416. Students borrow a median of $30,695 to complete the business, management & marketing program here. Business, Management & Marketing graduates of Tennessee State University earn a median of $56,901 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Volunteer State Community College placed #15 among the best values for business, management & marketing. Located in the suburb of Gallatin, Volunteer State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,756, with out-of-state students paying around $17,740. Typical student debt for business, management & marketing graduates is $10,718. Business, Management & Marketing graduates of Volunteer State Community College earn a median of $40,513 early in their careers. Set against $10,718 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Middle Tennessee State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value business, management & marketing schools. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,266, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Typical student debt for business, management & marketing graduates is $21,009. Soon after graduation, business, management & marketing degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $59,221. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Motlow State Community College earned the #17 position for value in business, management & marketing this year. Located in the rural area of Tullahoma, Motlow State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,738, while out-of-state students pay about $17,722. Business, Management & Marketing graduates carry a median of $6,470 in student loans. Business, Management & Marketing graduates of Motlow State Community College earn a median of $43,750 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value business, management & marketing schools. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public school located in the city of Chattanooga. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,448, compared with $18,512 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the business, management & marketing program here. Business, Management & Marketing graduates of The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earn a median of $63,694 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Christian Brothers University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value business, management & marketing schools. Located in the city of Memphis, Christian Brothers University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,420. Business, Management & Marketing graduates carry a median of $26,713 in student loans. Business, Management & Marketing graduates of Christian Brothers University earn a median of $63,570 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,713 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Tennessee Technological University earned the #20 position for value in business, management & marketing this year. Tennessee Technological University is a large public school located in the town of Cookeville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,376, compared with $15,576 for out-of-state students. Business, Management & Marketing graduates carry a median of $17,849 in student loans. Early-career business, management & marketing graduates make about $54,722. That is a strong return on a $17,849 median debt. Tennessee Technological University admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Memphis placed #21 among the best values for business, management & marketing. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. Students from in state pay about $10,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Typical student debt for business, management & marketing graduates is $26,410. Business, Management & Marketing graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $62,928 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,410 median debt. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
Trevecca Nazarene University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value business, management & marketing schools. Trevecca Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,300. Typical student debt for business, management & marketing graduates is $24,774. Business, Management & Marketing graduates of Trevecca Nazarene University earn a median of $55,854 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Austin Peay State University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value business, management & marketing schools. Set in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,006, with out-of-state students paying around $14,766. Business, Management & Marketing graduates carry a median of $21,618 in student loans. Business, Management & Marketing graduates of Austin Peay State University earn a median of $38,958 early in their careers. Set against $21,618 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee came in at #24 for value in business, management & marketing this year. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Students borrow a median of $21,508 to complete the business, management & marketing program here. Business, Management & Marketing graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $75,770 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.
Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Mckenzie earned the #25 position for value in business, management & marketing this year. Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Mckenzie is a small public school located in the rural area of McKenzie. Business, Management & Marketing graduates of Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Mckenzie earn a median of $21,776 early in their careers.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Business, Management & Marketing Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in business, management & marketing:
More Business, Management & Marketing Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 78 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 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.