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2022 Best Value Communications Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k

18 Ranked Colleges
1,049 Degrees Awarded
$13,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Communications Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Communications Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.

Communication & Media Studies is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 9th of all the majors we analyze. In 2019-2020, 68,079 degrees were awarded to students with this major. In 2017-2018, communication and media studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $32,728 and had an average of $24,931 in loans still to pay off.

Across Tennessee, there were 1,049 communication and media studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $28,090 and $26,922 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Communications Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 18 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in communication and media studies. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality communication and media studies programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the communication and media studies program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Communication & Media Studies Schools

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Communications Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Communications Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for tennessee communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 18 Best Value Colleges for Communication & Media Studies (Income $0-$30k) in Tennessee

#1

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee

Out of the 18 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Vanderbilt University landed the #1 spot on the list. Vanderbilt University is located in Nashville, Tennessee and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 22 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

Vanderbilt not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Tennessee” list. It costs about $3,156 for Tennessee Communications students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Vanderbilt University.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. The student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The low student loan default rate of 1.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Vanderbilt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend The University of Tennessee - Knoxville. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Communications Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k. Knoxville, Tennessee is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 163 students in 2019-2020.

UT Knoxville also took the #2 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend The University of Tennessee - Knoxville is $10,224 for Tennessee Communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at UT Knoxville

Out of the 18 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga landed the #3 spot on the list. UT Chattanooga is a fairly large public school situated in Chattanooga, Tennessee. It awarded 113 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our tennessee communications students whose families make $0-$30k list, UT Chattanooga has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Tennessee” ranking. It costs about $8,108 for Tennessee Communications students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga.

Full The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga Communication & Media Studies Report

#4

Middle Tennessee State University

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Out of the 18 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Middle Tennessee State University landed the #4 spot on the list. This large school is located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and it awarded 182 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

Middle Tennessee State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Tennessee” list. The yearly cost to attend Middle Tennessee State University is $8,919 for Tennessee Communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Middle Tennessee State University

#5

East Tennessee State University

Johnson City, Tennessee

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend East Tennessee State University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Communications Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k. ETSU is a public institution located in Johnson City, Tennessee. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 118 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at ETSU, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for ETSU is $10,632 for Tennessee Communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at ETSU

The University of Tennessee - Martin landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UT Martin is a medium-sized public school situated in Martin, Tennessee. It awarded 22 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Martin also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Tennessee” list, coming in at #16. The yearly cost to attend The University of Tennessee - Martin is $7,524 for tennessee communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full UT Martin Communication & Media Studies Report

#7

Tennessee State University

Nashville, Tennessee

Tennessee State University landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Tennessee State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Nashville, Tennessee. It awarded 62 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

Tennessee State University also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Tennessee” list, coming in at #9. It costs about $11,015 for tennessee communications students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Tennessee State University.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Tennessee State University

#8

University of Memphis

Memphis, Tennessee

With a ranking of #8, University of Memphis did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Memphis is located in Memphis, Tennessee and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 83 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our tennessee communications students whose families make $0-$30k list, UofM has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UofM is $10,256 for Tennessee Communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at UofM

#9

Johnson University

Knoxville, Tennessee

Johnson University landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Johnson University is located in Knoxville, Tennessee and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

Johnson University also took the #10 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Tennessee” ranking. It costs about $13,968 for Tennessee Communications students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Johnson University.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Johnson University Communication & Media Studies Report

#10

Austin Peay State University

Clarksville, Tennessee

Austin Peay State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. Austin Peay State University is a fairly large public school situated in Clarksville, Tennessee. It awarded 114 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

Austin Peay State University also took the #15 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Austin Peay State University is $10,909 for tennessee communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Austin Peay State University

#11

Belmont University

Nashville, Tennessee

With a ranking of #11, Belmont University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 39 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our tennessee communications students whose families make $0-$30k list, Belmont has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Belmont University is $25,980 for Tennessee Communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Belmont

#12

Carson - Newman University

Jefferson City, Tennessee

Carson - Newman University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Jefferson City, Tennessee, and it awarded 17 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

Carson - Newman also took the #12 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Carson - Newman University is $14,686 for Tennessee Communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Carson - Newman

#13

Lee University

Cleveland, Tennessee

Lee University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. Lee University is located in Cleveland, Tennessee and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 24 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our tennessee communications students whose families make $0-$30k list, Lee University has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Tennessee” ranking. It costs about $13,841 for Tennessee Communications students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Lee University.

Full Lee University Communication & Media Studies Report

#14

Milligan University

Milligan College, Tennessee

With a ranking of #14, Milligan University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. Milligan University is a small school located in Milligan College, Tennessee that handed out 7 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Milligan, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Milligan is $14,089 for Tennessee Communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Milligan

#15

Lipscomb University

Nashville, Tennessee

Lipscomb University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Lipscomb University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Nashville, Tennessee. It awarded 13 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

Lipscomb not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Tennessee” list. It costs about $20,036 for tennessee communications students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Lipscomb.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Lipscomb

#16

Lane College

Jackson, Tennessee
#18 in overall quality

Lane College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Lane College is a small school located in Jackson, Tennessee that handed out 17 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Lane College, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Tennessee” ranking. It costs about $12,963 for Tennessee Communications students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Lane College.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Lane College

#17

King University

Bristol, Tennessee

King University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. King University is located in Bristol, Tennessee and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 11 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

King also took the #7 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend King University is $22,192 for tennessee communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full King University Communication & Media Studies Report

#18

Union University

Jackson, Tennessee

Union University landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Union University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Jackson, Tennessee. The school has a small population, and it awarded 2 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Union, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Union is $26,079 for Tennessee Communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 4.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Union University

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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