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2022 Best Value Colleges for Communication & Media Studies (Income $48-$75k) in Tennessee

17 Ranked Colleges
1,049 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Communications Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $48-$75k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Communications Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2019-2020, 68,079 communication and media studies students received their degree, making the major the 9th most popular in the country. 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 $48-$75k” ranking analyzed 17 colleges that offered a degree 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.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the communication and media studies program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Communication & Media Studies Schools

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Communications Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $48-$75k” list to help you make the college decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most 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 $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Communications Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $48-$75k.

Top 17 Best Value Colleges for Communication & Media Studies (Income $48-$75k) in Tennessee

#1

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Vanderbilt University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $48-$75k list. Vanderbilt is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Nashville, Tennessee. It awarded 22 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

Vanderbilt also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Tennessee” list, coming in at #1. The estimated yearly cost for Vanderbilt is $8,086 for tennessee communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Vanderbilt Communication & Media Studies Report

#2

Middle Tennessee State University

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Middle Tennessee State University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Communications Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $48-$75k. Middle Tennessee State University is a large school located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee that handed out 182 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Middle Tennessee State University, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Middle Tennessee State University is $14,822 for Tennessee Communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Middle Tennessee State University Communication & Media Studies Report

Out of the 17 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Chattanooga, Tennessee, this fairly large public school handed out 113 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2019-2020.

UT Chattanooga not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Tennessee” list. It costs about $14,601 for Tennessee Communications students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga.

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

#4

Tennessee State University

Nashville, Tennessee

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Tennessee State University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Communications Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $48-$75k. Nashville, Tennessee is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 62 students in 2019-2020.

Tennessee State University also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Tennessee” list, coming in at #9. The yearly cost to attend Tennessee State University is $14,540 for Tennessee Communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Tennessee State University Communication & Media Studies Report

#5

East Tennessee State University

Johnson City, Tennessee

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend East Tennessee State University. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $48-$75k list. ETSU is a fairly large public school situated in Johnson City, Tennessee. It awarded 118 ’s communications 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 yearly cost to attend East Tennessee State University is $16,359 for Tennessee Communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full East Tennessee State University Communication & Media Studies Report

The University of Tennessee - Martin came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Martin, Tennessee, this medium-sized public school handed out 22 degrees to qualified ’s communications students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our tennessee communications students whose families make $48-$75k list, UT Martin has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Tennessee” ranking. It costs about $13,766 for Tennessee Communications students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UT Martin.

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

With a ranking of #7, The University of Tennessee - Knoxville did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $48-$75k list. The University of Tennessee - Knoxville is a large public school situated in Knoxville, Tennessee. It awarded 163 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Knoxville also took the #2 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UT Knoxville is $23,211 for Tennessee Communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low student loan default rate of 4.3% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at The University of Tennessee - Knoxville

#8

University of Memphis

Memphis, Tennessee

University of Memphis came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Memphis, Tennessee, this large public school awarded 83 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UofM, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Tennessee” ranking. It costs about $15,287 for tennessee communications students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Memphis.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University of Memphis

#9

Johnson University

Knoxville, Tennessee

Johnson University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #9. Johnson University is a small school located in Knoxville, Tennessee that handed out 7 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Johnson University, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Johnson University is $18,497 for Tennessee Communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Austin Peay State University is a fairly large public school situated in Clarksville, Tennessee. It awarded 114 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Austin Peay State University, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Tennessee” ranking. It costs about $16,243 for tennessee communications students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Austin Peay State University.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Austin Peay State University

#11

Lee University

Cleveland, Tennessee

With a ranking of #11, Lee University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $48-$75k list. Lee University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Cleveland, Tennessee. It awarded 24 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our tennessee communications students whose families make $48-$75k list, Lee University has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Lee University is $17,884 for Tennessee Communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Lee University

#12

Carson - Newman University

Jefferson City, Tennessee

With a ranking of #12, Carson - Newman University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $48-$75k list. Carson - Newman University is located in Jefferson City, Tennessee and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 17 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our tennessee communications students whose families make $48-$75k list, Carson - Newman has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Carson - Newman is $18,751 for tennessee communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

#13

Lipscomb University

Nashville, Tennessee

Lipscomb University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #13. Lipscomb University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Nashville, Tennessee. It awarded 13 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

Lipscomb did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Tennessee” list. The estimated yearly cost for Lipscomb University is $25,044 for tennessee communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. 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%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Lipscomb

#14

King University

Bristol, Tennessee

King University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #14. This small school is located in Bristol, Tennessee, and it awarded 11 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

King also took the #7 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for King University is $22,878 for tennessee communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at King

#15

Belmont University

Nashville, Tennessee

Belmont University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #15. Belmont is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Nashville, Tennessee. It awarded 39 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

Belmont also took the #3 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Belmont is $31,006 for tennessee communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Belmont

#16

Milligan University

Milligan College, Tennessee

Milligan University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Milligan University is a small school located in Milligan College, Tennessee that handed out 7 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

Milligan also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Tennessee” list, coming in at #17. The estimated yearly cost for Milligan is $21,346 for tennessee communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. 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 full report on Communication & Media Studies at Milligan

#17

Union University

Jackson, Tennessee

Union University landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Communications Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Union is a small school located in Jackson, Tennessee that handed out 2 ’s communications degrees in 2019-2020.

Union also took the #8 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Union University is $25,952 for tennessee communications students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. 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.

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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