2026 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in Tennessee

1

University Of Memphis
Memphis, TN

For return on investment in higher education/higher education administration, no school beat University Of Memphis this year. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,728, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Students borrow a median of $26,315 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $74,676 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.

2

Tennessee Technological University
Cookeville, TN

A rank of #2 makes Tennessee Technological University one of the best values for higher education/higher education administration. Located in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,376, with out-of-state students paying around $15,576. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $17,580 in student loans. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $46,981. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Tennessee Technological University admits about 76% of applicants.

3

South College
Knoxville, TN

A rank of #3 makes South College one of the best values for higher education/higher education administration. Set in the city of Knoxville, South College is a large private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,535. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $24,533 in student loans. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from South College generally make around $51,389. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

The University Of Tennessee
Knoxville, TN

A rank of #4 makes The University Of Tennessee one of the best values for higher education/higher education administration. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,859 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $49,826. That is a strong return on a $22,859 median debt. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.

5

Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Students looking for strong value in higher education/higher education administration will find it at Vanderbilt University, which ranked #5. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,498. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $78,283 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.

6

Union University
Jackson, TN

Union University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. Union University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Jackson. Students from in state pay about $37,398 in tuition and fees. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $28,605 in student loans. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Union University earn a median of $64,839 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Union University admits about 60% of applicants.