2027 Best Value General Education Schools in Tennessee
[General Education](/majors/education/general-education/education-general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 16 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general education students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value General Education Schools in Tennessee
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Education Schools
Roane State Community College earned the #1 spot for value among general education schools in Tennessee. Set in the town of Harriman, Roane State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,998, with out-of-state students paying around $18,630. General Education graduates carry a median of $9,408 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $36,933. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in general education will find it at Columbia State Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Columbia, Columbia State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,948 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,772 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $12,674. Early-career general education graduates make about $44,481. Set against $12,674 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pellissippi State Community College earned it the #3 place for general education. Pellissippi State Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Knoxville. Students from in state pay about $4,786 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,770. Students borrow a median of $8,951 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Pellissippi State Community College generally make around $43,816. Set against $8,951 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general education will find it at Chattanooga State Community College, which ranked #4. Chattanooga State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chattanooga. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,772, with out-of-state students paying around $17,756. Students borrow a median of $12,079 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Chattanooga State Community College generally make around $37,252. Set against $12,079 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Walters State Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #5 spot this year. Walters State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Morristown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,752, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $10,210. Early-career general education graduates make about $12,280. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Nashville State Community College earned the #6 position for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Nashville State Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,730, with out-of-state students paying around $17,714. Students borrow a median of $16,745 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Nashville State Community College earn a median of $41,456 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Volunteer State Community College landed the #7 spot for general education value this year. 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, compared with $17,740 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $12,462. General Education graduates of Volunteer State Community College earn a median of $40,137 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Peay State University placed #8 among the best values for general education. 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, compared with $14,766 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $24,530 in student loans. General Education graduates of Austin Peay State University earn a median of $48,419 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,530 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Motlow State Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the rural area of Tullahoma, Motlow State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,738, while out-of-state students pay about $17,722. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $6,470. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Motlow State Community College generally make around $43,750. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cumberland University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the town of Lebanon, Cumberland University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,840. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $21,902. Early-career general education graduates make about $50,607. That is a strong return on a $21,902 median debt. The acceptance rate is 67%.
The University Of Tennessee earned the #11 position for value in general education this year. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,812 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $22,859. General Education graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $72,937 early in their careers. Set against $22,859 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Bryan College Dayton earned the #12 position for value in general education this year. Bryan College Dayton is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Dayton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,800. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $25,652. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Bryan College Dayton generally make around $44,067. That is a strong return on a $25,652 median debt.
Tusculum College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the town of Greeneville, Tusculum College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $29,250 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,832 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $40,527. Set against $25,832 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Milligan College landed the #14 spot for general education value this year. Set in the suburb of Milligan, Milligan College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,450. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $26,150. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Milligan College generally make around $64,327. Set against $26,150 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Union University earned the #15 position for value in general education this year. Set in the city of Jackson, Union University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,398 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $28,605. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Union University generally make around $48,394. Set against $28,605 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Rhodes College came in at #16 for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Memphis, Rhodes College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $57,110 in tuition and fees. General Education graduates carry a median of $25,364 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $40,807. That is a strong return on a $25,364 median debt. Rhodes College admits about 50% of applicants.
More General Education Rankings
View All General Education Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 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.
