2026 Best Value General Education Schools in Tennessee
[General Education](/majors/education/general-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 33 schools to find the best return on investment for general education students.
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2026 Best Value General Education Schools in Tennessee
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Education Schools
Leading the list is Columbia State Community College, our #1 best value for general education in Tennessee. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $17,772. 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 Walters State Community College earned it the #2 place for general education. Walters State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Morristown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,752, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $10,210. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Walters State Community College generally make around $12,280. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pellissippi State Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Pellissippi State Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Knoxville. In-state tuition and fees average $4,786, compared with $17,770 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $8,951 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $43,816. That is a strong return on a $8,951 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Roane State Community College earned it the #4 place for general education. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $18,630. General Education graduates carry a median of $9,408 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $36,933. Set against $9,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Chattanooga State Community College one of the best values for general education. Located in the city of Chattanooga, Chattanooga State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,772 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,756. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $12,079. 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.
Northeast State Community College landed the #6 spot for general education value this year. Northeast State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Blountville. In-state tuition and fees average $4,782, with out-of-state students paying around $17,766. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $6,404. General Education graduates of Northeast State Community College earn a median of $39,673 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,404 median debt.
Nashville State Community College placed #7 among the best values for general education. Set in the city of Nashville, Nashville State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,730, while out-of-state students pay about $17,714. General Education graduates carry a median of $16,745 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $41,456. That is a strong return on a $16,745 median debt.
Motlow State Community College landed the #8 spot for general education value this year. Motlow State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Tullahoma. In-state tuition and fees average $4,738, compared with $17,722 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $6,470 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Motlow State Community College generally make around $43,750. That is a strong return on a $6,470 median debt.
Volunteer State Community College landed the #9 spot for general education value this year. Set in the suburb of Gallatin, Volunteer State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,756, with out-of-state students paying around $17,740. General Education graduates carry a median of $12,462 in student loans. 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.
Bryan College Dayton ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the town of Dayton, Bryan College Dayton is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $19,800. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $25,652. General Education graduates of Bryan College Dayton earn a median of $44,067 early in their careers. Set against $25,652 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Austin Peay State University landed the #11 spot for general education value this year. Austin Peay State University is a large public school located in the city of Clarksville. Students from in state pay about $9,006 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,766. General Education graduates carry a median of $24,530 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Austin Peay State University generally make around $48,419. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Austin Peay State University admits about 96% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee landed the #12 spot for general education value this year. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Students borrow a median of $22,859 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $72,937. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Vanderbilt University placed #13 among the best values for general education. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $13,975. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. That is a strong return on a $13,975 median debt. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.
Cumberland University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Cumberland University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Lebanon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,840. General Education graduates carry a median of $21,902 in student loans. General Education graduates of Cumberland University earn a median of $50,607 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,902 median debt. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Milligan College came in at #15 for value in general education this year. Milligan College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Milligan. Students from in state pay about $40,450 in tuition and fees. 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. That is a strong return on a $26,150 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Bethel University Tennessee placed #16 among the best values for general education. Bethel University Tennessee is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of McKenzie. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,712. General Education graduates carry a median of $28,583 in student loans. General Education graduates of Bethel University Tennessee earn a median of $49,949 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,583 median debt. Bethel University Tennessee admits about 60% of applicants.
Tusculum College earned the #17 position for value in general education this year. Tusculum College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Greeneville. Students from in state pay about $29,250 in tuition and fees. General Education graduates carry a median of $25,832 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $40,527. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Union University came in at #18 for value in general education this year. Union University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Jackson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,398. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $28,605. General Education graduates of Union University earn a median of $48,394 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
More General Education Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 33 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
