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

31 Ranked Colleges
5,271 Degrees Awarded
$12,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Education Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. 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 Education Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

With 310,601 degrees handed out in 2019-2020, education is the 4th most popular major in the United States. In 2017-2018, education graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $43,887 and had an average of $30,244 in loans still to pay off.

Across Tennessee, there were 5,271 education graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Education Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 31 colleges that offer a degree in education. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great education programs and cost less that 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 education program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Education Schools

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Education Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

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

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Education Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Education (Income $0-$30k) in Tennessee

#1

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee

Out of the 31 schools in the Best Value Education 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 a fairly large school located in Nashville, Tennessee that handed out 374 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Vanderbilt not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Education Schools in Tennessee” list. The estimated yearly cost for Vanderbilt University is $3,156 for Tennessee Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Education at Vanderbilt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. UT Chattanooga is a public institution located in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 211 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Chattanooga not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Education Schools in Tennessee” list. It costs about $8,108 for Tennessee Education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UT Chattanooga.

Read more about Education at UT Chattanooga

#3

Tennessee Wesleyan University

Athens, Tennessee

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Tennessee Wesleyan University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Education Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k. This small school is located in Athens, Tennessee, and it awarded 26 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

TWU also took the #17 spot in our “Best Education Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend TWU is $10,002 for tennessee education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Tennessee Wesleyan University Education Report

#4

Middle Tennessee State University

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Out of the 31 schools in the Best Value Education 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 361 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Middle Tennessee State University also took the #12 spot in our “Best Education Schools in Tennessee” ranking. It costs about $8,919 for tennessee education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Middle Tennessee State University.

Full Middle Tennessee State University Education Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The University of Tennessee - Knoxville. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. UT Knoxville is a large public school situated in Knoxville, Tennessee. It awarded 245 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our tennessee education students whose families make $0-$30k list, UT Knoxville has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Education Schools in Tennessee” ranking. It costs about $10,224 for Tennessee Education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UT Knoxville.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Education Report

#6

Tennessee Technological University

Cookeville, Tennessee

Tennessee Technological University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Cookeville, Tennessee is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 355 students in 2019-2020.

Tennessee Tech University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Education Schools in Tennessee” list. It costs about $11,641 for tennessee education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Tennessee Tech University.

The low student loan default rate of 4.8% 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 full report on Education at Tennessee Tech University

The University of Tennessee - Martin came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Martin, Tennessee is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 128 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UT Martin, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Education Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UT Martin is $7,524 for tennessee education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full The University of Tennessee - Martin Education Report

#8

Christian Brothers University

Memphis, Tennessee

Christian Brothers University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. Christian Brothers University is a small school located in Memphis, Tennessee that handed out 55 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Christian Brothers not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Education Schools in Tennessee” list. It costs about $9,496 for Tennessee Education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Christian Brothers University.

Read full report on Education at Christian Brothers

#9

Lincoln Memorial University

Harrogate, Tennessee

Lincoln Memorial University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. LMU is a small school located in Harrogate, Tennessee that handed out 306 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at LMU, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Education Schools in Tennessee” ranking. It costs about $9,736 for tennessee education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Lincoln Memorial University.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full LMU Education Report

#10

East Tennessee State University

Johnson City, Tennessee

With a ranking of #10, East Tennessee State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Johnson City, Tennessee, and it awarded 247 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our tennessee education students whose families make $0-$30k list, ETSU has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Education Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend ETSU is $10,632 for Tennessee Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Education at ETSU

#11

Freed-Hardeman University

Henderson, Tennessee

Freed-Hardeman University landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Freed-Hardeman University is located in Henderson, Tennessee and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 105 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

FHU also made our “Best Education Schools in Tennessee” list, coming in at #7. It costs about $13,512 for Tennessee Education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend FHU.

Full FHU Education Report

#12

Trevecca Nazarene University

Nashville, Tennessee

Trevecca Nazarene University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. TNU is a small school located in Nashville, Tennessee that handed out 285 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at TNU, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Education Schools in Tennessee” ranking. It costs about $15,228 for Tennessee Education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend TNU.

Full TNU Education Report

#13

University of Memphis

Memphis, Tennessee

With a ranking of #13, University of Memphis did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. UofM is a public institution located in Memphis, Tennessee. The school has a large population, and it awarded 434 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UofM did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Education Schools in Tennessee” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Memphis is $10,256 for tennessee education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full University of Memphis Education Report

#14

Tennessee State University

Nashville, Tennessee

Tennessee State University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Tennessee State University is a public institution located in Nashville, Tennessee. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 118 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Tennessee State University is $11,015 for tennessee education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Tennessee State University Education Report

#15

Johnson University

Knoxville, Tennessee

Johnson University landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Knoxville, Tennessee is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s education degrees to 55 students in 2019-2020.

Johnson University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Education Schools in Tennessee” list. It costs about $13,968 for tennessee education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Johnson University.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full Johnson University Education Report

#16

Maryville College

Maryville, Tennessee
#8 in overall quality

Maryville College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. Maryville College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Maryville, Tennessee. It awarded 21 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Maryville College also took the #8 spot in our “Best Education Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Maryville College is $14,150 for Tennessee Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Maryville College Education Report

#17

Austin Peay State University

Clarksville, Tennessee

Austin Peay State University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Clarksville, Tennessee is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 180 students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $10,909 for tennessee education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Austin Peay State University.

Read more about Education at Austin Peay State University

#18

Lee University

Cleveland, Tennessee

Lee University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Lee University is a medium-sized school located in Cleveland, Tennessee that handed out 182 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Lee University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Education Schools in Tennessee” list. It costs about $13,841 for tennessee education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Lee University.

Read more about Education at Lee University

#19

Carson - Newman University

Jefferson City, Tennessee

Carson - Newman University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. Carson - Newman is a small school located in Jefferson City, Tennessee that handed out 300 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Carson - Newman also took the #16 spot in our “Best Education Schools in Tennessee” ranking. It costs about $14,686 for Tennessee Education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Carson - Newman University.

Read full report on Education at Carson - Newman University

#20

Belmont University

Nashville, Tennessee

Belmont University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. Belmont is a private not-for-profit institution located in Nashville, Tennessee. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 60 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Belmont not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Education Schools in Tennessee” list. The estimated yearly cost for Belmont is $25,980 for tennessee education students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.0% 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%.

Full Belmont University Education Report

#21

Tusculum University

Greeneville, Tennessee

Tusculum University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #21. This small school is located in Greeneville, Tennessee, and it awarded 97 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Tusculum University is $13,752 for Tennessee Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Education at Tusculum

#22

Southern Adventist University

Collegedale, Tennessee

Southern Adventist University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. Southern Adventist University is located in Collegedale, Tennessee and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 35 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our tennessee education students whose families make $0-$30k list, Southern Adventist has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Education Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Southern Adventist University is $19,346 for tennessee education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Education at Southern Adventist University

#23

Milligan University

Milligan College, Tennessee

Milligan University landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Milligan is a small school located in Milligan College, Tennessee that handed out 42 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Milligan not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Education Schools in Tennessee” list. The estimated yearly cost for Milligan is $14,089 for tennessee education 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 Education at Milligan

#24

Bethel University

McKenzie, Tennessee

Bethel University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #24. Bethel University is a small school located in McKenzie, Tennessee that handed out 35 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Bethel University is $14,339 for tennessee education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Bethel Education Report

#25

Lipscomb University

Nashville, Tennessee

Lipscomb University landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education 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 355 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Lipscomb not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Education Schools in Tennessee” list. The yearly cost to attend Lipscomb University is $20,036 for tennessee education students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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 Education at Lipscomb

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.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Horadrim.

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