2026 Best Value Teacher Education Subject Specific Schools in Tennessee

[Teacher Education Subject Specific](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 29 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value teacher education subject specific schools.
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2026 Best Value Teacher Education Subject Specific Schools in Tennessee
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in teacher education subject specific, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Teacher Education Subject Specific Schools
Leading the list is Middle Tennessee State University, our #1 best value for teacher education subject specific in Tennessee. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. In-state tuition and fees average $10,266, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Students borrow a median of $22,754 to complete the teacher education subject specific program here. Soon after graduation, teacher education subject specific degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $43,575. Set against $22,754 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in teacher education subject specific will find it at University Of Memphis, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,728, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,747 to complete the teacher education subject specific program here. Teacher Education Subject Specific graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $37,999 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,747 median debt. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in teacher education subject specific will find it at Bryan College Dayton, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Dayton, Bryan College Dayton is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $19,800 in tuition and fees. Teacher Education Subject Specific graduates carry a median of $25,652 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teacher education subject specific degree recipients from Bryan College Dayton generally make around $44,067. Set against $25,652 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in teacher education subject specific will find it at The University Of Tennessee, which ranked #4. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. In-state tuition and fees average $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,859 to complete the teacher education subject specific program here. Teacher Education Subject Specific graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $47,975 early in their careers. Set against $22,859 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Vanderbilt University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher education subject specific schools. 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. Teacher Education Subject Specific graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Teacher Education Subject Specific graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $77,997 early in their careers. Set against $13,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Cumberland University came in at #6 for value in teacher education subject specific this year. Cumberland University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Lebanon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,840. Teacher Education Subject Specific graduates carry a median of $21,902 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teacher education subject specific degree recipients from Cumberland University generally make around $46,294. Set against $21,902 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Lee University landed the #7 spot for teacher education subject specific value this year. Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,790. Students borrow a median of $29,625 to complete the teacher education subject specific program here. Soon after graduation, teacher education subject specific degree recipients from Lee University generally make around $48,056. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lee University admits about 70% of applicants.
Maryville College placed #8 among the best values for teacher education subject specific. Located in the suburb of Maryville, Maryville College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $39,284. Teacher Education Subject Specific graduates carry a median of $26,428 in student loans. Early-career teacher education subject specific graduates make about $42,971. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Maryville College admits about 61% of applicants.
Belmont University came in at #9 for value in teacher education subject specific this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $42,540 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,447 to complete the teacher education subject specific program here. Teacher Education Subject Specific graduates of Belmont University earn a median of $49,699 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.