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2022 Best Value Colleges for Elementary Education (Income $0-$30k) in Tennessee

22 Ranked Colleges
480 Degrees Awarded
$14,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2019-2020, 40,622 people earned their degree in elementary education, making the major the 19th most popular in the United States.

Across Tennessee, there were 480 elementary education graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 22 colleges that offer a degree in elementary education. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great elementary education programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the elementary education program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Elementary Education Schools

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools 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 Elementary Teaching Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k

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

Top 22 Best Value Colleges for Elementary Education (Income $0-$30k) in Tennessee

#1

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Vanderbilt University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k. Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Nashville, Tennessee. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 31 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Vanderbilt not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Tennessee” list. The estimated yearly cost for Vanderbilt University is $3,156 for Tennessee Elementary Teaching 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. The student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read full report on Elementary Education at Vanderbilt University

#2

Middle Tennessee State University

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Middle Tennessee State University. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. Middle Tennessee State University is a large public school situated in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. It awarded 39 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our tennessee elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k list, Middle Tennessee State University has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Tennessee” ranking. It costs about $8,919 for Tennessee Elementary Teaching students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Middle Tennessee State University.

Read full report on Elementary Education at Middle Tennessee State University

#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 Elementary Teaching Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k. Tennessee Wesleyan University is a small school located in Athens, Tennessee that handed out 6 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2019-2020.

TWU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Tennessee” list. It costs about $10,002 for Tennessee Elementary Teaching students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend TWU.

Full Tennessee Wesleyan University Elementary Education Report

#4

Tennessee Technological University

Cookeville, Tennessee

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Tennessee Technological University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k. Cookeville, Tennessee is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s elementary teaching degrees to 125 students in 2019-2020.

Tennessee Tech University also made our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Tennessee” list, coming in at #2. The estimated yearly cost for Tennessee Technological University is $11,641 for tennessee elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

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%.

Full Tennessee Technological University Elementary Education Report

Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga landed the #5 spot on the list. UT Chattanooga is a fairly large public school situated in Chattanooga, Tennessee. It awarded 5 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our tennessee elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k list, UT Chattanooga has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga is $8,108 for Tennessee Elementary Teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Elementary Education at The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga

#6

Christian Brothers University

Memphis, Tennessee

Christian Brothers University landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Memphis, Tennessee, and it awarded 2 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2019-2020.

Christian Brothers did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Tennessee” list. The estimated yearly cost for Christian Brothers is $9,496 for tennessee elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Elementary Education at Christian Brothers

#7

Lincoln Memorial University

Harrogate, Tennessee

Lincoln Memorial University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Harrogate, Tennessee is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s elementary teaching degrees to 13 students in 2019-2020.

LMU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Tennessee” list. The yearly cost to attend Lincoln Memorial University is $9,736 for tennessee elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.8% 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 Elementary Education at LMU

#8

Freed-Hardeman University

Henderson, Tennessee

Freed-Hardeman University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Freed-Hardeman University is a small school located in Henderson, Tennessee that handed out 29 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2019-2020.

FHU also made our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Tennessee” list, coming in at #5. The yearly cost to attend Freed-Hardeman University is $13,512 for tennessee elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Elementary Education at Freed-Hardeman University

#9

East Tennessee State University

Johnson City, Tennessee

East Tennessee State University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Johnson City, Tennessee, this fairly large public school awarded 7 diplomas to qualified ’s elementary teaching students in 2019-2020.

ETSU also took the #19 spot in our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for East Tennessee State University is $10,632 for Tennessee Elementary Teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Elementary Education at ETSU

#10

Johnson University

Knoxville, Tennessee

Johnson University landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Johnson University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Knoxville, Tennessee. The school has a small population, and it awarded 19 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Johnson University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Tennessee” list. The yearly cost to attend Johnson University is $13,968 for tennessee elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Elementary Education at Johnson University

#11

Trevecca Nazarene University

Nashville, Tennessee

Trevecca Nazarene University landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 19 degrees to qualified ’s elementary teaching students in 2019-2020.

TNU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Tennessee” list. The estimated yearly cost for TNU is $15,228 for Tennessee Elementary Teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Elementary Education at TNU

#12

Lee University

Cleveland, Tennessee

Lee University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. Lee University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Cleveland, Tennessee. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 46 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Lee University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Tennessee” list. The yearly cost to attend Lee University is $13,841 for tennessee elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Lee University Elementary Education Report

#13

Carson - Newman University

Jefferson City, Tennessee

With a ranking of #13, Carson - Newman University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Jefferson City, Tennessee, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 11 degrees to qualified ’s elementary teaching students in 2019-2020.

Carson - Newman not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Tennessee” list. It costs about $14,686 for tennessee elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Carson - Newman University.

Read full report on Elementary Education at Carson - Newman

#14

Tennessee State University

Nashville, Tennessee

With a ranking of #14, Tennessee State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. Nashville, Tennessee is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s elementary teaching degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.

Tennessee State University also took the #21 spot in our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Tennessee” ranking. It costs about $11,015 for Tennessee Elementary Teaching students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Tennessee State University.

Read full report on Elementary Education at Tennessee State University

#15

Southern Adventist University

Collegedale, Tennessee

Southern Adventist University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. Southern Adventist is a private not-for-profit institution located in Collegedale, Tennessee. The school has a small population, and it awarded 18 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Southern Adventist also took the #7 spot in our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Southern Adventist University is $19,346 for tennessee elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Southern Adventist University Elementary Education Report

#16

Belmont University

Nashville, Tennessee

With a ranking of #16, Belmont University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Nashville, Tennessee, and it awarded 1 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2019-2020.

Belmont also made our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Tennessee” list, coming in at #6. The yearly cost to attend Belmont is $25,980 for tennessee elementary teaching 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%.

Read full report on Elementary Education at Belmont

#17

Lipscomb University

Nashville, Tennessee

With a ranking of #17, Lipscomb University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. Lipscomb University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Nashville, Tennessee. The school has a small population, and it awarded 25 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Lipscomb did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Tennessee” list. The yearly cost to attend Lipscomb University is $20,036 for tennessee elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The low student loan default rate of 3.9% 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 Lipscomb Elementary Education Report

#18

Bethel University

McKenzie, Tennessee

Bethel University landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Bethel is a small school located in McKenzie, Tennessee that handed out 5 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2019-2020.

Bethel also made our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Tennessee” list, coming in at #20. It costs about $14,339 for Tennessee Elementary Teaching students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Bethel.

Read full report on Elementary Education at Bethel

#19

South College

Knoxville, Tennessee

South College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. South College is a medium-sized private for-profit school situated in Knoxville, Tennessee. It awarded 9 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2019-2020.

South College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Tennessee” list. The yearly cost to attend South College is $16,958 for Tennessee Elementary Teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Elementary Education at South College

#20

King University

Bristol, Tennessee

King University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Bristol, Tennessee, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 23 diplomas to qualified ’s elementary teaching students in 2019-2020.

King did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Tennessee” list. The estimated yearly cost for King University is $22,192 for Tennessee Elementary Teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Elementary Education at King University

#21

Cumberland University

Lebanon, Tennessee

Cumberland University landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Cumberland University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Lebanon, Tennessee. It awarded 12 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2019-2020.

CU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Tennessee” list. The yearly cost to attend CU is $21,979 for Tennessee Elementary Teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full CU Elementary Education Report

#22

Union University

Jackson, Tennessee

With a ranking of #22, Union University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Jackson, Tennessee, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 10 degrees to qualified ’s elementary teaching students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Union, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Union is $26,079 for Tennessee Elementary Teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Union University Elementary Education Report

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 Vgrigas.

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