2027 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in Tennessee
[Communication Sciences](/majors/health-care-professions/communication-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for communication sciences students.
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2027 Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in Tennessee
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in communication sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Communication Sciences Schools
Austin Peay State University earned the #1 spot for value among communication sciences schools in Tennessee. Located in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,006, with out-of-state students paying around $14,766. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,530 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from Austin Peay State University generally make around $44,360. That is a strong return on a $24,530 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Memphis earned it the #2 place for communication sciences. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,728, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Typical student debt for communication sciences graduates is $26,315. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $66,122. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Middle Tennessee State University earned it the #3 place for communication sciences. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,266, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Students borrow a median of $18,011 to complete the communication sciences program here. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $43,575. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Vanderbilt University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value communication sciences schools. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Communication Sciences graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $60,970 early in their careers. Set against $13,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in communication sciences will find it at Tennessee State University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $22,416. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $29,489 in student loans. Communication Sciences graduates of Tennessee State University earn a median of $51,545 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Tennessee State University admits about 70% of applicants.
East Tennessee State University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value communication sciences schools. Set in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,216, with out-of-state students paying around $13,726. Students borrow a median of $21,301 to complete the communication sciences program here. Early-career communication sciences graduates make about $62,775. Set against $21,301 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
The University Of Tennessee landed the #7 spot for communication sciences value this year. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Communication Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,382 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication sciences degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $49,826. Set against $23,382 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.
More Communication Sciences Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
