2027 Best Value General Studies Schools in Tennessee
[General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/general-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 14 schools to find the best return on investment for general studies students.
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2027 Best Value General Studies Schools in Tennessee
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Studies Schools
Austin Peay State University tops our 2027 list of the best value general studies 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. General Studies graduates carry a median of $22,314 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Austin Peay State University earn a median of $39,947 early in their careers. Set against $22,314 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Austin Peay State University admits about 96% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Memphis earned it the #2 place for general studies. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,728, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $38,972 in student loans. General Studies graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $46,132 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Middle Tennessee State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,266, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $29,723. General Studies graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $50,322 early in their careers. Set against $29,723 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general studies will find it at Tennessee Technological University, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,376, while out-of-state students pay about $15,576. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $21,000. General Studies graduates of Tennessee Technological University earn a median of $48,808 early in their careers. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Students looking for strong value in general studies will find it at Martin Methodist College, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Pulaski, Martin Methodist College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,924. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $23,308. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Martin Methodist College generally make around $40,832. Set against $23,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Bethel University Tennessee landed the #6 spot for general studies value this year. Located in the town of McKenzie, Bethel University Tennessee is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,712. General Studies graduates carry a median of $28,583 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Bethel University Tennessee generally make around $62,331. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Tennessee State University earned the #7 position for value in general studies this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,616 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,416. Students borrow a median of $38,562 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Tennessee State University earn a median of $37,716 early in their careers. Set against $38,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Tennessee State University admits about 70% of applicants.
East Tennessee State University came in at #8 for value in general studies this year. East Tennessee State University is a large public school located in the city of Johnson City. Students from in state pay about $10,216 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,726. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of East Tennessee State University earn a median of $45,444 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Cumberland University earned the #9 position for value in general studies this year. Cumberland University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Lebanon. Students from in state pay about $27,840 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $19,263. Early-career general studies graduates make about $23,057. That is a strong return on a $19,263 median debt. Cumberland University admits about 67% of applicants.
Carson Newman College earned the #10 position for value in general studies this year. Set in the suburb of Jefferson City, Carson Newman College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,700. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Carson Newman College earn a median of $48,797 early in their careers. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Carson Newman College admits about 90% of applicants.
Tusculum College earned the #11 position for value in general studies this year. Set in the town of Greeneville, Tusculum College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,250. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $19,500. General Studies graduates of Tusculum College earn a median of $47,624 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Tusculum College admits about 72% of applicants.
Freed Hardeman University placed #12 among the best values for general studies. Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Henderson. Students from in state pay about $25,620 in tuition and fees. General Studies graduates carry a median of $24,479 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Freed Hardeman University earn a median of $54,530 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Union University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the city of Jackson, Union University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,398. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $20,000. General Studies graduates of Union University earn a median of $68,508 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. Union University admits about 60% of applicants.
Fisk University came in at #14 for value in general studies this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Fisk University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $25,858. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $26,310. General Studies graduates of Fisk University earn a median of $38,089 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fisk University admits about 37% of applicants.
More General Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
