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2022 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts (Income $30-$48k) in Tennessee

21 Ranked Colleges
8,909 Degrees Awarded
$8,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

Liberal Arts is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 2nd of all the majors we analyze. In 2019-2020, 365,980 degrees were awarded to students with this major.

Across Tennessee, there were 8,909 liberal arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 21 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in liberal arts. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great liberal arts programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the liberal arts program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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 Liberal Studies Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k” 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. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for tennessee liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 21 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts (Income $30-$48k) 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 Liberal Studies Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k. Vanderbilt is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Nashville, Tennessee. It awarded 16 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Vanderbilt also made our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee” list, coming in at #1. It costs about $6,017 for tennessee liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Vanderbilt University.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Vanderbilt University

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Southwest Tennessee Community College. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Memphis, Tennessee, this medium-sized public school awarded 654 degrees to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.

Southwest also took the #4 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Southwest is $5,511 for Tennessee Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Southwest

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Pellissippi State Community College. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k. This medium-sized school is located in Knoxville, Tennessee, and it awarded 1,065 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Pellissippi State Community College also took the #6 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Pellissippi State Community College is $5,642 for Tennessee Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Pellissippi State Community College

#4

Roane State Community College

Harriman, Tennessee

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Roane State Community College. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Harriman, Tennessee, this medium-sized public school awarded 600 degrees to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.

Roane State Community College also made our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee” list, coming in at #12. The yearly cost to attend Roane State Community College is $3,880 for tennessee liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Roane State Community College

#5

Motlow State Community College

Tullahoma, Tennessee

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Motlow State Community College. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k list. Motlow is located in Tullahoma, Tennessee and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 923 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our tennessee liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, Motlow has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Motlow is $6,953 for tennessee liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Motlow

#6

Walters State Community College

Morristown, Tennessee

Walters State Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #6. Morristown, Tennessee is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal studies degrees to 631 students in 2019-2020.

WSCC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee” list. The yearly cost to attend WSCC is $3,076 for Tennessee Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at WSCC

#7

Columbia State Community College

Columbia, Tennessee

Columbia State Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. Columbia, Tennessee is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal studies degrees to 625 students in 2019-2020.

Columbia State Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee” list. The estimated yearly cost for Columbia State Community College is $6,253 for Tennessee Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Columbia State Community College Liberal Arts Report

With a ranking of #8, Volunteer State Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Gallatin, Tennessee, and it awarded 841 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

VSCC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee” list. The estimated yearly cost for VSCC is $6,514 for tennessee liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full VSCC Liberal Arts Report

#9

Nashville State Community College

Nashville, Tennessee

Nashville State Community College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Nashville, Tennessee, and it awarded 670 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Nashville State Community College also took the #9 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee” ranking. It costs about $7,460 for tennessee liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Nashville State Community College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Nashville State Community College

#10

Jackson State Community College

Jackson, Tennessee

Jackson State Community College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. JSCC is a small public school situated in Jackson, Tennessee. It awarded 369 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

JSCC also took the #8 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Jackson State Community College is $7,591 for tennessee liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at JSCC

#11

Chattanooga State Community College

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Chattanooga State Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #11. Chattanooga State Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Chattanooga, Tennessee. It awarded 539 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Chattanooga State Community College, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Chattanooga State Community College is $6,704 for tennessee liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Chattanooga State Community College

#12

Northeast State Community College

Blountville, Tennessee

Northeast State Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #12. Northeast State Technical Community College is a public institution located in Blountville, Tennessee. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 579 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Northeast State Technical Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee” list. The yearly cost to attend Northeast State Technical Community College is $6,176 for Tennessee Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Northeast State Technical Community College

#13

Middle Tennessee State University

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Middle Tennessee State University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k list. Murfreesboro, Tennessee is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal studies degrees to 130 students in 2019-2020.

Middle Tennessee State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee” list. It costs about $10,637 for tennessee liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Middle Tennessee State University.

Full Middle Tennessee State University Liberal Arts Report

#14

Dyersburg State Community College

Dyersburg, Tennessee

Dyersburg State Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #14. DSCC is a public institution located in Dyersburg, Tennessee. The school has a small population, and it awarded 335 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

DSCC also made our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee” list, coming in at #19. The yearly cost to attend DSCC is $6,710 for tennessee liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Dyersburg State Community College

#15

Cleveland State Community College

Cleveland, Tennessee

Cleveland State Community College landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Cleveland State Community College is a public institution located in Cleveland, Tennessee. The school has a small population, and it awarded 526 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Cleveland State Community College also took the #20 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Cleveland State Community College is $4,336 for Tennessee Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Cleveland State Community College Liberal Arts Report

#16

East Tennessee State University

Johnson City, Tennessee

East Tennessee State University landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Johnson City, Tennessee, this fairly large public school handed out 97 degrees to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.

ETSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee” list. It costs about $12,703 for Tennessee Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend ETSU.

Read more about Liberal Arts at ETSU

#17

University of Memphis

Memphis, Tennessee

With a ranking of #17, University of Memphis did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Memphis, Tennessee, and it awarded 105 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UofM, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee” ranking. It costs about $12,264 for Tennessee Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Memphis.

Read more about Liberal Arts at UofM

#18

Lee University

Cleveland, Tennessee

With a ranking of #18, Lee University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k list. Cleveland, Tennessee is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s liberal studies degrees to 56 students in 2019-2020.

Lee University also took the #11 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee” ranking. It costs about $15,543 for Tennessee Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Lee University.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Lee University

#19

Tennessee State University

Nashville, Tennessee

Tennessee State University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Tennessee State University is a medium-sized school located in Nashville, Tennessee that handed out 6 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our tennessee liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, Tennessee State University has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Tennessee State University is $11,711 for Tennessee Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Tennessee State University Liberal Arts Report

#20

Austin Peay State University

Clarksville, Tennessee

Austin Peay State University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k list. Austin Peay State University is located in Clarksville, Tennessee and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 79 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

Austin Peay State University also took the #18 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee” ranking. It costs about $12,298 for Tennessee Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Austin Peay State University.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Austin Peay State University

#21

Belmont University

Nashville, Tennessee

Belmont University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Belmont is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Nashville, Tennessee. It awarded 31 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Belmont not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee” list. It costs about $26,275 for Tennessee Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Belmont University.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Belmont University

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.

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