2027 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee
[Liberal Arts](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/liberal-arts/) 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.
College Factual analyzed 24 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value liberal arts schools.
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2027 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in liberal arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Liberal Arts Schools
Roane State Community College earned the #1 spot for value among liberal arts schools in Tennessee. Located in the town of Harriman, Roane State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,998 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,630. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $8,721. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $25,289. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts will find it at Dyersburg State Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Dyersburg, Dyersburg State Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,758 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,060 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $7,722 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $26,735. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Columbia State Community College one of the best values for liberal arts. Columbia State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Columbia. In-state tuition and fees average $4,948, while out-of-state students pay about $17,772. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $8,517. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Columbia State Community College generally make around $26,438. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pellissippi State Community College earned it the #4 place for liberal arts. Pellissippi State Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Knoxville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,786, while out-of-state students pay about $17,770. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $26,757. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southwest Tennessee Community College earned it the #5 place for liberal arts. Southwest Tennessee Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Memphis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,766, with out-of-state students paying around $17,750. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $8,750. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $28,980. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chattanooga State Community College placed #6 among the best values for liberal arts. Chattanooga State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chattanooga. Students from in state pay about $4,772 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,756. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $12,704. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $25,797. That is a strong return on a $12,704 median debt.
Walters State Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Walters State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Morristown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,752, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $5,500. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $24,893. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Jackson State Community College earned the #8 position for value in liberal arts this year. Jackson State Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Jackson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,740, while out-of-state students pay about $17,724. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Jackson State Community College earn a median of $27,378 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Nashville State Community College came in at #9 for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Nashville State Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,730 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,714. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $13,309. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Nashville State Community College generally make around $29,280. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeast State Community College landed the #10 spot for liberal arts value this year. Northeast State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Blountville. Students from in state pay about $4,782 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,766. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $6,000. Liberal Arts graduates of Northeast State Community College earn a median of $24,152 early in their careers. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cleveland State Community College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,762, compared with $17,746 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $10,625. Liberal Arts graduates of Cleveland State Community College earn a median of $18,249 early in their careers. Set against $10,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Volunteer State Community College earned the #12 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the suburb of Gallatin, Volunteer State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,756, with out-of-state students paying around $17,740. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $8,750. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Volunteer State Community College generally make around $26,355. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Peay State University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Austin Peay State University is a large public school located in the city of Clarksville. In-state tuition and fees average $9,006, compared with $14,766 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $22,314 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Austin Peay State University generally make around $39,947. Set against $22,314 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Middle Tennessee State University placed #14 among the best values for liberal arts. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. Students from in state pay about $10,266 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $29,723. Liberal Arts 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. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Memphis landed the #15 spot for liberal arts value this year. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,728, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Students borrow a median of $38,972 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $46,132. Set against $38,972 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
Motlow State Community College landed the #16 spot for liberal arts value this year. Set in the rural area of Tullahoma, Motlow State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,738 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,722. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Motlow State Community College earn a median of $26,915 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Tennessee State University came in at #17 for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, compared with $22,416 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $38,562 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $37,716. That is a strong return on a $38,562 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
East Tennessee State University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. East Tennessee State University is a large public school located in the city of Johnson City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,216, with out-of-state students paying around $13,726. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from East Tennessee State University generally make around $32,474. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Cumberland University earned the #19 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the town of Lebanon, Cumberland University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,840. Students borrow a median of $19,263 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Cumberland University earn a median of $23,057 early in their careers. Set against $19,263 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Lee University earned the #20 position for value in liberal arts this year. Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. Students from in state pay about $23,790 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,979 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Lee University generally make around $45,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lee University admits about 70% of applicants.
Carson Newman College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the suburb of Jefferson City, Carson Newman College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,700. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Carson Newman College generally make around $48,797. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Adventist University earned the #22 position for value in liberal arts this year. Southern Adventist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Collegedale. Students from in state pay about $27,300 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $25,498. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Southern Adventist University generally make around $61,366. Set against $25,498 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Union University earned the #23 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the city of Jackson, Union University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $37,398. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $20,000. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $41,320. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. Union University admits about 60% of applicants.
Belmont University landed the #24 spot for liberal arts value this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,540. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $29,438 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Belmont University earn a median of $41,245 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
More Liberal Arts Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
