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

15 Ranked Colleges
9,163 Degrees Awarded
$7,700 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2019-2020, 559,661 liberal arts general studies students received their degree, making the major the 1st most popular in the country. In 2017-2018, liberal arts general studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $26,786 and had an average of $16,538 in loans still to pay off.

Across Tennessee, there were 10,620 liberal arts general studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $27,038 and $17,881 respectively. At the associate degree level specifically, there were 9,163 liberal arts general studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 15 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in liberal arts general studies. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality liberal arts general studies programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the liberal arts general studies program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

The liberal arts school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k”.

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. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k

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

Top 15 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts General Studies (Income $30-$48k) in Tennessee

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Southwest Tennessee Community College. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k. This medium-sized school is located in Memphis, Tennessee, and it awarded 654 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Southwest not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee” list. It costs about $5,511 for Tennessee Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Southwest.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Southwest Tennessee Community College

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Pellissippi State Community College. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k. Knoxville, Tennessee is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal arts degrees to 1,065 students in 2019-2020.

Pellissippi State Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee” list. The yearly cost to attend Pellissippi State Community College is $5,642 for tennessee associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Pellissippi State Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#3

Roane State Community College

Harriman, Tennessee

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Roane State Community College. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k. Roane State Community College is a public institution located in Harriman, Tennessee. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 600 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Roane State Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee” list. The estimated yearly cost for Roane State Community College is $3,880 for Tennessee Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Roane State Community College

#4

Motlow State Community College

Tullahoma, Tennessee

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Motlow State Community College. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k list. Motlow is a medium-sized school located in Tullahoma, Tennessee that handed out 923 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Motlow, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Motlow is $6,953 for Tennessee Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Motlow State Community College

#5

Walters State Community College

Morristown, Tennessee

Out of the 15 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Walters State Community College landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Morristown, Tennessee, this medium-sized public school handed out 631 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our tennessee associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k list, WSCC has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee” ranking. It costs about $3,076 for tennessee associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Walters State Community College.

Full WSCC Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#6

Columbia State Community College

Columbia, Tennessee

With a ranking of #6, Columbia State Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Columbia, Tennessee, this medium-sized public school handed out 625 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

Columbia State Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee” list. The yearly cost to attend Columbia State Community College is $6,253 for Tennessee Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Columbia State Community College

Volunteer State Community College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Gallatin, Tennessee is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal arts degrees to 841 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at VSCC, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend VSCC is $6,514 for tennessee associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at VSCC

#8

Nashville State Community College

Nashville, Tennessee

With a ranking of #8, Nashville State Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Nashville, Tennessee, and it awarded 625 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Nashville State Community College, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee” ranking. It costs about $7,460 for tennessee associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Nashville State Community College.

Full Nashville State Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#9

Jackson State Community College

Jackson, Tennessee

Jackson State Community College landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. JSCC is a public institution located in Jackson, Tennessee. The school has a small population, and it awarded 340 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

JSCC also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee” list, coming in at #6. The yearly cost to attend JSCC is $7,591 for Tennessee Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full JSCC Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#10

Chattanooga State Community College

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Chattanooga State Community College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and it awarded 539 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our tennessee associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k list, Chattanooga State Community College has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee” ranking. It costs about $6,704 for tennessee associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Chattanooga State Community College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Chattanooga State Community College

#11

Northeast State Community College

Blountville, Tennessee

Northeast State Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #11. Northeast State Community College is a public institution located in Blountville, Tennessee. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 576 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northeast State Technical Community College, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Northeast State Technical Community College is $6,176 for tennessee associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Northeast State Community College

#12

Dyersburg State Community College

Dyersburg, Tennessee

Dyersburg State Community College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This small school is located in Dyersburg, Tennessee, and it awarded 197 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

DSCC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee” list. The yearly cost to attend DSCC is $6,710 for Tennessee Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Dyersburg State Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#13

Cleveland State Community College

Cleveland, Tennessee

Cleveland State Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #13. Cleveland State Community College is a public institution located in Cleveland, Tennessee. The school has a small population, and it awarded 237 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Cleveland State Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee” list. The estimated yearly cost for Cleveland State Community College is $4,336 for Tennessee Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Cleveland State Community College

#14

Austin Peay State University

Clarksville, Tennessee

Austin Peay State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #14. Austin Peay State University is a fairly large public school situated in Clarksville, Tennessee. It awarded 1,040 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our tennessee associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k list, Austin Peay State University has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee” ranking. It costs about $12,298 for Tennessee Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Austin Peay State University.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Austin Peay State University

#15

Union University

Jackson, Tennessee
#3 in overall quality

Union University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Tennessee For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Jackson, Tennessee, and it awarded 31 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Union not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee” list. The yearly cost to attend Union is $27,004 for tennessee associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low student loan default rate of 4.1% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Union

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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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