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2022 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts General Studies in Tennessee (With Aid)

24 Ranked Colleges
10,620 Degrees Awarded
$11,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. 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 in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Liberal Arts General Studies is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 1st of all the majors we analyze. In 2019-2020, 559,661 degrees were awarded to students with this major. 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.

For this year’s “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 24 colleges that offer a degree 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.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the liberal arts general studies program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Liberal Arts General Studies Schools

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons 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 in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid

The colleges and universities below are the best for tennessee liberal arts students with aid.

Top 24 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts General Studies in Tennessee (With Aid)

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 in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid. This medium-sized school is located in Memphis, Tennessee, and it awarded 654 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Southwest, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Southwest Tennessee Community College is $4,931 for tennessee liberal arts students with aid.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies 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 #2 for the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid. Pellissippi State Community College is a public institution located in Knoxville, Tennessee. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,065 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Pellissippi State Community College, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Pellissippi State Community College is $5,744 for tennessee liberal arts students with aid.

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

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Volunteer State Community College. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid. VSCC is a medium-sized school located in Gallatin, Tennessee that handed out 841 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

VSCC also took the #9 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Tennessee” ranking. It costs about $6,990 for Tennessee Liberal Arts students with aid per year to attend Volunteer State Community College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Volunteer 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 in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid list. This medium-sized school is located in Tullahoma, Tennessee, and it awarded 923 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Motlow did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Tennessee” list. The yearly cost to attend Motlow is $6,885 for tennessee liberal arts students with aid.

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

#5

Roane State Community College

Harriman, Tennessee

Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Roane State Community College landed the #5 spot on the list. Harriman, Tennessee is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 600 students in 2019-2020.

Roane State Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Tennessee” list. It costs about $4,104 for tennessee liberal arts students with aid per year to attend Roane State Community College.

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

#6

Nashville State Community College

Nashville, Tennessee

Nashville State Community College landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid ranking. Nashville State Community College is located in Nashville, Tennessee and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 670 ’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our tennessee liberal arts students with aid list, Nashville State Community College has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Nashville State Community College is $7,669 for tennessee liberal arts students with aid.

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

#7

Walters State Community College

Morristown, Tennessee

Walters State Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #7. Located in Morristown, Tennessee, this medium-sized public school awarded 631 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our tennessee liberal arts students with aid list, WSCC has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Tennessee” ranking. It costs about $3,404 for Tennessee Liberal Arts students with aid per year to attend Walters State Community College.

Full Walters State Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#8

Columbia State Community College

Columbia, Tennessee

With a ranking of #8, Columbia State Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid list. This medium-sized school is located in Columbia, Tennessee, and it awarded 625 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Columbia State Community College, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Columbia State Community College is $6,452 for tennessee liberal arts students with aid.

Full Columbia 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 in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid ranking. JSCC is located in Jackson, Tennessee and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 371 ’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

JSCC also took the #10 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Tennessee” ranking. It costs about $7,775 for tennessee liberal arts students with aid per year to attend JSCC.

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

#10

Chattanooga State Community College

Chattanooga, Tennessee

With a ranking of #10, Chattanooga State Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid list. Chattanooga State Community College is a medium-sized school located in Chattanooga, Tennessee that handed out 539 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Chattanooga State Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Tennessee” list. The yearly cost to attend Chattanooga State Community College is $6,742 for Tennessee Liberal Arts students with aid.

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

#11

Middle Tennessee State University

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Middle Tennessee State University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, this large public school awarded 253 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

Middle Tennessee State University also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Tennessee” list, coming in at #3. The estimated yearly cost for Middle Tennessee State University is $12,464 for Tennessee Liberal Arts students with aid.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Middle Tennessee State University

#12

Northeast State Community College

Blountville, Tennessee

Northeast State Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #12. Blountville, Tennessee is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 579 students in 2019-2020.

Northeast State Technical Community College also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Tennessee” list, coming in at #21. The yearly cost to attend Northeast State Community College is $6,198 for Tennessee Liberal Arts students with aid.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Northeast State Technical Community College

#13

Dyersburg State Community College

Dyersburg, Tennessee

Dyersburg State Community College landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid ranking. Dyersburg State Community College is located in Dyersburg, Tennessee and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 335 ’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

DSCC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Tennessee” list. It costs about $6,448 for tennessee liberal arts students with aid per year to attend Dyersburg State Community College.

Full Dyersburg State Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#14

Tennessee State University

Nashville, Tennessee

With a ranking of #14, Tennessee State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, this medium-sized public school handed out 35 degrees to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

Tennessee State University also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Tennessee” list, coming in at #13. It costs about $12,443 for tennessee liberal arts students with aid per year to attend Tennessee State University.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Tennessee State University

#15

Cleveland State Community College

Cleveland, Tennessee

Cleveland State Community College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid list. Cleveland State Community College is a small school located in Cleveland, Tennessee that handed out 526 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our tennessee liberal arts students with aid list, Cleveland State Community College has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Cleveland State Community College is $5,080 for Tennessee Liberal Arts students with aid.

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

#16

Tennessee Technological University

Cookeville, Tennessee

Tennessee Technological University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #16. Located in Cookeville, Tennessee, this fairly large public school awarded 43 degrees to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

Tennessee Tech University also took the #6 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Tennessee Tech University is $15,929 for Tennessee Liberal Arts students with aid.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Tennessee Technological University Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#17

University of Memphis

Memphis, Tennessee

University of Memphis ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid list. University of Memphis is a public institution located in Memphis, Tennessee. The school has a large population, and it awarded 131 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UofM also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Tennessee” list, coming in at #16. It costs about $13,248 for Tennessee Liberal Arts students with aid per year to attend UofM.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at UofM

#18

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee

With a ranking of #18, Vanderbilt University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 16 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

Vanderbilt also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Tennessee” list, coming in at #1. The yearly cost to attend Vanderbilt is $19,432 for tennessee liberal arts students with aid.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. 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%.

Full Vanderbilt University Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#19

East Tennessee State University

Johnson City, Tennessee

East Tennessee State University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid list. East Tennessee State University is located in Johnson City, Tennessee and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 133 ’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

ETSU also took the #19 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for ETSU is $14,332 for Tennessee Liberal Arts students with aid.

Full East Tennessee State University Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#20

Austin Peay State University

Clarksville, Tennessee

Austin Peay State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #20. Austin Peay State University is a fairly large public school situated in Clarksville, Tennessee. It awarded 1,189 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Austin Peay State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Tennessee” list. The estimated yearly cost for Austin Peay State University is $13,692 for tennessee liberal arts students with aid.

Full Austin Peay State University Liberal Arts General Studies Report

The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #21. Chattanooga, Tennessee is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 18 students in 2019-2020.

UT Chattanooga also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Tennessee” list, coming in at #22. It costs about $12,952 for Tennessee Liberal Arts students with aid per year to attend The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at UT Chattanooga

#22

Lee University

Cleveland, Tennessee

Lee University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid list. Cleveland, Tennessee is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 56 students in 2019-2020.

Lee University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Tennessee” list. The estimated yearly cost for Lee University is $17,696 for tennessee liberal arts students with aid.

Full Lee University Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#23

Union University

Jackson, Tennessee

With a ranking of #23, Union University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid list. Union University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Jackson, Tennessee. The school has a small population, and it awarded 40 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Union did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Tennessee” list. The estimated yearly cost for Union is $28,249 for tennessee liberal arts students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Union

#24

Belmont University

Nashville, Tennessee

With a ranking of #24, Belmont University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid list. Nashville, Tennessee is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 31 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Belmont, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Belmont is $35,548 for tennessee liberal arts students with aid.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Belmont Liberal Arts General Studies Report

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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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