2027 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Tennessee
[Liberal Arts General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 31 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for liberal arts general studies students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Tennessee
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in liberal arts general studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
Roane State Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools in Tennessee. Located in the town of Harriman, Roane State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,998, compared with $18,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,721. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Roane State Community College generally make around $25,289. Set against $8,721 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pellissippi State Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the suburb of Knoxville, Pellissippi State Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,786, with out-of-state students paying around $17,770. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,750. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Pellissippi State Community College generally make around $26,757. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts general studies will find it at Columbia State Community College, which ranked #3. Columbia State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Columbia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,948, with out-of-state students paying around $17,772. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,517. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $26,438. Set against $8,517 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Dyersburg State Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Dyersburg, Dyersburg State Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,758, compared with $18,060 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $7,722 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $26,735. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southwest Tennessee Community College earned it the #5 place for liberal arts general studies. Located in the city of Memphis, Southwest Tennessee Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,766 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,750 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $28,980. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chattanooga State Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Chattanooga State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chattanooga. In-state tuition and fees average $4,772, while out-of-state students pay about $17,756. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $12,704 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Chattanooga State Community College generally make around $25,797. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Walters State Community College came in at #7 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Morristown, Walters State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,752, with out-of-state students paying around $17,736. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $5,500. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $24,893. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Jackson State Community College came in at #8 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Jackson State Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Jackson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,740, with out-of-state students paying around $17,724. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Jackson State Community College generally make around $27,378. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Northeast State Community College earned the #9 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the rural area of Blountville, Northeast State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,782, while out-of-state students pay about $17,766. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $24,152. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Nashville State Community College landed the #10 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Nashville State Community College is a large public school located in the city of Nashville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,730, with out-of-state students paying around $17,714. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $13,309 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Nashville State Community College generally make around $29,280. That is a strong return on a $13,309 median debt.
Volunteer State Community College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the suburb of Gallatin, Volunteer State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. 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 general studies graduates is $8,750. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Volunteer State Community College earn a median of $26,355 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.
Cleveland State Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Cleveland State Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Cleveland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,762, while out-of-state students pay about $17,746. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,625 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $18,249. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Peay State University earned the #13 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,006, while out-of-state students pay about $14,766. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $22,314. Liberal Arts 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. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Middle Tennessee State University came in at #14 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,266, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $29,723. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $50,322 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
Tennessee Technological University landed the #15 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Tennessee Technological University is a large public school located in the town of Cookeville. In-state tuition and fees average $11,376, with out-of-state students paying around $15,576. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Tennessee Technological University generally make around $48,808. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of Memphis came in at #16 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. Students from in state pay about $10,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $38,972 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $46,132 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $38,972 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Martin Methodist College earned the #17 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Martin Methodist College is a small public school located in the town of Pulaski. Students from in state pay about $10,924 in tuition and fees. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $23,308 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $40,832. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Bethel University Tennessee landed the #18 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the town of McKenzie, Bethel University Tennessee is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,712. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $28,583. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Bethel University Tennessee earn a median of $62,331 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,583 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga placed #19 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public school located in the city of Chattanooga. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,448, while out-of-state students pay about $18,512. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $23,324 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earn a median of $50,000 early in their careers. Set against $23,324 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga admits about 81% of applicants.
Motlow State Community College came in at #20 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Motlow State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Tullahoma. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,738, compared with $17,722 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $26,915. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tennessee State University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Nashville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,616, compared with $22,416 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $38,562 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts 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 placed #22 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. 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, compared with $13,726 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from East Tennessee State University generally make around $32,474. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Tennessee State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Cumberland University placed #23 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Cumberland University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Lebanon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,840. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $19,263. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $23,057. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Lee University landed the #24 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,790. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $28,979 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies 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 earned the #25 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Carson Newman College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Jefferson City. Students from in state pay about $34,700 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $12,000. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Carson Newman College earn a median of $48,797 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Rest of the Top 31 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in liberal arts general studies:
More Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings
View All Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 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.
