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2022 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities (Income $0-$30k) in Tennessee

15 Ranked Colleges
9,163 Degrees Awarded
$7,200 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

With 559,661 degrees handed out in 2019-2020, liberal arts / sciences and humanities is the 3rd most popular major in the United States. In 2017-2018, liberal arts / sciences and humanities 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 / sciences and humanities graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the associate degree level specifically, there were 9,163 liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 15 colleges that offered a degree in liberal arts / sciences and humanities. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality liberal arts / sciences and humanities 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 / sciences and humanities program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools

The liberal arts / sciences & humanities 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 / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k”.

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. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for tennessee associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 15 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities (Income $0-$30k) in Tennessee

#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Southwest Tennessee Community College. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. Southwest Tennessee Community College is located in Memphis, Tennessee and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 654 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.

Southwest also made our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee” list, coming in at #1. It costs about $4,721 for tennessee associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Southwest.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Southwest Tennessee Community College

#4 in overall quality

Out of the 15 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Pellissippi State Community College landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Knoxville, Tennessee, this medium-sized public school handed out 1,065 diplomas to qualified associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Pellissippi State Community College, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Pellissippi State Community College is $4,880 for tennessee associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Pellissippi State Community College

#3

Motlow State Community College

Tullahoma, Tennessee
#2 in overall quality

Out of the 15 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Motlow State Community College landed the #3 spot on the list. Motlow is a medium-sized school located in Tullahoma, Tennessee that handed out 923 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

Motlow not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee” list. The yearly cost to attend Motlow State Community College is $6,004 for tennessee associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Motlow

#4

Roane State Community College

Harriman, Tennessee
#10 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Roane State Community College. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k. 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Roane State Community College, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Roane State Community College is $3,322 for tennessee associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Roane State Community College

#5

Walters State Community College

Morristown, Tennessee
#11 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Walters State Community College. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k. Morristown, Tennessee is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 631 students in 2019-2020.

WSCC also made our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee” list, coming in at #11. The estimated yearly cost for WSCC is $2,897 for tennessee associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Walters State Community College

#6

Columbia State Community College

Columbia, Tennessee
#8 in overall quality

Columbia State Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. Columbia State Community College is located in Columbia, Tennessee and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 625 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.

Columbia State Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee” list. The estimated yearly cost for Columbia State Community College is $5,816 for tennessee associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Columbia State Community College

#5 in overall quality

Volunteer State Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. Gallatin, Tennessee is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 841 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our tennessee associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k list, VSCC has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend VSCC is $6,368 for Tennessee Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Volunteer State Community College

#8

Nashville State Community College

Nashville, Tennessee
#7 in overall quality

Nashville State Community College landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Nashville State Community College is a medium-sized school located in Nashville, Tennessee that handed out 625 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

Nashville State Community College also made our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee” list, coming in at #7. It costs about $7,139 for Tennessee Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Nashville State Community College.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Nashville State Community College

#9

Chattanooga State Community College

Chattanooga, Tennessee
#12 in overall quality

Chattanooga State Community College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Chattanooga State Community College is a public institution located in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 539 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Chattanooga State Community College also made our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee” list, coming in at #12. It costs about $5,986 for Tennessee Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Chattanooga State Community College.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Chattanooga State Community College

#10

Jackson State Community College

Jackson, Tennessee
#6 in overall quality

Jackson State Community College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. Jackson, Tennessee is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 340 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at JSCC, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee” ranking. It costs about $7,421 for Tennessee Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend JSCC.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at JSCC

#11

Northeast State Community College

Blountville, Tennessee
#13 in overall quality

Northeast State Community College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. Northeast State Technical Community College is located in Blountville, Tennessee and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 576 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.

Northeast State Technical Community College also made our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee” list, coming in at #13. It costs about $5,680 for tennessee associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Northeast State Community College.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Northeast State Community College

#12

Dyersburg State Community College

Dyersburg, Tennessee
#14 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, Dyersburg State Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Dyersburg, Tennessee, this small public school awarded 197 diplomas to qualified associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at DSCC, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee” ranking. It costs about $5,881 for Tennessee Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Dyersburg State Community College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at DSCC

#13

Cleveland State Community College

Cleveland, Tennessee
#15 in overall quality

Cleveland State Community College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cleveland State Community College is a small school located in Cleveland, Tennessee that handed out 237 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

Cleveland State Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee” list. It costs about $4,278 for Tennessee Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Cleveland State Community College.

Full Cleveland State Community College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

#14

Austin Peay State University

Clarksville, Tennessee
#9 in overall quality

Austin Peay State University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Clarksville, Tennessee, and it awarded 1,040 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

Austin Peay State University also took the #9 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee” ranking. It costs about $10,909 for tennessee associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Austin Peay State University.

Full Austin Peay State University Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

#15

Union University

Jackson, Tennessee
#3 in overall quality

Union University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. Union University is located in Jackson, Tennessee and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 31 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our tennessee associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k list, Union has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Union University is $26,079 for tennessee associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Union University Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities 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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