2027 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Tennessee
[Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/) 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 31 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools.
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2027 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Tennessee
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
Roane State Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools in Tennessee. Roane State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Harriman. In-state tuition and fees average $4,998, with out-of-state students paying around $18,630. Students borrow a median of $8,721 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $25,289. Set against $8,721 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pellissippi State Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, landing the #2 spot this year. Pellissippi State Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Knoxville. Students from in state pay about $4,786 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,770 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Pellissippi State Community College generally make around $26,757. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbia State Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Columbia State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Columbia. Students from in state pay about $4,948 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,772. Students borrow a median of $8,517 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Columbia State Community College generally make around $26,438. Set against $8,517 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Dyersburg State Community College earned it the #4 place for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the town of Dyersburg, Dyersburg State Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,758, compared with $18,060 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $7,722. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Dyersburg State Community College earn a median of $26,735 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities will find it at Southwest Tennessee Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Memphis, Southwest Tennessee Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,766, while out-of-state students pay about $17,750. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Southwest Tennessee Community College earn a median of $28,980 early in their careers. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chattanooga State Community College landed the #6 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the city of Chattanooga, Chattanooga State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,772, compared with $17,756 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $12,704 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Chattanooga State Community College generally make around $25,797. Set against $12,704 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Walters State Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the city of Morristown, Walters State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,752, compared with $17,736 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Walters State Community College generally make around $24,893. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Jackson State Community College came in at #8 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Jackson, Jackson State Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,740, with out-of-state students paying around $17,724. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Jackson State Community College earn a median of $27,378 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeast State Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. 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, compared with $17,766 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Northeast State Community College generally make around $24,152. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Nashville State Community College came in at #10 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Nashville State Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,730, compared with $17,714 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $13,309. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Nashville State Community College earn a median of $29,280 early in their careers. Set against $13,309 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Volunteer State Community College placed #11 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the suburb of Gallatin, Volunteer State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,756, compared with $17,740 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Volunteer State Community College generally make around $26,355. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.
Cleveland State Community College came in at #12 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $17,746. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $10,625 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $18,249. That is a strong return on a $10,625 median debt.
Austin Peay State University came in at #13 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Austin Peay State University is a large public school located in the city of Clarksville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,006, while out-of-state students pay about $14,766. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $22,314. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $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 / sciences & humanities. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,266, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $29,723 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $50,322. Set against $29,723 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Tennessee Technological University earned the #15 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Tennessee Technological University is a large public school located in the town of Cookeville. Students from in state pay about $11,376 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,576 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $21,000. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Tennessee Technological University earn a median of $48,808 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of Memphis ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,728, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $38,972. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $46,132. That is a strong return on a $38,972 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Martin Methodist College came in at #17 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the town of Pulaski, Martin Methodist College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,924 in tuition and fees. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $23,308 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Martin Methodist College earn a median of $40,832 early in their careers. Set against $23,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Bethel University Tennessee came in at #18 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities 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. Students borrow a median of $28,583 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $62,331. That is a strong return on a $28,583 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earned the #19 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,448, compared with $18,512 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $23,324. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga generally make around $50,000. Set against $23,324 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Motlow State Community College earned the #20 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Motlow State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Tullahoma. Students from in state pay about $4,738 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,722. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Motlow State Community College generally make around $26,915. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tennessee State University came in at #21 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Nashville. In-state tuition and fees average $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $22,416. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $38,562. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $37,716. Set against $38,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
East Tennessee State University placed #22 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,216, compared with $13,726 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $32,474. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Cumberland University placed #23 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Cumberland University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Lebanon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,840. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $19,263 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $23,057. Set against $19,263 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Lee University landed the #24 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities 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. Students borrow a median of $28,979 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Lee University generally make around $45,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Carson Newman College placed #25 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the suburb of Jefferson City, Carson Newman College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,700. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $12,000. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Carson Newman College earn a median of $48,797 early in their careers. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 31 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s liberal arts / sciences & humanities value ranking:
More Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Rankings
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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.
