2026 Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Tennessee
Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their liberal arts / sciences & humanities programs.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 46 schools to find the best for liberal arts / sciences & humanities students.
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Best Schools for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities in Tennessee
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall liberal arts / sciences & humanities education in Tennessee.
Top Schools in Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities
Our analysis ranked Tennessee Technological University the best school in the country for a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities. This large public university is located in the town of Cookeville. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. There were roughly 58 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Tennessee Technological University in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Tennessee Technological University earn a median of $48,808 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,000.
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Middle Tennessee State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, ranking #2. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. Middle Tennessee State University graduates 54% of students within six years. Middle Tennessee State University awarded about 203 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $50,322 early in their careers. Middle Tennessee State University graduates carry a median of $29,723 in student loans.
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Students looking for a strong liberal arts / sciences & humanities program will find one at Volunteer State Community College, which ranked #3. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Gallatin. Volunteer State Community College awarded about 601 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Volunteer State Community College generally make around $26,355. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete this degree.
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Belmont University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. There were roughly 16 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Belmont University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Belmont University generally make around $41,245. Students borrow a median of $29,438 to complete this degree.
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Freed Hardeman University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, landing the #5 spot this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Henderson. About 69% of students finish within six years. Freed Hardeman University awarded about 16 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Freed Hardeman University earn a median of $54,530 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,479.
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Motlow State Community College landed the #6 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the rural area of Tullahoma. About 801 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Motlow State Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $26,915 in their early career. Motlow State Community College graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans.
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Northeast State Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the rural area of Blountville. Northeast State Community College awarded about 470 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $24,152 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $6,000.
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Carson Newman College landed the #8 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Carson Newman College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Jefferson City. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 28 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Carson Newman College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $48,797 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000.
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East Tennessee State University came in at #9 for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public university. About 53% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 79 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at East Tennessee State University in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of East Tennessee State University earn a median of $32,474 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
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Pellissippi State Community College came in at #10 for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the suburb of Knoxville, Pellissippi State Community College is a large public institution. Pellissippi State Community College awarded about 834 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Pellissippi State Community College earn a median of $26,757 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete this degree.
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Cumberland University landed the #11 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the town of Lebanon, Cumberland University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 42% of students finish within six years. Cumberland University awarded about 156 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Cumberland University generally make around $23,057. Typical student debt for the program is $19,263.
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Austin Peay State University landed the #12 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public university. About 39% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 909 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Austin Peay State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Austin Peay State University generally make around $39,947. Austin Peay State University graduates carry a median of $22,314 in student loans.
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The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earned the #13 position for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public university. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga awarded about 17 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $50,000 in their early career. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga graduates carry a median of $23,324 in student loans.
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Columbia State Community College placed #14 among the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Columbia. About 615 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Columbia State Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Columbia State Community College generally make around $26,438. Typical student debt for the program is $8,517.
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University Of Memphis ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. About 51% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 94 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at University Of Memphis in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $46,132 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $38,972 to complete this degree.
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Walters State Community College placed #16 among the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Walters State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Morristown. About 594 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Walters State Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $24,893 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $5,500.
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Union University placed #17 among the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the city of Jackson, Union University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Union University graduates 66% of students within six years. There were roughly 32 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Union University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Union University generally make around $41,320. Union University graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans.
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Nashville State Community College came in at #18 for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Nashville State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Nashville State Community College awarded about 495 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Nashville State Community College generally make around $29,280. Nashville State Community College graduates carry a median of $13,309 in student loans.
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Tennessee State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Nashville. Tennessee State University graduates 35% of students within six years. There were roughly 25 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Tennessee State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree from Tennessee State University earn around $37,716 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $38,562 to complete this degree.
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Jackson State Community College landed the #20 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Jackson, Jackson State Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Jackson State Community College awarded about 305 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree from Jackson State Community College earn around $27,378 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $5,500.
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Martin Methodist College earned the #21 position for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. This small public university is located in the town of Pulaski. Roughly 35% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 25 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Martin Methodist College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $40,832 in their early career. Martin Methodist College graduates carry a median of $23,308 in student loans.
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Southwest Tennessee Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the city of Memphis, Southwest Tennessee Community College is a moderately-sized public university. About 473 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Southwest Tennessee Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $28,980 in their early career. Southwest Tennessee Community College graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans.
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Chattanooga State Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the city of Chattanooga, Chattanooga State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. About 466 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Chattanooga State Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree from Chattanooga State Community College earn around $25,797 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $12,704 to complete this degree.
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Dyersburg State Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Dyersburg. There were roughly 428 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Dyersburg State Community College in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Dyersburg State Community College earn a median of $26,735 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $7,722 to complete this degree.
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Lee University came in at #25 for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 44 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Lee University in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree from Lee University earn around $45,678 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $28,979.
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Rest of the Top 29 Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s liberal arts / sciences & humanities ranking:
More Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 46 schools evaluated.
- 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.
