2026 Best Value General Mathematics Schools in Tennessee

[General Mathematics](/majors/mathematics-and-statistics/mathematics/general-mathematics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 35 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general mathematics schools.
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2026 Best Value General Mathematics Schools in Tennessee
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general mathematics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Mathematics Schools
Our analysis ranked The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga the best value for a degree in general mathematics in Tennessee. Located in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,448, while out-of-state students pay about $18,512. Typical student debt for general mathematics graduates is $23,324. General Mathematics graduates of The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earn a median of $50,000 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Middle Tennessee State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general mathematics schools. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,266 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the general mathematics program here. General Mathematics graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $45,184 early in their careers. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
East Tennessee State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general mathematics, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,216, compared with $13,726 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general mathematics graduates is $16,500. Early-career general mathematics graduates make about $45,444. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. East Tennessee State University admits about 86% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Vanderbilt University earned it the #4 place for general mathematics. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the general mathematics program here. General Mathematics graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $103,812 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general mathematics, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Typical student debt for general mathematics graduates is $25,000. Early-career general mathematics graduates make about $39,043. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.
Rhodes College placed #6 among the best values for general mathematics. Set in the city of Memphis, Rhodes College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $57,110 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general mathematics graduates is $23,078. Soon after graduation, general mathematics degree recipients from Rhodes College generally make around $40,807. Set against $23,078 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Sewanee The University Of The South placed #7 among the best values for general mathematics. Set in the rural area of Sewanee, Sewanee The University Of The South is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,120. Students borrow a median of $22,091 to complete the general mathematics program here. Early-career general mathematics graduates make about $36,927. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Sewanee The University Of The South admits about 57% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.