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2027 Best Value Economics Schools in Tennessee

6 Colleges in the United States
$20,762 Avg Student Debt
$64,641 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2027 Best Value Economics Badge [Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

College Factual analyzed 6 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value economics schools.

What’s on this page:

2027 Best Value Economics Schools in Tennessee

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in economics, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Economics Schools

1
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Our analysis ranked Vanderbilt University the best value for a degree in economics in Tennessee. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,498. Economics graduates carry a median of $12,424 in student loans. Economics graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $84,311 early in their careers. Set against $12,424 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.

2

Middle Tennessee State University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value economics schools. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. Students from in state pay about $10,266 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $22,754. Economics graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $43,575 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.

3

The University Of Tennessee is a great value for students pursuing a degree in economics, landing the #3 spot this year. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. 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 economics graduates is $21,650. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $46,302. That is a strong return on a $21,650 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Sewanee The University Of The South earned it the #4 place for economics. Sewanee The University Of The South is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Sewanee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,120. Students borrow a median of $24,798 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Sewanee The University Of The South generally make around $58,532. Set against $24,798 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.

5
Rhodes College crest
Rhodes College
Memphis, TN

Rhodes College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value economics schools. Located in the city of Memphis, Rhodes College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,110. Economics graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Economics graduates of Rhodes College earn a median of $57,814 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.

6
Belmont University crest
Belmont University
Nashville, TN

Belmont University earned the #6 position for value in economics this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $42,540. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $23,447. Early-career economics graduates make about $49,699. That is a strong return on a $23,447 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 6 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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