2027 Best Value Economics Schools in Tennessee

[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.
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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
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.
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%.
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.
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.
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%.
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.
- 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.