2027 Best Value Value Schools in Tennessee
[Value](/majors/social-services-public-administration/public-administration/general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong value education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 6 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for value students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Value Schools in Tennessee
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the value degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Value Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Memphis the best value for a degree in value in Tennessee. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,728, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Value graduates carry a median of $26,315 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $48,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Tennessee State University one of the best values for value. Located in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $22,416. Typical student debt for value graduates is $29,489. Value graduates of Tennessee State University earn a median of $45,060 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
A rank of #3 makes Cumberland University one of the best values for value. Set in the town of Lebanon, Cumberland University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,840. Value graduates carry a median of $21,902 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Cumberland University generally make around $47,696. That is a strong return on a $21,902 median debt. Cumberland University admits about 67% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #4 spot this year. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,812, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. Students borrow a median of $22,859 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $49,826. That is a strong return on a $22,859 median debt. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.
Lincoln Memorial University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #5 spot this year. Lincoln Memorial University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Harrogate. In-state tuition and fees average $26,938. Value graduates carry a median of $20,693 in student loans. Value graduates of Lincoln Memorial University earn a median of $64,307 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Lipscomb University earned the #6 position for value in value this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,572. Typical student debt for value graduates is $23,529. Early-career value graduates make about $48,949. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
View All Value Rankings >
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.
