Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Design & Applied Arts

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Design & Applied Arts in Tennessee

11 Ranked Colleges
229 Degrees Awarded
$19,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Design Schools for a Bachelor's in Tennessee

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Design Schools for a Bachelor’s in Tennessee” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2019-2020, 36,854 people earned their degree in design and applied arts, making the major the 34th most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, design and applied arts graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $29,542 and had an average of $27,114 in loans still to pay off.

Across Tennessee, there were 385 design and applied arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $24,367 and $28,499 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 229 design and applied arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Design Schools for a Bachelor’s in Tennessee” ranking, we looked at 11 colleges that offer a degree in design and applied arts. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality design and applied arts programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the design and applied arts program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

Featured schools near , edit

More Ways to Rank Design & Applied Arts Schools

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Design Rankings Other Ranking Categories

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Design Schools for a Bachelor’s in Tennessee” list to help you make the college decision.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Design Schools for a Bachelor’s in Tennessee

The colleges and universities below are the best for tennessee bachelor’s degree design students.

Top 11 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Design & Applied Arts in Tennessee

#1

The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga

Chattanooga, Tennessee
#3 in overall quality
$12,952 Average Net Price
$41,937 Average Early-Career Earnings

Out of the 11 schools in the Best Value Design Schools for a Bachelor’s in Tennessee that were part of this year’s ranking, The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga landed the #1 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and it awarded 9 bachelors’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Chattanooga not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Tennessee” list. The yearly cost to attend UT Chattanooga is $12,952 for tennessee bachelor’s degree design students.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at UT Chattanooga

#2

Middle Tennessee State University

Murfreesboro, Tennessee
#4 in overall quality
$12,464 Average Net Price
$33,993 Average Early-Career Earnings

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Middle Tennessee State University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Design Schools for a Bachelor’s in Tennessee. Middle Tennessee State University is located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 19 bachelors’s design degrees to qualified students.

Middle Tennessee State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Tennessee” list. It costs about $12,464 for Tennessee Bachelor’s Degree Design students per year to attend Middle Tennessee State University.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Middle Tennessee State University

#3

The University of Tennessee - Knoxville

Knoxville, Tennessee
#2 in overall quality
$18,825 Average Net Price
$39,214 Average Early-Career Earnings

Out of the 11 schools in the Best Value Design Schools for a Bachelor’s in Tennessee that were part of this year’s ranking, The University of Tennessee - Knoxville landed the #3 spot on the list. Knoxville, Tennessee is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s design degrees to 18 students in 2019-2020.

UT Knoxville also made our “Best Design & Applied Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Tennessee” list, coming in at #2. The estimated yearly cost for UT Knoxville is $18,825 for Tennessee Bachelor’s Degree Design students.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at UT Knoxville

#4

East Tennessee State University

Johnson City, Tennessee
#7 in overall quality
$14,332 Average Net Price
$33,281 Average Early-Career Earnings

Out of the 11 schools in the Best Value Design Schools for a Bachelor’s in Tennessee that were part of this year’s ranking, East Tennessee State University landed the #4 spot on the list. ETSU is located in Johnson City, Tennessee and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 36 bachelors’s design degrees to qualified students.

ETSU also took the #7 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend East Tennessee State University is $14,332 for tennessee bachelor’s degree design students.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at East Tennessee State University

#5

University of Memphis

Memphis, Tennessee
#8 in overall quality
$13,248 Average Net Price

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Memphis. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Design Schools for a Bachelor’s in Tennessee. Memphis, Tennessee is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s design degrees to 9 students in 2019-2020.

UofM did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Tennessee” list. It costs about $13,248 for tennessee bachelor’s degree design students per year to attend UofM.

Full University of Memphis Design & Applied Arts Report

#6

Freed-Hardeman University

Henderson, Tennessee
#6 in overall quality
$16,703 Average Net Price

With a ranking of #6, Freed-Hardeman University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Design Schools for a Bachelor’s in Tennessee list. Freed-Hardeman University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Henderson, Tennessee. The school has a small population, and it awarded 3 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

FHU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Tennessee” list. It costs about $16,703 for Tennessee Bachelor’s Degree Design students per year to attend Freed-Hardeman University.

Full Freed-Hardeman University Design & Applied Arts Report

#7

Southern Adventist University

Collegedale, Tennessee
#10 in overall quality
$22,661 Average Net Price
$20,140 Average Early-Career Earnings

Southern Adventist University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Design Schools for a Bachelor’s in Tennessee list. This small school is located in Collegedale, Tennessee, and it awarded 5 bachelors’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

Southern Adventist not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Tennessee” list. It costs about $22,661 for tennessee bachelor’s degree design students per year to attend Southern Adventist.

Full Southern Adventist Design & Applied Arts Report

#8

Belmont University

Nashville, Tennessee
#1 in overall quality
$35,548 Average Net Price
$25,525 Average Early-Career Earnings

Belmont University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Design Schools for a Bachelor’s in Tennessee ranking. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 60 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s design students in 2019-2020.

Belmont did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Tennessee” list. The estimated yearly cost for Belmont University is $35,548 for tennessee bachelor’s degree design students.

The low student loan default rate of 3.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Belmont

#9

Milligan University

Milligan College, Tennessee
#9 in overall quality
$19,806 Average Net Price

Milligan University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Design Schools for a Bachelor’s in Tennessee ranking. Located in Milligan College, Tennessee, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 3 degrees to qualified bachelors’s design students in 2019-2020.

Milligan also made our “Best Design & Applied Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Tennessee” list, coming in at #9. The yearly cost to attend Milligan University is $19,806 for Tennessee Bachelor’s Degree Design students.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Milligan

#10

Lipscomb University

Nashville, Tennessee
#5 in overall quality
$24,749 Average Net Price
$30,409 Average Early-Career Earnings

Lipscomb University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Design Schools for a Bachelor’s in Tennessee list. This small school is located in Nashville, Tennessee, and it awarded 14 bachelors’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

Lipscomb did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Tennessee” list. The estimated yearly cost for Lipscomb University is $24,749 for Tennessee Bachelor’s Degree Design students.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Lipscomb University

#11

Nossi College of Art

Madison, Tennessee
#11 in overall quality
$21,995 Average Net Price
$23,456 Average Early-Career Earnings

Nossi College of Art did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Design Schools for a Bachelor’s in Tennessee ranking, coming in at #11. Nossi College of Art is a small private for-profit school situated in Madison, Tennessee. It awarded 37 bachelors’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

Nossi College of Art also made our “Best Design & Applied Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Tennessee” list, coming in at #11. The yearly cost to attend Nossi College of Art is $21,995 for Tennessee Bachelor’s Degree Design students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Nossi College of Art

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

Best Design & Applied Arts Bachelor's Degree Schools in Tennessee
Design & Applied Arts students in the state of Tennessee

Most Focused Bachelor's Degree Colleges for Design & Applied Arts in Tennessee
Design & Applied Arts students in Tennessee

Most Popular Bachelor's Degree Online Design & Applied Arts Schools
Design & Applied Arts students in Tennessee

Best Value Bachelor's Degree Colleges for Design & Applied Arts (Income $0-$30k) in Tennessee
Design & Applied Arts students with family income less than $30k in Tennessee

Best Value Bachelor's Degree Colleges for Design & Applied Arts (Income $48-$75k) in Tennessee
Design & Applied Arts students with family income $48-$75k in Tennessee

Best Value Bachelor's Degree Colleges for Design & Applied Arts (Income Over $110k) in Tennessee
Design & Applied Arts students with family income exceeding $110k in Tennessee

Highest Paid Bachelor's Degree Design & Applied Arts Graduates in Tennessee
Design & Applied Arts students in Tennessee

Most Popular Bachelor's Degree Colleges for Design & Applied Arts in Tennessee
Design & Applied Arts students in Tennessee

Best Value Bachelor's Degree Colleges for Design & Applied Arts in Tennessee (With Aid)
Design & Applied Arts students getting aid in Tennessee

Best Value Bachelor's Degree Colleges for Design & Applied Arts (Income $30-$48k) in Tennessee
Design & Applied Arts students with family income $30-$48k in Tennessee

Best Value Bachelor's Degree Colleges for Design & Applied Arts (Income $75-$110k) in Tennessee
Design & Applied Arts students with family income $75-$110k in Tennessee

Best Value Bachelor's Degree Colleges for Design & Applied Arts in Tennessee
Design & Applied Arts students in Tennessee

Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Featured Performing Arts Schools

Southern New Hampshire University

You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs ... Learn More >

Find Schools Near You

Explore Schools

College Factual provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.

© College Factual – All Rights Reserved.