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2022 Best Value Music Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid

22 Ranked Colleges
745 Degrees Awarded
$17,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Music Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Music Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Music is the 40th most popular major in the country with 27,047 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, music graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $25,639 and had an average of $28,653 in loans still to pay off.

Across Tennessee, there were 745 music graduates with average earnings and debt of $26,471 and $26,504 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Music Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 22 colleges that offer a degree in music. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality music programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the music program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Music Schools

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 Music Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid” 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. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Music Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid

The colleges and universities below are the best for tennessee music students with aid.

Top 22 Best Value Colleges for Music in Tennessee (With Aid)

#1

Middle Tennessee State University

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Middle Tennessee State University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Music Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid list. Middle Tennessee State University is a large public school situated in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. It awarded 105 ’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Middle Tennessee State University, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Music Schools in Tennessee” ranking. It costs about $12,464 for tennessee music students with aid per year to attend Middle Tennessee State University.

Full Middle Tennessee State University Music Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend The University of Tennessee - Martin. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Music Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid. UT Martin is a medium-sized school located in Martin, Tennessee that handed out 13 ’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Martin not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Music Schools in Tennessee” list. The estimated yearly cost for UT Martin is $10,955 for Tennessee Music students with aid.

Read full report on Music at The University of Tennessee - Martin

#3

Tennessee Technological University

Cookeville, Tennessee

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Tennessee Technological University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Music Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid. This fairly large school is located in Cookeville, Tennessee, and it awarded 26 ’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our tennessee music students with aid list, Tennessee Tech University has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Music Schools in Tennessee” ranking. It costs about $15,929 for Tennessee Music students with aid per year to attend Tennessee Tech University.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Music at Tennessee Technological University

Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value Music Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga landed the #4 spot on the list. UT Chattanooga is located in Chattanooga, Tennessee and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 10 ’s music degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our tennessee music students with aid list, UT Chattanooga has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Music Schools in Tennessee” ranking. It costs about $12,952 for tennessee music students with aid per year to attend The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga.

Read more about Music at The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga

#5

Trevecca Nazarene University

Nashville, Tennessee

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Trevecca Nazarene University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Music Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid. TNU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Nashville, Tennessee. The school has a small population, and it awarded 14 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our tennessee music students with aid list, TNU has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Music Schools in Tennessee” ranking. It costs about $17,499 for tennessee music students with aid per year to attend Trevecca Nazarene University.

Full TNU Music Report

#6

Tennessee State University

Nashville, Tennessee

With a ranking of #6, Tennessee State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid list. Tennessee State University is a public institution located in Nashville, Tennessee. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 10 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Tennessee State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Music Schools in Tennessee” list. The yearly cost to attend Tennessee State University is $12,443 for tennessee music students with aid.

Read more about Music at Tennessee State University

#7

Nashville State Community College

Nashville, Tennessee

With a ranking of #7, Nashville State Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid list. This medium-sized school is located in Nashville, Tennessee, and it awarded 13 ’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Nashville State Community College, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Music Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Nashville State Community College is $7,669 for Tennessee Music students with aid.

Read full report on Music at Nashville State Community College

#8

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee

With a ranking of #8, Vanderbilt University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 50 degrees to qualified ’s music students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our tennessee music students with aid list, Vanderbilt has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Music Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Vanderbilt is $19,432 for Tennessee Music students with aid.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full Vanderbilt University Music Report

#9

Austin Peay State University

Clarksville, Tennessee

Austin Peay State University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid ranking. Austin Peay State University is a fairly large public school situated in Clarksville, Tennessee. It awarded 31 ’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

Austin Peay State University also made our “Best Music Schools in Tennessee” list, coming in at #14. The yearly cost to attend Austin Peay State University is $13,692 for Tennessee Music students with aid.

Read full report on Music at Austin Peay State University

#10

University of Memphis

Memphis, Tennessee

With a ranking of #10, University of Memphis did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid list. University of Memphis is located in Memphis, Tennessee and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 69 ’s music degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our tennessee music students with aid list, UofM has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Music Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Memphis is $13,248 for Tennessee Music students with aid.

Full University of Memphis Music Report

#11

Lee University

Cleveland, Tennessee

Lee University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Music Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid list. Lee University is a medium-sized school located in Cleveland, Tennessee that handed out 22 ’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our tennessee music students with aid list, Lee University has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Music Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Lee University is $17,696 for tennessee music students with aid.

Read full report on Music at Lee University

#12

East Tennessee State University

Johnson City, Tennessee

With a ranking of #12, East Tennessee State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid list. East Tennessee State University is a fairly large school located in Johnson City, Tennessee that handed out 27 ’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

ETSU also took the #16 spot in our “Best Music Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend East Tennessee State University is $14,332 for tennessee music students with aid.

Read full report on Music at ETSU

#13

Chattanooga State Community College

Chattanooga, Tennessee

With a ranking of #13, Chattanooga State Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid list. Chattanooga State Community College is located in Chattanooga, Tennessee and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 ’s music degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our tennessee music students with aid list, Chattanooga State Community College has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Music Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Chattanooga State Community College is $6,742 for Tennessee Music students with aid.

Full Chattanooga State Community College Music Report

#14

Freed-Hardeman University

Henderson, Tennessee

Freed-Hardeman University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Music Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #14. This small school is located in Henderson, Tennessee, and it awarded 4 ’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

FHU also made our “Best Music Schools in Tennessee” list, coming in at #13. It costs about $16,703 for tennessee music students with aid per year to attend FHU.

Full Freed-Hardeman University Music Report

The University of Tennessee - Knoxville did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Music Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #15. Located in Knoxville, Tennessee, this large public school awarded 76 diplomas to qualified ’s music students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our tennessee music students with aid list, UT Knoxville has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Music Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend The University of Tennessee - Knoxville is $18,825 for tennessee music students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Music Report

#16

Rhodes College

Memphis, Tennessee

Rhodes College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid ranking. Memphis, Tennessee is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s music degrees to 11 students in 2019-2020.

Rhodes College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Music Schools in Tennessee” list. It costs about $27,540 for tennessee music students with aid per year to attend Rhodes College.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about Music at Rhodes College

#17

Milligan University

Milligan College, Tennessee

Milligan University landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid ranking. Milligan College, Tennessee is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s music degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Milligan, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Music Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Milligan University is $19,806 for tennessee music students with aid.

The low student loan default rate of 3.6% 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%. The student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about Music at Milligan

#18

Union University

Jackson, Tennessee

Union University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Music Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Jackson, Tennessee, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 8 degrees to qualified ’s music students in 2019-2020.

Union not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Music Schools in Tennessee” list. It costs about $28,249 for Tennessee Music students with aid per year to attend Union University.

The low student loan default rate of 4.1% 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%. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Music at Union University

#19

Lipscomb University

Nashville, Tennessee

With a ranking of #19, Lipscomb University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid list. Lipscomb is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Nashville, Tennessee. It awarded 14 ’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

Lipscomb not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Music Schools in Tennessee” list. It costs about $24,749 for tennessee music students with aid per year to attend Lipscomb.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Music at Lipscomb University

#20

Belmont University

Nashville, Tennessee

Belmont University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid ranking. Belmont is located in Nashville, Tennessee and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 124 ’s music degrees to qualified students.

Belmont also took the #3 spot in our “Best Music Schools in Tennessee” ranking. It costs about $35,548 for tennessee music students with aid per year to attend Belmont.

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%.

Full Belmont University Music Report

#21

Southern Adventist University

Collegedale, Tennessee

Southern Adventist University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Music Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #21. This small school is located in Collegedale, Tennessee, and it awarded 4 ’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

Southern Adventist did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Music Schools in Tennessee” list. The yearly cost to attend Southern Adventist University is $22,661 for Tennessee Music students with aid.

Full Southern Adventist University Music Report

#22

Visible Music College

Memphis, Tennessee
#22 in overall quality

Visible Music College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Music Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid list. Memphis, Tennessee is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s music degrees to 6 students in 2019-2020.

Visible Music College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Music Schools in Tennessee” list. The yearly cost to attend Visible Music College is $22,807 for tennessee music students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about Music at Visible Music College

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.

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