by our College Data Analytics TeamIt's not easy to decide which school to attend when you have so many options available. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our Best Tennessee Schools For The Money For Those Making $0-$30k for a Bachelor's ranking - to help you make that decision. This list may shock you as many typically expensive schools are very generous with need-based financial aid.
See What's Included in This Value Report:
Our analysis looked at 33 schools in Tennessee to determine which ones have the best value Bachelor's Degree programs. To come up with this ranking of the best value schools, we look at factors that are all objective measurements. More specifically, the following explains what we consider and why.
The first step of determing the value of a school in our Best Bachelor's Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Tennessee ranking is to look at the school's average net price for students with families that make $0-$30k a year. The net price is the sum of tuition, fees, and room and board minus any financial aid awarded to the student. But, a school that excels in providing value for your money must also be a great school overall as well.
To account for this we include a college's overall Best Colleges ranking which itself looks at a collection of various factors like degree completion, educational resources, student body caliber and post-graduation earnings for the school as a whole.
To learn more, visit our best value ranking methodology page.
Keep scrolling for the top schools in this ranking or select one of the other rankings methods below.
If you know what major you want to study, check out our list of the best value schools by major. If you're interested in other degree levels, you can view one of the lists below.
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Vanderbilt University tops this year’s ranking as the best value (income $0-$30k) school for bachelor’s degrees in Tennessee for overall quality. Nashville, Tennessee is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. It is a private not-for-profit school.
Not only is Vanderbilt University a great value, but it is also ranked #1 in Tennessee for overall quality. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $0-$30k per year is $4,752.
The quality degree programs at The University of Tennessee - Knoxville helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Tennessee. Knoxville, Tennessee is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. It is a public school.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, The University of Tennessee - Knoxville is ranked #2 for quality in the state of Tennessee. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $0-$30k per year is $10,425.
Read full value report on The University of Tennessee - Knoxville
Out of the 33 bachelor’s degree schools in Tennessee that were part of this year’s ranking, Sewanee - The University of the South landed the #3 spot on the list. Sewanee, Tennessee is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. It is a private not-for-profit school.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Sewanee - The University of the South is ranked #4 for quality in the state of Tennessee. Students from families who make $0-$30k a year pay an annual average net price of $10,474.
A rank of #4 on our Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Tennessee list means Middle Tennessee State University is a great place for students working on their degree. Murfreesboro, Tennessee is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. It is a public school.
Middle Tennessee State University has the honor of being ranked #9 in Tennessee for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $0-$30k per year is $8,817.
A rank of #5 on our Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Tennessee list means The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga is a great place for students working on their degree. The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga is a fairly large public school located in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga is ranked #12 for quality in the state of Tennessee. Students from families who make $0-$30k a year pay an annual average net price of $8,914.
Learn More About Value at The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga
East Tennessee State University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Tennessee list. Located in Johnson City, Tennessee, the school is a fairly large public institution.
East Tennessee State University has the honor of being ranked #11 in Tennessee for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $0-$30k per year is $10,458.
With a ranking of #7, University of Memphis did quite well on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Tennessee list. UofM is a public institution located in Memphis, Tennessee.
University of Memphis has the honor of being ranked #8 in Tennessee for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $0-$30k per year is $11,640.
Trevecca Nazarene University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Tennessee ranking. Nashville, Tennessee is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. It is a private not-for-profit school.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Trevecca Nazarene University is ranked #14 for quality in the state of Tennessee. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $0-$30k per year is $10,800.
Tennessee Technological University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Tennessee list. Tennessee Tech University is a public institution located in Cookeville, Tennessee.
Not only is Tennessee Technological University a great value, but it is also ranked #16 in Tennessee for overall quality. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $0-$30k per year is $11,112.
Learn More About Value at Tennessee Technological University
The University of Tennessee - Martin did quite well in the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Tennessee ranking, coming in at #10. UT Martin is a medium-sized public school situated in Martin, Tennessee.
Not only is The University of Tennessee - Martin a great value, but it is also ranked #28 in Tennessee for overall quality. Students from families who make $0-$30k a year pay an annual average net price of $7,909.
Tennessee Wesleyan University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Tennessee list. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Athens, Tennessee.
Tennessee Wesleyan University has the honor of being ranked #23 in Tennessee for overall quality on top of being a good value. Students from families who make $0-$30k a year pay an annual average net price of $9,455.
Christian Brothers University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Tennessee ranking. Christian Brothers is located in Memphis, Tennessee and has a small student population. It is a private not-for-profit school.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Christian Brothers University is ranked #18 for quality in the state of Tennessee. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $0-$30k per year is $11,054.
Bryan College - Dayton ranked #13 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Tennessee list. Located in Dayton, Tennessee, the school is a small private not-for-profit institution.
Not only is Bryan College - Dayton a great value, but it is also ranked #17 in Tennessee for overall quality. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $0-$30k per year is $11,775.
Lincoln Memorial University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Tennessee ranking. This medium-sized private not-for-profit school is located in Harrogate, Tennessee.
Lincoln Memorial University has the honor of being ranked #20 in Tennessee for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $0-$30k per year is $11,849.
With a ranking of #15, Tennessee State University did quite well on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Tennessee list. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, the school is a medium-sized public institution.
Not only is Tennessee State University a great value, but it is also ranked #24 in Tennessee for overall quality. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $0-$30k per year is $10,973.
With a ranking of #16, Rhodes College did quite well on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Tennessee list. Rhodes College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Memphis, Tennessee.
Rhodes College has the honor of being ranked #10 in Tennessee for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $0-$30k per year is $14,649.
Belmont University did quite well in the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Tennessee ranking, coming in at #17. Nashville, Tennessee is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. It is a private not-for-profit school.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Belmont University is ranked #3 for quality in the state of Tennessee. Students from families who make $0-$30k a year pay an annual average net price of $19,332.
With a ranking of #18, Lee University did quite well on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Tennessee list. Lee University is located in Cleveland, Tennessee and has a small student population. It is a private not-for-profit school.
Not only is Lee University a great value, but it is also ranked #13 in Tennessee for overall quality. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $0-$30k per year is $14,746.
Bethel University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Tennessee ranking. Bethel is a private not-for-profit institution located in McKenzie, Tennessee.
Not only is Bethel University a great value, but it is also ranked #15 in Tennessee for overall quality. Students from families who make $0-$30k a year pay an annual average net price of $14,612.
Milligan University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Tennessee ranking. Located in Milligan, Tennessee, the school is a small private not-for-profit institution.
Not only is Milligan University a great value, but it is also ranked #25 in Tennessee for overall quality. Students from families who make $0-$30k a year pay an annual average net price of $12,123.
With a ranking of #21, Austin Peay State University did quite well on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Tennessee list. Austin Peay State University is located in Clarksville, Tennessee and has a medium-sized student population. It is a public school.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Austin Peay State University is ranked #27 for quality in the state of Tennessee. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $0-$30k per year is $11,921.
Freed-Hardeman University landed the #22 spot on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Tennessee ranking. Henderson, Tennessee is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. It is a private not-for-profit school.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Freed-Hardeman University is ranked #22 for quality in the state of Tennessee. Students from families who make $0-$30k a year pay an annual average net price of $14,222.
Tusculum University did quite well in the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Tennessee ranking, coming in at #23. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Greeneville, Tennessee.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Tusculum University is ranked #31 for quality in the state of Tennessee. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $0-$30k per year is $11,880.
Carson - Newman University did quite well in the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Tennessee ranking, coming in at #24. Carson - Newman is located in Jefferson City, Tennessee and has a small student population. It is a private not-for-profit school.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Carson - Newman University is ranked #21 for quality in the state of Tennessee. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $0-$30k per year is $16,063.
With a ranking of #25, Southern Adventist University did quite well on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Tennessee list. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Collegedale, Tennessee.
Southern Adventist University has the honor of being ranked #5 in Tennessee for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $0-$30k per year is $19,111.
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Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
