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2024 Best Schools for the Money (No Aid) in Tennessee for Bachelor's Degrees

33 Colleges
$18,006 Avg Undergrad Tuition & Fees*
$9,303 Avg Room & Board*

There are lots of options to choose from today when trying to decide which school to attend. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our Best Bachelor's Degree Colleges for the Money in Tennessee ranking is part of that endeavor.

In This Year's Value Report:

Choosing the Best School for You

Our analysis looked at 33 schools in Tennessee to determine which ones have the best value Bachelor's Degree programs. Our ranking for the best value schools is based on objective factors. We steer clear of subjective measures since they don't give a clear picture when determining how one school compares to another. More specifically, the following explains what we consider and why.

Our Methodology

Our Best Bachelor's Degree Colleges for the Money in Tennessee ranking is determined by first looking at the combined costs of average tuition, fees, and room and board before any aid is applied. In addition, the overall quality of a school is important to ensure a quality education, not just how much it costs.

To make it into this list a school must offer a quality education like the schools in our Best Colleges ranking. This ranking considers factors such as graduation rates, overall graduate earnings and other educational resources to identify great colleges and universities.

To learn more, visit our best value ranking methodology page.

Additional Rankings

You can scroll down to see the top schools for this ranking, but you may also want to view some of the other ranking methods listed below.

With Aid (All Income Levels) Best Value Bachelor's Degrees
With Aid (Income $0-$30k) Best Value Bachelor's Degrees
With Aid (Income $30-$48k) Best Value Bachelor's Degrees
With Aid (Income $48-$75k) Best Value Bachelor's Degrees
With Aid (Income $75-$110k) Best Value Bachelor's Degrees
With Aid (Income Over $110k) Best Value Bachelor's Degrees
To get a better picture of the best value schools for your income range or for whether or not you'll receive aid, click on one of the tiles above. Are you more interested in the best value schools in your area? Try narrowing this list by location. In addition, we've put together a number of other college rankings that may help you in your search.

Know what field you want to major in? Make sure you check out our best value schools by major. In addition, you can select one of the links below to see the best value colleges for other degree levels.

Best Value Bachelor's Degree Schools (No Aid) in Tennessee

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

1

Our 2024 rankings named The University of Tennessee - Knoxville the best value (no aid) school in Tennessee for students working on their bachelor’s degree. The University of Tennessee - Knoxville is a large public school located in Knoxville, Tennessee.

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 cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $25,394 a year.

Full The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Value Report

2
Middle Tennessee State University crest
Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Out of the 33 bachelor’s degree schools in Tennessee that were part of this year’s ranking, Middle Tennessee State University landed the #2 spot on the list. This large public school is located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

Not only is Middle Tennessee State University a great value, but it is also ranked #9 in Tennessee for overall quality. The average cost without aid for the school is $18,808 a year for undergraduates.

Full Middle Tennessee State University Value Report

3
UofM crest
University of Memphis
Memphis, Tennessee

Out of the 33 bachelor’s degree schools in Tennessee that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Memphis landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Memphis, Tennessee, the school is a large public institution.

Not only is University of Memphis a great value, but it is also ranked #8 in Tennessee for overall quality. The average cost without aid for the school is $19,410 a year for undergraduates.

Learn More About Value at University of Memphis

4
ETSU crest
East Tennessee State University
Johnson City, Tennessee

A rank of #4 on our Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money in Tennessee list means East Tennessee State University is a great place for students working on their degree. ETSU is a public institution located in Johnson City, Tennessee.

Not only is East Tennessee State University a great value, but it is also ranked #11 in Tennessee for overall quality. The average cost without aid for the school is $19,020 a year for undergraduates.

Learn More About Value at East Tennessee State University

5

The quality degree programs at The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money in Tennessee. UT Chattanooga is a public institution located in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga has the honor of being ranked #12 in Tennessee for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average cost without aid for the school is $19,348 a year for undergraduates.

Full The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga Value Report

6

Tennessee Technological University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money in Tennessee list. Tennessee Tech University is located in Cookeville, 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, Tennessee Technological University is ranked #16 for quality in the state of Tennessee. The average cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $18,652 a year.

Read full value report on Tennessee Technological University

7
Union crest
Union University
Jackson, Tennessee

Union University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money in Tennessee ranking. Union is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Jackson, Tennessee.

Union University has the honor of being ranked #6 in Tennessee for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $26,880 a year.

Full Union University Value Report

8
Bethel crest
Bethel University
McKenzie, Tennessee

Bethel University landed the #8 spot on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money in Tennessee ranking. Bethel is a small private not-for-profit school situated in McKenzie, Tennessee.

Not only is Bethel University a great value, but it is also ranked #15 in Tennessee for overall quality. The average cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $23,349 a year.

Full Bethel University Value Report

9
Tennessee State University crest
Tennessee State University
Nashville, Tennessee

Tennessee State University did quite well in the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money in Tennessee ranking, coming in at #9. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, the school is a medium-sized public institution.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Tennessee State University is ranked #24 for quality in the state of Tennessee. The average cost without aid for the school is $16,884 a year for undergraduates.

Read full value report on Tennessee State University

10
William Jennings Bryan College crest
Bryan College - Dayton
Dayton, Tennessee

With a ranking of #10, Bryan College - Dayton did quite well on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money in Tennessee list. Located in Dayton, Tennessee, the school is a small private not-for-profit institution.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Bryan College - Dayton is ranked #17 for quality in the state of Tennessee. The average cost without aid for the school is $25,410 a year for undergraduates.

Read full value report on Bryan College - Dayton

11

The University of Tennessee - Martin ranked #11 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money in Tennessee list. UT Martin is a public institution located in Martin, Tennessee.

The University of Tennessee - Martin has the honor of being ranked #28 in Tennessee for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $16,662 a year.

Learn More About Value at The University of Tennessee - Martin

12
Austin Peay State University crest
Austin Peay State University
Clarksville, Tennessee

Austin Peay State University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money 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 cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $20,487 a year.

Full Austin Peay State University Value Report

13
Southern Adventist crest
Southern Adventist University
Collegedale, Tennessee

Southern Adventist University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money in Tennessee list. Located in Collegedale, Tennessee, the school is a small private not-for-profit institution.

Southern Adventist University has the honor of being ranked #5 in Tennessee for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $31,450 a year.

Learn More About Value at Southern Adventist University

14
Lee University crest
Lee University
Cleveland, Tennessee

Lee University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money in Tennessee ranking. Lee University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Cleveland, Tennessee.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Lee University is ranked #13 for quality in the state of Tennessee. The average cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $29,010 a year.

Full Lee University Value Report

15
FHU crest
Freed-Hardeman University
Henderson, Tennessee

With a ranking of #15, Freed-Hardeman University did quite well on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money in Tennessee list. FHU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Henderson, Tennessee.

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. The average cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $31,250 a year.

Full Freed-Hardeman University Value Report

16
Martin Methodist crest
Martin Methodist College
Pulaski, Tennessee

Martin Methodist College did quite well in the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money in Tennessee ranking, coming in at #16. Located in Pulaski, Tennessee, the school is a small private not-for-profit institution.

Not only is Martin Methodist College a great value, but it is also ranked #32 in Tennessee for overall quality. The average cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $18,800 a year.

Read full value report on Martin Methodist College

17
TNU crest
Trevecca Nazarene University
Nashville, Tennessee

Trevecca Nazarene University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money in Tennessee list. TNU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Nashville, Tennessee.

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 cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $36,298 a year.

Learn More About Value at Trevecca Nazarene University

18
LMU crest
Lincoln Memorial University
Harrogate, Tennessee

Lincoln Memorial University did quite well in the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money in Tennessee ranking, coming in at #18. LMU is a private not-for-profit institution 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 cost without aid for the school is $34,884 a year for undergraduates.

Learn More About Value at Lincoln Memorial University

19

With a ranking of #19, Tennessee Wesleyan University did quite well on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money in Tennessee list. Located in Athens, Tennessee, the school is a small private not-for-profit institution.

Not only is Tennessee Wesleyan University a great value, but it is also ranked #23 in Tennessee for overall quality. The average cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $34,990 a year.

Full Tennessee Wesleyan University Value Report

20
Fisk crest
Fisk University
Nashville, Tennessee

Fisk University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money in Tennessee ranking. Nashville, Tennessee is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. It is a private not-for-profit school.

Not only is Fisk University a great value, but it is also ranked #26 in Tennessee for overall quality. The average cost without aid for the school is $34,406 a year for undergraduates.

Read full value report on Fisk University

21
Lane College crest
Lane College
Jackson, Tennessee

Lane College ranked #21 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money in Tennessee list. Lane College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Jackson, Tennessee.

Not only is Lane College a great value, but it is also ranked #33 in Tennessee for overall quality. The average cost without aid for the school is $19,400 a year for undergraduates.

Read full value report on Lane College

22
CU crest
Cumberland University
Lebanon, Tennessee

Cumberland University landed the #22 spot on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money in Tennessee ranking. CU is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Lebanon, Tennessee.

Cumberland University has the honor of being ranked #29 in Tennessee for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average cost without aid for the school is $34,402 a year for undergraduates.

Learn More About Value at Cumberland University

23
Carson - Newman crest
Carson - Newman University
Jefferson City, Tennessee

Carson - Newman University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money in Tennessee list. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Jefferson City, Tennessee.

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 cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $40,794 a year.

Full Carson - Newman University Value Report

24
King crest
King University
Bristol, Tennessee

King University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money in Tennessee list. King is a private not-for-profit institution located in Bristol, Tennessee.

King University has the honor of being ranked #19 in Tennessee for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average cost without aid for the school is $42,506 a year for undergraduates.

Learn More About Value at King University

25
Christian Brothers crest
Christian Brothers University
Memphis, Tennessee

Christian Brothers University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money in Tennessee list. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Memphis, Tennessee.

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 cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $44,237 a year.

Full Christian Brothers University Value Report

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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