by our College Data Analytics Team
Looking for the best colleges for the money in Tennessee? Our ranking highlights 41 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. These are our No Aid ranking, which weighs each school’s published sticker price (tuition, fees, and room and board) before financial aid — scroll to Customize Your Rankings to switch views.
To help you make your decision, College Factual reviewed 41 schools to produce this 2026 best-value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
See What’s Included in This Value Report:
Our analysis looked at 41 schools in Tennessee to find which ones offer the best value. We steer clear of subjective measures and weigh objective factors instead.
The first step is the school’s combined average tuition, fees, and room and board — what a student pays before aid, which is why this is our No Aid ranking. Value also depends on the quality of the education, not just the price. So we weigh that cost against outcomes like degree completion, educational resources, student-body caliber, and post-graduation earnings.
That balance of cost and outcomes is what drives the ranking below. See the full methodology.
Your ideal school depends on your goals and budget. Refine the list by location and field of study, or explore related rankings below. You can also browse by degree level:
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Leading the list is Dyersburg State Community College, our #1 best value in Tennessee. Located in Dyersburg, TN, Dyersburg State Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,758 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,060. Typical student debt is $10,611. Median earnings reach $36,132 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
You'll get strong value at Walters State Community College, which ranked #2 this year. This public school is set in Morristown, TN. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,752, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. Graduates carry a median of $10,210 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $37,085 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $10,210 median debt.
Out of the 41 schools in Tennessee in this year's value ranking, Columbia State Community College landed the #3 spot. Columbia State Community College is a public school based in Columbia, TN. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,948, compared with $17,772 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,674 to complete their program here. Columbia State Community College alumni report median earnings of $40,256 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwest Tennessee Community College came in at #4 on this year's best-value ranking in Tennessee. This public school is set in Memphis, TN. In-state tuition and fees average $4,766, while out-of-state students pay about $17,750. The median program debt is $11,406. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $34,071. That is a strong return on a $11,406 median debt.
Out of the 41 schools in Tennessee in this year's value ranking, Pellissippi State Community College landed the #5 spot. Set in Knoxville, TN, Pellissippi State Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,786, with out-of-state students paying around $17,770. The median program debt is $8,951. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $38,440. That is a strong return on a $8,951 median debt.
Chattanooga State Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. This public school is set in Chattanooga, TN. Students from in state pay about $4,772 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,756. Typical student debt is $12,079. Chattanooga State Community College alumni report median earnings of $37,598 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $12,079 median debt.
Northeast State Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Based in Blountville, TN, Northeast State Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,782, compared with $17,766 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $6,404 in student loans. Median earnings reach $34,553 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $6,404 median debt.
Roane State Community College came in at #8 in this year's value ranking. Located in Harriman, TN, Roane State Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,998, with out-of-state students paying around $18,630. Typical student debt is $9,408. Median earnings reach $39,407 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Nashville State Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Set in Nashville, TN, Nashville State Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,730, compared with $17,714 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt is $16,745. Median earnings reach $38,519 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $16,745 median debt.
Cleveland State Community College came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. Cleveland State Community College is a public school based in Cleveland, TN. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,762, compared with $17,746 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt is $8,742. Cleveland State Community College alumni report median earnings of $36,671 a decade after entry. Set against $8,742 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Jackson State Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. Set in Jackson, TN, Jackson State Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,740, while out-of-state students pay about $17,724. Students borrow a median of $8,553 to complete their program here. Jackson State Community College alumni report median earnings of $35,224 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $8,553 median debt.
The University Of Tennessee Martin ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Set in Martin, TN, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,560 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,600. Graduates carry a median of $23,770 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $44,213. Set against $23,770 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Christian Brothers University landed the #13 spot for value in Tennessee this year. Located in Memphis, TN, Christian Brothers University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $38,420. Typical student debt is $32,416. Graduates go on to earn a median of $57,478 ten years after entry. Set against $32,416 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Motlow State Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #14 position. Set in Tullahoma, TN, Motlow State Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,738, compared with $17,722 for out-of-state students. Motlow State Community College students take on a median of $6,470 in debt. Median earnings reach $40,397 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Volunteer State Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #15 position. Volunteer State Community College is a public school based in Gallatin, TN. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,756, while out-of-state students pay about $17,740. Graduates carry a median of $12,462 in student loans. Median earnings reach $41,150 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tennessee State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Located in Nashville, TN, Tennessee State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $22,416. Students borrow a median of $29,489 to complete their program here. Tennessee State University alumni report median earnings of $42,730 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $29,489 median debt. About 70% of those who apply are admitted.
Le Moyne Owen College landed the #17 spot for value in Tennessee this year. Based in Memphis, TN, Le Moyne Owen College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $12,076 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $35,594 ten years after entry. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Middle Tennessee State University came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Murfreesboro, TN. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,266, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. The median program debt is $22,754. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $48,541. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga placed #19 among the best values in Tennessee. Based in Chattanooga, TN, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,448, while out-of-state students pay about $18,512. Students borrow a median of $23,324 to complete their program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,151 ten years after entry. Set against $23,324 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Hartsville landed the #20 spot for value in Tennessee this year. Set in Hartsville, TN, Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Hartsville is a public institution. Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Hartsville students take on a median of $5,846 in debt. Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Hartsville alumni report median earnings of $40,469 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Memphis came in at #21 in this year's value ranking. Based in Memphis, TN, University Of Memphis is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,728, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Graduates carry a median of $26,315 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $48,458. That is a strong return on a $26,315 median debt. About 72% of those who apply are admitted.
Tennessee Technological University offered strong value this year, earning the #22 position. Located in Cookeville, TN, Tennessee Technological University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,376, while out-of-state students pay about $15,576. Tennessee Technological University students take on a median of $17,580 in debt. Tennessee Technological University alumni report median earnings of $48,501 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $17,580 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Baptist Memorial College Of Health Sciences landed the #23 spot for value in Tennessee this year. Based in Memphis, TN, Baptist Memorial College Of Health Sciences is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,796. Typical student debt is $37,794. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $72,529. That is a strong return on a $37,794 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Shelbyville came in at #24 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Shelbyville, TN. Median earnings reach $38,700 ten years out.
Trevecca Nazarene University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Located in Nashville, TN, Trevecca Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,300. The median program debt is $24,962. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,378. Set against $24,962 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Trevecca Nazarene University has an acceptance rate of 69%.
These schools also landed near the top of this year’s value ranking:
*Averages shown above reflect the top 41 ranked schools only.
These rankings are produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 41 schools evaluated. References
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.