---

2026 Best Value Value Schools in Tennessee

[Value](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/veterinary-medicine/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

College Factual analyzed 2 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value value schools.

What’s on this page:

• Best Value Value Schools in Tennessee

2026 Best Value Value Schools in Tennessee

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the value degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Value Schools

1

Lincoln Memorial University
Harrogate, TN

$26,938 In-State Tuition & Fees

$20,693 Avg Student Debt

$49,956 Median Earnings (10yr)

Our analysis ranked Lincoln Memorial University the best value for a degree in value in Tennessee. Lincoln Memorial University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Harrogate. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,938. Typical student debt for value graduates is $20,693. Value graduates of Lincoln Memorial University earn a median of $98,489 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,693 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.

2

The University Of Tennessee
Knoxville, TN

$13,812 In-State Tuition & Fees

$22,859 Avg Student Debt

$60,249 Median Earnings (10yr)

A rank of #2 makes The University Of Tennessee one of the best values for value. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,812, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. Students borrow a median of $22,859 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $95,509. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

View All Value Rankings >

Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 Major Best Value · 2 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.

• 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).

More about our data sources and methodologies.