2026 Best Value General Business Administration and Management Schools in Tennessee

[General Business Administration and Management](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/business-administration-and-management/business-administration-and-management-general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 53 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general business administration and management students.
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2026 Best Value General Business Administration and Management Schools in Tennessee
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general business administration and management degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Business Administration and Management Schools
Pellissippi State Community College earned the #1 spot for value among general business administration and management schools in Tennessee. Pellissippi State Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Knoxville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,786, with out-of-state students paying around $17,770. Students borrow a median of $8,540 to complete the general business administration and management program here. General Business Administration And Management graduates of Pellissippi State Community College earn a median of $32,529 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Walters State Community College one of the best values for general business administration and management. Walters State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Morristown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,752, compared with $17,736 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,210 to complete the general business administration and management program here. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $25,882. Set against $10,210 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Southwest Tennessee Community College one of the best values for general business administration and management. Located in the city of Memphis, Southwest Tennessee Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,766, with out-of-state students paying around $17,750. Students borrow a median of $11,406 to complete the general business administration and management program here. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $32,879. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Columbia State Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general business administration and management schools. Set in the town of Columbia, Columbia State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,948 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,772. Typical student debt for general business administration and management graduates is $12,674. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $31,640. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in general business administration and management will find it at Cleveland State Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,762, while out-of-state students pay about $17,746. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the general business administration and management program here. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from Cleveland State Community College generally make around $44,583. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Dyersburg State Community College came in at #6 for value in general business administration and management this year. Dyersburg State Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Dyersburg. In-state tuition and fees average $4,758, compared with $18,060 for out-of-state students. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $10,611 in student loans. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $22,410. Set against $10,611 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Roane State Community College earned the #7 position for value in general business administration and management this year. Set in the town of Harriman, Roane State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,998, with out-of-state students paying around $18,630. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $29,823. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Nashville State Community College earned the #8 position for value in general business administration and management this year. Nashville State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Nashville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,730, compared with $17,714 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business administration and management graduates is $15,687. General Business Administration And Management graduates of Nashville State Community College earn a median of $34,306 early in their careers. Set against $15,687 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chattanooga State Community College came in at #9 for value in general business administration and management this year. Set in the city of Chattanooga, Chattanooga State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,772, while out-of-state students pay about $17,756. Students borrow a median of $15,162 to complete the general business administration and management program here. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from Chattanooga State Community College generally make around $36,486. Set against $15,162 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast State Community College placed #10 among the best values for general business administration and management. Located in the rural area of Blountville, Northeast State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,782, compared with $17,766 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business administration and management graduates is $6,404. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $18,572. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Middle Tennessee State University came in at #11 for value in general business administration and management this year. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,266, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the general business administration and management program here. General Business Administration And Management graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $60,320 early in their careers. 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 Martin ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general business administration and management schools. Set in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,560, compared with $16,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,157 to complete the general business administration and management program here. General Business Administration And Management graduates of The University Of Tennessee Martin earn a median of $53,658 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,157 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Volunteer State Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general business administration and management schools. Volunteer State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Gallatin. In-state tuition and fees average $4,756, with out-of-state students paying around $17,740. Students borrow a median of $10,718 to complete the general business administration and management program here. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from Volunteer State Community College generally make around $40,513. That is a strong return on a $10,718 median debt.
Motlow State Community College landed the #14 spot for general business administration and management value this year. Located in the rural area of Tullahoma, Motlow State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,738, while out-of-state students pay about $17,722. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $6,470 in student loans. General Business Administration And Management graduates of Motlow State Community College earn a median of $43,750 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earned the #15 position for value in general business administration and management this year. Located in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,448, compared with $18,512 for out-of-state students. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga generally make around $63,694. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga admits about 81% of applicants.
Jackson State Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general business administration and management schools. Located in the city of Jackson, Jackson State Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,740, with out-of-state students paying around $17,724. Students borrow a median of $8,553 to complete the general business administration and management program here. General Business Administration And Management graduates of Jackson State Community College earn a median of $32,334 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tennessee State University landed the #17 spot for general business administration and management value this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $22,416. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $30,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from Tennessee State University generally make around $56,939. Set against $30,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Tennessee State University admits about 70% of applicants.
University Of Memphis came in at #18 for value in general business administration and management this year. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Typical student debt for general business administration and management graduates is $25,500. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $65,541. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Christian Brothers University came in at #19 for value in general business administration and management this year. Located in the city of Memphis, Christian Brothers University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,420. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general business administration and management program here. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $63,573. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Christian Brothers University admits about 87% of applicants.
Tennessee Technological University landed the #20 spot for general business administration and management value this year. Tennessee Technological University is a large public school located in the town of Cookeville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,376, compared with $15,576 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,485 to complete the general business administration and management program here. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $56,377. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Le Moyne Owen College came in at #21 for value in general business administration and management this year. Set in the city of Memphis, Le Moyne Owen College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,076. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $35,594. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Trevecca Nazarene University came in at #22 for value in general business administration and management this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Trevecca Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,300. Typical student debt for general business administration and management graduates is $24,774. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $55,854. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Austin Peay State University earned the #23 position for value in general business administration and management this year. Located in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,006, with out-of-state students paying around $14,766. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $22,605 in student loans. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $38,750. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Austin Peay State University admits about 96% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee earned the #24 position for value in general business administration and management this year. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Typical student debt for general business administration and management graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $82,927. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
East Tennessee State University came in at #25 for value in general business administration and management this year. Located in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,216 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,726. Typical student debt for general business administration and management graduates is $19,725. General Business Administration And Management graduates of East Tennessee State University earn a median of $50,465 early in their careers. Set against $19,725 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Tennessee State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 49 Best Value General Business Administration and Management Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general business administration and management this year:
More General Business Administration and Management Rankings
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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 · 53 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 35 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.