2026 Best Value Business Economics Schools in Tennessee
[Business Economics](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/business-managerial-economics/business-economics/) 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.
College Factual analyzed 11 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value business economics schools.
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2026 Best Value Business Economics Schools in Tennessee
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in business economics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Business Economics Schools
Leading the list is The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga, our #1 best value for business economics in Tennessee. Set in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,448, while out-of-state students pay about $18,512. Students borrow a median of $23,324 to complete the business economics program here. Soon after graduation, business economics degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga generally make around $50,000. That is a strong return on a $23,324 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
University Of Memphis came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value business economics schools. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. Students from in state pay about $10,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. Business Economics graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, business economics degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $37,534. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Students looking for strong value in business economics will find it at The University Of Tennessee, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,812, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. Students borrow a median of $23,847 to complete the business economics program here. Business Economics graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $44,025 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,847 median debt. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Belmont University one of the best values for business economics. Located in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,540. Students borrow a median of $23,447 to complete the business economics program here. Soon after graduation, business economics degree recipients from Belmont University generally make around $43,422. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
