2026 Best Value Educational Administration Schools in Tennessee

1

Tennessee State University
Nashville, TN

For return on investment in educational administration, no school beat Tennessee State University this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $22,416. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $29,489. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Tennessee State University generally make around $45,060. That is a strong return on a $29,489 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.

2

The University Of Tennessee Martin
Martin, TN

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Tennessee Martin earned it the #2 place for educational administration. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $16,600. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $23,770. Educational Administration graduates of The University Of Tennessee Martin earn a median of $40,400 early in their careers. Set against $23,770 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Tennessee Martin admits about 88% of applicants.

3

Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, TN

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Middle Tennessee State University earned it the #3 place for educational administration. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,266, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $22,754 in student loans. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $56,415. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.

4

Tennessee Technological University
Cookeville, TN

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Tennessee Technological University earned it the #4 place for educational administration. Tennessee Technological University is a large public school located in the town of Cookeville. Students from in state pay about $11,376 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,576. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $17,580 in student loans. Educational Administration graduates of Tennessee Technological University earn a median of $64,036 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.

5

University Of Memphis
Memphis, TN

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Memphis earned it the #5 place for educational administration. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,728, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. Students borrow a median of $26,315 to complete the educational administration program here. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $74,676. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

6

Trevecca Nazarene University
Nashville, TN

Trevecca Nazarene University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value educational administration schools. Located in the city of Nashville, Trevecca Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $31,300 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $24,962. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Trevecca Nazarene University generally make around $67,303. That is a strong return on a $24,962 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.

7

Austin Peay State University
Clarksville, TN

Austin Peay State University placed #7 among the best values for educational administration. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $14,766. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $24,530. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Austin Peay State University generally make around $55,045. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Austin Peay State University admits about 96% of applicants.

8

East Tennessee State University
Johnson City, TN

East Tennessee State University came in at #8 for value in educational administration this year. Set in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,216, with out-of-state students paying around $13,726. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $21,301. Educational Administration graduates of East Tennessee State University earn a median of $62,532 early in their careers. Set against $21,301 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

9

South College
Knoxville, TN

South College earned the #9 position for value in educational administration this year. South College is a large private for-profit school located in the city of Knoxville. Students from in state pay about $18,535 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,533 to complete the educational administration program here. Educational Administration graduates of South College earn a median of $51,389 early in their careers. Set against $24,533 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

Lincoln Memorial University
Harrogate, TN

Lincoln Memorial University came in at #10 for value in educational administration this year. Located in the town of Harrogate, Lincoln Memorial University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $26,938. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $20,693. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Lincoln Memorial University generally make around $57,547. Set against $20,693 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.

11

The University Of Tennessee
Knoxville, TN

The University Of Tennessee placed #11 among the best values for educational administration. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,812 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Students borrow a median of $22,859 to complete the educational administration program here. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $49,826. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.

12

Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University came in at #12 for value in educational administration this year. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete the educational administration program here. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $78,283. Set against $13,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.

13

Carson Newman College
Jefferson City, TN

Carson Newman College came in at #13 for value in educational administration this year. Set in the suburb of Jefferson City, Carson Newman College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,700 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $22,843. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Carson Newman College generally make around $63,728. Set against $22,843 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

14

Freed Hardeman University
Henderson, TN

Freed Hardeman University earned the #14 position for value in educational administration this year. Set in the town of Henderson, Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $25,620. Students borrow a median of $24,479 to complete the educational administration program here. Educational Administration graduates of Freed Hardeman University earn a median of $54,530 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,479 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.

15

Lipscomb University
Nashville, TN

Lipscomb University landed the #15 spot for educational administration value this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $40,572. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete the educational administration program here. Educational Administration graduates of Lipscomb University earn a median of $60,024 early in their careers. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.

16

Union University
Jackson, TN

Union University placed #16 among the best values for educational administration. Set in the city of Jackson, Union University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,398. Students borrow a median of $28,605 to complete the educational administration program here. Educational Administration graduates of Union University earn a median of $64,839 early in their careers. Set against $28,605 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Union University admits about 60% of applicants.