2026 Best Value General Education Schools in Tennessee
[General Education](/majors/education/general-education/education-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.
College Factual analyzed 33 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general education schools.
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2026 Best Value General Education Schools in Tennessee
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Education Schools
Our analysis ranked Columbia State Community College the best value for a degree in general education in Tennessee. Columbia State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Columbia. Students from in state pay about $4,948 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,772. General Education graduates carry a median of $12,674 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Columbia State Community College generally make around $44,481. Set against $12,674 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Walters State Community College earned it the #2 place for general education. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $17,736. General Education graduates carry a median of $10,210 in student loans. General Education graduates of Walters State Community College earn a median of $12,280 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,210 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pellissippi State Community College earned it the #3 place for general education. Pellissippi State Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Knoxville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,786, compared with $17,770 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,951 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Pellissippi State Community College earn a median of $43,816 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,951 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Roane State Community College earned it the #4 place for general education. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $18,630. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $9,408. General Education graduates of Roane State Community College earn a median of $36,933 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,408 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Chattanooga State Community College one of the best values for general education. Chattanooga State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chattanooga. Students from in state pay about $4,772 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,756. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $12,079. General Education graduates of Chattanooga State Community College earn a median of $37,252 early in their careers. Set against $12,079 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast State Community College landed the #6 spot for general education value this year. Northeast State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Blountville. Students from in state pay about $4,782 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,766 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $6,404. General Education graduates of Northeast State Community College earn a median of $39,673 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,404 median debt.
Nashville State Community College landed the #7 spot for general education value this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Nashville State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,730, with out-of-state students paying around $17,714. Students borrow a median of $16,745 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Nashville State Community College generally make around $41,456. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Motlow State Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the rural area of Tullahoma, Motlow State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,738 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,722 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $6,470. General Education 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.
Volunteer State Community College landed the #9 spot for general education value this year. Volunteer State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Gallatin. In-state tuition and fees average $4,756, while out-of-state students pay about $17,740. General Education graduates carry a median of $12,462 in student loans. General Education graduates of Volunteer State Community College earn a median of $40,137 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,462 median debt.
Bryan College Dayton ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the town of Dayton, Bryan College Dayton is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $19,800. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $25,652. Early-career general education graduates make about $44,067. That is a strong return on a $25,652 median debt.
Austin Peay State University placed #11 among the best values for general education. Located in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,006, while out-of-state students pay about $14,766. Students borrow a median of $24,530 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Austin Peay State University earn a median of $48,419 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The University Of Tennessee earned the #12 position for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $22,859. Early-career general education graduates make about $72,937. Set against $22,859 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Vanderbilt University landed the #13 spot for general education value this year. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,498. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $13,975. Early-career general education graduates make about $77,997. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Cumberland University came in at #14 for value in general education this year. Cumberland University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Lebanon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,840. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $21,902. General Education graduates of Cumberland University earn a median of $50,607 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,902 median debt. Cumberland University admits about 67% of applicants.
Milligan College came in at #15 for value in general education this year. Located in the suburb of Milligan, Milligan College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,450. Students borrow a median of $26,150 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Milligan College generally make around $64,327. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Bethel University Tennessee ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Bethel University Tennessee is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of McKenzie. Students from in state pay about $18,712 in tuition and fees. General Education graduates carry a median of $28,583 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Bethel University Tennessee generally make around $49,949. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Tusculum College came in at #17 for value in general education this year. Tusculum College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Greeneville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,250. Students borrow a median of $25,832 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Tusculum College generally make around $40,527. Set against $25,832 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Union University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Union University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Jackson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,398. General Education graduates carry a median of $28,605 in student loans. General Education graduates of Union University earn a median of $48,394 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
More General Education Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 33 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
