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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Secondary Education Schools in Tennessee

4 Colleges in the United States
$23,161 Avg Student Debt
$53,012 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Secondary Education Badge [Secondary Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/secondary-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 14 schools to find the best return on investment for secondary education students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Secondary Education Schools in Tennessee

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

Best Value Secondary Education Schools

1

For return on investment in secondary education, no school beat The University Of Tennessee Martin this year. Located in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,560 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,600. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of The University Of Tennessee Martin earn a median of $43,634 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

2

Christian Brothers University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Set in the city of Memphis, Christian Brothers University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,420. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $32,416 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Christian Brothers University earn a median of $51,040 early in their careers. Set against $32,416 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Christian Brothers University admits about 87% of applicants.

3

A rank of #3 makes The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga one of the best values for secondary education. Located in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,448, with out-of-state students paying around $18,512. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $22,517 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earn a median of $44,879 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,517 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

4

Tennessee Technological University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Located in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,376, while out-of-state students pay about $15,576. Students borrow a median of $14,566 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Tennessee Technological University generally make around $39,034. That is a strong return on a $14,566 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

5

A rank of #5 makes University Of Memphis one of the best values for secondary education. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $28,439. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $48,890. That is a strong return on a $28,439 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

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6

Trevecca Nazarene University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education 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 secondary education graduates is $24,962. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $47,348. That is a strong return on a $24,962 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.

7
Carson Newman College crest
Carson Newman College
Jefferson City, TN

Carson Newman College landed the #7 spot for secondary education value this year. Carson Newman College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Jefferson City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,700. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Carson Newman College earn a median of $45,527 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

8
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University earned the #8 position for value in secondary education this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $50,383 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,975 median debt. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.

9

Freed Hardeman University earned the #9 position for value in secondary education this year. Located in the town of Henderson, Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,620. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $23,125. Secondary Education graduates of Freed Hardeman University earn a median of $40,936 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.

10
Johnson University crest
Johnson University
Knoxville, TN

Johnson University came in at #10 for value in secondary education this year. Set in the rural area of Knoxville, Johnson University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,122. Students borrow a median of $23,819 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $43,102. That is a strong return on a $23,819 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.

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11
Belmont University crest
Belmont University
Nashville, TN

Belmont University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,540. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $23,447. Secondary Education graduates of Belmont University earn a median of $47,237 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Belmont University admits about 95% of applicants.

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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 · 14 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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