2026 Best Value English Schools in Tennessee
[English](/majors/english-language-literature/general-english-language-literature/english/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong english education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 35 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value english schools.
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2026 Best Value English Schools in Tennessee
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the english degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value English Schools
Our analysis ranked Middle Tennessee State University the best value for a degree in english in Tennessee. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,266, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. English graduates carry a median of $24,045 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $31,554. 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 At Chattanooga is a great value for students pursuing a degree in english, landing the #2 spot this year. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public school located in the city of Chattanooga. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,448, while out-of-state students pay about $18,512. English graduates carry a median of $22,796 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga generally make around $22,999. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Memphis came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value english 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. Students borrow a median of $23,708 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $25,948. That is a strong return on a $23,708 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Tennessee Technological University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in english, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,376 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,576 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english graduates is $19,039. Early-career english graduates make about $46,981. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Austin Peay State University earned it the #5 place for english. Set in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,006, with out-of-state students paying around $14,766. Typical student debt for english graduates is $25,677. Early-career english graduates make about $37,486. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Austin Peay State University admits about 96% of applicants.
East Tennessee State University earned the #6 position for value in english 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, with out-of-state students paying around $13,726. English graduates carry a median of $16,598 in student loans. English graduates of East Tennessee State University earn a median of $21,836 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,598 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee came in at #7 for value in english this year. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Students borrow a median of $22,990 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $26,476. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.
Vanderbilt University landed the #8 spot for english value this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. English graduates carry a median of $13,420 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $34,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Freed Hardeman University placed #9 among the best values for english. Set in the town of Henderson, Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,620. Students borrow a median of $24,479 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Freed Hardeman University generally make around $54,530. That is a strong return on a $24,479 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Rhodes College placed #10 among the best values for english. Located in the city of Memphis, Rhodes College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,110. Typical student debt for english graduates is $21,545. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Rhodes College generally make around $40,807. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Lipscomb University placed #11 among the best values for english. Located in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,572. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $48,949. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Belmont University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. Set in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,540. English graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. English graduates of Belmont University earn a median of $22,360 early in their careers. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
