2026 Best Value Family, Consumer & Human Sciences Schools in Tennessee
[Family, Consumer & Human Sciences](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 30 schools to find the best return on investment for family, consumer & human sciences students.
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2026 Best Value Family, Consumer & Human Sciences Schools in Tennessee
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the family, consumer & human sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Family, Consumer & Human Sciences Schools
Dyersburg State Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools in Tennessee. Set in the town of Dyersburg, Dyersburg State Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,758, with out-of-state students paying around $18,060. Students borrow a median of $10,611 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from Dyersburg State Community College generally make around $41,177. Set against $10,611 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northeast State Community College earned it the #2 place for family, consumer & human sciences. Located in the rural area of Blountville, Northeast State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,782, while out-of-state students pay about $17,766. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $6,404 in student loans. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $39,673. That is a strong return on a $6,404 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in family, consumer & human sciences will find it at Roane State Community College, which ranked #3. Roane State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Harriman. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,998, while out-of-state students pay about $18,630. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $9,408. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $36,933. That is a strong return on a $9,408 median debt.
Nashville State Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. Located in the city of Nashville, Nashville State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,730 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,714 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,745 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from Nashville State Community College generally make around $41,456. Set against $16,745 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Tennessee Martin is a great value for students pursuing a degree in family, consumer & human sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. 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, compared with $16,600 for out-of-state students. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates of The University Of Tennessee Martin earn a median of $29,288 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Tennessee Technological University landed the #6 spot for family, consumer & human sciences value 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, while out-of-state students pay about $15,576. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,975 in student loans. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates of Tennessee Technological University earn a median of $29,114 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,975 median debt. Tennessee Technological University admits about 76% of applicants.
Middle Tennessee State University came in at #7 for value in family, consumer & human sciences this year. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,266, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Students borrow a median of $25,436 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $31,061. That is a strong return on a $25,436 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Tennessee State University earned the #8 position for value in family, consumer & human sciences this year. Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Nashville. Students from in state pay about $8,616 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,416. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $30,099. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates of Tennessee State University earn a median of $32,793 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
East Tennessee State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. Located in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,216, while out-of-state students pay about $13,726. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $20,032. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates of East Tennessee State University earn a median of $33,301 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee came in at #10 for value in family, consumer & human sciences this year. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. Students from in state pay about $13,812 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $22,212. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $40,029. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Vanderbilt University placed #11 among the best values for family, consumer & human sciences. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. Set against $13,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Lee University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. Located in the city of Cleveland, Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $23,790. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,422 in student loans. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates of Lee University earn a median of $38,249 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,422 median debt. Lee University admits about 70% of applicants.
Lipscomb University landed the #13 spot for family, consumer & human sciences value this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $40,572. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from Lipscomb University generally make around $48,949. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Miller Motte Technical College Chattanooga ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. Set in the city of Chattanooga, Miller Motte Technical College Chattanooga is a moderately-sized private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $20,598 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $29,532. Set against $20,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
More Family, Consumer & Human Sciences Rankings
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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 · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
