2026 Best Value Health Professions Schools in Tennessee
[Health Professions](/majors/health-care-professions/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 97 schools to find the best return on investment for health professions students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Health Professions Schools in Tennessee
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in health professions, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Health Professions Schools
Dyersburg State Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools in Tennessee. Dyersburg State Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Dyersburg. Students from in state pay about $4,758 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,060. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $13,500. Early-career health professions graduates make about $74,386. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Walters State Community College earned it the #2 place for health professions. Walters State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Morristown. Students from in state pay about $4,752 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,736 for out-of-state students. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $8,429 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Walters State Community College generally make around $49,186. That is a strong return on a $8,429 median debt.
Columbia State Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in health professions, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Columbia, Columbia State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,948 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,772. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $15,255 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Columbia State Community College generally make around $58,582. Set against $15,255 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in health professions will find it at Southwest Tennessee Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Memphis, Southwest Tennessee Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,766, while out-of-state students pay about $17,750. Students borrow a median of $12,734 to complete the health professions program here. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Southwest Tennessee Community College generally make around $56,279. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Roane State Community College one of the best values for health professions. Set in the town of Harriman, Roane State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,998, compared with $18,630 for out-of-state students. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $10,580 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Roane State Community College generally make around $44,512. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chattanooga State Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Located in the city of Chattanooga, Chattanooga State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,772, compared with $17,756 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $15,593. Early-career health professions graduates make about $55,603. Set against $15,593 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pellissippi State Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Pellissippi State Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Knoxville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,786, with out-of-state students paying around $17,770. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $16,000 in student loans. Early-career health professions graduates make about $55,217. Set against $16,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Jackson State Community College came in at #8 for value in health professions this year. Located in the city of Jackson, Jackson State Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,740 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,724. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $9,397. Health Professions graduates of Jackson State Community College earn a median of $55,556 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,397 median debt.
Northeast State Community College earned the #9 position for value in health professions this year. Northeast State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Blountville. In-state tuition and fees average $4,782, compared with $17,766 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $6,511. Early-career health professions graduates make about $65,160. That is a strong return on a $6,511 median debt.
Cleveland State Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,762, while out-of-state students pay about $17,746. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $9,277 in student loans. Early-career health professions graduates make about $49,211. Set against $9,277 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Nashville State Community College landed the #11 spot for health professions value this year. Nashville State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Nashville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,730, compared with $17,714 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $20,335. Health Professions graduates of Nashville State Community College earn a median of $50,659 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,335 median debt.
The University Of Tennessee Martin placed #12 among the best values for health professions. Located in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,560, with out-of-state students paying around $16,600. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $25,231 in student loans. Health Professions graduates of The University Of Tennessee Martin earn a median of $71,727 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Hartsville came in at #13 for value in health professions this year. Set in the rural area of Hartsville, Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Hartsville is a small public institution. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $5,846. Early-career health professions graduates make about $46,390. Set against $5,846 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Volunteer State Community College landed the #14 spot for health professions value this year. Set in the suburb of Gallatin, Volunteer State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,756, with out-of-state students paying around $17,740. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $12,604. Health Professions graduates of Volunteer State Community College earn a median of $46,615 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,604 median debt.
Motlow State Community College earned the #15 position for value in health professions this year. Set in the rural area of Tullahoma, Motlow State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,738, with out-of-state students paying around $17,722. Students borrow a median of $7,086 to complete the health professions program here. Early-career health professions graduates make about $49,426. Set against $7,086 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tennessee State University placed #16 among the best values for health professions. 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. Students borrow a median of $28,936 to complete the health professions program here. Early-career health professions graduates make about $58,902. That is a strong return on a $28,936 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Crump earned the #17 position for value in health professions this year. Located in the rural area of Crump, Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Crump is a mid-sized public university. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the health professions program here. Health Professions graduates of Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Crump earn a median of $44,134 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Christian Brothers University earned the #18 position for value in health professions this year. Christian Brothers University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Memphis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,420. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $32,416 in student loans. Early-career health professions graduates make about $51,040. Set against $32,416 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Christian Brothers University admits about 87% of applicants.
Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Athens ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Set in the town of Athens, Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Athens is a small public institution. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $9,925. Health Professions graduates of Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Athens earn a median of $46,871 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Shelbyville earned the #20 position for value in health professions this year. Located in the town of Shelbyville, Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Shelbyville is a small public university. Early-career health professions graduates make about $40,179.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga placed #21 among the best values for health professions. Set in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,448, while out-of-state students pay about $18,512. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $23,558 in student loans. Health Professions graduates of The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earn a median of $98,487 early in their careers. Set against $23,558 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Jacksboro came in at #22 for value in health professions this year. Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Jacksboro is a small public school located in the town of Jacksboro. Students borrow a median of $7,439 to complete the health professions program here. Health Professions graduates of Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Jacksboro earn a median of $42,300 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,439 median debt.
Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Murfreesboro ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Murfreesboro is a small public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $10,723 in student loans. Early-career health professions graduates make about $41,957. That is a strong return on a $10,723 median debt.
Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Mcminnville ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Located in the town of McMinnville, Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Mcminnville is a small public university. Health Professions graduates of Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Mcminnville earn a median of $34,294 early in their careers.
Middle Tennessee State University came in at #25 for value in health professions this year. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. In-state tuition and fees average $10,266, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Students borrow a median of $27,563 to complete the health professions program here. Health Professions graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $73,620 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,563 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Health Professions Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for health professions this year:
More Health Professions Rankings
View All Health Professions Rankings >
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 · 97 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 38 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.
