2026 Best Value General Studies Schools in Tennessee
[General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/general-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 24 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general studies schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value General Studies Schools in Tennessee
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Studies Schools
Middle Tennessee State University earned the #1 spot for value among general studies schools 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, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Students borrow a median of $29,723 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $50,322. That is a strong return on a $29,723 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Students looking for strong value in general studies will find it at Tennessee Technological University, which ranked #2. Tennessee Technological University is a large public school located in the town of Cookeville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,376, compared with $15,576 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Tennessee Technological University generally make around $48,808. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Tennessee State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, compared with $22,416 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $38,562. General Studies graduates of Tennessee State University earn a median of $37,716 early in their careers. Set against $38,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Memphis is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general studies, landing the #4 spot this year. 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, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $38,972 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $46,132 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $38,972 median debt. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Austin Peay State University one of the best values for general studies. Austin Peay State University is a large public school located in the city of Clarksville. Students from in state pay about $9,006 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,766. General Studies graduates carry a median of $22,314 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Austin Peay State University earn a median of $39,947 early in their careers. Set against $22,314 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
East Tennessee State University came in at #6 for value in general studies this year. East Tennessee State University is a large public school located in the city of Johnson City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,216, while out-of-state students pay about $13,726. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $32,474. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. East Tennessee State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Martin Methodist College earned the #7 position for value in general studies this year. Set in the town of Pulaski, Martin Methodist College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,924. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $23,308. Early-career general studies graduates make about $40,832. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Cumberland University came in at #8 for value in general studies this year. Located in the town of Lebanon, Cumberland University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $27,840. General Studies graduates carry a median of $19,263 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $23,057. That is a strong return on a $19,263 median debt. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Carson Newman College came in at #9 for value in general studies this year. Set in the suburb of Jefferson City, Carson Newman College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,700. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Carson Newman College generally make around $48,797. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Freed Hardeman University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $24,479 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $54,530. That is a strong return on a $24,479 median debt. Freed Hardeman University admits about 60% of applicants.
Lee University placed #11 among the best values for general studies. Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. In-state tuition and fees average $23,790. General Studies graduates carry a median of $28,979 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Lee University generally make around $38,249. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Bethel University Tennessee earned the #12 position for value in general studies this year. Located in the town of McKenzie, Bethel University Tennessee is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,712. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $28,583. General Studies graduates of Bethel University Tennessee earn a median of $62,331 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bethel University Tennessee admits about 60% of applicants.
Tusculum College came in at #13 for value in general studies this year. Set in the town of Greeneville, Tusculum College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $29,250. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $47,624. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Union University placed #14 among the best values for general studies. 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. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Union University generally make around $41,320. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
More General Studies Rankings
View All General Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 24 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.
