2026 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee
[Liberal Arts](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/liberal-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 29 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value liberal arts schools.
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2026 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in liberal arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Liberal Arts Schools
Walters State Community College earned the #1 spot for value among liberal arts schools in Tennessee. Located in the city of Morristown, Walters State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,752, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Walters State Community College generally make around $24,893. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Columbia State Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Columbia State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Columbia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,948, compared with $17,772 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,517 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Columbia State Community College earn a median of $26,438 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,517 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Dyersburg State Community College one of the best values for liberal arts. Located in the town of Dyersburg, Dyersburg State Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,758, while out-of-state students pay about $18,060. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $7,722. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Dyersburg State Community College generally make around $26,735. Set against $7,722 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pellissippi State Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the suburb of Knoxville, Pellissippi State Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,786, while out-of-state students pay about $17,770. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $8,750. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Pellissippi State Community College generally make around $26,757. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.
Southwest Tennessee Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the city of Memphis, Southwest Tennessee Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,766 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,750. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Southwest Tennessee Community College generally make around $28,980. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast State Community College placed #6 among the best values for liberal arts. 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. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Northeast State Community College earn a median of $24,152 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Chattanooga State Community College placed #7 among the best values for liberal arts. Chattanooga State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chattanooga. In-state tuition and fees average $4,772, compared with $17,756 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $12,704. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Chattanooga State Community College generally make around $25,797. Set against $12,704 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Roane State Community College earned the #8 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the town of Harriman, Roane State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,998, while out-of-state students pay about $18,630. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $8,721 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Roane State Community College generally make around $25,289. That is a strong return on a $8,721 median debt.
Nashville State Community College placed #9 among the best values for liberal arts. Set in the city of Nashville, Nashville State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,730 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,714. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $13,309 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Nashville State Community College earn a median of $29,280 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,309 median debt.
Cleveland State Community College landed the #10 spot for liberal arts value this year. Cleveland State Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Cleveland. In-state tuition and fees average $4,762, with out-of-state students paying around $17,746. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $10,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Cleveland State Community College generally make around $18,249. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Jackson State Community College placed #11 among the best values for liberal arts. Jackson State Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Jackson. In-state tuition and fees average $4,740, compared with $17,724 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $27,378. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Motlow State Community College landed the #12 spot for liberal arts value this year. Set in the rural area of Tullahoma, Motlow State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,738 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,722. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $26,915. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tennessee State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. 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. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $38,562. Liberal Arts 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. Tennessee State University admits about 70% of applicants.
Volunteer State Community College placed #14 among the best values for liberal arts. Set in the suburb of Gallatin, Volunteer State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,756, with out-of-state students paying around $17,740. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $26,355. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Middle Tennessee State University earned the #15 position for value in liberal arts this year. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. Students from in state pay about $10,266 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $29,723 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $50,322 early in their careers. Set against $29,723 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
University Of Memphis ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,728, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Students borrow a median of $38,972 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $46,132 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
Austin Peay State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,006, compared with $14,766 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $22,314. Liberal Arts graduates of Austin Peay State University earn a median of $39,947 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,314 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
East Tennessee State University landed the #18 spot for liberal arts value this year. East Tennessee State University is a large public school located in the city of Johnson City. Students from in state pay about $10,216 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,726. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from East Tennessee State University generally make around $32,474. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Cumberland University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Cumberland University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Lebanon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,840. Students borrow a median of $19,263 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Cumberland University earn a median of $23,057 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,263 median debt. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Carson Newman College placed #20 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the suburb of Jefferson City, Carson Newman College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,700. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Carson Newman College generally make around $48,797. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Lee University earned the #21 position for value in liberal arts this year. Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,790. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $28,979. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Lee University generally make around $45,678. That is a strong return on a $28,979 median debt. Lee University admits about 70% of applicants.
Union University earned the #22 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the city of Jackson, Union University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,398. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Union University generally make around $41,320. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Belmont University came in at #23 for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,540. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $29,438. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $41,245. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
More Liberal Arts 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 · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 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.
