2026 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Tennessee
[Liberal Arts General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 46 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for liberal arts general studies students.
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2026 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Tennessee
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the liberal arts general studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
Leading the list is Walters State Community College, our #1 best value for liberal arts general studies in Tennessee. Walters State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Morristown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,752, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $24,893. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbia State Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Columbia, Columbia State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,948, while out-of-state students pay about $17,772. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,517 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Columbia State Community College generally make around $26,438. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pellissippi State Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Knoxville, Pellissippi State Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,786 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,770 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Pellissippi State Community College earn a median of $26,757 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Dyersburg State Community College earned it the #4 place for liberal arts general studies. Set in the town of Dyersburg, Dyersburg State Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,758, compared with $18,060 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $7,722 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $26,735. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts general studies will find it at Northeast State Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the rural area of Blountville, Northeast State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,782, compared with $17,766 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $6,000. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $24,152. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwest Tennessee Community College earned the #6 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Southwest Tennessee Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Memphis. Students from in state pay about $4,766 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,750. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $28,980. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chattanooga State Community College placed #7 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $17,756. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $12,704 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $25,797. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Roane State Community College came in at #8 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the town of Harriman, Roane State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,998, with out-of-state students paying around $18,630. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,721. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies 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 came in at #9 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Nashville State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Nashville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,730, compared with $17,714 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,309 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $29,280. Set against $13,309 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Jackson State Community College landed the #10 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the city of Jackson, Jackson State Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,740, while out-of-state students pay about $17,724. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Jackson State Community College generally make around $27,378. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cleveland State Community College came in at #11 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,762, while out-of-state students pay about $17,746. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,625 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Cleveland State Community College earn a median of $18,249 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Motlow State Community College placed #12 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. 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. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Motlow State Community College generally make around $26,915. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Volunteer State Community College earned the #13 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Gallatin, Volunteer State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,756 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,740. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Volunteer State Community College earn a median of $26,355 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Middle Tennessee State University earned the #14 position for value in liberal arts general studies 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, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Students borrow a median of $29,723 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $50,322. Set against $29,723 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
Tennessee State University came in at #15 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,616, compared with $22,416 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $38,562 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Tennessee State University earn a median of $37,716 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $38,562 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Tennessee Technological University came in at #16 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Tennessee Technological University is a large public school located in the town of Cookeville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,376, with out-of-state students paying around $15,576. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $21,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts 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. The acceptance rate is 76%.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,448, with out-of-state students paying around $18,512. Students borrow a median of $23,324 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga generally make around $50,000. Set against $23,324 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Memphis ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. In-state tuition and fees average $10,728, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. Students borrow a median of $38,972 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies 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. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Austin Peay State University came in at #19 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,006, compared with $14,766 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $22,314. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Austin Peay State University generally make around $39,947. Set against $22,314 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
East Tennessee State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $13,726. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $32,474. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Martin Methodist College came in at #21 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the town of Pulaski, Martin Methodist College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $10,924 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $23,308. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Martin Methodist College earn a median of $40,832 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Cumberland University placed #22 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the town of Lebanon, Cumberland University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $27,840. Students borrow a median of $19,263 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $23,057. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Carson Newman College placed #23 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the suburb of Jefferson City, Carson Newman College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $34,700 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $48,797. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Freed Hardeman University came in at #24 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the town of Henderson, Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $25,620 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $24,479. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $54,530. That is a strong return on a $24,479 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Lee University placed #25 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. 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. Students borrow a median of $28,979 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Lee University earn a median of $45,678 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 29 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in liberal arts general studies:
More Liberal Arts General Studies 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 · 46 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 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.
