2026 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Tennessee

1

Walters State Community College
Morristown, TN

Leading the list is Walters State Community College, our #1 best value for liberal arts / sciences & humanities 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. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Walters State Community College earn a median of $24,893 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Columbia State Community College
Columbia, TN

Columbia State Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, landing the #2 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, compared with $17,772 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,517 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $26,438. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Pellissippi State Community College
Knoxville, TN

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pellissippi State Community College earned it the #3 place for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the suburb of Knoxville, Pellissippi State Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,786, while out-of-state students pay about $17,770. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $26,757. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.

4

Dyersburg State Community College
Dyersburg, TN

A rank of #4 makes Dyersburg State Community College one of the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. 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. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $7,722 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $26,735. That is a strong return on a $7,722 median debt.

5

Northeast State Community College
Blountville, TN

Northeast State Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, landing the #5 spot 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. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Northeast State Community College generally make around $24,152. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

6

Southwest Tennessee Community College
Memphis, TN

Southwest Tennessee Community College landed the #6 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Southwest Tennessee Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Memphis. In-state tuition and fees average $4,766, compared with $17,750 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $8,750. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Southwest Tennessee Community College earn a median of $28,980 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Chattanooga State Community College
Chattanooga, TN

Chattanooga State Community College earned the #7 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Chattanooga State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chattanooga. Students from in state pay about $4,772 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,756. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $12,704. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Chattanooga State Community College earn a median of $25,797 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Roane State Community College
Harriman, TN

Roane State Community College placed #8 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. 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, compared with $18,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $8,721. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Roane State Community College generally make around $25,289. Set against $8,721 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Nashville State Community College
Nashville, TN

Nashville State Community College earned the #9 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Nashville State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,730, with out-of-state students paying around $17,714. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $13,309. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Nashville State Community College generally make around $29,280. That is a strong return on a $13,309 median debt.

10

Jackson State Community College
Jackson, TN

Jackson State Community College came in at #10 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Jackson, Jackson State Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,740, with out-of-state students paying around $17,724. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $27,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

11

Cleveland State Community College
Cleveland, TN

Cleveland State Community College came in at #11 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Cleveland State Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Cleveland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,762, with out-of-state students paying around $17,746. Students borrow a median of $10,625 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Cleveland State Community College earn a median of $18,249 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,625 median debt.

12

Motlow State Community College
Tullahoma, TN

Motlow State Community College placed #12 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $17,722. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $26,915. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

Volunteer State Community College
Gallatin, TN

Volunteer State Community College placed #13 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Volunteer State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Gallatin. Students from in state pay about $4,756 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,740 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Volunteer State Community College generally make around $26,355. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.

14

Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, TN

Middle Tennessee State University placed #14 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. 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, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $29,723. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $50,322. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.

15

Tennessee State University
Nashville, TN

Tennessee State University earned the #15 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Nashville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $22,416. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $38,562 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $37,716. That is a strong return on a $38,562 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.

16

Tennessee Technological University
Cookeville, TN

Tennessee Technological University came in at #16 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,376, compared with $15,576 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $21,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities 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%.

17

The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga
Chattanooga, TN

The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga came in at #17 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,448, compared with $18,512 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $23,324. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga generally make around $50,000. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.

18

University Of Memphis
Memphis, TN

University Of Memphis came in at #18 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $38,972. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $46,132. That is a strong return on a $38,972 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.

19

Austin Peay State University
Clarksville, TN

Austin Peay State University came in at #19 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,006 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,766. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $22,314. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $39,947. That is a strong return on a $22,314 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

20

East Tennessee State University
Johnson City, TN

East Tennessee State University landed the #20 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public university. 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 / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of East Tennessee State University earn a median of $32,474 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.

21

Martin Methodist College
Pulaski, TN

Martin Methodist College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the town of Pulaski, Martin Methodist College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,924. Students borrow a median of $23,308 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Martin Methodist College earn a median of $40,832 early in their careers. Set against $23,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.

22

Cumberland University
Lebanon, TN

Cumberland University landed the #22 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Cumberland University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Lebanon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,840. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $19,263 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Cumberland University earn a median of $23,057 early in their careers. Set against $19,263 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cumberland University admits about 67% of applicants.

23

Carson Newman College
Jefferson City, TN

Carson Newman College landed the #23 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Carson Newman College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Jefferson City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,700. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Carson Newman College generally make around $48,797. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Carson Newman College admits about 90% of applicants.

24

Freed Hardeman University
Henderson, TN

Freed Hardeman University placed #24 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the town of Henderson, Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $25,620. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $24,479 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Freed Hardeman University earn a median of $54,530 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,479 median debt. Freed Hardeman University admits about 60% of applicants.

25

Lee University
Cleveland, TN

Lee University placed #25 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the city of Cleveland, Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,790. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $28,979 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $45,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lee University admits about 70% of applicants.