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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value General Chemistry Schools in Tennessee

7 Colleges in the United States
$21,834 Avg Student Debt
$54,045 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value General Chemistry Badge [General Chemistry](/majors/physical-sciences/chemistry/general-chemistry/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 34 schools to find the best return on investment for general chemistry students.

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2026 Best Value General Chemistry Schools in Tennessee

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general chemistry degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value General Chemistry Schools

1

For return on investment in general chemistry, no school beat Tennessee State University this year. Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Nashville. Students from in state pay about $8,616 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,416. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $29,489 in student loans. General Chemistry graduates of Tennessee State University earn a median of $45,060 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,489 median debt. Tennessee State University admits about 70% of applicants.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Memphis earned it the #2 place for general chemistry. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. In-state tuition and fees average $10,728, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the general chemistry program here. General Chemistry graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $36,881 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.

3

A rank of #3 makes The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga one of the best values for general chemistry. Located in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,448, compared with $18,512 for out-of-state students. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $24,999 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga generally make around $41,588. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga admits about 81% of applicants.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Middle Tennessee State University earned it the #4 place for general chemistry. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,266, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Students borrow a median of $22,754 to complete the general chemistry program here. General Chemistry graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $43,575 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.

5

Tennessee Technological University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Set in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,376 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,576. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $20,104. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $46,981. That is a strong return on a $20,104 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

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6

Austin Peay State University came in at #6 for value in general chemistry this year. Set in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,006 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,766. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the general chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Austin Peay State University generally make around $42,475. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Austin Peay State University admits about 96% of applicants.

7

East Tennessee State University earned the #7 position for value in general chemistry 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, compared with $13,726 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $21,301. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $45,444. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. East Tennessee State University admits about 86% of applicants.

8

The University Of Tennessee earned the #8 position for value in general chemistry this year. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,812, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $19,500. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $41,589. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.

9
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,498. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. General Chemistry graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $77,997 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,975 median debt. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.

10

Freed Hardeman University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general chemistry schools. 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. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $24,479. General Chemistry 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.

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11
Rhodes College crest
Rhodes College
Memphis, TN

Rhodes College placed #11 among the best values for general chemistry. Rhodes College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Memphis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,110. Students borrow a median of $23,078 to complete the general chemistry program here. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $40,807. That is a strong return on a $23,078 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.

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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 · 34 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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