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

4 Colleges in the United States
$20,225 Avg Student Debt
$66,383 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Economics Badge [Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong economics education at a price that pays off.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 17 schools to find the best return on investment for economics students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Economics Schools in Tennessee

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

Best Value Economics Schools

1

Middle Tennessee State University tops our 2026 list of the best value economics schools in Tennessee. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,266, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $22,754. Early-career economics graduates make about $43,575. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.

2

Students looking for strong value in economics will find it at The University Of Tennessee, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,812, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $21,650. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $46,302. Set against $21,650 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.

3
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Economics graduates carry a median of $12,424 in student loans. Economics graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $84,311 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,424 median debt. The acceptance rate is 6%.

4
Rhodes College crest
Rhodes College
Memphis, TN

Rhodes College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in economics, landing the #4 spot this year. 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. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $19,500. Economics graduates of Rhodes College earn a median of $57,814 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.

5

Sewanee The University Of The South came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Located in the rural area of Sewanee, Sewanee The University Of The South is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $56,120 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,798 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of Sewanee The University Of The South earn a median of $58,532 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,798 median debt. Sewanee The University Of The South admits about 57% of applicants.

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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 · 17 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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