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DEBUG: Checking offer "Sociology (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.8
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2026 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Tennessee
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the social sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Social Sciences Schools
Leading the list is The University Of Tennessee Martin, our #1 best value for social sciences in Tennessee. Set in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,560 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,600. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $23,770. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $40,400. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Middle Tennessee State University earned it the #2 place for social sciences. 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, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,208 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $28,074. That is a strong return on a $22,208 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earned it the #3 place for social sciences. Set in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,448, while out-of-state students pay about $18,512. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,313 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga generally make around $39,084. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Tennessee State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $22,416. Students borrow a median of $31,098 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $35,128. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Students looking for strong value in social sciences will find it at Tennessee Technological University, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,376, compared with $15,576 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,057 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Tennessee Technological University generally make around $34,830. Set against $16,057 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
ADBLOCK #101
University Of Memphis ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,728, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $23,405. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $27,573. Set against $23,405 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Austin Peay State University landed the #7 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,006, while out-of-state students pay about $14,766. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $26,232. Social Sciences graduates of Austin Peay State University earn a median of $33,430 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,232 median debt. Austin Peay State University admits about 96% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee came in at #8 for value in social sciences 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, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,099 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $31,301 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,099 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
East Tennessee State University earned the #9 position for value in social sciences 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 $21,186 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from East Tennessee State University generally make around $31,391. That is a strong return on a $21,186 median debt. East Tennessee State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Vanderbilt University earned the #10 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Students borrow a median of $11,990 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $73,246. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 6%.
[Social Sciences](/majors/social-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong social sciences education at a price that pays off.
