2026 Best Value Value Schools in Tennessee
[Value](/majors/social-services-public-administration/public-administration/general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong value education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools to find the best return on investment for value students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Value Schools in Tennessee
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the value degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Value Schools
Leading the list is Tennessee State University, our #1 best value for value in Tennessee. Set in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,616, compared with $22,416 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,489 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Tennessee State University generally make around $45,060. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Tennessee State University admits about 70% of applicants.
Lincoln Memorial University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Harrogate, Lincoln Memorial University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,938. Value graduates carry a median of $20,693 in student loans. Value graduates of Lincoln Memorial University earn a median of $64,307 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Cumberland University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #3 spot this year. Cumberland University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Lebanon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,840. Value graduates carry a median of $21,902 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Cumberland University generally make around $47,696. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Lipscomb University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,572. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Lipscomb University earn a median of $48,949 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
