2026 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in Tennessee
[Fine Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/fine-arts/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong fine arts 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 fine arts students.
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2026 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in Tennessee
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the fine arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Fine Arts Schools
Tennessee Technological University earned the #1 spot for value among fine arts schools in Tennessee. Located in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,376, with out-of-state students paying around $15,576. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $13,935 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Tennessee Technological University generally make around $19,231. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Tennessee earned it the #2 place for fine arts. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,812 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the fine arts program here. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $23,661. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cumberland University earned it the #3 place for fine arts. Located in the town of Lebanon, Cumberland University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $27,840 in tuition and fees. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $21,902 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of Cumberland University earn a median of $47,696 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Vanderbilt University earned it the #4 place for fine arts. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $13,975. Fine Arts graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $77,997 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 6%.
A rank of #5 makes Lee University one of the best values for fine arts. Set in the city of Cleveland, Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $23,790. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $29,750. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Lee University generally make around $26,598. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lee University admits about 70% of applicants.
Union University placed #6 among the best values for fine arts. Set in the city of Jackson, Union University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,398 in tuition and fees. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $28,605 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of Union University earn a median of $68,508 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Union University admits about 60% of applicants.
Sewanee The University Of The South landed the #7 spot for fine arts value this year. 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 $22,091 to complete the fine arts program here. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $36,927. Set against $22,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, 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.
