Best Value Design and Applied Arts Colleges in Tennessee

Christian Brothers University offers the state's lowest net cost for Design and Applied Arts at $10,896, while earnings across Tennessee's 14 programs range from $28,236 to $38,829. Public universities dominate the affordable options, with Middle Tennessee State delivering strong value at $12,599 net cost and $35,060 median earnings. Tennessee's music industry headquarters in Nashville and growing healthcare sector create natural career paths for graduates in graphic design, multimedia production, and medical illustration. The state's lack of income tax means graduates keep more of their earnings, making even modest starting salaries stretch further than in neighboring states.

Programs

$10,896 – $32,096

Net Price Range

$33,595

Avg. Program Earnings

56.1%

Avg. Graduation Rate

14 Design and Applied Arts Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, Tennessee	$12,599	$35,060	$9,506	54.0%	72.5%
2	The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Knoxville, Tennessee	$18,109	$38,829	$13,484	73.5%	68.4%
3	East Tennessee State University Johnson City, Tennessee	$15,794	$32,925	$9,950	49.9%	85.3%
4	Nossi College of Art and Design Nashville, Tennessee	$23,591	$28,236	$20,350	35.5%	56.7%
5	Belmont University Nashville, Tennessee	$32,096	$32,925	$41,320	71.7%	96.3%
6	Carson-Newman University Jefferson City, Tennessee	$18,661		$34,700	46.4%	79.8%
7	Christian Brothers University Memphis, Tennessee	$10,896		$37,300	56.0%	87.5%
8	Lipscomb University Nashville, Tennessee	$25,610		$38,824	68.7%	71.1%
9	Freed-Hardeman University Henderson, Tennessee	$20,082		$25,000	68.4%	91.2%
10	Maryville College Maryville, Tennessee	$20,986		$38,514	47.2%	69.5%
11	University of Memphis Memphis, Tennessee	$13,253		$10,344	49.4%	94.6%
12	Southern Adventist University Collegedale, Tennessee	$24,334		$25,590	51.4%	65.8%
13	The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga Chattanooga, Tennessee	$12,817		$10,144	53.1%	82.7%
14	Milligan University Milligan, Tennessee	$21,131		$39,350	60.3%	66.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $21,200 cost difference between the cheapest and most expensive programs?

Christian Brothers University's $10,896 net cost reflects generous institutional aid, while Belmont University's $32,096 represents full private tuition impact. Public schools like Middle Tennessee State ($12,599) and UT-Knoxville ($18,109) fall between these extremes, offering state residents significant savings.

How do graduation rates correlate with program costs in Tennessee?

UT-Knoxville achieves the highest graduation rate at 73.5% with an $18,109 net cost, while Nossi College shows just 35.5% completion despite charging $23,591. The data suggests that moderate-cost public programs often deliver better completion outcomes than expensive private alternatives.

Is Nashville worth the premium for Design and Applied Arts students?

Nashville schools range from Nossi College at $23,591 to Belmont at $32,096, compared to statewide averages around $18,000. The city's music industry and healthcare headquarters offer internship access, but graduates earn similar salaries regardless of school location.

Does debt load vary significantly among Tennessee's Design and Applied Arts programs?

Available debt data shows Nossi College graduates carry $42,250 in loans despite earning just $28,236 annually. East Tennessee State students graduate with $18,250 debt but earn $32,925, creating a much more manageable debt-to-income ratio.

More Design and Applied Arts Rankings

Cheapest Design and Applied Arts in Tennessee Design and Applied Arts Under $20,000 in Tennessee

All Design and Applied Arts Programs Best Colleges in Tennessee Best Design and Applied Arts in Tennessee

Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.