Best Value Finance and Financial Management Services Colleges in Tennessee

Finance graduates in Tennessee face an earnings gap that tells a compelling story about program value. The University of Tennessee-Martin delivers the state's strongest return on investment, with graduates earning $42,682 annually after paying just $10,299 in net costs. Meanwhile, UT-Knoxville commands the highest graduate salaries at $50,105 but requires nearly double the investment at $18,109. Tennessee's finance job market benefits from major employers like HCA Healthcare and the state's growing financial services sector, particularly in Nashville and Memphis. The 20 programs span from ultra-affordable public options under $13,000 to premium private colleges exceeding $27,000. Public universities dominate the value equation, with six of the top eight most affordable options coming from state institutions. Graduation rates vary dramatically, from South College's 36.7% to University of the South's 82.4%, suggesting that institutional support systems matter as much as sticker price. Tennessee's lack of state income tax means graduates keep more of their starting salaries, making even modest earnings figures more attractive than they appear on paper.

Programs

$10,299 – $32,096

Net Price Range

$42,388

Avg. Program Earnings

56.0%

Avg. Graduation Rate

21 Finance and Financial Management Services Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	The University of Tennessee-Martin Martin, Tennessee	$10,299	$42,682	$10,208	54.8%	88.4%
2	University of Memphis Memphis, Tennessee	$13,253	$44,468	$10,344	49.4%	94.6%
3	Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, Tennessee	$12,599	$41,789	$9,506	54.0%	72.5%
4	The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Knoxville, Tennessee	$18,109	$50,105	$13,484	73.5%	68.4%
5	Tennessee Technological University Cookeville, Tennessee	$14,207	$36,992	$10,084	54.2%	78.1%
6	East Tennessee State University Johnson City, Tennessee	$15,794	$38,289	$9,950	49.9%	85.3%
7	Lincoln Memorial University Harrogate, Tennessee	$17,999		$26,150	53.9%	78.5%
8	The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga Chattanooga, Tennessee	$12,817		$10,144	53.1%	82.7%
9	Tennessee Wesleyan University Athens, Tennessee	$14,879		$29,264	43.6%	60.7%
10	Southern Adventist University Collegedale, Tennessee	$24,334		$25,590	51.4%	65.8%
11	The University of the South Sewanee, Tennessee	$27,498		$53,698	82.4%	52.3%
12	Maryville College Maryville, Tennessee	$20,986		$38,514	47.2%	69.5%
13	Austin Peay State University Clarksville, Tennessee	$14,846		$8,675	44.5%	93.8%
14	Lee University Cleveland, Tennessee	$20,399		$22,690	60.7%	72.6%
15	South College Knoxville, Tennessee	$17,182		$17,935	36.7%
16	Freed-Hardeman University Henderson, Tennessee	$20,082		$25,000	68.4%	91.2%
17	Lipscomb University Nashville, Tennessee	$25,610		$38,824	68.7%	71.1%
18	Christian Brothers University Memphis, Tennessee	$10,896		$37,300	56.0%	87.5%
19	Carson-Newman University Jefferson City, Tennessee	$18,661		$34,700	46.4%	79.8%
20	Bryan College-Dayton Dayton, Tennessee	$16,494		$18,900	55.9%
21	Belmont University Nashville, Tennessee	$32,096		$41,320	71.7%	96.3%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes University of Tennessee-Martin such strong value for finance students?

UT-Martin combines the state's lowest net cost at $10,299 with solid graduate earnings of $42,682, creating an impressive return on investment. The 54.8% graduation rate exceeds the state average, while the 88.44% acceptance rate makes admission accessible. Students graduate with manageable debt of $20,251, well below national averages for finance programs.

How do Tennessee's public universities compare to private colleges for finance value?

Public universities deliver superior value across the board, with six programs under $16,000 in net costs compared to private options starting around $18,000. The earnings gap narrows significantly, as UT-Knoxville graduates earn $50,105 while expensive private University of the South provides similar career outcomes. Tennessee's public finance programs maintain acceptance rates above 68%, making quality education accessible.

Is the graduation rate gap between schools a concern for finance students?

Graduation rates span from 36.7% at South College to 82.4% at University of the South, representing a 45-point difference that directly impacts program value. Most public universities cluster between 49-55%, suggesting consistent student support systems. The data shows that paying more doesn't guarantee better completion rates, as several affordable public programs outperform expensive private alternatives.

Does Tennessee's job market support finance graduates effectively?

Tennessee's major employers like HCA Healthcare and the growing Nashville financial district create solid demand for finance graduates. The state's lack of income tax means a $42,000 starting salary provides more take-home pay than equivalent positions in neighboring states. Memphis and Nashville particularly benefit from regional banking centers and corporate headquarters requiring financial expertise.

Where do the highest-earning finance graduates come from in Tennessee?

UT-Knoxville produces the highest-earning graduates at $50,105 annually, justifying its $18,109 net cost through superior career outcomes. University of Memphis follows at $44,468 with much lower costs of $13,253, creating strong competition for value-conscious students. The earnings range from $36,992 to $50,105 shows that institutional reputation and alumni networks significantly impact starting salaries.

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