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Best Value Liberal Arts and Sciences Colleges in Tennessee

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

The University of Tennessee-Martin delivers strong value for liberal arts students at just $10,299 net price, while private Belmont University commands $32,096 but produces graduates earning $47,260 annually. This $22,000 cost gap reflects Tennessee's public university system strength, where six schools keep net prices below $16,000. The state's healthcare sector, anchored by HCA Healthcare, actively recruits liberal arts graduates for management training programs and patient advocacy roles. Tennessee's music industry in Nashville also values the critical thinking and communication skills these programs develop. Middle Tennessee State University stands out with 54% graduation rates at $12,599 net cost, while Austin Peay offers the lowest in-state tuition at $8,675. The Tennessee Promise program covering community college costs creates additional pathways for students to complete bachelor's degrees affordably. With no state income tax, graduates keep more of their starting salaries, making even modest earnings more valuable than comparable positions in other states.
29
Programs
$8,992 – $32,096
Net Price Range
$31,755
Avg. Program Earnings
51.7%
Avg. Graduation Rate

29 Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $12,599 $35,400 $9,506 54.0% 72.5%
2 $13,253 $34,650 $10,344 49.4% 94.6%
3 $14,207 $28,272 $10,084 54.2% 78.1%
4 $12,817 $25,194 $10,144 53.1% 82.7%
5 $15,794 $29,840 $9,950 49.9% 85.3%
6 $14,846 $26,353 $8,675 44.5% 93.8%
7 $32,096 $47,260 $41,320 71.7% 96.3%
8 $26,815 $34,793 $38,450 70.9% 52.6%
9 $20,399 $24,035 $22,690 60.7% 72.6%
10 $15,133 $10,506 35.7% 80.3%
11 $21,131 $39,350 60.3% 66.7%
12 $14,879 $29,264 43.6% 60.7%
13 $18,109 $13,484 73.5% 68.4%
14 $10,299 $10,208 54.8% 88.4%
15 $10,026 $8,568 33.0%
16 $14,459 $29,790 54.8% 70.9%
17 $19,294 $12,474 33.3%
18 $17,999 $26,150 53.9% 78.5%
19 $8,992 $12,076 24.7% 99.6%
20 $23,508 $34,800 46.4% 60.8%
21 $20,303 $20,318 62.2% 63.2%
22 $19,983 $20,796 61.4%
23 $26,135 $24,298 43.5% 71.0%
24 $25,610 $38,824 68.7% 71.1%
25 $18,292 $27,840 47.0% 66.2%
26 $10,896 $37,300 56.0% 87.5%
27 $18,661 $34,700 46.4% 79.8%
28 $16,494 $18,900 55.9%
29 $21,803 $18,168 34.9% 88.8%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $22,000 price difference between Tennessee's cheapest and most expensive liberal arts programs?

UT-Martin costs $10,299 annually while Belmont University charges $32,096, reflecting the gap between public and private education. Public universities receive state funding that subsidizes tuition, especially for Tennessee residents who pay just $10,208 in-state at UT-Martin. Private schools like Belmont rely on tuition revenue and typically offer smaller class sizes and specialized resources. However, Belmont graduates earn $47,260 compared to the state average of $31,000, potentially justifying the higher investment.

How do Tennessee liberal arts graduates perform in the job market compared to other majors?

Liberal arts graduates in Tennessee earn between $24,035 and $47,260 annually, with most programs producing mid-career salaries around $30,000. The state's major employers like HCA Healthcare and Nissan actively recruit these graduates for management roles that value critical thinking and communication skills. Nashville's music industry also provides unique opportunities, as record labels and entertainment companies need employees who understand both business operations and creative processes. The lack of state income tax means graduates keep more of their earnings compared to other states.

Is attending a private university worth the extra cost for liberal arts students in Tennessee?

Private universities like Belmont show significantly higher graduation rates at 71.7% compared to public averages around 50%. Union University achieves 70.9% graduation rates with graduates earning $34,793, while Lee University graduates earn less at $24,035 despite the $20,399 annual cost. The decision depends on individual financial circumstances and career goals. Students should consider that private school graduates often carry similar debt loads to public university students, around $19,000-$21,500.

Does the Tennessee Promise program affect liberal arts degree value?

Tennessee Promise covers community college tuition, allowing students to complete general education requirements before transferring to four-year programs. This pathway can reduce total degree costs by $15,000-$20,000 since students avoid two years of university tuition. Many liberal arts students use this route to attend schools like UT-Knoxville, which costs $18,109 annually but offers 73.5% graduation rates. The program particularly benefits first-generation college students who might otherwise avoid higher education due to cost concerns.

Where do Tennessee liberal arts graduates find the best career opportunities?

Nashville and Memphis offer the strongest job markets, with healthcare systems, financial services, and entertainment companies seeking liberal arts graduates. HCA Healthcare, headquartered in Nashville, regularly hires these graduates for patient advocacy and administrative roles paying above state averages. The music industry provides unique opportunities in artist management, publishing, and marketing that value the broad skill set liberal arts programs develop. Chattanooga's growing technology sector also recruits liberal arts graduates for client-facing positions, while the absence of state income tax makes all Tennessee markets more attractive financially.

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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.