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Best Value Marketing Colleges in Tennessee

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

The University of Tennessee-Martin delivers remarkable value for marketing students, charging just $10,299 in net costs while producing graduates who earn $32,569 annually. This creates one of the strongest return-on-investment ratios among Tennessee marketing programs. Public universities across the state maintain a clear cost advantage, with five charging under $16,000 compared to private institutions that can exceed $30,000 annually. Tennessee's marketing market benefits from Nashville's music industry headquarters, Memphis logistics networks, and healthcare giants like HCA that require sophisticated marketing operations. The earnings gap between programs reaches $13,369, with UT-Knoxville marketing graduates commanding the highest salaries at $43,054 despite carrying a net cost of $18,109. Students considering private options will find graduation rates averaging 15 percentage points higher than public alternatives, though the financial trade-off requires careful consideration. The state's lack of income tax means marketing professionals keep more of their earnings, making Tennessee an attractive destination for career growth in advertising, digital marketing, and brand management roles.
23
Programs
$10,299 – $32,096
Net Price Range
$36,356
Avg. Program Earnings
55.1%
Avg. Graduation Rate

23 Marketing Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $10,299 $32,569 $10,208 54.8% 88.4%
2 $12,599 $38,469 $9,506 54.0% 72.5%
3 $13,253 $39,369 $10,344 49.4% 94.6%
4 $14,207 $37,363 $10,084 54.2% 78.1%
5 $18,109 $43,054 $13,484 73.5% 68.4%
6 $15,794 $36,560 $9,950 49.9% 85.3%
7 $20,082 $29,685 $25,000 68.4% 91.2%
8 $25,610 $32,925 $38,824 68.7% 71.1%
9 $32,096 $37,208 $41,320 71.7% 96.3%
10 $26,815 $38,450 70.9% 52.6%
11 $14,846 $8,675 44.5% 93.8%
12 $14,459 $29,790 54.8% 70.9%
13 $12,817 $10,144 53.1% 82.7%
14 $14,879 $29,264 43.6% 60.7%
15 $24,334 $25,590 51.4% 65.8%
16 $20,986 $38,514 47.2% 69.5%
17 $17,999 $26,150 53.9% 78.5%
18 $20,399 $22,690 60.7% 72.6%
19 $17,182 $17,935 36.7%
20 $18,292 $27,840 47.0% 66.2%
21 $10,896 $37,300 56.0% 87.5%
22 $18,661 $34,700 46.4% 79.8%
23 $16,494 $18,900 55.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Tennessee marketing programs such strong financial investments?

Public universities dominate the value equation, with UT-Martin offering the lowest net cost at $10,299 while still producing graduates earning over $32,000 annually. The state's lack of income tax means marketing professionals keep more of their earnings compared to other states. Tennessee Promise also provides community college pathways that can reduce overall degree costs by covering the first two years of education.

How do graduation rates vary between public and private marketing programs?

Private institutions show consistently higher completion rates, with Belmont University achieving 71.7% and Union University reaching 70.9%. Public universities average around 53% graduation rates, though UT-Knoxville breaks this pattern with an impressive 73.5% rate. The 20-point gap suggests private schools provide more support structures, but students must weigh this against significantly higher costs that can exceed $30,000 annually.

Is the earnings difference between Tennessee marketing programs significant?

UT-Knoxville marketing graduates earn $43,054 annually, while Freed-Hardeman graduates start at $29,685, creating a $13,369 gap. Middle Tennessee State and University of Memphis both produce graduates earning near $39,000, making them strong middle-ground options. The highest-earning programs cluster around major metropolitan areas like Nashville, Knoxville, and Memphis where marketing opportunities concentrate.

Does student debt vary dramatically across Tennessee marketing programs?

Tennessee Tech keeps student debt lowest at $16,177, followed closely by UT-Martin at $17,048, both well below national averages. Union University students face the highest debt burden at $22,729, though private school graduates typically earn enough to manage payments effectively. Most programs keep debt under $20,000, reflecting the state's relatively affordable education costs and strong public university system.

Where do Tennessee marketing graduates find the best job opportunities?

Nashville's music industry creates unique marketing roles at labels and entertainment companies, while Memphis serves as a logistics center requiring supply chain marketing expertise. Healthcare marketing thrives around HCA's Nashville headquarters and the numerous medical centers statewide. The automotive manufacturing corridor also demands marketing professionals for companies like Nissan and Volkswagen that have established major operations in Tennessee.

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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.