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Cheapest Liberal Arts and Sciences Colleges in Tennessee

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

Le Moyne-Owen College stands out as Tennessee's most affordable option for Liberal Arts and Sciences programs, with a net price of just $8,992 despite being a private institution. This cost advantage defies the typical public versus private pricing structure seen across the state's 20 programs, where public universities like Tennessee State University follow closely at $10,026. The $10,991 gap between the cheapest and most expensive options reflects significant variation in program value. Tennessee's job market particularly benefits Liberal Arts graduates through the state's growing healthcare sector, where HCA Healthcare and other major employers value the critical thinking and communication skills these programs develop. Music industry connections in Nashville also create unique opportunities for humanities graduates. Graduation rates span from 24.70% to 56%, with earnings ranging from $25,194 to $35,400 after completion. The state's lack of income tax means graduates keep more of their starting salaries compared to other regions. Public institutions dominate the lower cost range, though private colleges like Christian Brothers University offer strong outcomes despite higher sticker prices.
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 In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $8,992 $12,076 24.7% 99.6%
2 $10,026 $8,568 33.0%
3 $10,299 $10,208 54.8% 88.4%
4 $10,896 $37,300 56.0% 87.5%
5 $12,599 $9,506 54.0% 72.5%
6 $12,817 $10,144 53.1% 82.7%
7 $13,253 $10,344 49.4% 94.6%
8 $14,207 $10,084 54.2% 78.1%
9 $14,459 $29,790 54.8% 70.9%
10 $14,846 $8,675 44.5% 93.8%
11 $14,879 $29,264 43.6% 60.7%
12 $15,133 $10,506 35.7% 80.3%
13 $15,794 $9,950 49.9% 85.3%
14 $16,494 $18,900 55.9%
15 $17,999 $26,150 53.9% 78.5%
16 $18,109 $13,484 73.5% 68.4%
17 $18,292 $27,840 47.0% 66.2%
18 $18,661 $34,700 46.4% 79.8%
19 $19,294 $12,474 33.3%
20 $19,983 $20,796 61.4%
21 $20,303 $20,318 62.2% 63.2%
22 $20,399 $22,690 60.7% 72.6%
23 $21,131 $39,350 60.3% 66.7%
24 $21,803 $18,168 34.9% 88.8%
25 $23,508 $34,800 46.4% 60.8%
26 $25,610 $38,824 68.7% 71.1%
27 $26,135 $24,298 43.5% 71.0%
28 $26,815 $38,450 70.9% 52.6%
29 $32,096 $41,320 71.7% 96.3%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains Le Moyne-Owen College's unusually low net price for a private institution?

Le Moyne-Owen College charges just $8,992 net price despite being private, making it cheaper than most public alternatives in Tennessee. The college offers substantial financial aid that reduces the $12,076 in-state tuition significantly. However, the trade-off appears in graduation rates, with only 24.70% of students completing their programs. The 99.56% acceptance rate indicates open enrollment policies that prioritize access over selectivity.

How do public university costs compare across Tennessee's regions?

Public universities maintain consistent in-state tuition between $8,568 and $10,506, but net prices vary more dramatically. Tennessee State University in Nashville offers the lowest net price at $10,026, while East Tennessee State University charges $15,794 after aid. Middle Tennessee State University provides strong value with a $12,599 net price and $35,400 median earnings. Regional economic differences likely influence both aid distribution and post-graduation earning potential.

Is there a connection between program cost and graduate earnings in Tennessee?

The relationship between cost and earnings shows interesting patterns across Tennessee programs. Middle Tennessee State University combines a moderate $12,599 net price with the highest earnings at $35,400, suggesting strong return on investment. University of Memphis graduates earn $34,650 despite a slightly higher net cost of $13,253. Tennessee Tech offers competitive earnings of $28,272 with relatively low debt of just $18,000.

Does graduation rate correlate with program selectivity in Tennessee Liberal Arts programs?

Selective programs generally show better completion rates, though exceptions exist. Christian Brothers University maintains 56% graduation rates with 87.46% acceptance, while highly selective Tennessee Wesleyan (60.74% acceptance) achieves only 43.60% graduation rates. Bryan College-Dayton reaches 55.90% graduation rates without reporting acceptance data. The relationship suggests factors beyond selectivity influence student success in Liberal Arts programs.

Where do Tennessee Liberal Arts graduates find the best job market opportunities?

Nashville and Memphis offer the strongest job markets for Liberal Arts graduates, with major healthcare employers like HCA Healthcare valuing communication and analytical skills. The music industry in Nashville particularly seeks humanities graduates for roles in artist management, publishing, and media production. Tennessee's automotive manufacturing sector also employs Liberal Arts graduates in management and human resources positions. The state's lack of income tax means graduates retain more of their $25,194 to $35,400 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.