Cheapest Sociology Colleges in Tennessee

Le Moyne-Owen College stands out dramatically in Tennessee's sociology market, offering the state's most affordable net price at just $8,992 despite being a private institution. This Memphis college nearly matches public school costs while maintaining open access with a 99.56% acceptance rate. The affordability gap narrows considerably among public universities, with Tennessee State at $10,026 and UT-Martin at $10,299, though graduation outcomes vary significantly across institutions. Tennessee's sociology graduates enter a job market shaped by healthcare giants like HCA, the music industry centered in Nashville, and growing automotive manufacturing. The state's lack of income tax means graduates keep more of their earnings, which range from $20,824 at UT-Martin to $38,289 for Vanderbilt alumni. Public universities dominate the affordable end, with six institutions offering sociology programs under $16,000 in net costs. Tennessee Promise coverage for community college creates additional pathways into four-year sociology programs, though students must navigate varying debt loads that span from $15,000 at Tennessee Tech to over $36,000 at Lane College.

Programs

$8,992 – $32,096

Net Price Range

$28,765

Avg. Program Earnings

51.5%

Avg. Graduation Rate

22 Sociology Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Le Moyne-Owen College Memphis, Tennessee	$8,992	$12,076	24.7%	99.6%
2	Tennessee State University Nashville, Tennessee	$10,026	$8,568	33.0%
3	The University of Tennessee-Martin Martin, Tennessee	$10,299	$10,208	54.8%	88.4%
4	Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, Tennessee	$12,599	$9,506	54.0%	72.5%
5	University of Memphis Memphis, Tennessee	$13,253	$10,344	49.4%	94.6%
6	Tennessee Technological University Cookeville, Tennessee	$14,207	$10,084	54.2%	78.1%
7	Trevecca Nazarene University Nashville, Tennessee	$14,459	$29,790	54.8%	70.9%
8	Lane College Jackson, Tennessee	$14,494	$11,790	17.0%
9	Austin Peay State University Clarksville, Tennessee	$14,846	$8,675	44.5%	93.8%
10	Tennessee Wesleyan University Athens, Tennessee	$14,879	$29,264	43.6%	60.7%
11	East Tennessee State University Johnson City, Tennessee	$15,794	$9,950	49.9%	85.3%
12	The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Knoxville, Tennessee	$18,109	$13,484	73.5%	68.4%
13	Carson-Newman University Jefferson City, Tennessee	$18,661	$34,700	46.4%	79.8%
14	Vanderbilt University Nashville, Tennessee	$19,040	$63,946	92.7%	6.7%
15	Lee University Cleveland, Tennessee	$20,399	$22,690	60.7%	72.6%
16	Maryville College Maryville, Tennessee	$20,986	$38,514	47.2%	69.5%
17	Milligan University Milligan, Tennessee	$21,131	$39,350	60.3%	66.7%
18	Bethel University McKenzie, Tennessee	$21,803	$18,168	34.9%	88.8%
19	Southern Adventist University Collegedale, Tennessee	$24,334	$25,590	51.4%	65.8%
20	Fisk University Nashville, Tennessee	$26,135	$24,298	43.5%	71.0%
21	Union University Jackson, Tennessee	$26,815	$38,450	70.9%	52.6%
22	Belmont University Nashville, Tennessee	$32,096	$41,320	71.7%	96.3%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Le Moyne-Owen College so affordable compared to other private schools?

Le Moyne-Owen College offers sociology students a net price of $8,992, making it more affordable than most public universities in Tennessee. The Memphis institution achieves this through substantial financial aid that reduces the sticker price from $12,076 to below $9,000 for most students. With a 99.56% acceptance rate, the college provides accessible education though graduates should note the 24.70% graduation rate when weighing their options.

How do public university costs compare for sociology majors in Tennessee?

Tennessee's public universities cluster tightly in affordability, with net prices ranging from $10,026 at Tennessee State to $18,109 at UT-Knoxville. Middle Tennessee State offers strong value at $12,599 with sociology graduates earning $31,038 annually and carrying just $16,133 in debt. The University of Memphis provides another solid option at $13,253 with graduates earning $28,870, though debt loads reach $25,665.

Does Vanderbilt University justify its higher costs for sociology students?

Vanderbilt sociology graduates earn $38,289 annually, the highest in the state, while carrying $19,500 in debt despite the $63,946 sticker price. The university's 92.70% graduation rate far exceeds other Tennessee institutions, and the $19,040 net price reflects substantial financial aid. However, the 6.67% acceptance rate makes admission highly competitive compared to more accessible state universities.

What career opportunities exist for sociology graduates in Tennessee?

Tennessee's major employers like HCA Healthcare create opportunities for sociology graduates in hospital administration, patient advocacy, and healthcare research roles. The music industry in Nashville offers positions in artist management, venue operations, and music therapy programs that value sociological training. Automotive manufacturers including Nissan and General Motors need sociology graduates for human resources, community relations, and workplace culture development as the industry continues expanding statewide.

Is Tennessee Promise beneficial for sociology students?

Tennessee Promise covers community college tuition, allowing sociology students to complete general education requirements affordably before transferring to four-year programs. Students can save thousands by starting at community colleges before entering universities like Middle Tennessee State at $12,599 or University of Memphis at $13,253. The program works particularly well for students planning to attend public universities, where transfer credit acceptance rates remain high and graduation outcomes stay above 44% across most institutions.

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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.