Cheapest Special Education and Teaching Colleges in Tennessee

Tennessee's most affordable special education teaching programs reveal stark contrasts, with Le Moyne-Owen College offering a net price of just $8,992 compared to Carson-Newman University at $18,661. The state's 20 programs span earnings potential from $26,353 to $39,125, reflecting varied career paths in special education. Public universities dominate the lower cost range, with UT-Martin at $10,299 and Middle Tennessee State at $12,599 providing accessible entry points. Tennessee's growing healthcare sector, anchored by HCA Healthcare's Nashville headquarters, creates steady demand for special education professionals who often work alongside medical teams. The state's lack of income tax helps new teachers retain more of their starting salaries, while the Tennessee Promise program can reduce undergraduate debt loads. Graduation rates vary significantly, from UT-Knoxville's 73.5% to Tennessee Wesleyan's 43.6%, suggesting program structure and support systems differ substantially across institutions.

Programs

$8,992 – $26,815

Net Price Range

$35,429

Avg. Program Earnings

53.1%

Avg. Graduation Rate

25 Special Education and Teaching 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	The University of Tennessee-Martin Martin, Tennessee	$10,299	$10,208	54.8%	88.4%
3	Christian Brothers University Memphis, Tennessee	$10,896	$37,300	56.0%	87.5%
4	Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, Tennessee	$12,599	$9,506	54.0%	72.5%
5	The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga Chattanooga, Tennessee	$12,817	$10,144	53.1%	82.7%
6	University of Memphis Memphis, Tennessee	$13,253	$10,344	49.4%	94.6%
7	Tennessee Technological University Cookeville, Tennessee	$14,207	$10,084	54.2%	78.1%
8	Trevecca Nazarene University Nashville, Tennessee	$14,459	$29,790	54.8%	70.9%
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	Lincoln Memorial University Harrogate, Tennessee	$17,999	$26,150	53.9%	78.5%
13	The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Knoxville, Tennessee	$18,109	$13,484	73.5%	68.4%
14	Cumberland University Lebanon, Tennessee	$18,292	$27,840	47.0%	66.2%
15	Carson-Newman University Jefferson City, Tennessee	$18,661	$34,700	46.4%	79.8%
16	Vanderbilt University Nashville, Tennessee	$19,040	$63,946	92.7%	6.7%
17	Freed-Hardeman University Henderson, Tennessee	$20,082	$25,000	68.4%	91.2%
18	Lee University Cleveland, Tennessee	$20,399	$22,690	60.7%	72.6%
19	Bethel University McKenzie, Tennessee	$21,803	$18,168	34.9%	88.8%
20	Tusculum University Greeneville, Tennessee	$22,874	$28,500	30.5%	81.1%
21	King University Bristol, Tennessee	$23,508	$34,800	46.4%	60.8%
22	Southern Adventist University Collegedale, Tennessee	$24,334	$25,590	51.4%	65.8%
23	Lipscomb University Nashville, Tennessee	$25,610	$38,824	68.7%	71.1%
24	Fisk University Nashville, Tennessee	$26,135	$24,298	43.5%	71.0%
25	Union University Jackson, Tennessee	$26,815	$38,450	70.9%	52.6%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Le Moyne-Owen College's special education program so affordable?

Le Moyne-Owen College offers the lowest net price at $8,992 for special education students, nearly $1,300 less than the next cheapest option. The Memphis institution accepts 99.56% of applicants, making it highly accessible. However, the program shows a 24.7% graduation rate, which prospective students should weigh against the cost savings when making their decision.

How do public university costs compare to private options for special education?

Public universities dominate Tennessee's most affordable special education programs, with five of the top six spots. UT-Martin leads public options at $10,299 net cost, while the most affordable private school, Le Moyne-Owen at $8,992, represents an outlier. Most private institutions like Christian Brothers University charge significantly more, with a net price of $10,896 despite a sticker price of $37,300.

Does earning potential justify higher program costs in Tennessee?

University of Memphis graduates earn $39,125 annually with a net program cost of $13,253, offering strong return on investment. UT-Knoxville, despite costing $18,109, shows graduates earning just $26,353, the lowest among reporting schools. Austin Peay State provides middle ground at $14,846 net cost with $36,398 in graduate earnings, suggesting cost and earnings don't always correlate directly.

Is the Tennessee Promise program relevant for special education majors?

The Tennessee Promise covers community college tuition, which can reduce undergraduate debt before transferring to four-year special education programs. Students starting at community colleges can complete general education requirements affordably, then transfer to programs like Middle Tennessee State where the net cost averages $12,599. This strategy works particularly well given Tennessee's lack of state income tax, which helps preserve teacher salaries.

Where do special education teachers find employment opportunities in Tennessee?

Tennessee's healthcare industry, led by HCA Healthcare in Nashville, creates demand for special education professionals who work with medical teams serving children with disabilities. The state's automotive manufacturing presence in cities like Chattanooga and Memphis also generates opportunities in corporate special needs programs. School districts across Tennessee consistently recruit special education teachers, with urban areas like Memphis and Nashville offering higher salary scales than rural regions.

More Special Education and Teaching Rankings

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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.