Cheapest Teacher Education and Professional Development Colleges in Tennessee

Teacher education costs in Tennessee reveal stark contrasts between public and private institutions, with net prices spanning from $8,992 at Le Moyne-Owen College to $19,040 across 20 programs statewide. Public universities dominate the affordable options, claiming eight of the ten cheapest spots and offering in-state tuition as low as $8,568 at Tennessee State University. The earnings potential for Tennessee teacher education graduates ranges from $28,719 to $43,128, reflecting the state's commitment to education workforce development amid growing demand. Tennessee's teacher shortage has created urgent hiring needs across districts, particularly in rural counties where many of these affordable programs operate. The state's unique funding structure, including the Tennessee Promise program and absence of state income tax, helps reduce the financial burden on education majors. With graduation rates varying from 24.70% to 75% among these programs, prospective teachers can find quality preparation at accessible price points throughout the state.

Programs

$8,992 – $32,096

Net Price Range

$35,325

Avg. Program Earnings

53.2%

Avg. Graduation Rate

32 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods 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	Christian Brothers University Memphis, Tennessee	$10,896	$37,300	56.0%	87.5%
5	Mid-South Christian College Memphis, Tennessee	$11,881	$11,905	75.0%	100.0%
6	Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, Tennessee	$12,599	$9,506	54.0%	72.5%
7	The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga Chattanooga, Tennessee	$12,817	$10,144	53.1%	82.7%
8	University of Memphis Memphis, Tennessee	$13,253	$10,344	49.4%	94.6%
9	Tennessee Technological University Cookeville, Tennessee	$14,207	$10,084	54.2%	78.1%
10	Trevecca Nazarene University Nashville, Tennessee	$14,459	$29,790	54.8%	70.9%
11	Austin Peay State University Clarksville, Tennessee	$14,846	$8,675	44.5%	93.8%
12	Tennessee Wesleyan University Athens, Tennessee	$14,879	$29,264	43.6%	60.7%
13	The University of Tennessee Southern Pulaski, Tennessee	$15,133	$10,506	35.7%	80.3%
14	East Tennessee State University Johnson City, Tennessee	$15,794	$9,950	49.9%	85.3%
15	Bryan College-Dayton Dayton, Tennessee	$16,494	$18,900	55.9%
16	South College Knoxville, Tennessee	$17,182	$17,935	36.7%
17	Lincoln Memorial University Harrogate, Tennessee	$17,999	$26,150	53.9%	78.5%
18	Cumberland University Lebanon, Tennessee	$18,292	$27,840	47.0%	66.2%
19	Carson-Newman University Jefferson City, Tennessee	$18,661	$34,700	46.4%	79.8%
20	Vanderbilt University Nashville, Tennessee	$19,040	$63,946	92.7%	6.7%
21	Welch College Gallatin, Tennessee	$19,983	$20,796	61.4%
22	Freed-Hardeman University Henderson, Tennessee	$20,082	$25,000	68.4%	91.2%
23	Johnson University Knoxville, Tennessee	$20,303	$20,318	62.2%	63.2%
24	Lee University Cleveland, Tennessee	$20,399	$22,690	60.7%	72.6%
25	Milligan University Milligan, Tennessee	$21,131	$39,350	60.3%	66.7%
26	Bethel University McKenzie, Tennessee	$21,803	$18,168	34.9%	88.8%
27	Tusculum University Greeneville, Tennessee	$22,874	$28,500	30.5%	81.1%
28	King University Bristol, Tennessee	$23,508	$34,800	46.4%	60.8%
29	Southern Adventist University Collegedale, Tennessee	$24,334	$25,590	51.4%	65.8%
30	Lipscomb University Nashville, Tennessee	$25,610	$38,824	68.7%	71.1%
31	Union University Jackson, Tennessee	$26,815	$38,450	70.9%	52.6%
32	Belmont University Nashville, Tennessee	$32,096	$41,320	71.7%	96.3%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Le Moyne-Owen College the most affordable option at $8,992 net cost?

Le Moyne-Owen College offers the lowest net price among Tennessee teacher education programs at $8,992, significantly below the state average. This private college in Memphis accepts 99.56% of applicants, making it highly accessible to students. However, the graduation rate stands at 24.70%, which prospective students should consider alongside the cost savings. The college serves a predominantly African American student population in Memphis, addressing critical teacher diversity needs in urban districts.

How do public university costs compare to private institutions for teacher education?

Public universities offer substantial savings with in-state tuition ranging from $8,568 to $10,506, while private institutions charge $11,905 to $37,300. Tennessee State University provides the lowest in-state rate at $8,568, compared to Christian Brothers University's $37,300 sticker price. After financial aid, the gap narrows but remains significant, with most public schools maintaining net costs under $16,000. Eight of the ten most affordable programs operate as public institutions, reflecting Tennessee's investment in accessible teacher preparation.

What earning potential can graduates expect from these affordable programs?

Teacher education graduates from Tennessee's most affordable programs earn between $28,719 and $43,128 annually, with notable variation by institution. Tennessee Wesleyan University graduates earn the highest at $37,208 despite moderate program costs of $14,879 net. University of Memphis graduates start at $28,719, the lowest among reporting schools, while carrying $26,750 in average debt. Tennessee Technological University graduates benefit from both strong earnings at $34,917 and the lowest debt burden at $13,000.

Does graduation rate correlate with program affordability in Tennessee?

Graduation rates vary dramatically among affordable teacher education programs, from 24.70% at the cheapest option to 75% at Mid-South Christian College. The University of Tennessee-Martin achieves a 54.80% graduation rate while maintaining costs under $10,300, demonstrating that affordability doesn't necessarily compromise completion. Public universities generally maintain graduation rates between 44% and 55%, with Tennessee Technological University leading at 54.20%. Private institutions show more variation, with some achieving higher completion rates despite similar cost structures.

Where are the most affordable teacher education programs concentrated geographically?

Memphis hosts three of the most affordable programs, including the cheapest option at Le Moyne-Owen College and competitive alternatives at Christian Brothers University and Mid-South Christian College. Nashville offers Tennessee State University's low-cost public option at $10,026 net price, serving the state capital's school districts. Rural campuses like UT-Martin and Tennessee Tech provide affordable preparation while addressing teacher shortages in smaller communities. East Tennessee State University in Johnson City rounds out regional coverage, ensuring accessible teacher preparation across the state's varied geographic regions.

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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.