Community colleges dominate Tennessee's most affordable higher education options, with Nashville State Community College leading at just $4,464 per year for in-state students. The state's 13 community colleges consistently rank among the cheapest programs nationwide, offering associate degrees across 103 major fields for under $5,000 annually. Tennessee's Promise scholarship program, which covers tuition and fees at community colleges for eligible high school graduates, makes these institutions even more accessible. Employers like FedEx, Nissan, and Bridgestone actively recruit from Tennessee's two-year programs, particularly in manufacturing and logistics fields. Four-year public universities like East Tennessee State University charge around $9,000 annually for residents, while private colleges such as King University can cost $35,000 or more. The state's focus on career-ready education aligns with major industries including healthcare, automotive manufacturing, and music production centered in Nashville and Memphis. Students can complete foundational coursework at community colleges before transferring to universities, cutting total degree costs significantly.
Programs in Tennessee
| Program | Most Affordable School | Net Price |
|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related Services | Le Moyne-Owen College | $8,992 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Tennessee State University | $10,026 |
| Anthropology | Middle Tennessee State University | $12,599 |
| Applied Mathematics | The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga | $12,817 |
| Area Studies | Vanderbilt University | $19,040 |
| Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management | Middle Tennessee State University | $12,599 |
| Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians | Johnson University | $20,303 |
| Bible/Biblical Studies | Bryan College-Dayton | $16,494 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | Christian Brothers University | $10,896 |
| Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other | Trevecca Nazarene University | $14,459 |
| Biology, General | Le Moyne-Owen College | $8,992 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | Le Moyne-Owen College | $8,992 |
| Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other | Trevecca Nazarene University | $14,459 |
| Business/Commerce, General | Christian Brothers University | $10,896 |
| Business/Managerial Economics | Tennessee State University | $10,026 |
| Chemical Engineering | Christian Brothers University | $10,896 |
| Chemistry | Le Moyne-Owen College | $8,992 |
| Civil Engineering | Tennessee State University | $10,026 |
| Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville | $18,109 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | Christian Brothers University | $10,896 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | Baptist Health Sciences University | $13,401 |
| Communication and Media Studies | Le Moyne-Owen College | $8,992 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | Le Moyne-Owen College | $8,992 |
| Computer Engineering | Christian Brothers University | $10,896 |
| Computer Science | Le Moyne-Owen College | $8,992 |
| Computer Software and Media Applications | Tennessee Technological University | $14,207 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | Le Moyne-Owen College | $8,992 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | Le Moyne-Owen College | $8,992 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Tennessee State University | $10,026 |
| Design and Applied Arts | Christian Brothers University | $10,896 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | Middle Tennessee State University | $12,599 |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | Christian Brothers University | $10,896 |
| Economics | Middle Tennessee State University | $12,599 |
| Education, General | Le Moyne-Owen College | $8,992 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | Tennessee State University | $10,026 |
| Engineering Physics | Christian Brothers University | $10,896 |
| Engineering Technology, General | Middle Tennessee State University | $12,599 |
| Engineering, General | The University of Tennessee-Martin | $10,299 |
| English Language and Literature, General | Le Moyne-Owen College | $8,992 |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | Christian Brothers University | $10,896 |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | Christian Brothers University | $10,896 |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General | The University of Tennessee-Martin | $10,299 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | Middle Tennessee State University | $12,599 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | The University of Tennessee-Martin | $10,299 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | Le Moyne-Owen College | $8,992 |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services | Middle Tennessee State University | $12,599 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | The University of Tennessee-Martin | $10,299 |
| Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville | $18,109 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Tennessee State University | $10,026 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | Tennessee State University | $10,026 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | Christian Brothers University | $10,896 |
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs | Trevecca Nazarene University | $14,459 |
| History | Le Moyne-Owen College | $8,992 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | Christian Brothers University | $10,896 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | East Tennessee State University | $15,794 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga | $12,817 |
| Human Services, General | Tennessee Wesleyan University | $14,879 |
| International Business | Christian Brothers University | $10,896 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | The University of Tennessee-Martin | $10,299 |
| International/Global Studies | Middle Tennessee State University | $12,599 |
| Journalism | Middle Tennessee State University | $12,599 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | Le Moyne-Owen College | $8,992 |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | Middle Tennessee State University | $12,599 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | The University of Tennessee-Martin | $10,299 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | Middle Tennessee State University | $12,599 |
| Marketing | The University of Tennessee-Martin | $10,299 |
| Mathematics | Le Moyne-Owen College | $8,992 |
| Mechanical Engineering | Tennessee State University | $10,026 |
| Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology | Mid-South Christian College | $11,881 |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General | Le Moyne-Owen College | $8,992 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | The University of Tennessee-Martin | $10,299 |
| Music | Le Moyne-Owen College | $8,992 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga | $12,817 |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville | $18,109 |
| Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate) | South College | $17,182 |
| Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries | Mid-South Christian College | $11,881 |
| Philosophy | The University of Tennessee-Martin | $10,299 |
| Philosophy and Religious Studies, General | Christian Brothers University | $10,896 |
| Philosophy and Religious Studies, Other | The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga | $12,817 |
| Physics | Christian Brothers University | $10,896 |
| Political Science and Government | Le Moyne-Owen College | $8,992 |
| Psychology, General | Tennessee State University | $10,026 |
| Psychology, Other | The University of Tennessee Southern | $15,133 |
| Public Health | Tennessee State University | $10,026 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | University of Memphis | $13,253 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | Middle Tennessee State University | $12,599 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Tennessee State University | $10,026 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | Christian Brothers University | $10,896 |
| Religion/Religious Studies | Christian Brothers University | $10,896 |
| Religious Education | The University of Tennessee Southern | $15,133 |
| Religious/Sacred Music | Trevecca Nazarene University | $14,459 |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | Tennessee Wesleyan University | $14,879 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | Christian Brothers University | $10,896 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | The University of Tennessee-Martin | $10,299 |
| Social Work | Le Moyne-Owen College | $8,992 |
| Sociology | Le Moyne-Owen College | $8,992 |
| Special Education and Teaching | Le Moyne-Owen College | $8,992 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | Le Moyne-Owen College | $8,992 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | Le Moyne-Owen College | $8,992 |
| Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language | The University of Tennessee Southern | $15,133 |
| Theological and Ministerial Studies | Mid-South Christian College | $11,881 |
| Theology and Religious Vocations, Other | Trevecca Nazarene University | $14,459 |
| Visual and Performing Arts, General | The University of Tennessee-Martin | $10,299 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Tennessee community colleges so affordable compared to other states?
Tennessee community colleges average just $4,500 per year for tuition and fees, well below the national average of $3,770 for in-state students. The Tennessee Promise program covers remaining costs after federal aid, making community college essentially free for many residents. State funding supports 13 community colleges serving over 75,000 students annually.
How much can students save by starting at a Tennessee community college?
Students save approximately $20,000 over four years by completing general education requirements at community colleges before transferring. Nashville State charges $4,464 annually while University of Tennessee Knoxville costs $13,244 for residents. The guaranteed transfer agreements ensure credits apply toward bachelor's degrees at participating universities.
Which Tennessee colleges offer the lowest tuition for four-year programs?
East Tennessee State University offers the most affordable four-year education at roughly $9,000 annually for residents. Austin Peay State University and Middle Tennessee State University charge similar rates around $9,500 per year. These regional universities serve over 50,000 combined students across eastern and central Tennessee.
Does Tennessee offer financial aid beyond federal programs?
Tennessee Promise covers community college tuition for recent high school graduates, while Tennessee Reconnect provides similar benefits for adults over 25. The Hope Scholarship offers up to $4,000 annually for four-year college students. These state programs serve over 25,000 students each year, reducing college costs significantly.
Where do Tennessee's affordable programs connect to local job markets?
Healthcare programs at Chattanooga State prepare students for positions at Erlanger Health System and CHI Memorial. Manufacturing technology degrees serve Nissan's Smyrna plant and Bridgestone's Nashville headquarters. Music business programs connect directly to Nashville's entertainment industry, employing over 56,000 people statewide.
Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships. See our methodology.