Tennessee

Colleges in Tennessee: what they cost, and what graduates earn

18 Tennessee universities with published federal data, teaching about 134,696 students. Median in-state tuition $12,594, median graduate earnings $48,521 ten years after entry.

Median tuition$12,594in-state, before aid
Median earnings$48,52110 yrs after entry
Paying loans down55%national 65%
Median SAT1146where published

Cheapest universities in TennesseeLowest published in-state tuition.

UniversityIn-stateEarningsDebtRepayingSAT
Nashville State Community College Nashville $4,730 $38,519 $9,595 31% —
Tennessee State University Nashville $8,616 $42,730 $27,000 31% 1000
Austin Peay State University Clarksville $9,006 $44,301 $20,547 45% 1088
Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro $10,266 $48,541 $20,000 50% 1121
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Chattanooga $10,448 $51,151 $19,500 57% 1147
East Tennessee State University Johnson City $10,472 $44,859 $19,442 51% 1144
University of Tennessee, Martin Martin $10,560 $44,213 $21,024 55% 1120
University of Memphis Memphis $10,728 $48,458 $23,300 38% 1088

Highest graduate earnings in TennesseeMedian pay ten years after entry.

UniversityIn-stateEarningsDebtRepayingSAT
Vanderbilt University Nashville $67,498 $91,565 $14,000 84% 1549
Rhodes College Memphis $57,110 $66,651 $21,761 84% 1362
University of Tennessee, Knoxville Knoxville $13,812 $60,249 $20,500 68% 1311
King University Bristol $36,194 $59,831 $22,750 60% —
Christian Brothers University Memphis $38,420 $57,478 $27,000 54% 1098
Belmont University Nashville $42,540 $55,930 $20,500 76% 1280
Lipscomb University Nashville $40,572 $55,541 $19,500 69% 1256
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Chattanooga $10,448 $51,151 $19,500 57% 1147

Fastest debt payback in TennesseeYears of salary premium needed to clear the median debt.

UniversityIn-stateEarningsDebtRepayingSAT
Vanderbilt University Nashville $67,498 $91,565 $14,000 84% 1549
Rhodes College Memphis $57,110 $66,651 $21,761 84% 1362
University of Tennessee, Knoxville Knoxville $13,812 $60,249 $20,500 68% 1311
King University Bristol $36,194 $59,831 $22,750 60% —
Lipscomb University Nashville $40,572 $55,541 $19,500 69% 1256
Belmont University Nashville $42,540 $55,930 $20,500 76% 1280
Christian Brothers University Memphis $38,420 $57,478 $27,000 54% 1098
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Chattanooga $10,448 $51,151 $19,500 57% 1147

Most selective universities in TennesseeHighest average SAT of admitted students.

UniversityIn-stateEarningsDebtRepayingSAT
Vanderbilt University Nashville $67,498 $91,565 $14,000 84% 1549
Rhodes College Memphis $57,110 $66,651 $21,761 84% 1362
University of Tennessee, Knoxville Knoxville $13,812 $60,249 $20,500 68% 1311
Belmont University Nashville $42,540 $55,930 $20,500 76% 1280
Lipscomb University Nashville $40,572 $55,541 $19,500 69% 1256
Fisk University Nashville $25,858 $45,454 $27,000 40% 1200
Tennessee Technological University Cookeville $11,376 $48,501 $15,650 64% 1151
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Chattanooga $10,448 $51,151 $19,500 57% 1147

Scholarships at Tennessee universities

Aid you never repay is the cheapest money in the whole calculation.

Hubert Humphery Fellowships for International Students, USA East Tennessee State University Merit Scholarships in USA, 201... Merit Scholarships at Vanderbilt University in USA, 2018 600 Tennessee Tech University Scholarships in USA, 2018-2019 Academic Pathways Postdoctoral Fellowships at Vanderbilt Unive... East Tennessee State University International Undergraduate St...
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Every Tennessee university we hold data for

Austin Peay State University Belmont University Bethel University Christian Brothers University East Tennessee State University Fisk University King University Lipscomb University Middle Tennessee State University Nashville State Community College Rhodes College Tennessee State University Tennessee Technological University University of Memphis University of Tennessee at Chattanooga University of Tennessee, Knoxville University of Tennessee, Martin Vanderbilt University

Studying in Tennessee: common questions

How much does college cost in Tennessee?
The median Tennessee university charges $12,594 in-state and $24,137 out-of-state, with a full cost of attendance around $29,122. After aid, families under $30,000 pay a median $10,318.
What do graduates of Tennessee universities earn?
A median $48,521 ten years after entry, against median debt of $20,523.
Do students in Tennessee repay their loans?
55% of borrowers at the median Tennessee university are paying their balance down three years after leaving, against 65% nationally.
What SAT score do Tennessee universities expect?
The median Tennessee university that publishes scores reports an average SAT of 1146. Many are test-optional and publish nothing.
All states Tennessee debt vs salary Cheapest US tuition Which degree pays best

Source: US Department of Education College Scorecard. Universities without published figures are not listed.