Rankings / By State
Best Communications Colleges in Tennessee
- 14
- Schools
- $49,750
- Avg. Earnings
- 56%
- Avg. Graduation
- $19,498
- Avg. Net Price
- $22,501
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $31,670 at the low end to $60,249 at the top. That 1.9× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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University of Memphis offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $48,458 against $12,397 in annual net price, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
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The most budget-friendly option on this list is Lane College, at $10,904 annually in net price.
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Completion rates separate this field: The University of Tennessee-Knoxville graduates 74% of its students, well above the 56% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor The University of Tennessee-Knoxville: graduates owe only 0.34× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- The top spot belongs to Middle Tennessee State University ($48,541 earnings), not the highest earner, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville ($60,249). That is what weighting mobility and value over salary alone produces.
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. Lane College ($10,904/yr) and Belmont University ($33,147/yr) produce graduates earning $31,670 and $55,930 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $22,243 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, University of Memphis outperforms The University of Tennessee-Knoxville: similar career earnings at a much lower net price.
The Takeaway
The schools that win this ranking are not the priciest or the most selective. They turn students into earners without burying them in debt, which is exactly what our outcomes-first methodology is built to surface.
What This Means for Students
If you are choosing from this list, start with University of Memphis and The University of Tennessee-Knoxville. Pull each school's net price for your income band, weigh projected earnings against the debt you would take on, and let payoff rather than prestige drive your shortlist.
Why this ranking matters
Business is one of the higher-return fields in the economy, but the payoff depends heavily on where you study it. Graduates of these programs earn a median of about $51K within a decade, and pr specialist roles are projected to grow 6%. We rank programs by the outcomes they produce for graduates, not by reputation.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Middle Tennessee State University #1 overall | $48,541 ▼ -2% vs avg | $13,359 | 54% | 72 |
| 2 Trevecca Nazarene University #2 overall | $49,378 ▼ -1% vs avg | $16,813 | 54% | 71 |
| 3 Lipscomb University #3 overall | $55,541 ▲ +12% vs avg | $24,739 | 70% | 70 |
| $53,990 ▲ +9% vs avg | $27,171 | 68% | 69 | |
| $53,723 ▲ +8% vs avg | $24,345 | 50% | 69 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Communications Colleges in Tennessee
This analysis ranks 14 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $49,750 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 56% and an average net price of $19,498.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: University of Memphis — Net Price: $12,397 | Graduation Rate: 50%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: The University of Tennessee-Knoxville — 74% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: The University of Tennessee-Knoxville — Median alumni earnings: $60,249
Our Analysis Found
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Humanities & Creative Fields Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the value of a humanities and creative education?
$50,265
Median earnings (10yr)
54%
Median graduation rate
$18,927
Median net price
1.4%
Avg. mobility rate
The value of a humanities or creative degree resists summary in a single earnings number, but that does not make it absent. These programs build critical thinking, persuasive writing, and creative problem-solving, the abilities employers consistently say they need most. Those skills compound over a career and narrow the early earnings gap with more vocational fields.
Across the 14 schools on this list, graduates earn a median of $50,265 ten years after they first enrolled, about $2,265 more than the roughly $48,000 a typical American worker takes home. The median graduation rate is 54%. Net price, what students pay after grants, runs a median of $18,927 a year, with about $21,107 in median federal debt at graduation. An average of 33% of students receive Pell grants, and the typical school moves low-income students into the top income quintile at a rate of 1.4%.
Variability is the theme across these programs, and wide ranges in both earnings and cost make school selection especially consequential. Graduates earn a median of $50,265 ten years after enrollment, and the median net price runs $18,927. Affordability is the single most effective lever for improving ROI in this category.
The podium
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Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Middle Tennessee State University lands at #1 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (64/100). Graduates earn a median $48,541 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,359 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Trevecca Nazarene University lands at #2 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (61/100). Graduates earn a median $49,378 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,813 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Lipscomb University lands at #3 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $55,541 a decade after enrolling, 12% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,739 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Union University lands at #4 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $53,990 a decade after enrolling, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $27,171 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
Southern Adventist University lands at #5 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $53,723 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,345 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Lee University lands at #6 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $43,222 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,878 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
University of Memphis lands at #7 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (75/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (62/100). Graduates earn a median $48,458 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,397 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Belmont University lands at #8 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (45/100). Graduates earn a median $55,930 a decade after enrolling, 12% above this list's average, and net price runs $33,147 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville lands at #9 with a 65/100 composite, led by academic quality (77/100) and pulled down by social mobility (57/100). Graduates earn a median $60,249 a decade after enrolling, 21% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,976 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Tennessee State University lands at #10 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (43/100). Graduates earn a median $42,730 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,796 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Chattanooga, TN · 81% accepted · $14,265 net
Why it ranks #11
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga lands at #11 with a 62/100 composite, led by value per dollar (67/100) and pulled down by social mobility (59/100). Graduates earn a median $51,151 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $14,265 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Freed-Hardeman University lands at #12 with a 59/100 composite, led by academic quality (75/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $47,485 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,574 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Bryan College-Dayton lands at #13 with a 56/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (65/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $54,434 a decade after enrolling, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,614 a year. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Lane College lands at #14 with a 54/100 composite, led by social mobility (63/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (45/100). Graduates earn a median $31,670 a decade after enrolling, 36% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,904 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 14 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs — and the jobs are
Where these graduates work
Graduates of these programs most often become PR Specialists and related roles — a field with $67,440 median pay and 6% projected growth.
See the PR Specialist career guide →Communications programs in Tennessee are a popular choice for students aiming to build careers in media, public relations, and related fields. With 13 schools in this ranking, each has distinct strengths that appeal to different student needs. For many prospective students and their families, understanding these options is crucial in making a well-informed decision about their education and future career paths.
What sets the top schools in this ranking apart are their outcomes in key areas: earnings, graduation rates, debt, and overall program concentration. For instance, the average earnings for graduates from these programs is $48,218, while the average graduation rate stands at 55%. These figures provide insight into the effectiveness of each program and help students compare their potential return on investment.
Take The University of Tennessee-Knoxville and Middle Tennessee State University as examples. Graduates from UT-Knoxville earn an impressive $60,249, but the graduation rate is 74%, significantly higher than MTSU's 54% graduation rate and $48,541 earnings. This contrast highlights the importance of evaluating multiple factors when choosing a program, as higher earnings often come with different levels of support and completion rates.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
Social mobility carries the heaviest weight in this ranking, and the measure comes from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built from more than 30 million anonymized tax records. Across the 9 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 1.4%. That figure is the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top. Tennessee State University leads the group at 2.9%, with Southern Adventist University (2.4%) and Union University (2%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 8% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. Tennessee State University enrolls the most, at 18.2%, a sign it is reaching the students mobility is meant to lift. A high mobility rate paired with strong access is the combination that changes a generation's trajectory.
For the low-income students who do enroll, the success rate (the odds of reaching the top quintile) averages 17.5% across the list, peaking at 28.1% at Southern Adventist University.
These campuses can also be measured on social capital: the cross-class friendships Opportunity Insights links to long-run economic outcomes. Economic connectedness here averages 1.53, where about 1.0 is the national norm, and Belmont University is highest at 1.80.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
When comparing communications programs in Tennessee, it's clear that outcomes like earnings and completion rates play a vital role. The University of Tennessee-Knoxville outperforms Middle Tennessee State University in both earnings ($60,249 vs. $48,541) and graduation rate (74% vs. 54%). This performance gap suggests that students may find better support and job prospects at UT-Knoxville, despite its higher costs.
As you weigh your options, consider how these factors align with your priorities. If location or campus culture is essential, you might prioritize schools that fit those needs even if their earnings are slightly lower. Ultimately, let your financial situation and personal preferences guide your decision. Look beyond the numbers to what feels right for you.
These decisions have lasting implications for your future. A strong communications degree can lead to a stable career, but it requires careful thought. For many families, investing in a program with a solid track record of earnings and graduation can set the stage for a successful transition to the workforce. Choosing the right school can mean the difference between financial comfort and struggle after graduation.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Communications Colleges in Tennessee: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Communications Colleges in Tennessee ranking? +
Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, TN ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Communications Colleges in Tennessee ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $48,541 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 54% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville posts the highest median earnings on this list: $60,249 ten years after enrollment, well above the $49,750 average across the 14 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, University of Memphis leads: graduates earn a median $48,458 against net price of about $12,397 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 74%, compared with a 56% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $19,498 a year across the 14 ranked schools with cost data. Lane College is among the most affordable at roughly $10,904. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Communications Colleges in Tennessee ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 14 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
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