# Most Affordable Colleges in Tennessee

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-05-31 | Schools: 50 | Category: By State (Affordable)
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/most-affordable-colleges-tennessee

## Methodology

Ranked by lowest net price in Tennessee

CollegeRanker uses a 4-pillar algorithm: Academic Quality (15-20%), Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25-35%), Value & Affordability (20-25%). Social mobility data from Raj Chetty's Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records). No subjective surveys.

## Summary

When considering higher education in Tennessee, affordability is often top of mind. The colleges on this list share a commitment to keeping costs low while providing valuable education opportunities for their students. With net prices averaging below $5,000, these institutions are accessible for many families looking to minimize debt while pursuing a degree.

The schools here stand out not just for their low net prices but for their potential return on investment. Average earnings for graduates tip the scales at $43,198, highlighting the financial benefits of attending these affordable institutions. Completion rates vary, but they give insight into how well these schools support students in finishing their degrees. The numbers on this list reflect a careful balance between cost, debt levels, and the likelihood of securing a stable income after graduation.

For example, Roane State Community College boasts a net price of $4,270 with a graduation rate of 34% and average earnings of $39,407. In contrast, Le Moyne-Owen College has a higher net price of $7,099 and a lower graduation rate of 26%, despite graduates earning $35,594. This juxtaposition illustrates the trade-offs students must consider when weighing options at different colleges in Tennessee.

## Key Findings

- Roane State Community College has a net price of just $4,270 and average earnings of $39,407.
- Graduates from Dyersburg State Community College have an average earnings of $36,132 with a graduation rate of 31%.
- Le Moyne-Owen College has a significantly higher debt level at $28,070 compared to Pellissippi State’s $8,725.
- The average graduation rate across these schools is 50%, indicating room for improvement in student support.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [Roane State Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/roane-state-community-college) | Harriman, TN | 34% | $39,407 | $4,270 | $8,454 | 0.21x |
| 2 | [Dyersburg State Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/dyersburg-state-community-college) | Dyersburg, TN | 31% | $36,132 | $4,612 | $6,900 | 0.19x |
| 3 | [Columbia State Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/columbia-state-community-college) | Columbia, TN | 30% | $40,256 | $4,734 | $8,500 | 0.21x |
| 4 | [Pellissippi State Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/pellissippi-state-community-college) | Knoxville, TN | 30% | $38,440 | $4,983 | $8,725 | 0.23x |
| 5 | [Chattanooga State Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/chattanooga-state-community-college) | Chattanooga, TN | 24% | $37,598 | $5,283 | $10,419 | 0.28x |
| 6 | [Le Moyne-Owen College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/le-moyne-owen-college) | Memphis, TN | 26% | $35,594 | $7,099 | $28,070 | 0.79x |
| 7 | [Cleveland State Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/cleveland-state-community-college) | Cleveland, TN | 33% | $36,671 | $6,384 | $7,954 | 0.22x |
| 8 | [Nashville State Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/nashville-state-community-college) | Nashville, TN | 18% | $38,519 | $6,777 | $9,595 | 0.25x |
| 9 | [Northeast State Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/northeast-state-community-college) | Blountville, TN | 33% | $34,553 | $6,864 | $6,827 | 0.2x |
| 10 | [Austin Peay State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/austin-peay-state-university) | Clarksville, TN | 42% | $44,301 | $9,735 | $20,547 | 0.46x |
| 11 | [Volunteer State Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/volunteer-state-community-college) | Gallatin, TN | 26% | $41,150 | $7,802 | $7,550 | 0.18x |
| 12 | [Walters State Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/walters-state-community-college) | Morristown, TN | 35% | $37,085 | $5,387 | N/A | N/A |
| 13 | [Christian Brothers University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/christian-brothers-university) | Memphis, TN | 55% | $57,478 | $9,854 | $27,000 | 0.47x |
| 14 | [Southwest Tennessee Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/southwest-tennessee-community-college) | Memphis, TN | 19% | $34,071 | $4,754 | N/A | N/A |
| 15 | [The University of Tennessee-Martin](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/the-university-of-tennessee-martin) | Martin, TN | 54% | $44,213 | $10,701 | $21,024 | 0.48x |
| 16 | [Jackson State Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/jackson-state-community-college) | Jackson, TN | 23% | $35,224 | $6,236 | N/A | N/A |
| 17 | [University of Memphis](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-memphis) | Memphis, TN | 50% | $48,458 | $12,397 | $23,300 | 0.48x |
| 18 | [Baptist Health Sciences University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/baptist-health-sciences-university) | Memphis, TN | 46% | $72,529 | $11,212 | $29,500 | 0.41x |
| 19 | [Bethel University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/bethel-university-tn) | McKenzie, TN | 35% | $47,482 | $12,595 | $27,249 | 0.57x |
| 20 | [Lane College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lane-college) | Jackson, TN | 18% | $31,670 | $10,904 | $30,500 | 0.96x |
| 21 | [Middle Tennessee State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/middle-tennessee-state-university) | Murfreesboro, TN | 54% | $48,541 | $13,359 | $20,000 | 0.41x |
| 22 | [Tennessee Technological University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/tennessee-technological-university) | Cookeville, TN | 56% | $48,501 | $14,246 | $15,650 | 0.32x |
| 23 | [The University of Tennessee Southern](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/the-university-of-tennessee-southern) | Pulaski, TN | 36% | $38,924 | $12,798 | $21,500 | 0.55x |
| 24 | [Tennessee Wesleyan University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/tennessee-wesleyan-university) | Athens, TN | 46% | $45,989 | $14,836 | $20,000 | 0.43x |
| 25 | [The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/the-university-of-tennessee-chattanooga) | Chattanooga, TN | 52% | $51,151 | $14,265 | $19,500 | 0.38x |
| 26 | [Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Shelbyville](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/tennessee-college-of-applied-technology-shelbyville) | Shelbyville, TN | 73% | $38,700 | $7,573 | N/A | N/A |
| 27 | [Vanderbilt University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/vanderbilt-university) | Nashville, TN | 93% | $91,565 | $15,846 | $14,000 | 0.15x |
| 28 | [Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Murfreesboro](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/tennessee-college-of-applied-technology-murfreesboro) | Murfreesboro, TN | 75% | $40,869 | $6,631 | N/A | N/A |
| 29 | [Tennessee State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/tennessee-state-university) | Nashville, TN | 33% | $42,730 | $15,796 | $27,000 | 0.63x |
| 30 | [East Tennessee State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/east-tennessee-state-university) | Johnson City, TN | 52% | $44,859 | $15,983 | $19,442 | 0.43x |
| 31 | [Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Hartsville](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/tennessee-college-of-applied-technology-hartsville) | Hartsville, TN | 79% | $40,469 | $7,194 | N/A | N/A |
| 32 | [Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Jackson](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/tennessee-college-of-applied-technology-jackson) | Jackson, TN | 77% | $38,383 | $8,472 | N/A | N/A |
| 33 | [Trevecca Nazarene University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/trevecca-nazarene-university) | Nashville, TN | 54% | $49,378 | $16,813 | $18,744 | 0.38x |
| 34 | [Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Elizabethton](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/tennessee-college-of-applied-technology-elizabethton) | Elizabethton, TN | 80% | $35,069 | $8,568 | N/A | N/A |
| 35 | [Tennessee College of Applied Technology Northwest](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/tennessee-college-of-applied-technology-northwest) | Newbern, TN | 67% | $38,514 | $9,698 | N/A | N/A |
| 36 | [Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Upper Cumberland](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/tennessee-college-of-applied-technology-upper-cumberland) | Crossville, TN | 83% | $35,551 | $10,865 | N/A | N/A |
| 37 | [Lee University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lee-university) | Cleveland, TN | 62% | $43,222 | $18,878 | $25,750 | 0.6x |
| 38 | [Motlow State Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/motlow-state-community-college) | Tullahoma, TN | 31% | $40,397 | $15,742 | N/A | N/A |
| 39 | [Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Harriman](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/tennessee-college-of-applied-technology-harriman) | Harriman, TN | 70% | $31,591 | $11,148 | N/A | N/A |
| 40 | [Tennessee College of Applied Technology-McMinnville](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/tennessee-college-of-applied-technology-mcminnville) | McMinnville, TN | 67% | $40,322 | $11,413 | N/A | N/A |
| 41 | [Maryville College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/maryville-college) | Maryville, TN | 49% | $49,279 | $19,360 | $25,375 | 0.51x |
| 42 | [Cumberland University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/cumberland-university) | Lebanon, TN | 46% | $57,687 | $18,759 | $17,952 | 0.31x |
| 43 | [The University of Tennessee-Knoxville](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/the-university-of-tennessee-knoxville) | Knoxville, TN | 74% | $60,249 | $18,976 | $20,500 | 0.34x |
| 44 | [Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Hohenwald](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/tennessee-college-of-applied-technology-hohenwald) | Hohenwald, TN | 57% | $36,106 | $12,267 | N/A | N/A |
| 45 | [Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Livingston](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/tennessee-college-of-applied-technology-livingston) | Livingston, TN | 76% | $33,497 | $12,612 | N/A | N/A |
| 46 | [William R Moore College of Technology](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/william-r-moore-college-of-technology) | Memphis, TN | 49% | $32,194 | $14,957 | N/A | N/A |
| 47 | [Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Jacksboro](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/tennessee-college-of-applied-technology-jacksboro) | Jacksboro, TN | 82% | $36,449 | $12,746 | N/A | N/A |
| 48 | [TCAT Athens](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/tcat-athens) | Athens, TN | 76% | $40,540 | $12,758 | N/A | N/A |
| 49 | [Lincoln Memorial University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lincoln-memorial-university) | Harrogate, TN | 52% | $49,956 | $20,406 | $20,000 | 0.4x |
| 50 | [Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Memphis](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/tennessee-college-of-applied-technology-memphis) | Memphis, TN | 47% | $31,192 | $14,315 | N/A | N/A |

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "Most Affordable Colleges in Tennessee." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-05-31. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/most-affordable-colleges-tennessee

## License

This data summary is provided for informational purposes. Underlying data from federal sources (College Scorecard, IPEDS) is public domain. Opportunity Insights data is available under their data use agreement at https://opportunityinsights.org/data/.