2026 Best Value Teaching Schools in Tennessee
Looking for the best-value Teaching degree programs in Tennessee? We have ranked 143 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
So you can compare your options, Teaching Degree Search reviewed 22 schools to compile this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Teaching Degree Schools in Tennessee
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
Tennessee Technological University earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking in Tennessee. Set in Cookeville, TN, Tennessee Technological University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,376, compared with $15,576 for out-of-state students. The median Teaching program debt is $17,580. Graduates go on to earn a median of $48,501 ten years after entry. Set against $17,580 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 76% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Tennessee Technological University
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga tops our 2026 ranking of the best-value Teaching degree schools in Tennessee. Set in Chattanooga, TN, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,448 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,512 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $23,324 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $51,151. That is a strong return on a $23,324 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted. More on The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga
You'll get strong value at Middle Tennessee State University, which ranked #3 this year. This public school is set in Murfreesboro, TN. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,266, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Typical Teaching student debt is $22,754. Median earnings reach $48,541 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $22,754 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%. See the full Middle Tennessee State University profile
The University Of Tennessee Martin came in at #4 on this year's best-value Teaching ranking in Tennessee. Based in Martin, TN, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,560, while out-of-state students pay about $16,600. Students borrow a median of $23,770 to complete their Teaching program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,213 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Tennessee Martin admits about 88% of applicants. Get the full The University Of Tennessee Martin report
Out of the 22 schools in Tennessee in this year's value ranking, Carson Newman College landed the #5 spot. Located in Jefferson City, TN, Carson Newman College is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,700. The median Teaching program debt is $22,843. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $48,382. Set against $22,843 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Carson Newman College
Tennessee State University placed #6 among the best-value Teaching schools in Tennessee. Based in Nashville, TN, Tennessee State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $22,416. The median Teaching program debt is $29,489. Tennessee State University alumni report median earnings of $42,730 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $29,489 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%. Read the full report on Tennessee State University
Cumberland University offered strong value this year, earning the #7 position. Cumberland University is a private not-for-profit school based in Lebanon, TN. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,840. Cumberland University Teaching students take on a median of $21,902 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $57,687 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $21,902 median debt. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted. See the full Cumberland University profile
University Of Memphis landed the #8 spot for value in Tennessee this year. This public school is set in Memphis, TN. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,728, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. University Of Memphis Teaching students take on a median of $26,315 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $48,458. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants. See the full University Of Memphis profile
Freed Hardeman University offered strong value this year, earning the #9 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Henderson, TN. Students from in state pay about $25,620 in tuition and fees. Typical Teaching student debt is $24,479. Median earnings reach $47,485 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $24,479 median debt. Freed Hardeman University admits about 60% of applicants. Read more about Freed Hardeman University
Southern Adventist University landed the #10 spot for value in Tennessee this year. Based in Collegedale, TN, Southern Adventist University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $27,300 in tuition and fees. Typical Teaching student debt is $25,498. Median earnings reach $53,723 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $25,498 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%. Get the full Southern Adventist University report
The University Of Tennessee offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. Based in Knoxville, TN, The University Of Tennessee is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,859 to complete their Teaching program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $60,249 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $22,859 median debt. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants. Read the full report on The University Of Tennessee
Union University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. Union University is a private not-for-profit school based in Jackson, TN. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,398. The median Teaching program debt is $28,605. Median earnings reach $53,990 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $28,605 median debt. Union University has an acceptance rate of 60%. Read more about Union University
Austin Peay State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. Austin Peay State University is a public school based in Clarksville, TN. In-state tuition and fees average $9,006, with out-of-state students paying around $14,766. Students borrow a median of $24,530 to complete their Teaching program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,301 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Austin Peay State University has an acceptance rate of 96%. More on Austin Peay State University
Trevecca Nazarene University landed the #13 spot for value in Tennessee this year. Located in Nashville, TN, Trevecca Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $31,300 in tuition and fees. The median Teaching program debt is $24,962. Trevecca Nazarene University alumni report median earnings of $49,378 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $24,962 median debt. About 69% of those who apply are admitted. More on Trevecca Nazarene University
East Tennessee State University landed the #15 spot for value in Tennessee this year. Located in Johnson City, TN, East Tennessee State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,216, while out-of-state students pay about $13,726. East Tennessee State University Teaching students take on a median of $21,301 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,859 ten years after entry. Set against $21,301 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%. Read the full report on East Tennessee State University
Lipscomb University placed #16 among the best-value Teaching schools in Tennessee. Located in Nashville, TN, Lipscomb University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $40,572 in tuition and fees. Typical Teaching student debt is $23,529. Lipscomb University alumni report median earnings of $55,541 a decade after entry. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 68% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Lipscomb University report
Christian Brothers University came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. Based in Memphis, TN, Christian Brothers University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,420. Typical Teaching student debt is $32,416. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $57,478. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Christian Brothers University has an acceptance rate of 87%. More on Christian Brothers University
Lee University offered strong value this year, earning the #18 position. Set in Cleveland, TN, Lee University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,790. Typical Teaching student debt is $26,422. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $43,222. That is a strong return on a $26,422 median debt. Lee University has an acceptance rate of 70%. Read more about Lee University
Bethel University Tennessee landed the #19 spot for value in Tennessee this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in McKenzie, TN. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,712. The median Teaching program debt is $28,583. Median earnings reach $47,482 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $28,583 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%. Read the full report on Bethel University Tennessee
Lincoln Memorial University offered strong value this year, earning the #20 position. Set in Harrogate, TN, Lincoln Memorial University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,938. Lincoln Memorial University Teaching students take on a median of $20,693 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,956 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Lincoln Memorial University report
Belmont University landed the #21 spot for value in Tennessee this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Nashville, TN. In-state tuition and fees run about $42,540. Students borrow a median of $23,447 to complete their Teaching program here. Belmont University alumni report median earnings of $55,930 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 95% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Belmont University profile
Vanderbilt University landed the #22 spot for value in Tennessee this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Nashville, TN. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,498. The median Teaching program debt is $13,975. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $91,565. That is a strong return on a $13,975 median debt. Vanderbilt University has an acceptance rate of 6%. See the full Vanderbilt University profile
Miller Motte Technical College Chattanooga offered strong value this year, earning the #23 position. More on Miller Motte Technical College Chattanooga
Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Murfreesboro landed the #24 spot for value in Tennessee this year. Read the full report on Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Murfreesboro
Lane College
Lane College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. See the full Lane College profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Teaching Degree Schools in Tennessee
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:
Paul Mitchell The School Knoxville landed the #26 spot for value in Tennessee this year. Read more about Paul Mitchell The School Knoxville
Williamson Christian College placed #27 among the best-value Teaching schools in Tennessee. More on Williamson Christian College
Masters Barber And Styling College landed the #28 spot for value in Tennessee this year. Read the full report on Masters Barber And Styling College
Memphis Theological Seminary offered strong value this year, earning the #29 position. Get the full Memphis Theological Seminary report
Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Crump came in at #30 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Crump
Massage Institute Of Memphis came in at #31 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Massage Institute Of Memphis report
Health Tech Institute Of Memphis placed #32 among the best-value Teaching schools in Tennessee. Get the full Health Tech Institute Of Memphis report
Herzing University Nashville placed #33 among the best-value Teaching schools in Tennessee. Get the full Herzing University Nashville report
Tennessee Wesleyan College ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. Read more about Tennessee Wesleyan College
Sweetwater Institute Of Cosmetology came in at #35 in this year's value ranking. See the full Sweetwater Institute Of Cosmetology profile
Academy Of Allied Health Careers came in at #36 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Academy Of Allied Health Careers
Chattanooga College Medical Dental And Technical Careers offered strong value this year, earning the #37 position. Read the full report on Chattanooga College Medical Dental And Technical Careers
Middle Tennessee School Of Anesthesia Inc ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. Read the full report on Middle Tennessee School Of Anesthesia Inc
Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Mcminnville landed the #39 spot for value in Tennessee this year. Get the full Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Mcminnville report
Pentecostal Theological Seminary ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. Get the full Pentecostal Theological Seminary report
Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Livingston ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. More on Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Livingston
Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Paris offered strong value this year, earning the #42 position. Get the full Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Paris report
Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Shelbyville offered strong value this year, earning the #43 position. Read the full report on Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Shelbyville
Free Will Baptist Bible College landed the #44 spot for value in Tennessee this year. Read the full report on Free Will Baptist Bible College
Goulds Academy
Goulds Academy landed the #45 spot for value in Tennessee this year. See the full Goulds Academy profile
Pellissippi State Community College placed #46 among the best-value Teaching schools in Tennessee. See the full Pellissippi State Community College profile
Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Memphis came in at #47 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Memphis
Concorde Career College Memphis came in at #48 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Concorde Career College Memphis report
Genesis Career College Cookeville landed the #49 spot for value in Tennessee this year. Read more about Genesis Career College Cookeville
Elite College Of Cosmetology ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. Read the full report on Elite College Of Cosmetology
More Teaching Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Teaching Degree Search (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 22 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 143 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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