Most Affordable Colleges in Tennessee 2026
Here are the most affordable colleges and universities in Tennessee. Our list will help you find the right kind of school for you, at a price you can afford.
Key Takeaways
- The most affordable colleges in Tennessee offer competitive tuition rates and affordable fees, making higher education more accessible without the burden of significant student debt.
- Many affordable colleges in Tennessee provide robust financial aid packages, including scholarships, grants, and work-study programs to further reduce costs for students.
- These institutions often focus on career-oriented programs, offering strong job placement services, internships, and partnerships with local industries, ensuring students are well-prepared for the workforce upon graduation.
10 Most Affordable Colleges in Tennessee in 2026
Choosing an affordable college in Tennessee means looking past sticker price to accreditation, degree offerings, residency rules, and likely net cost after grants and scholarships. This guide focuses on institutions that offer bachelor’s degrees, report tuition and fees near or below the national average of about $16,000/year, and maintain regional accreditation—criteria that help narrow options to schools with both value and transferability.
The list below identifies 15 Tennessee colleges and universities with stated tuition under $20,000/year and provides a concise snapshot of who pays least, which programs are most economical, and what to check next when comparing schools (financial aid, on-campus vs. online pricing, and program-specific fees). Use the compiled entries—including those found in this state search—to compare true affordability and fit: Tennessee colleges with stated tuitions and fees under $20,000/year.
Most Affordable Colleges in Tennessee
These schools are ranked by academic excellence, and all under $20,000/year.
- #1 Best Public Colleges in Tennessee 2026 #2 Best Grad Schools in Tennessee 2026 #2 Best Colleges in Tennessee 2026 #2 Best Research Universities in Tennessee 2026
Tuition + fees
$13K
Acceptance
68%
Graduation
73%
Student body
35K
Median SAT/ACT
1250/28
Career Outlook for degree at University of Tennessee
Cost of Degree: $13,484Expenses: $20,194Starting Salary: $56,700Cost Recoup Time: 12 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is University of Tennessee known for?
University of Tennessee’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Anthropology
- Mathematics
- Criminal Justice
- Earth Sciences
- History
- Economics
- Engineering
- Medical
- Business
- Social Work
Most Influential Alumni
- #2 Best Public Colleges in Tennessee 2026 #3 Best Grad Schools in Tennessee 2026 #3 Best Colleges in Tennessee 2026 #3 Best Research Universities in Tennessee 2026
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
95%
Graduation
48%
Student body
25K
Median SAT/ACT
1080/20
Career Outlook for degree at University of Memphis
Cost of Degree: $10,344Expenses: $17,726Starting Salary: $43,200Cost Recoup Time: 12 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is University of Memphis known for?
University of Memphis’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
University of Memphis’s Online Degrees
BA in African and African American Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BA in Anthropology
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BA in Communication
Degree Concentrations
- Communication Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BA in English
Degree Concentrations
- African American Literature
- Professional Writing
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Health Sciences major in Healthcare Studies
Degree Concentrations
- Health Sciences
- Format: Fully online
BS in Healthcare Studies
Degree Concentrations
- Healthcare Leadership
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BA in Hospitality and Resort Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BA in Business Administration
Degree Concentrations
- Accounting
- Business Information and Technology
- Management
- Marketing Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BA in Liberal Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BA in Criminology and Criminal Justice
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BA in Business Administration in Business Information and Technology
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BA in Business Administration in Finance
Degree Concentrations
- Business Finance
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BA in Business Administration major in Finance
Degree Concentrations
- Real Estate
- Finance
- Insurance
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Nursing
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BA in Psychology
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BA in Professional Studies
Degree Concentrations
- Health Services
- Child Life Specialist
- Legal Studies
- Early Care and Learning
- Format: Fully online
BA in Professional Studies
Degree Concentrations
- Organizational Leadership
- Information Technology
- Format: Fully online
BA in Public Relations
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BA in Sociology
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BA in History
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BA in Philosophy
Degree Concentrations
- Applied Ethics
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Sport and Leisure Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
- #5 Most Influential HBCUs in the US Ranked for 2026 #5 Best Online HBCU Doctoral Programs 2026 #8 Best HBCU Online Master's Programs #3 Best Public Colleges in Tennessee 2026
Tuition + fees
$8K
Graduation
32%
Student body
9K
Career Outlook for degree at Tennessee State University
Cost of Degree: $8,568Expenses: $17,300Starting Salary: $39,800Cost Recoup Time: 12 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Tennessee State University known for?
Tennessee State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Nursing
- Medical
- Education
- Engineering
- Computer Science
- History
- Business
- Political Science
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
Most Influential Alumni
Tennessee State University’s Online Degrees
BS in Health Information Management
Degree Concentrations
- Utilizing Technologies in Healthcare Organizations
- Format: Fully online
BS in Criminal Justice
- Format: Fully online
BS in Interdisciplinary Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Psychology
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Nursing
- Completion Time: 8-12 months
- Format: Fully online
BS in Professional Studies
Degree Concentrations
- Health Administration
- Information Technology
- International Organizational Leadership
- Organizational Leadership
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Social Work
- Format: Fully online
BS in Sociology
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Urban Studies
- #4 Best Public Colleges in Tennessee 2026 #5 Best Grad Schools in Tennessee 2026 #5 Best Research Universities in Tennessee 2026 #6 Best Colleges in Tennessee 2026
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
83%
Graduation
52%
Student body
12K
Median SAT/ACT
1116/23
Career Outlook for degree at University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Cost of Degree: $10,144Expenses: $16,402Starting Salary: $42,600Cost Recoup Time: 12 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is University of Tennessee at Chattanooga known for?
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Criminal Justice
- Earth Sciences
- Psychology
- History
- Business
- Medical
- Physics
- Education
- Communications
- Chemistry
Most Influential Alumni
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s Online Degrees
BS in Criminal Justice
- Required Credits: 48
- #5 Best Public Colleges in Tennessee 2026 #6 Best Grad Schools in Tennessee 2026 #6 Best Research Universities in Tennessee 2026 #7 Best Colleges in Tennessee 2026
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
73%
Graduation
55%
Student body
29K
Median SAT/ACT
1125/22
Career Outlook for degree at Middle Tennessee State University
Cost of Degree: $9,506Expenses: $18,314Starting Salary: $44,400Cost Recoup Time: 12 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Middle Tennessee State University known for?
Middle Tennessee State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Economics
- Social Work
- Chemistry
- Business
- History
- Communications
- Mathematics
- Political Science
- Anthropology
- Earth Sciences
Most Influential Alumni
- #5 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2026 #6 Best Public Colleges in Tennessee 2026 #7 Best Grad Schools in Tennessee 2026 #8 Best Research Universities in Tennessee 2026
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
85%
Graduation
55%
Student body
15K
Median SAT/ACT
1085/22
Career Outlook for degree at East Tennessee State University
Cost of Degree: $9,706Expenses: $18,550Starting Salary: $40,600Cost Recoup Time: 13 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is East Tennessee State University known for?
East Tennessee State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Mathematics
- Medical
- Nursing
- Biology
- Philosophy
- Political Science
- Earth Sciences
- Education
- History
- Communications
Most Influential Alumni
East Tennessee State University’s Online Degrees
BS in Business
Degree Concentrations
- Business Administration
- Marketing
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 48 months
BS in Education
Degree Concentrations
- Early Childhood Education
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 48 months
BS in General Studies
Degree Concentrations
- Interdisciplinary Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 48 months
- Format: Fully online
BA in Humanities
Degree Concentrations
- English
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 48 months
BS in Social Science
Degree Concentrations
- Human Services
- Sociology
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 48 months
- Format: Fully online
BS in Dentistry
Degree Concentrations
- Dental Hygiene
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 48 months
- Format: Fully online
BS in Medical
Degree Concentrations
- Allied Health Leadership
- Respiratory Therapy
- Radiologic Science
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 48 months
- Format: Fully online
BSN in Nursing
Degree Concentrations
- Nursing
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 48 months
- Format: Fully online
BS in Science
Degree Concentrations
- Surveying & Mapping
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 48 months
- #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Tennessee 2026 #7 Best Public Colleges in Tennessee 2026 #4 Best Online Colleges in Tennessee 2026 #6 Best Online Bachelor's in Philosophy Degree Programs Ranked for 2026
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
88%
Graduation
53%
Student body
8K
Median SAT/ACT
1130/22
Career Outlook for degree at University of Tennessee at Martin
Cost of Degree: $10,194Expenses: $13,380Starting Salary: $40,100Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is University of Tennessee at Martin known for?
University of Tennessee at Martin’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Earth Sciences
- Mathematics
- Philosophy
- Criminal Justice
- Political Science
- Biology
- History
- Nursing
- Education
- Social Work
Most Influential Alumni
University of Tennessee at Martin’s Online Degrees
BS in Agricultural Business
Degree Concentrations
- Veterinary Technology and Management
- Completion Time: 2 years
- Format: Fully online
BS/BA in History and Philosophy
- Format: Fully online
BS/BA in Criminal Justice
Degree Concentrations
- Law Enforcement
- Corrections
- Courts and Law
- Forensics
- Generalist
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BA in Interdisciplinary Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 4 years
BS in Business Administration
Degree Concentrations
- Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 4 years
BS in Business Administration major in Agricultural Business
Degree Concentrations
- Agricultural Business
- Farm and Ranch Management
- Veterinary Technology and Management
- Required Credits: 30
- Format: Fully online
BS in Business Administration major in Information Systems
Degree Concentrations
- Management Information Systems
- Business Communication and Information Systems
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 4 years
BS in Nursing
- Required Credits: 123
BA in Philosophy
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 4 years
- Format: Fully online
- #8 Best Public Colleges in Tennessee 2026 #10 Best Grad Schools in Tennessee 2026 #2 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in Tennessee #5 Best Online MBA Programs in Tennessee
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
78%
Graduation
60%
Student body
11K
Career Outlook for degree at Tennessee Tech
Cost of Degree: $10,084Expenses: $17,182Starting Salary: $46,700Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Tennessee Tech known for?
Tennessee Tech’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Biology
- Sociology
- Engineering
- Economics
- Mathematics
- Computer Science
- Physics
- Political Science
- History
- Communications
Most Influential Alumni
Tennessee Tech’s Online Degrees
BS in Medical Laboratory Science
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Nursing
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 4 years
Tuition + fees
$12K
Graduation
18%
Student body
1K
Career Outlook for degree at Lane College
Cost of Degree: $11,790Expenses: $11,890Starting Salary: $27,500Cost Recoup Time: 15 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Lane College known for?
Lane College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- History
- Mathematics
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Education
- Religious Studies
- Communications
- Sociology
- Literature
- Physics
Most Influential Alumni
- #9 Best Public Colleges in Tennessee 2026 #10 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Tennessee 2026 #1 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in Tennessee #4 Best Online Bachelor’s in Agribusiness and Agriculture Degree Programs
Tuition + fees
$8K
Acceptance
94%
Graduation
43%
Student body
11K
Median SAT/ACT
1076/21
Career Outlook for degree at Austin Peay State University
Cost of Degree: $8,675Expenses: $17,840Starting Salary: $38,800Cost Recoup Time: 13 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Austin Peay State University known for?
Austin Peay State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Sociology
- Criminal Justice
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Computer Science
- Business
- History
- Political Science
- Engineering
- Psychology
Most Influential Alumni
Austin Peay State University’s Online Degrees
BBA in Business
Degree Concentrations
- Hospitality Administration
- Leadership Science
- Organizational Administration
- Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 48 months
- Format: Fully online
BS in Technology
Degree Concentrations
- Cis: Systems Development
- Cis: Information Assurance & Security
- Cis: Database Administration
- Cis: Internet & Web Technology
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 48 months
- Format: Fully online
BS in Social Science
Degree Concentrations
- Criminal Justice - Homeland Security
- Public Management
- Sociology
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 48 months
- Format: Fully online
BA in Social Science
Degree Concentrations
- Political Science
- Professional Communication - Information Specialist
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 48 months
- Format: Fully online
BS in Medical
Degree Concentrations
- Medical Laboratory Science - Mlt To Mls
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 48 months
- Format: Fully online
BSN in Nursing
Degree Concentrations
- Nursing
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 48 months
- Format: Fully online
BS in Science
Degree Concentrations
- Agri-Communication
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 48 months
- Format: Fully online
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
80%
Graduation
30%
Student body
<1K
Median SAT/ACT
1092/21
Career Outlook for degree at University of Tennessee Southern
Cost of Degree: $10,506Expenses: $17,600Starting Salary: $36,300Cost Recoup Time: 14 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is University of Tennessee Southern known for?
University of Tennessee Southern’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
100%
Graduation
18%
Student body
<1K
Career Outlook for degree at LeMoyne–Owen College
Cost of Degree: $12,076Expenses: $8,100Starting Salary: $30,200Cost Recoup Time: 12 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is LeMoyne–Owen College known for?
LeMoyne–Owen College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
- Social Work
- Literature
- Biology
- Political Science
- Sociology
- Criminal Justice
- History
- Computer Science
Most Influential Alumni
Tennessee’s Most Affordable Colleges in Your Area of Interest
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