Best value colleges in the South in Tennessee
Colleges in the South with an Academic Excellence grade of B+ or better, ranked by Value: net price after aid, earnings and debt.
Best value colleges in the South in Tennessee10 schools
10 schools qualify, ranked by Value.
How this list is made
- Schools in Tennessee.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- Academic Excellence grade B+ or better (the top 35% of rated colleges).
- In the South (U.S. Census Bureau region).
- Has a Value score from federal data (College Scorecard).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by Value, highest first.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN · Private nonprofitHonor Roll#1 in Tennessee
- Value grade A+ · Top 2%
- Net price $15,846 a year
- 2
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
Knoxville, TN · PublicHonor Roll#3 in Tennessee
- Value grade B+ · Top 28%
- Net price $18,976 a year
- 3
Lipscomb University
Nashville, TN · Private nonprofit#5 in Tennessee
- Value grade B
- Net price $24,739 a year
- 4
Rhodes College
Memphis, TN · Private nonprofitHonor Roll#2 in Tennessee
- Value grade B
- Net price $28,585 a year
- 5
The University of the South
Sewanee, TN · Private nonprofitHonor Roll#3 in Tennessee
- Value grade B-
- Net price $27,872 a year
- 6
Freed-Hardeman University
Henderson, TN · Private nonprofit#8 in Tennessee
- Value grade B-
- Net price $21,574 a year
- 7
Union University
Jackson, TN · Private nonprofit#6 in Tennessee
- Value grade B-
- Net price $27,171 a year
- 8
Milligan University
Milligan, TN · Private nonprofit#9 in Tennessee
- Value grade B-
- Net price $21,365 a year
- 9
Lee University
Cleveland, TN · Private nonprofit#10 in Tennessee
- Value grade B-
- Net price $18,878 a year
- 10
Belmont University
Nashville, TN · Private nonprofit#7 in Tennessee
- Value grade C+
- Net price $33,147 a year
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanderbilt University | $15,846 | $14,000 | $91,565 | 94% |
| The University of Tennessee-Knoxville | $18,976 | $20,500 | $60,249 | 74% |
| Lipscomb University | $24,739 | $19,500 | $55,541 | 72% |
| Rhodes College | $28,585 | $21,761 | $66,651 | 85% |
| The University of the South | $27,872 | $22,855 | $64,911 | 80% |
| Freed-Hardeman University | $21,574 | $21,500 | $47,485 | 71% |
| Union University | $27,171 | $20,714 | $53,990 | 66% |
| Milligan University | $21,365 | $25,219 | $46,641 | 63% |
| Lee University | $18,878 | $25,750 | $43,222 | 63% |
| Belmont University | $33,147 | $20,500 | $55,930 | 71% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.