Most affordable colleges with strong academics in Tennessee
The lowest net prices among colleges with an Academic Excellence grade of B or better.
Most affordable colleges with strong academics in Tennessee10 schools
10 schools qualify, ranked by net price.
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).
- Has a net price from federal data (the average yearly cost after grants, College Scorecard).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by net price, lowest first.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN · Private nonprofitHonor Roll#1 in Tennessee
- Net price $15,846 a year
- 94% graduate
- 2
- 3
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
Knoxville, TN · PublicHonor Roll#3 in Tennessee
- Net price $18,976 a year
- 74% graduate
- 4
Milligan University
Milligan, TN · Private nonprofit#9 in Tennessee
- Net price $21,365 a year
- 63% graduate
- 5
Freed-Hardeman University
Henderson, TN · Private nonprofit#8 in Tennessee
- Net price $21,574 a year
- 71% graduate
- 6
Lipscomb University
Nashville, TN · Private nonprofit#5 in Tennessee
- Net price $24,739 a year
- 72% graduate
- 7
- 8
The University of the South
Sewanee, TN · Private nonprofitHonor Roll#3 in Tennessee
- Net price $27,872 a year
- 80% graduate
- 9
Rhodes College
Memphis, TN · Private nonprofitHonor Roll#2 in Tennessee
- Net price $28,585 a year
- 85% graduate
- 10
Belmont University
Nashville, TN · Private nonprofit#7 in Tennessee
- Net price $33,147 a year
- 71% graduate
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% |
| Lee University | $18,878 | $25,750 | $43,222 | 63% |
| The University of Tennessee-Knoxville | $18,976 | $20,500 | $60,249 | 74% |
| Milligan University | $21,365 | $25,219 | $46,641 | 63% |
| Freed-Hardeman University | $21,574 | $21,500 | $47,485 | 71% |
| Lipscomb University | $24,739 | $19,500 | $55,541 | 72% |
| Union University | $27,171 | $20,714 | $53,990 | 66% |
| The University of the South | $27,872 | $22,855 | $64,911 | 80% |
| Rhodes College | $28,585 | $21,761 | $66,651 | 85% |
| 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.
This list in other states
- Alabama 5
- Arizona 4
- Arkansas 5
- California 63
- Colorado 6
- Connecticut 13
- District of Columbia 5
- Florida 21
- Georgia 9
- Illinois 21
- Indiana 21
- Iowa 16
- Kansas 4
- Kentucky 7
- Louisiana 3
- Maine 9
- Maryland 15
- Massachusetts 47
- Michigan 20
- Minnesota 19
- Missouri 18
- Nebraska 8
- New Hampshire 5
- New Jersey 17
- New York 79
- North Carolina 17
- Ohio 33
- Oklahoma 4
- Oregon 11
- Pennsylvania 60
- Rhode Island 9
- South Carolina 10
- Texas 20
- Utah 4
- Vermont 6
- Virginia 20
- Washington 13
- Wisconsin 15