Middle Class Affordability Rankings™ - State of Tennessee

Most Affordable Colleges in Tennessee for 2026

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Which colleges are most affordable for Tennessee residents ? The answer may surprise you.
These rankings of the most affordable colleges for Tennessee residents are based on the estimated net price for a "typical" middle class family living in the state of Tennessee.
Note: Net price is the actual cost of the school paid by the student and family, after factoring in merit and grant aid from the college federal programs and work study.The net prices displayed in these rankings are College Raptor's estimates.

“Typical” middle class family values used in the Net Price estimates on this page are:

Number of people in family: 4
Number of students in college: 1
Total income: $80,000
Total assets: $50,000

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Tennessee

Rank	Institution	Typical Net Price	Sticker Price	% Savings	Undergraduates	Est. Median SAT	Acceptance Rate	Save
1	Vanderbilt University	8000	95700	0.9165	7,221	1527	0.0586	#1 #1 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN Typical Net Price $8,000 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $95,700 % Savings 92% Undergraduates 7,221 Est. Median SAT 1,527 Acceptance Rate 5.9 %
2	Le Moyne-Owen College	8500	25400	0.6658	646	865	0.9717	#2 #2 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Le Moyne-Owen College Memphis, TN Typical Net Price $8,500 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $25,400 % Savings 67% Undergraduates 646 Est. Median SAT 865 Acceptance Rate 97.2 %
3	The University of Tennessee-Martin	11900	24800	0.5215	6,817	1110	0.882	#3 #3 Middle Class Affordability Rankings The University of Tennessee-Martin Martin, TN Typical Net Price $11,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $24,800 % Savings 52% Undergraduates 6,817 Est. Median SAT 1,110 Acceptance Rate 88.2 %
4	Tennessee State University	12000	48300	0.7507	5,057	980	0.7018	#4 #4 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Tennessee State University Nashville, TN Typical Net Price $12,000 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $48,300 % Savings 75% Undergraduates 5,057 Est. Median SAT 980 Acceptance Rate 70.2 %
5	Lane College	13300	29700	0.5502	822	865	0.5439	#5 #5 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Lane College Jackson, TN Typical Net Price $13,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $29,700 % Savings 55% Undergraduates 822 Est. Median SAT 865 Acceptance Rate 54.4 %
6	Tennessee Wesleyan University	13500	43800	0.6916	857	1040	0.5941	#6 #6 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Tennessee Wesleyan University Athens, TN Typical Net Price $13,500 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $43,800 % Savings 69% Undergraduates 857 Est. Median SAT 1,040 Acceptance Rate 59.4 %
7	Middle Tennessee State University	14300	23300	0.3857	18,042	1140	0.6909	#7 #7 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, TN Typical Net Price $14,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $23,300 % Savings 39% Undergraduates 18,042 Est. Median SAT 1,140 Acceptance Rate 69.1 %
8	Baptist Health Sciences University	14800	35800	0.586	733	1045	0.6776	#8 #8 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Baptist Health Sciences University Memphis, TN Typical Net Price $14,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $35,800 % Savings 59% Undergraduates 733 Est. Median SAT 1,045 Acceptance Rate 67.8 %
9	The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga	15800	25800	0.3846	9,982	1125	0.7702	#9 #9 Middle Class Affordability Rankings The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga Chattanooga, TN Typical Net Price $15,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $25,800 % Savings 38% Undergraduates 9,982 Est. Median SAT 1,125 Acceptance Rate 77.0 %
10	University of Memphis	16100	26400	0.3909	15,770	1075	0.7203	#10 #10 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Memphis Memphis, TN Typical Net Price $16,100 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $26,400 % Savings 39% Undergraduates 15,770 Est. Median SAT 1,075 Acceptance Rate 72.0 %
11	The University of Tennessee Southern	17200	28100	0.3891	946	1080	0.8271	#11 #11 Middle Class Affordability Rankings The University of Tennessee Southern Pulaski, TN Typical Net Price $17,200 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $28,100 % Savings 39% Undergraduates 946 Est. Median SAT 1,080 Acceptance Rate 82.7 %
12	Cumberland University	18900	47500	0.6015	2,652	1125	0.67	#12 #12 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Cumberland University Lebanon, TN Typical Net Price $18,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $47,500 % Savings 60% Undergraduates 2,652 Est. Median SAT 1,125 Acceptance Rate 67.0 %
13	Carson-Newman University	19100	51300	0.6267	1,606	1110	0.9045	#13 #13 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Carson-Newman University Jefferson City, TN Typical Net Price $19,100 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $51,300 % Savings 63% Undergraduates 1,606 Est. Median SAT 1,110 Acceptance Rate 90.5 %
14	Lee University	19300	37500	0.4858	3,271	1154	0.7052	#14 #14 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Lee University Cleveland, TN Typical Net Price $19,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $37,500 % Savings 49% Undergraduates 3,271 Est. Median SAT 1,154 Acceptance Rate 70.5 %
15	East Tennessee State University	19400	26300	0.261	10,633	1124	0.8706	#15 #15 Middle Class Affordability Rankings East Tennessee State University Johnson City, TN Typical Net Price $19,400 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $26,300 % Savings 26% Undergraduates 10,633 Est. Median SAT 1,124 Acceptance Rate 87.1 %
15	Welch College	19400	49800	0.6104	358	1069	0.5791	#15 #15 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Welch College Gallatin, TN Typical Net Price $19,400 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $49,800 % Savings 61% Undergraduates 358 Est. Median SAT 1,069 Acceptance Rate 57.9 %
17	Johnson University	19700	31300	0.3713	708	1070	0.5377	#17 #17 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Johnson University Knoxville, TN Typical Net Price $19,700 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $31,300 % Savings 37% Undergraduates 708 Est. Median SAT 1,070 Acceptance Rate 53.8 %
18	Lincoln Memorial University	20200	44300	0.5449	1,668	1085	0.626	#18 #18 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Lincoln Memorial University Harrogate, TN Typical Net Price $20,200 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $44,300 % Savings 54% Undergraduates 1,668 Est. Median SAT 1,085 Acceptance Rate 62.6 %
19	Freed-Hardeman University	20400	34500	0.4071	1,878	1120	0.9061	#19 #19 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Freed-Hardeman University Henderson, TN Typical Net Price $20,400 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $34,500 % Savings 41% Undergraduates 1,878 Est. Median SAT 1,120 Acceptance Rate 90.6 %
20	Bryan College-Dayton	21800	36000	0.3931	1,398	1085	0.9717	#20 #20 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Bryan College-Dayton Dayton, TN Typical Net Price $21,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $36,000 % Savings 39% Undergraduates 1,398 Est. Median SAT 1,085 Acceptance Rate 97.2 %
21	Austin Peay State University	22100	29200	0.2422	8,926	0	0.9638	#21 #21 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Austin Peay State University Clarksville, TN Typical Net Price $22,100 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $29,200 % Savings 24% Undergraduates 8,926 Est. Median SAT -- Acceptance Rate 96.4 %
22	Bethel University	22200	41600	0.4669	2,719	1005	0.9717	#22 #22 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Bethel University McKenzie, TN Typical Net Price $22,200 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $41,600 % Savings 47% Undergraduates 2,719 Est. Median SAT 1,005 Acceptance Rate 97.2 %
23	King University	23500	50400	0.5334	966	1035	0.9972	#23 #23 Middle Class Affordability Rankings King University Bristol, TN Typical Net Price $23,500 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $50,400 % Savings 53% Undergraduates 966 Est. Median SAT 1,035 Acceptance Rate 99.7 %
24	Maryville College	24500	58400	0.5807	1,136	1167	0.6092	#24 #24 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Maryville College Maryville, TN Typical Net Price $24,500 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $58,400 % Savings 58% Undergraduates 1,136 Est. Median SAT 1,167 Acceptance Rate 60.9 %
25	Tennessee Technological University	25000	33700	0.2566	8,838	1159	0.8316	#25 #25 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Tennessee Technological University Cookeville, TN Typical Net Price $25,000 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $33,700 % Savings 26% Undergraduates 8,838 Est. Median SAT 1,159 Acceptance Rate 83.2 %
26	Christian Brothers University	25900	57600	0.5495	1,155	1110	0.867	#26 #26 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Christian Brothers University Memphis, TN Typical Net Price $25,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $57,600 % Savings 55% Undergraduates 1,155 Est. Median SAT 1,110 Acceptance Rate 86.7 %
26	Visible Music College	25900	45100	0.4256	168	1055	0.2868	#26 #26 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Visible Music College Memphis, TN Typical Net Price $25,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $45,100 % Savings 43% Undergraduates 168 Est. Median SAT 1,055 Acceptance Rate 28.7 %
28	Lipscomb University	26400	57400	0.5407	3,327	1214	0.6774	#28 #28 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Lipscomb University Nashville, TN Typical Net Price $26,400 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $57,400 % Savings 54% Undergraduates 3,327 Est. Median SAT 1,214 Acceptance Rate 67.7 %
29	Milligan University	29100	55900	0.4802	834	1189	0.7027	#29 #29 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Milligan University Milligan, TN Typical Net Price $29,100 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $55,900 % Savings 48% Undergraduates 834 Est. Median SAT 1,189 Acceptance Rate 70.3 %
30	Southern Adventist University	29900	46900	0.3634	2,827	1112	0.6661	#30 #30 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Southern Adventist University Collegedale, TN Typical Net Price $29,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $46,900 % Savings 36% Undergraduates 2,827 Est. Median SAT 1,112 Acceptance Rate 66.6 %
31	Trevecca Nazarene University	30200	50900	0.4056	1,903	1085	0.6944	#31 #31 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Trevecca Nazarene University Nashville, TN Typical Net Price $30,200 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $50,900 % Savings 41% Undergraduates 1,903 Est. Median SAT 1,085 Acceptance Rate 69.4 %
32	Belmont University	32500	69900	0.5359	7,167	1273	0.9528	#32 #32 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Belmont University Nashville, TN Typical Net Price $32,500 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $69,900 % Savings 54% Undergraduates 7,167 Est. Median SAT 1,273 Acceptance Rate 95.3 %
33	The University of the South	32800	71100	0.5388	1,644	1313	0.569	#33 #33 Middle Class Affordability Rankings The University of the South Sewanee, TN Typical Net Price $32,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $71,100 % Savings 54% Undergraduates 1,644 Est. Median SAT 1,313 Acceptance Rate 56.9 %
34	Rhodes College	33200	68500	0.5154	1,793	1387	0.5035	#34 #34 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Rhodes College Memphis, TN Typical Net Price $33,200 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $68,500 % Savings 52% Undergraduates 1,793 Est. Median SAT 1,387 Acceptance Rate 50.4 %
35	Fisk University	34200	56600	0.3956	950	1253	0.5791	#35 #35 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Fisk University Nashville, TN Typical Net Price $34,200 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $56,600 % Savings 40% Undergraduates 950 Est. Median SAT 1,253 Acceptance Rate 57.9 %
36	The University of Tennessee-Knoxville	35100	35200	0.0038	30,564	1302	0.416	#36 #36 Middle Class Affordability Rankings The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Knoxville, TN Typical Net Price $35,100 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $35,200 % Savings 0% Undergraduates 30,564 Est. Median SAT 1,302 Acceptance Rate 41.6 %
37	Tusculum University	36000	52200	0.3093	1,022	1035	0.6042	#37 #37 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Tusculum University Greeneville, TN Typical Net Price $36,000 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $52,200 % Savings 31% Undergraduates 1,022 Est. Median SAT 1,035 Acceptance Rate 60.4 %
38	Union University	37400	64100	0.4157	1,934	1242	0.6016	#38 #38 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Union University Jackson, TN Typical Net Price $37,400 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $64,100 % Savings 42% Undergraduates 1,934 Est. Median SAT 1,242 Acceptance Rate 60.2 %