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	8700	95100	0.9084	7,221	1527	0.0586	#1 #1 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN Typical Net Price $8,700 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $95,100 % Savings 91% Undergraduates 7,221 Est. Median SAT 1,527 Acceptance Rate 5.9 %
2	Le Moyne-Owen College	9400	20200	0.5354	646	865	0.9717	#2 #2 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Le Moyne-Owen College Memphis, TN Typical Net Price $9,400 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $20,200 % Savings 54% Undergraduates 646 Est. Median SAT 865 Acceptance Rate 97.2 %
3	Tennessee State University	11300	30400	0.6275	5,057	980	0.7018	#3 #3 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Tennessee State University Nashville, TN Typical Net Price $11,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $30,400 % Savings 63% Undergraduates 5,057 Est. Median SAT 980 Acceptance Rate 70.2 %
4	The University of Tennessee-Martin	11700	24800	0.5295	6,817	1110	0.882	#4 #4 Middle Class Affordability Rankings The University of Tennessee-Martin Martin, TN Typical Net Price $11,700 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $24,800 % Savings 53% Undergraduates 6,817 Est. Median SAT 1,110 Acceptance Rate 88.2 %
5	Lane College	13600	23700	0.4272	822	865	0.5439	#5 #5 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Lane College Jackson, TN Typical Net Price $13,600 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $23,700 % Savings 43% Undergraduates 822 Est. Median SAT 865 Acceptance Rate 54.4 %
6	The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga	14300	25800	0.4429	9,982	1125	0.7702	#6 #6 Middle Class Affordability Rankings The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga Chattanooga, TN Typical Net Price $14,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $25,800 % Savings 44% Undergraduates 9,982 Est. Median SAT 1,125 Acceptance Rate 77.0 %
7	Baptist Health Sciences University	15400	26900	0.4271	733	1110	0.6776	#7 #7 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Baptist Health Sciences University Memphis, TN Typical Net Price $15,400 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $26,900 % Savings 43% Undergraduates 733 Est. Median SAT 1,110 Acceptance Rate 67.8 %
8	Tennessee Wesleyan University	15900	43800	0.6372	857	1075	0.5941	#8 #8 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Tennessee Wesleyan University Athens, TN Typical Net Price $15,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $43,800 % Savings 64% Undergraduates 857 Est. Median SAT 1,075 Acceptance Rate 59.4 %
9	The University of Tennessee Southern	16500	28100	0.4138	946	1095	0.8271	#9 #9 Middle Class Affordability Rankings The University of Tennessee Southern Pulaski, TN Typical Net Price $16,500 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $28,100 % Savings 41% Undergraduates 946 Est. Median SAT 1,095 Acceptance Rate 82.7 %
10	Middle Tennessee State University	16800	23300	0.2781	17,668	1124	0.68	#10 #10 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, TN Typical Net Price $16,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $23,300 % Savings 28% Undergraduates 17,668 Est. Median SAT 1,124 Acceptance Rate 68.0 %
11	Cumberland University	17100	45000	0.6189	2,652	1125	0.67	#11 #11 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Cumberland University Lebanon, TN Typical Net Price $17,100 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $45,000 % Savings 62% Undergraduates 2,652 Est. Median SAT 1,125 Acceptance Rate 67.0 %
12	Johnson University	18000	31300	0.4254	708	1095	0.5377	#12 #12 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Johnson University Knoxville, TN Typical Net Price $18,000 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $31,300 % Savings 43% Undergraduates 708 Est. Median SAT 1,095 Acceptance Rate 53.8 %
13	Welch College	18400	41300	0.5559	358	1069	0.5791	#13 #13 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Welch College Gallatin, TN Typical Net Price $18,400 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $41,300 % Savings 56% Undergraduates 358 Est. Median SAT 1,069 Acceptance Rate 57.9 %
14	East Tennessee State University	18900	26400	0.2861	10,633	1124	0.8706	#14 #14 Middle Class Affordability Rankings East Tennessee State University Johnson City, TN Typical Net Price $18,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $26,400 % Savings 29% Undergraduates 10,633 Est. Median SAT 1,124 Acceptance Rate 87.1 %
14	University of Memphis	18900	26400	0.2847	15,768	1075	0.7203	#14 #14 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Memphis Memphis, TN Typical Net Price $18,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $26,400 % Savings 28% Undergraduates 15,768 Est. Median SAT 1,075 Acceptance Rate 72.0 %
16	Lee University	19800	37300	0.4674	3,271	1154	0.7052	#16 #16 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Lee University Cleveland, TN Typical Net Price $19,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $37,300 % Savings 47% Undergraduates 3,271 Est. Median SAT 1,154 Acceptance Rate 70.5 %
17	Carson-Newman University	20000	51200	0.6099	1,606	1110	0.9045	#17 #17 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Carson-Newman University Jefferson City, TN Typical Net Price $20,000 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $51,200 % Savings 61% Undergraduates 1,606 Est. Median SAT 1,110 Acceptance Rate 90.5 %
18	Trevecca Nazarene University	20800	46100	0.5492	1,903	1085	0.6944	#18 #18 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Trevecca Nazarene University Nashville, TN Typical Net Price $20,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $46,100 % Savings 55% Undergraduates 1,903 Est. Median SAT 1,085 Acceptance Rate 69.4 %
19	Bryan College-Dayton	21100	36000	0.4124	1,398	1085	0.9717	#19 #19 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Bryan College-Dayton Dayton, TN Typical Net Price $21,100 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $36,000 % Savings 41% Undergraduates 1,398 Est. Median SAT 1,085 Acceptance Rate 97.2 %
20	Austin Peay State University	21300	32700	0.3504	8,842	0	0.9638	#20 #20 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Austin Peay State University Clarksville, TN Typical Net Price $21,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $32,700 % Savings 35% Undergraduates 8,842 Est. Median SAT -- Acceptance Rate 96.4 %
20	The University of the South	21300	74800	0.7149	1,627	1313	0.569	#20 #20 Middle Class Affordability Rankings The University of the South Sewanee, TN Typical Net Price $21,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $74,800 % Savings 71% Undergraduates 1,627 Est. Median SAT 1,313 Acceptance Rate 56.9 %
22	Freed-Hardeman University	21400	34500	0.3781	1,878	1180	0.9061	#22 #22 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Freed-Hardeman University Henderson, TN Typical Net Price $21,400 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $34,500 % Savings 38% Undergraduates 1,878 Est. Median SAT 1,180 Acceptance Rate 90.6 %
23	Lincoln Memorial University	21600	44300	0.5133	1,662	1085	0.626	#23 #23 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Lincoln Memorial University Harrogate, TN Typical Net Price $21,600 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $44,300 % Savings 51% Undergraduates 1,662 Est. Median SAT 1,085 Acceptance Rate 62.6 %
24	Tennessee Technological University	23200	32600	0.2864	8,838	1159	0.8316	#24 #24 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Tennessee Technological University Cookeville, TN Typical Net Price $23,200 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $32,600 % Savings 29% Undergraduates 8,838 Est. Median SAT 1,159 Acceptance Rate 83.2 %
25	King University	23900	50400	0.5254	961	1035	0.9972	#25 #25 Middle Class Affordability Rankings King University Bristol, TN Typical Net Price $23,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $50,400 % Savings 53% Undergraduates 961 Est. Median SAT 1,035 Acceptance Rate 99.7 %
26	Maryville College	24000	58400	0.5892	1,119	1167	0.6092	#26 #26 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Maryville College Maryville, TN Typical Net Price $24,000 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $58,400 % Savings 59% Undergraduates 1,119 Est. Median SAT 1,167 Acceptance Rate 60.9 %
27	Visible Music College	24700	41800	0.4091	168	0	0.2868	#27 #27 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Visible Music College Memphis, TN Typical Net Price $24,700 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $41,800 % Savings 41% Undergraduates 168 Est. Median SAT -- Acceptance Rate 28.7 %
28	Bethel University	25900	32000	0.1891	2,719	1171	0.9717	#28 #28 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Bethel University McKenzie, TN Typical Net Price $25,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $32,000 % Savings 19% Undergraduates 2,719 Est. Median SAT 1,171 Acceptance Rate 97.2 %
29	Milligan University	27000	55600	0.514	834	1205	0.7027	#29 #29 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Milligan University Milligan, TN Typical Net Price $27,000 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $55,600 % Savings 51% Undergraduates 834 Est. Median SAT 1,205 Acceptance Rate 70.3 %
30	Christian Brothers University	27100	54600	0.5032	1,155	1110	0.867	#30 #30 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Christian Brothers University Memphis, TN Typical Net Price $27,100 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $54,600 % Savings 50% Undergraduates 1,155 Est. Median SAT 1,110 Acceptance Rate 86.7 %
31	Southern Adventist University	28300	44900	0.3694	2,827	1125	0.6661	#31 #31 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Southern Adventist University Collegedale, TN Typical Net Price $28,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $44,900 % Savings 37% Undergraduates 2,827 Est. Median SAT 1,125 Acceptance Rate 66.6 %
32	Lipscomb University	28400	57400	0.5046	3,327	1214	0.6774	#32 #32 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Lipscomb University Nashville, TN Typical Net Price $28,400 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $57,400 % Savings 50% Undergraduates 3,327 Est. Median SAT 1,214 Acceptance Rate 67.7 %
33	Fisk University	29200	42400	0.3111	950	1123	0.5791	#33 #33 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Fisk University Nashville, TN Typical Net Price $29,200 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $42,400 % Savings 31% Undergraduates 950 Est. Median SAT 1,123 Acceptance Rate 57.9 %
34	Union University	32800	64100	0.4889	1,934	1242	0.6016	#34 #34 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Union University Jackson, TN Typical Net Price $32,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $64,100 % Savings 49% Undergraduates 1,934 Est. Median SAT 1,242 Acceptance Rate 60.2 %
35	Tusculum University	33000	49800	0.3381	1,022	1035	0.6042	#35 #35 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Tusculum University Greeneville, TN Typical Net Price $33,000 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $49,800 % Savings 34% Undergraduates 1,022 Est. Median SAT 1,035 Acceptance Rate 60.4 %
36	Rhodes College	33200	68500	0.5154	1,793	1359	0.4968	#36 #36 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 1,359 Acceptance Rate 49.7 %
37	The University of Tennessee-Knoxville	34700	34900	0.0039	30,564	1298	0.416	#37 #37 Middle Class Affordability Rankings The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Knoxville, TN Typical Net Price $34,700 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $34,900 % Savings 0% Undergraduates 30,564 Est. Median SAT 1,298 Acceptance Rate 41.6 %
38	Belmont University	38100	67800	0.4383	7,167	1273	0.9528	#38 #38 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Belmont University Nashville, TN Typical Net Price $38,100 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $67,800 % Savings 44% Undergraduates 7,167 Est. Median SAT 1,273 Acceptance Rate 95.3 %