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	9200	95100	0.9031	7,221	1527	0.0586	#1 #1 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN Typical Net Price $9,200 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $95,100 % Savings 90% 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	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	30400	0.6044	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 $30,400 % Savings 60% Undergraduates 5,057 Est. Median SAT 980 Acceptance Rate 70.2 %
5	Lane College	13500	23700	0.4314	822	865	0.5439	#5 #5 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Lane College Jackson, TN Typical Net Price $13,500 • 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	14800	25800	0.4235	9,982	1125	0.7702	#6 #6 Middle Class Affordability Rankings The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga Chattanooga, TN Typical Net Price $14,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $25,800 % Savings 42% Undergraduates 9,982 Est. Median SAT 1,125 Acceptance Rate 77.0 %
7	Baptist Health Sciences University	15500	26900	0.4234	733	1110	0.6776	#7 #7 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Baptist Health Sciences University Memphis, TN Typical Net Price $15,500 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $26,900 % Savings 42% Undergraduates 733 Est. Median SAT 1,110 Acceptance Rate 67.8 %
8	Tennessee Wesleyan University	16400	43800	0.6258	857	1075	0.5941	#8 #8 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Tennessee Wesleyan University Athens, TN Typical Net Price $16,400 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $43,800 % Savings 63% Undergraduates 857 Est. Median SAT 1,075 Acceptance Rate 59.4 %
9	Middle Tennessee State University	17300	23300	0.2566	17,668	1124	0.68	#9 #9 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, TN Typical Net Price $17,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $23,300 % Savings 26% Undergraduates 17,668 Est. Median SAT 1,124 Acceptance Rate 68.0 %
10	The University of Tennessee Southern	17400	28100	0.3802	946	1095	0.8271	#10 #10 Middle Class Affordability Rankings The University of Tennessee Southern Pulaski, TN Typical Net Price $17,400 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $28,100 % Savings 38% Undergraduates 946 Est. Median SAT 1,095 Acceptance Rate 82.7 %
11	Cumberland University	18900	47500	0.6015	2,652	1125	0.67	#11 #11 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 %
12	Johnson University	19000	31300	0.3952	708	1095	0.5377	#12 #12 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Johnson University Knoxville, TN Typical Net Price $19,000 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $31,300 % Savings 40% Undergraduates 708 Est. Median SAT 1,095 Acceptance Rate 53.8 %
13	East Tennessee State University	19200	26400	0.2748	10,633	1124	0.8706	#13 #13 Middle Class Affordability Rankings East Tennessee State University Johnson City, TN Typical Net Price $19,200 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $26,400 % Savings 27% Undergraduates 10,633 Est. Median SAT 1,124 Acceptance Rate 87.1 %
14	University of Memphis	19300	26400	0.2695	15,770	1075	0.7203	#14 #14 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Memphis Memphis, TN Typical Net Price $19,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $26,400 % Savings 27% Undergraduates 15,770 Est. Median SAT 1,075 Acceptance Rate 72.0 %
15	Welch College	19400	41300	0.5317	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 $41,300 % Savings 53% Undergraduates 358 Est. Median SAT 1,069 Acceptance Rate 57.9 %
16	Lee University	20700	37300	0.4432	3,271	1154	0.7052	#16 #16 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Lee University Cleveland, TN Typical Net Price $20,700 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $37,300 % Savings 44% Undergraduates 3,271 Est. Median SAT 1,154 Acceptance Rate 70.5 %
17	Carson-Newman University	20900	51200	0.5923	1,606	1110	0.9045	#17 #17 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Carson-Newman University Jefferson City, TN Typical Net Price $20,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $51,200 % Savings 59% Undergraduates 1,606 Est. Median SAT 1,110 Acceptance Rate 90.5 %
18	Austin Peay State University	21700	32700	0.3382	8,926	0	0.9638	#18 #18 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Austin Peay State University Clarksville, TN Typical Net Price $21,700 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $32,700 % Savings 34% Undergraduates 8,926 Est. Median SAT -- Acceptance Rate 96.4 %
18	Trevecca Nazarene University	21700	46100	0.5287	1,903	1085	0.6944	#18 #18 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Trevecca Nazarene University Nashville, TN Typical Net Price $21,700 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $46,100 % Savings 53% Undergraduates 1,903 Est. Median SAT 1,085 Acceptance Rate 69.4 %
20	Freed-Hardeman University	21800	34500	0.3665	1,878	1180	0.9061	#20 #20 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Freed-Hardeman University Henderson, TN Typical Net Price $21,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $34,500 % Savings 37% Undergraduates 1,878 Est. Median SAT 1,180 Acceptance Rate 90.6 %
21	Lincoln Memorial University	21900	44300	0.5066	1,668	1085	0.626	#21 #21 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Lincoln Memorial University Harrogate, TN Typical Net Price $21,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $44,300 % Savings 51% Undergraduates 1,668 Est. Median SAT 1,085 Acceptance Rate 62.6 %
22	Bryan College-Dayton	22100	36000	0.3861	1,398	1085	0.9717	#22 #22 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Bryan College-Dayton Dayton, TN Typical Net Price $22,100 • 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 %
23	The University of the South	22400	74800	0.7002	1,644	1313	0.569	#23 #23 Middle Class Affordability Rankings The University of the South Sewanee, TN Typical Net Price $22,400 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $74,800 % Savings 70% Undergraduates 1,644 Est. Median SAT 1,313 Acceptance Rate 56.9 %
24	Tennessee Technological University	24200	32600	0.2574	8,838	1159	0.8316	#24 #24 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Tennessee Technological University Cookeville, TN Typical Net Price $24,200 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $32,600 % Savings 26% Undergraduates 8,838 Est. Median SAT 1,159 Acceptance Rate 83.2 %
25	King University	24700	50400	0.5095	966	1035	0.9972	#25 #25 Middle Class Affordability Rankings King University Bristol, TN Typical Net Price $24,700 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $50,400 % Savings 51% Undergraduates 966 Est. Median SAT 1,035 Acceptance Rate 99.7 %
25	Maryville College	24700	58400	0.5782	1,136	1167	0.6092	#25 #25 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Maryville College Maryville, TN Typical Net Price $24,700 • 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 %
27	Visible Music College	25000	41800	0.4019	168	0	0.2868	#27 #27 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Visible Music College Memphis, TN Typical Net Price $25,000 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $41,800 % Savings 40% 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	Christian Brothers University	27700	54600	0.4926	1,155	1110	0.867	#29 #29 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Christian Brothers University Memphis, TN Typical Net Price $27,700 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $54,600 % Savings 49% Undergraduates 1,155 Est. Median SAT 1,110 Acceptance Rate 86.7 %
30	Lipscomb University	28800	57400	0.4992	3,327	1214	0.6774	#30 #30 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Lipscomb University Nashville, TN Typical Net Price $28,800 • 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 %
31	Milligan University	29200	55900	0.4778	834	1205	0.7027	#31 #31 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Milligan University Milligan, TN Typical Net Price $29,200 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $55,900 % Savings 48% Undergraduates 834 Est. Median SAT 1,205 Acceptance Rate 70.3 %
32	Southern Adventist University	29300	44900	0.3483	2,827	1125	0.6661	#32 #32 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Southern Adventist University Collegedale, TN Typical Net Price $29,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $44,900 % Savings 35% Undergraduates 2,827 Est. Median SAT 1,125 Acceptance Rate 66.6 %
33	Fisk University	30300	42400	0.2851	950	1123	0.5791	#33 #33 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Fisk University Nashville, TN Typical Net Price $30,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $42,400 % Savings 29% Undergraduates 950 Est. Median SAT 1,123 Acceptance Rate 57.9 %
34	Belmont University	30400	67800	0.5512	7,167	1273	0.9528	#34 #34 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Belmont University Nashville, TN Typical Net Price $30,400 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $67,800 % Savings 55% Undergraduates 7,167 Est. Median SAT 1,273 Acceptance Rate 95.3 %
35	Rhodes College	33200	68500	0.5154	1,793	1359	0.4968	#35 #35 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 %
36	Tusculum University	33900	49800	0.3191	1,022	1035	0.6042	#36 #36 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Tusculum University Greeneville, TN Typical Net Price $33,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $49,800 % Savings 32% Undergraduates 1,022 Est. Median SAT 1,035 Acceptance Rate 60.4 %
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	Union University	37700	64100	0.4118	1,934	1242	0.6016	#38 #38 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Union University Jackson, TN Typical Net Price $37,700 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $64,100 % Savings 41% Undergraduates 1,934 Est. Median SAT 1,242 Acceptance Rate 60.2 %