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	Le Moyne-Owen College	7900	20700	0.6191	659	865	0.9923	#1 #1 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Le Moyne-Owen College Memphis, TN Typical Net Price $7,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $20,700 % Savings 62% Undergraduates 659 Est. Median SAT 865 Acceptance Rate 99.2 %
1	Vanderbilt University	7900	92900	0.9147	7,221	1527	0.0586	#1 #1 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN Typical Net Price $7,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $92,900 % Savings 91% Undergraduates 7,221 Est. Median SAT 1,527 Acceptance Rate 5.9 %
3	Lane College	10300	24700	0.5839	738	865	0.4847	#3 #3 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Lane College Jackson, TN Typical Net Price $10,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $24,700 % Savings 58% Undergraduates 738 Est. Median SAT 865 Acceptance Rate 48.5 %
4	The University of Tennessee-Martin	11700	24800	0.5295	6,809	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 6,809 Est. Median SAT 1,110 Acceptance Rate 88.2 %
5	Baptist Health Sciences University	14100	26000	0.4577	782	1020	0.8202	#5 #5 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Baptist Health Sciences University Memphis, TN Typical Net Price $14,100 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $26,000 % Savings 46% Undergraduates 782 Est. Median SAT 1,020 Acceptance Rate 82.0 %
6	Tennessee Wesleyan University	15400	43800	0.6482	918	1075	0.6885	#6 #6 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Tennessee Wesleyan University Athens, TN Typical Net Price $15,400 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $43,800 % Savings 65% Undergraduates 918 Est. Median SAT 1,075 Acceptance Rate 68.9 %
7	Austin Peay State University	15500	29100	0.469	8,926	1075	0.9641	#7 #7 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Austin Peay State University Clarksville, TN Typical Net Price $15,500 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $29,100 % Savings 47% Undergraduates 8,926 Est. Median SAT 1,075 Acceptance Rate 96.4 %
8	The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga	15900	25800	0.3807	10,202	1140	0.8109	#8 #8 Middle Class Affordability Rankings The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga Chattanooga, TN Typical Net Price $15,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $25,800 % Savings 38% Undergraduates 10,202 Est. Median SAT 1,140 Acceptance Rate 81.1 %
9	Tennessee State University	16500	31100	0.4691	5,057	980	0.7011	#9 #9 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Tennessee State University Nashville, TN Typical Net Price $16,500 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $31,100 % Savings 47% Undergraduates 5,057 Est. Median SAT 980 Acceptance Rate 70.1 %
10	The University of Tennessee Southern	17000	28100	0.3942	1,012	1075	0.8671	#10 #10 Middle Class Affordability Rankings The University of Tennessee Southern Pulaski, TN Typical Net Price $17,000 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $28,100 % Savings 39% Undergraduates 1,012 Est. Median SAT 1,075 Acceptance Rate 86.7 %
11	University of Memphis	17800	26400	0.3264	15,770	1075	0.7203	#11 #11 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Memphis Memphis, TN Typical Net Price $17,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $26,400 % Savings 33% Undergraduates 15,770 Est. Median SAT 1,075 Acceptance Rate 72.0 %
12	Bethel University	17900	33600	0.468	2,674	970	0.6023	#12 #12 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Bethel University McKenzie, TN Typical Net Price $17,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $33,600 % Savings 47% Undergraduates 2,674 Est. Median SAT 970 Acceptance Rate 60.2 %
13	Middle Tennessee State University	18300	23300	0.2139	18,042	1140	0.6909	#13 #13 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, TN Typical Net Price $18,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $23,300 % Savings 21% Undergraduates 18,042 Est. Median SAT 1,140 Acceptance Rate 69.1 %
14	Cumberland University	18900	47500	0.6015	2,745	1055	0.6733	#14 #14 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 2,745 Est. Median SAT 1,055 Acceptance Rate 67.3 %
15	East Tennessee State University	19400	26300	0.261	10,829	1124	0.8619	#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 10,829 Est. Median SAT 1,124 Acceptance Rate 86.2 %
16	Johnson University	19600	31300	0.3759	746	1070	0.6511	#16 #16 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Johnson University Knoxville, TN Typical Net Price $19,600 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $31,300 % Savings 38% Undergraduates 746 Est. Median SAT 1,070 Acceptance Rate 65.1 %
17	Carson-Newman University	19900	51300	0.6112	1,596	1110	0.9045	#17 #17 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Carson-Newman University Jefferson City, TN Typical Net Price $19,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $51,300 % Savings 61% Undergraduates 1,596 Est. Median SAT 1,110 Acceptance Rate 90.5 %
17	Lee University	19900	37500	0.4698	3,271	1154	0.7052	#17 #17 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Lee University Cleveland, TN Typical Net Price $19,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $37,500 % Savings 47% Undergraduates 3,271 Est. Median SAT 1,154 Acceptance Rate 70.5 %
19	Bryan College-Dayton	21700	36000	0.3971	1,565	1160	0.5101	#19 #19 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Bryan College-Dayton Dayton, TN Typical Net Price $21,700 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $36,000 % Savings 40% Undergraduates 1,565 Est. Median SAT 1,160 Acceptance Rate 51.0 %
20	Freed-Hardeman University	22300	34500	0.352	1,873	1120	0.5968	#20 #20 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Freed-Hardeman University Henderson, TN Typical Net Price $22,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $34,500 % Savings 35% Undergraduates 1,873 Est. Median SAT 1,120 Acceptance Rate 59.7 %
21	Lincoln Memorial University	23300	44300	0.475	1,668	1085	0.6259	#21 #21 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Lincoln Memorial University Harrogate, TN Typical Net Price $23,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $44,300 % Savings 48% Undergraduates 1,668 Est. Median SAT 1,085 Acceptance Rate 62.6 %
22	King University	23700	50400	0.5294	964	1080	0.9972	#22 #22 Middle Class Affordability Rankings King University Bristol, TN Typical Net Price $23,700 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $50,400 % Savings 53% Undergraduates 964 Est. Median SAT 1,080 Acceptance Rate 99.7 %
23	Maryville College	24400	58400	0.5832	1,132	1167	0.6092	#23 #23 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Maryville College Maryville, TN Typical Net Price $24,400 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $58,400 % Savings 58% Undergraduates 1,132 Est. Median SAT 1,167 Acceptance Rate 60.9 %
23	The University of the South	24400	74300	0.6713	1,644	1340	0.569	#23 #23 Middle Class Affordability Rankings The University of the South Sewanee, TN Typical Net Price $24,400 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $74,300 % Savings 67% Undergraduates 1,644 Est. Median SAT 1,340 Acceptance Rate 56.9 %
25	Tennessee Technological University	24900	33700	0.2609	9,187	1163	0.7613	#25 #25 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Tennessee Technological University Cookeville, TN Typical Net Price $24,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $33,700 % Savings 26% Undergraduates 9,187 Est. Median SAT 1,163 Acceptance Rate 76.1 %
26	Welch College	25600	41600	0.3841	350	0	0	#26 #26 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Welch College Gallatin, TN Typical Net Price $25,600 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $41,600 % Savings 38% Undergraduates 350 Est. Median SAT -- Acceptance Rate --
27	Christian Brothers University	25800	57600	0.5512	1,155	1110	0.867	#27 #27 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Christian Brothers University Memphis, TN Typical Net Price $25,800 • 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 %
28	Milligan University	29000	55900	0.4815	865	1200	0.7229	#28 #28 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Milligan University Milligan, TN Typical Net Price $29,000 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $55,900 % Savings 48% Undergraduates 865 Est. Median SAT 1,200 Acceptance Rate 72.3 %
29	Southern Adventist University	29700	46900	0.3665	2,929	1134	0.655	#29 #29 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Southern Adventist University Collegedale, TN Typical Net Price $29,700 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $46,900 % Savings 37% Undergraduates 2,929 Est. Median SAT 1,134 Acceptance Rate 65.5 %
30	Trevecca Nazarene University	30100	50900	0.4085	1,903	1085	0.6944	#30 #30 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Trevecca Nazarene University Nashville, TN Typical Net Price $30,100 • 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 %
31	Belmont University	32400	69900	0.5371	7,175	1273	0.9528	#31 #31 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Belmont University Nashville, TN Typical Net Price $32,400 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $69,900 % Savings 54% Undergraduates 7,175 Est. Median SAT 1,273 Acceptance Rate 95.3 %
32	Lipscomb University	32500	57400	0.4336	3,336	1260	0.6773	#32 #32 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Lipscomb University Nashville, TN Typical Net Price $32,500 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $57,400 % Savings 43% Undergraduates 3,336 Est. Median SAT 1,260 Acceptance Rate 67.7 %
33	Rhodes College	34200	68500	0.5008	1,838	1348	0.5035	#33 #33 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Rhodes College Memphis, TN Typical Net Price $34,200 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $68,500 % Savings 50% Undergraduates 1,838 Est. Median SAT 1,348 Acceptance Rate 50.4 %
34	The University of Tennessee-Knoxville	35100	35200	0.0038	30,564	1302	0.416	#34 #34 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 %
35	Tusculum University	35900	52200	0.3121	940	1020	0.7217	#35 #35 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Tusculum University Greeneville, TN Typical Net Price $35,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $52,200 % Savings 31% Undergraduates 940 Est. Median SAT 1,020 Acceptance Rate 72.2 %
36	Fisk University	36000	56600	0.3638	1,035	1174	0.3742	#36 #36 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Fisk University Nashville, TN Typical Net Price $36,000 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $56,600 % Savings 36% Undergraduates 1,035 Est. Median SAT 1,174 Acceptance Rate 37.4 %
37	Union University	39300	66000	0.4055	1,934	1242	0.6041	#37 #37 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Union University Jackson, TN Typical Net Price $39,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $66,000 % Savings 41% Undergraduates 1,934 Est. Median SAT 1,242 Acceptance Rate 60.4 %