The cost of college in Tennessee — and what it pays back
Across the 91 Tennessee institutions we profile, the median net price — what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — is $15,269/yr, $1,637 below the $16,906 national median. Graduates earn a median $39,544 ten years after entry (below the $43,552 national median), and 22 of the 91 schools clear their full cost on institution-wide earnings. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
$15,269
Median net price / yr
Scorecard, 2026
$39,544
Median earnings, 10 yrs
Scorecard, 2026
15.7 yrs
Median payback
Our math, 2026
22/91
Schools that pay back
Our math, 2026
How Tennessee's 91 colleges split by ROI verdict
Strong4
Solid5
Slow5
Weak77
Verdicts: payback under 5 / 10 / 20 / over 20 years (or none).
| College | Net price/yr | Earnings 10y | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vanderbilt University | $15,846 | $91,565 | 1.5 yrs |
| Baptist Health Sciences University | $11,212 | $72,529 | 1.9 yrs |
| Galen Health Institutes-Nashville Campus | $27,267 | $61,480 | 4.2 yrs |
| Christian Brothers University | $9,854 | $57,478 | 4.3 yrs |
| Rhodes College | $28,585 | $66,651 | 6.3 yrs |
| College | Net price/yr | Earnings 10y | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology Crump | -$839 | $30,796 | no payback |
| Roane State Community College | $4,270 | $39,407 | no payback |
| Dyersburg State Community College | $4,612 | $36,132 | no payback |
| Columbia State Community College | $4,734 | $40,256 | no payback |
| Southwest Tennessee Community College | $4,754 | $34,071 | no payback |
Frequently asked questions
How much does college cost in Tennessee?
The median net price across Tennessee colleges is $15,269/yr after aid — below the $16,906 national median. Sticker prices run far higher; net price is what the typical aided student actually pays.
Is college in Tennessee cheaper than the national average?
Yes, on median net price: $15,269/yr vs $16,906 nationally — about $1,637/yr less.
What do Tennessee college graduates earn?
A median $39,544 ten years after entry (College Scorecard), below the $43,552 national median.
Which Tennessee college pays for itself fastest?
Vanderbilt University — about 1.5 years to clear its $63,384 total net cost on earnings above the high-school baseline. The full ranking is on our best-colleges-in-tennessee page.