Best value colleges for English in Tennessee.2026 Rankings
Choosing the right English program in Tennessee means weighing more than just name recognition. We analyzed 36 colleges across the state, scoring each on the metrics that matter most to long-term career success: graduation rates, post-graduation earnings, net cost, and academic rigor.
The data tells an interesting story: Vanderbilt University leads on selectivity (6% acceptance rate), but selectivity is only one dimension of quality. Across Tennessee's English programs, the typical in-state price is $27,011 and the average graduation rate is 56%. Graduates of these programs earn a median of $33,515 within one year of completing their degree.
Not sure if your profile matches these schools?
The numbers above show what each school requires and costs, but they can't tell you how competitive your individual profile is against this year's applicant pool.
Drop your application data into our Free Application Review. Our AI will analyze your admission chances and stats in 2 minutes. Get practical next steps for improvements where it matters most.
Get My Free Application Review →English Programs in Tennessee
ranked by value score
| # | College | Value Score | Admit Rate | Grad Rate | Net Price | Median Earnings | Student:Faculty | Majors Offered | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vanderbilt UniversityPrivate | Elite· 51 | 6% | 93% | $6,211 | $34,633 | 7:1 | 51 | 7,143 |
| 2 | Rhodes CollegePrivate | Excellent· 45 | 50% | 82% | $16,317 | $35,257 | 11:1 | 33 | 1,931 |
| 3 | The University of the SouthPrivate | Excellent· 44 | 51% | 82% | $18,421 | $31,218 | 9:1 | 33 | 1,598 |
| 4 | Union UniversityPrivate | Great· 38 | 47% | 71% | $25,531 | $53,098 | 8:1 | 60 | 1,637 |
| 5 | Johnson UniversityPrivate | Strong· 36 | 54% | 62% | $18,930 | $34,857 | 11:1 | 28 | 703 |
| 6 | Le Moyne-Owen CollegePrivate | Strong· 36 | 97% | 25% | $9,198 | — | 9:1 | 25 | 571 |
| 7 | Lee UniversityPrivate | Strong· 36 | 72% | 61% | $16,890 | $30,977 | 12:1 | 58 | 2,712 |
| 8 | Lincoln Memorial UniversityPrivate | Strong· 36 | 59% | 54% | $19,591 | $54,326 | 9:1 | 35 | 1,487 |
| 9 | Strong· 36 | 59% | 44% | $14,610 | $41,284 | 12:1 | 39 | 832 | |
| 10 | Strong· 36 | 46% | 74% | $18,820 | $26,476 | 18:1 | 99 | 28,763 | |
| 11 | Strong· 35 | 88% | 56% | $12,547 | $50,114 | 9:1 | 60 | 953 | |
| 12 | Lipscomb UniversityPrivate | Strong· 35 | 67% | 69% | $23,820 | $45,943 | 13:1 | 75 | 3,021 |
| 13 | Milligan UniversityPrivate | Strong· 35 | 70% | 60% | $20,830 | $39,739 | 9:1 | 36 | 783 |
| 14 | Strong· 35 | 83% | 36% | $15,701 | $34,798 | 13:1 | 30 | 827 | |
| 15 | Maryville CollegePrivate | Strong· 34 | 66% | 47% | $19,434 | $32,423 | 12:1 | 46 | 1,028 |
| 16 | Strong· 34 | 68% | 54% | $12,840 | $31,554 | 17:1 | 72 | 16,115 | |
| 17 | Strong· 34 | 77% | 53% | $12,478 | $22,999 | 17:1 | 47 | 9,878 | |
| 18 | Carson-Newman UniversityPrivate | Good· 33 | 68% | 46% | $17,326 | $42,215 | 12:1 | 64 | 1,374 |
| 19 | Freed-Hardeman UniversityPrivate | Good· 33 | 91% | 68% | $19,533 | $39,905 | 13:1 | 39 | 1,244 |
| 20 | King UniversityPrivate | Good· 33 | 54% | 46% | $21,500 | $43,075 | 12:1 | 42 | 975 |
| 21 | Good· 33 | 93% | 33% | $11,079 | $36,092 | 13:1 | 34 | 6,498 | |
| 22 | Good· 33 | 83% | 54% | $14,405 | $43,112 | 16:1 | 41 | 8,495 | |
| 23 | Belmont UniversityPrivate | Good· 32 | 96% | 72% | $27,345 | $22,360 | 12:1 | 65 | 7,306 |
| 24 | Fisk UniversityPrivate | Good· 32 | 58% | 44% | $27,075 | $28,698 | 11:1 | 20 | 950 |
| 25 | Good· 32 | 87% | 55% | $12,457 | $38,328 | 15:1 | 39 | 4,600 | |
| 26 | Good· 31 | 96% | 45% | $16,365 | $37,486 | 15:1 | 40 | 7,365 | |
| 27 | Trevecca Nazarene UniversityPrivate | Good· 31 | 70% | 55% | $12,303 | $43,262 | 22:1 | 51 | 1,697 |
| 28 | Cumberland UniversityPrivate | Good· 30 | 67% | 47% | $17,891 | $45,973 | 18:1 | 31 | 2,053 |
| 29 | Good· 30 | 67% | 51% | $23,907 | $45,366 | 16:1 | 83 | 2,673 | |
| 30 | University of MemphisPublic | Good· 30 | 93% | 49% | $15,357 | $25,948 | 17:1 | 50 | 13,645 |