Ranking
Best Economics Colleges in Tennessee 2026
Vanderbilt University leads this ROI ranking with a A value grade and a 14.45 ROI score. EduGradify ranks 12 colleges here by earnings against net price.
12 Tennessee colleges offering Economics, ranked by EduGradify value grade.
- Schools ranked
- 12
- Cheapest net price
- $12,397
- Top earnings 10y
- $91,565
- Public / Private
- 6 / 6
Vanderbilt University
A- ROI score
- 14.45
- Net price
- $15,846
- Earnings 10y
- $91,565
- Acceptance
- 5.9%
University of Memphis
B- ROI score
- 9.77
- Net price
- $12,397
- Earnings 10y
- $48,458
- Acceptance
- 72%
Middle Tennessee State University
B- ROI score
- 9.08
- Net price
- $13,359
- Earnings 10y
- $48,541
- Acceptance
- 69.1%
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga
B- ROI score
- 8.96
- Net price
- $14,265
- Earnings 10y
- $51,151
- Acceptance
- 81.1%
Tennessee Technological University
B- ROI score
- 8.51
- Net price
- $14,246
- Earnings 10y
- $48,501
- Acceptance
- 76.1%
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
B- ROI score
- 7.94
- Net price
- $18,976
- Earnings 10y
- $60,249
- Acceptance
- 41.6%
East Tennessee State University
C- ROI score
- 7.02
- Net price
- $15,983
- Earnings 10y
- $44,859
- Acceptance
- 86.2%
Rhodes College
C- ROI score
- 5.83
- Net price
- $28,585
- Earnings 10y
- $66,651
- Acceptance
- 50.4%
The University of the South
C- ROI score
- 5.82
- Net price
- $27,872
- Earnings 10y
- $64,911
- Acceptance
- 56.9%
Milligan University
C- ROI score
- 5.46
- Net price
- $21,365
- Earnings 10y
- $46,641
- Acceptance
- 72.3%
Union University
D- ROI score
- 4.97
- Net price
- $27,171
- Earnings 10y
- $53,990
- Acceptance
- 60.4%
Belmont University
D- ROI score
- 4.22
- Net price
- $33,147
- Earnings 10y
- $55,930
- Acceptance
- 95.3%
How we picked this list
This list starts with Tennessee schools with positive Economics program-share evidence, then sorts by EduGradify's school-wide ROI proxy: ten-year median earnings weighed against average net price. The set's average EduGradify ROI score is 7.67 (6 public, 6 private).
Source transparency: every figure comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard public data set. See our full methodology for the ROI formula, value grade rules and missing-data handling.
FAQ
Who leads this ranking?
Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN tops this ranking. EduGradify value grade is A.
How does EduGradify pick this list?
We rank this set by roi score using the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard — see our methodology for the full formula. No paid placements, no surveys.
How many Tennessee colleges are in this list?
12 Tennessee colleges qualified for this ranking based on available federal data.
What does net price mean here?
Net price is what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — not the sticker price. It is reported by each college to the U.S. Department of Education.
Can I use this ranking as a final college decision?
Use it as a shortlist, not a final decision. The ranking compares school-wide federal data; you should still confirm program fit, aid letters, graduation path, transfer policies and current costs with each college.