2023 Best Value Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee
Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Prices
It's not easy to decide which program to enroll in when you have so many options available. You can choose a traditional brick and mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school half-way across the country without even leaving your house. Also there are many trade schools and bootcamps that offer short-term programs that open up more career options.
The Best Value Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee ranking is one of many tools that Course Advisor has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 22 schools in Tennessee to see which associate degree programs offered the best value experiences for students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.
Our ranking of value is based on the quality of a program as defined in our per sticker price dollar. Specifically, our score for quality is discounted by the published tuition and fees charged by the given college. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The more quality your dollar buys, the better the value.
In our regional and nationwide rankings, out-of-state tution and fees are used in our calculations. For statewide rankings, we use average in-state tuition and fees.
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Top Value Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Volunteer State Community College to be the best value school for students who want to pursue a associate degree in Tennessee. Volunteer State Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Gallatin, Tennessee that handed out 1,250 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
VSCC undergraduate students pay an average of $17,200 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,586 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that VSCC does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 98% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, VSCC is ranked #1 for overall quality in Tennessee.
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Motlow State Community College is a great place for students working on their associate degree who want the most bang for their educational buck. This medium-sized public school is located in Tullahoma, Tennessee, and it awarded 1,113 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Motlow are $17,232 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $9,423 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Motlow does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 78% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Motlow did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our Best Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee list.
The excellent associate degree programs at Jackson State Community College helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best value schools in Tennessee. Jackson, Tennessee is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 557 students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at JSCC are $18,076 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $10,619 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at JSCC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 81% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
JSCC also made our Best Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee list, coming in at #4.
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Southwest Tennessee Community College is a great place for students working on their associate degree who want the most bang for their educational buck. This medium-sized public school is located in Memphis, Tennessee, and it awarded 963 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Southwest are $17,246 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $17,440 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Southwest does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 78% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Pellissippi State Community College. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Value Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee list. Located in Knoxville, Tennessee, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,608 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Pellissippi State Community College are $17,272 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $13,973 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at Pellissippi State Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 95% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Chattanooga State Community College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee ranking. Chattanooga, Tennessee is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,147 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Chattanooga State Community College are $16,934 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,949 in student loans.
Chattanooga State Community College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 95% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Walters State Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #7 on the list. WSCC is a medium-sized public school situated in Morristown, Tennessee. It awarded 945 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
WSCC undergraduate students pay an average of $17,215 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $10,502 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at WSCC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 61% took at least some of their classes online.
Nashville State Community College landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree programs. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,028 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Nashville State Community College are $17,188 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $21,667 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Nashville State Community College does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 63% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Columbia State Community College landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree programs. Columbia State Community College is located in Columbia, Tennessee and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 915 associate degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Columbia State Community College are $18,124 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,719 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Columbia State Community College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 99% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Roane State Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #10 on the list. Roane State Community College is a small public school situated in Harriman, Tennessee. It awarded 940 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Roane State Community College are $17,540 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $14,273 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Roane State Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 52% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Cleveland State Community College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee ranking. This small public school is located in Cleveland, Tennessee, and it awarded 453 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Cleveland State Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $17,216 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $16,157 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Cleveland State Community College. In 2019-2020 about 53% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Dyersburg State Community College landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree programs. DSCC is located in Dyersburg, Tennessee and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 370 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at DSCC are $17,226 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $12,229 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at DSCC. In fact, around 55% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Northeast State Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #13 on the list. Northeast State Technical Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Blountville, Tennessee. It awarded 899 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Northeast State Technical Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $17,238 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $10,550 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at Northeast State Technical Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 83% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Bethel University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee ranking. Bethel is a private not-for-profit institution located in McKenzie, Tennessee. The school has a small population, and it awarded 98 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Bethel are $13,981 a year.
Online courses are available at Bethel, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 38% took at least some of their classes online.
Bethel also made our Best Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee list, coming in at #5.
Remington College - Memphis Campus ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee list. Remington College - Memphis Campus is a very small private not-for-profit school situated in Memphis, Tennessee. It awarded 81 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Remington College - Memphis Campus are $17,468 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,535 in student loans.
Remington College - Memphis Campus is primarily an online school, so it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.
Trevecca Nazarene University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee ranking. TNU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Nashville, Tennessee. The school has a small population, and it awarded 46 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at TNU are $26,898 a year.
One thing to take note of is that TNU does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 54% took at least some of their classes online.
In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, TNU is ranked #3 for overall quality in Tennessee.
Southern Adventist University landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree programs. Southern Adventist is a private not-for-profit institution located in Collegedale, Tennessee. The school has a small population, and it awarded 142 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Southern Adventist are $23,210 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $24,595 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at Southern Adventist, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2019-2020 year, about 39% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #18, Cumberland University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for students working on their associate degree. CU is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Lebanon, Tennessee. It awarded 228 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at CU are $25,412 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $6,077 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at CU, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 0% took at least some of their classes online.
Daymar College - Clarksville did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #19 on the list. Daymar College - Clarksville is a very small private for-profit school located in Clarksville, Tennessee that handed out 76 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Daymar College - Clarksville are $19,884 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $26,457 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Daymar College - Clarksville does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In 2019-2020 about 95% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Christian Brothers University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #20 on the list. Christian Brothers is a private not-for-profit institution located in Memphis, Tennessee. The school has a small population, and it awarded 7 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Christian Brothers undergraduate students pay an average of $34,820 in tuition and fees each year.
Christian Brothers does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 88% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #21, Daymar College - Nashville did quite well on this year’s best value schools for students working on their associate degree. This very small private for-profit school is located in Nashville, Tennessee, and it awarded 14 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Daymar College - Nashville undergraduate students pay an average of $22,348 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,877 in student loans.
Interested in an online degree? Then you definitely want to check out Daymar College - Nashville. Every undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.
Daymar College - Murfreesboro came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee ranking. Murfreesboro, Tennessee is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 10 students in 2020-2021.
Daymar College - Murfreesboro undergraduate students pay an average of $22,348 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $27,854 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, Daymar College - Murfreesboro is an excellent choice, since the school is online.
Best Value Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 22 schools only.
References
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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