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Best Value Graduate Certificate Schools in Tennessee

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2023 Best Value Graduate Certificate Schools in Tennessee

Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Prices

15 Schools Ranked
$22,508 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$16,032 Avg Student Debt*

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.

Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Course Advisor has created the Best Value Graduate Certificate Schools in Tennessee to help you in your search for the best school for you. Our analysis looked at 15 schools in Tennessee to see which graduate certificate 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.

Top Value Graduate Certificate Schools in Tennessee

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Carson - Newman University

Jefferson City, Tennessee
59 Total Awards
$9,632 Average Tuition & Fees

Our analysis found Carson - Newman University to be the best value school for students who want to pursue a graduate certificate in Tennessee. Jefferson City, Tennessee is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out graduate certificates to 59 students in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Carson - Newman are $9,632 per year.

One thing to take note of is that Carson - Newman does offer online graduate classes in some areas. In fact, around 85% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Carson - Newman University

18 Total Awards
$18,538 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Graduate Certificate Schools in Tennessee list. UT Chattanooga is located in Chattanooga, Tennessee and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 18 graduate certificates to qualified students.

UT Chattanooga graduate students pay an average of $18,538 in tuition and fees each year.

UT Chattanooga does have options available for those who want to take online graduate classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In fact, around 60% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#3

Tennessee Technological University

Cookeville, Tennessee
96 Total Awards
$20,702 Average Tuition & Fees

Out of the 15 schools in Tennessee that were part of this year’s value ranking, Tennessee Technological University landed the # 3 spot on the list. Tennessee Technological University is a medium-sized public school located in Cookeville, Tennessee that handed out 96 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Tennessee Tech University are $20,702 per year.

Online graduate courses are available at Tennessee Tech University, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 80% took at least some of their classes online.

Tennessee Tech University not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #3 on our Best Graduate Certificate Schools in Tennessee list.

Read full report on Tennessee Technological University

#4

Tennessee State University

Nashville, Tennessee
51 Total Awards
$22,836 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Tennessee State University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Graduate Certificate Schools in Tennessee list. This medium-sized public school is located in Nashville, Tennessee, and it awarded 51 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Tennessee State University graduate students pay an average of $22,836 in tuition and fees each year.

Tennessee State University does have options available for those who want to take online graduate classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 41% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#5

Union University

Jackson, Tennessee
16 Total Awards
$11,666 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Union University. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Value Graduate Certificate Schools in Tennessee list. Located in Jackson, Tennessee, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 16 diplomas to qualifed graduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Union are $11,666 per year.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at Union. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 70% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Union not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #4 on our Best Graduate Certificate Schools in Tennessee list.

Read full report on Union University

#6

Freed-Hardeman University

Henderson, Tennessee
15 Total Awards
$10,980 Average Tuition & Fees

Freed-Hardeman University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Graduate Certificate Schools in Tennessee list. Henderson, Tennessee is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out graduate certificates to 15 students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at FHU are $10,980 a year.

Online graduate courses are available at FHU, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 87% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Freed-Hardeman University

#7

University of Memphis

Memphis, Tennessee
237 Total Awards
$14,544 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #7, University of Memphis did quite well on this year’s best value schools for students working on their graduate certificate. Located in Memphis, Tennessee, the large public school awarded 237 diplomas to qualifed graduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at UofM are $14,544 per year.

Online graduate courses are available at UofM, 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 58% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on University of Memphis

#8

Middle Tennessee State University

Murfreesboro, Tennessee
78 Total Awards
$27,432 Average Tuition & Fees

Middle Tennessee State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students to get a graduate certificate. It came in at #8 on the list. Middle Tennessee State University is a large public school located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee that handed out 78 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Middle Tennessee State University are $27,432 per year.

Middle Tennessee State University does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 57% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Middle Tennessee State University

159 Total Awards
$31,798 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #9, The University of Tennessee - Knoxville did quite well on this year’s best value schools for students working on their graduate certificate. This large public school is located in Knoxville, Tennessee, and it awarded 159 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at UT Knoxville are $31,798 a year.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since UT Knoxville does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 36% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, UT Knoxville is ranked #5 for overall quality in Tennessee.

Full The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Report

#10

Austin Peay State University

Clarksville, Tennessee
62 Total Awards
$14,827 Average Tuition & Fees

Austin Peay State University landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value graduate certificate programs. Austin Peay State University is a public institution located in Clarksville, Tennessee. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 62 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Austin Peay State University graduate students pay an average of $14,827 in tuition and fees each year.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Austin Peay State University does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 85% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Austin Peay State University Report

#11

Lipscomb University

Nashville, Tennessee
129 Total Awards
$17,100 Average Tuition & Fees

Lipscomb University landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value graduate certificate programs. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 129 diplomas to qualifed graduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

Lipscomb graduate students pay an average of $17,100 in tuition and fees each year. On average, graduate certificate students take out $16,032 in loans while pursuing their degree.

One thing to take note of is that Lipscomb does offer online graduate classes in some areas. In 2019-2020 about 31% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Lipscomb also took the #2 spot in our Best Graduate Certificate Schools in Tennessee rankings.

Read full report on Lipscomb University

#12

Southern Adventist University

Collegedale, Tennessee
7 Total Awards
$11,880 Average Tuition & Fees

Southern Adventist University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Graduate Certificate Schools in Tennessee list. Southern Adventist is a private not-for-profit institution located in Collegedale, Tennessee. The school has a small population, and it awarded 7 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Southern Adventist are $11,880 per year.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online graduate classes at Southern Adventist. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 71% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#13

East Tennessee State University

Johnson City, Tennessee
95 Total Awards
$25,856 Average Tuition & Fees

East Tennessee State University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Graduate Certificate Schools in Tennessee list. ETSU is a public institution located in Johnson City, Tennessee. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 95 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at ETSU are $25,856 a year.

One thing to take note of is that ETSU does offer online graduate classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 49% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#14

Lincoln Memorial University

Harrogate, Tennessee
119 Total Awards
$20,104 Average Tuition & Fees

Lincoln Memorial University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Graduate Certificate Schools in Tennessee ranking. LMU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Harrogate, Tennessee. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 119 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at LMU are $20,104 per year.

LMU does have options available for those who want to take online graduate classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In fact, around 13% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full Lincoln Memorial University Report

#15

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee
28 Total Awards
$52,162 Average Tuition & Fees

Vanderbilt University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Graduate Certificate Schools in Tennessee list. Nashville, Tennessee is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out graduate certificates to 28 students in 2020-2021.

Vanderbilt graduate students pay an average of $52,162 in tuition and fees each year.

Vanderbilt does have options available for those who want to take online graduate classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 67% took at least some of their classes online.

Vanderbilt did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our Best Graduate Certificate Schools in Tennessee list.

Full Vanderbilt University Report

View Best Value Graduate Certificate Schools Nationwide >

Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 15 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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