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Best Value Trade School Schools in Tennessee

2023 Best Value Trade School Schools in Tennessee

Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Prices

35 Schools Ranked
$19,097 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$32,154 Avg Student Debt*

There are so many trade school programs in today's world that it can tough to figure out which one is the right one for you. 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.

The Best Value Trade School Schools in Tennessee ranking is one of many tools that Trade College Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 35 schools in Tennessee to see which programs offered the best value experiences for trade school students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.

This ranking is not just a list of inexpensive schools. We also consider each school's quality, since we believe a low-quality school may not be a 'bargain' at any price. 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.

For nationwide and regional rankings, we use out-of-state tuition and fees in our calculations. For statewide rankings, we use average in-state tuition and fees.

Top Value Trade Schools in Tennessee

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Motlow State Community College

Tullahoma, Tennessee
1,071 Total Awards
$17,232 Average Tuition & Fees

Our 2023 rankings named Motlow State Community College the best value school in Tennessee for trade school students working on their degree. Located in Tullahoma, Tennessee, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,071 degrees in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Motlow are $17,232 per year.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Motlow also is in the top 15% of our Best Trade Schools in Tennessee ranking.

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#2

Jackson State Community College

Jackson, Tennessee
665 Total Awards
$18,076 Average Tuition & Fees

Out of the 35 schools in Tennessee that were part of this year’s ranking, Jackson State Community College landed the # 2 spot on the list. JSCC is a public institution located in Jackson, Tennessee. The school has a small population, and it awarded 665 degrees in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at JSCC are $18,076 a year.

JSCC did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our Best Trade Schools in Tennessee list.

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#3

Volunteer State Community College

Gallatin, Tennessee
1,628 Total Awards
$17,220 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Volunteer State Community College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Trade School Schools in Tennessee list. Gallatin, Tennessee is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 1,628 students in 2021-2022.

VSCC undergraduate students pay an average of $17,220 in tuition and fees each year.

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1,106 Total Awards
$17,246 Average Tuition & Fees

Out of the 35 schools in Tennessee that were part of this year’s ranking, Southwest Tennessee Community College landed the # 4 spot on the list. Located in Memphis, Tennessee, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,106 degrees in 2021-2022.

Southwest undergraduate students pay an average of $17,246 in tuition and fees each year.

Full Southwest Tennessee Community College Report

#5

Dyersburg State Community College

Dyersburg, Tennessee
883 Total Awards
$17,226 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Dyersburg State Community College is a great place for trade school students who want to get the most value for their educational dollar. Dyersburg, Tennessee is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 883 students in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at DSCC are $17,226 per year.

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#6

Walters State Community College

Morristown, Tennessee
1,249 Total Awards
$17,215 Average Tuition & Fees

Walters State Community College landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value trade school programs. WSCC is a medium-sized public school situated in Morristown, Tennessee. It awarded 1,249 degrees in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at WSCC are $17,215 a year.

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#7

Chattanooga State Community College

Chattanooga, Tennessee
1,429 Total Awards
$17,246 Average Tuition & Fees

Chattanooga State Community College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Schools in Tennessee ranking. This medium-sized public school is located in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and it awarded 1,429 degrees in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Chattanooga State Community College are $17,246 a year.

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#8

Roane State Community College

Harriman, Tennessee
955 Total Awards
$17,540 Average Tuition & Fees

Roane State Community College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Schools in Tennessee list. Roane State Community College is a public institution located in Harriman, Tennessee. The school has a small population, and it awarded 955 degrees in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Roane State Community College are $17,540 per year.

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#9

Columbia State Community College

Columbia, Tennessee
1,099 Total Awards
$17,260 Average Tuition & Fees

Columbia State Community College landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value trade school programs. Columbia State Community College is located in Columbia, Tennessee and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,099 degrees to qualified students.

Columbia State Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $17,260 in tuition and fees each year.

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#10

Pellissippi State Community College

Knoxville, Tennessee
1,741 Total Awards
$17,272 Average Tuition & Fees

Pellissippi State Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students. It came in at #10 on the list. Pellissippi State Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Knoxville, Tennessee that handed out 1,741 degrees in 2021-2022.

Pellissippi State Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $17,272 in tuition and fees each year.

Full Pellissippi State Community College Report

#11

Nashville State Community College

Nashville, Tennessee
1,195 Total Awards
$17,188 Average Tuition & Fees

Nashville State Community College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Schools in Tennessee list. Nashville, Tennessee is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 1,195 students in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Nashville State Community College are $17,188 a year.

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#12

Northeast State Community College

Blountville, Tennessee
1,219 Total Awards
$17,238 Average Tuition & Fees

Northeast State Community College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Schools in Tennessee ranking. Northeast State Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Blountville, Tennessee that handed out 1,219 degrees in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Northeast State Technical Community College are $17,238 per year.

Read full report on Northeast State Community College

#13

Tennessee Technological University

Cookeville, Tennessee
2,502 Total Awards
$19,834 Average Tuition & Fees

Tennessee Technological University landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value trade school programs. Cookeville, Tennessee is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 2,502 students in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Tennessee Tech University are $19,834 per year.

Tennessee Tech University not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #1 on our Best Trade Schools in Tennessee list.

Full Tennessee Technological University Report

#14

The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga

Chattanooga, Tennessee
2,551 Total Awards
$25,966 Average Tuition & Fees

The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value trade school programs. UT Chattanooga is a fairly large public school situated in Chattanooga, Tennessee. It awarded 2,551 degrees in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at UT Chattanooga are $25,966 a year.

UT Chattanooga also made our Best Trade Schools in Tennessee list, coming in at #4.

Full The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga Report

#15

Tennessee State University

Nashville, Tennessee
1,272 Total Awards
$21,692 Average Tuition & Fees

Tennessee State University landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value trade school programs. This medium-sized public school is located in Nashville, Tennessee, and it awarded 1,272 degrees in 2021-2022.

Tennessee State University undergraduate students pay an average of $21,692 in tuition and fees each year.

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#16

Austin Peay State University

Clarksville, Tennessee
2,421 Total Awards
$13,975 Average Tuition & Fees

Austin Peay State University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Schools in Tennessee list. Located in Clarksville, Tennessee, the medium-sized public school handed out 2,421 degrees in 2021-2022.

Austin Peay State University undergraduate students pay an average of $13,975 in tuition and fees each year.

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#17

Cleveland State Community College

Cleveland, Tennessee
1,092 Total Awards
$17,216 Average Tuition & Fees

Cleveland State Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students. It came in at #17 on the list. Cleveland, Tennessee is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 1,092 students in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Cleveland State Community College are $17,216 per year.

Read full report on Cleveland State Community College

#17

University of Memphis

Memphis, Tennessee
4,862 Total Awards
$14,280 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Memphis did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students. It came in at #17 on the list. UofM is a large public school situated in Memphis, Tennessee. It awarded 4,862 degrees in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UofM are $14,280 per year.

In addition to its great value ranking, UofM is in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Trade Schools in Tennessee list.

Read full report on University of Memphis

#19

Middle Tennessee State University

Murfreesboro, Tennessee
4,677 Total Awards
$28,264 Average Tuition & Fees

Middle Tennessee State University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Schools in Tennessee list. This large public school is located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and it awarded 4,677 degrees in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Middle Tennessee State University are $28,264 per year.

Read full report on Middle Tennessee State University

#20

East Tennessee State University

Johnson City, Tennessee
3,604 Total Awards
$12,740 Average Tuition & Fees

East Tennessee State University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Schools in Tennessee list. ETSU is located in Johnson City, Tennessee and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 3,604 degrees to qualified students.

ETSU undergraduate students pay an average of $12,740 in tuition and fees each year.

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8,049 Total Awards
$31,664 Average Tuition & Fees

The University of Tennessee - Knoxville ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Schools in Tennessee list. UT Knoxville is a public institution located in Knoxville, Tennessee. The school has a large population, and it awarded 8,049 degrees in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UT Knoxville are $31,664 per year.

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#22

Union University

Jackson, Tennessee
982 Total Awards
$19,363 Average Tuition & Fees

Union University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students. It came in at #22 on the list. Union is located in Jackson, Tennessee and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 982 degrees to qualified students.

Union undergraduate students pay an average of $19,363 in tuition and fees each year.

Read full report on Union University

#23

Bethel University

McKenzie, Tennessee
688 Total Awards
$16,871 Average Tuition & Fees

Bethel University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students. It came in at #23 on the list. Bethel is located in McKenzie, Tennessee and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 688 degrees to qualified students.

Bethel undergraduate students pay an average of $16,871 in tuition and fees each year.

Full Bethel University Report

#24

Remington College - Memphis Campus

Memphis, Tennessee
204 Total Awards
$19,964 Average Tuition & Fees

Remington College - Memphis Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students. It came in at #24 on the list. Remington College - Memphis Campus is located in Memphis, Tennessee and has a very small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 204 degrees to qualified students.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Remington College - Memphis Campus are $19,964 per year.

Full Remington College - Memphis Campus Report

#25

Trevecca Nazarene University

Nashville, Tennessee
1,179 Total Awards
$28,500 Average Tuition & Fees

Trevecca Nazarene University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students. It came in at #25 on the list. TNU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Nashville, Tennessee. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1,179 degrees in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at TNU are $28,500 a year.

TNU also made our Best Trade Schools in Tennessee list, coming in at #2.

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 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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