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Source: National Center for Educational Statistics. This is the most recent data available as of January 2020
Questions & Answers
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What do all these numbers mean?
All costs are the average net cost paid by families in each income bracket. Net cost is the total cost of attendance minus government grants and institutional scholarships. Loans of any kind are not included. Figures are based on data from the 2017-18 school year, which is the latest available as of January 2020.
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What is “Total Cost” on the chart?
Total cost is the total cost of attendance for that particular college. It includes:
- Tuition and fees (in-state tuition for public schools)
- Room and board (on campus)
- Books and supplies
- Other expenses (travel and personal)
There are detailed chart below for each school that shows these expenses. Click here to go to the individual cost breakdown for schools.
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How can I use this information?
This information is useful for building a realistic college budget. It's a good place to start until you better understand your specific circumstances. For example, let's say your income is $100,000 per year. This chart shows that the average state school would run $17,767 and the average private school would be $22,728. You can also get information on specific Tennessee schools in the chart above or the tables below.
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Will my family pay the amount on this chart?
Probably not. The numbers are averages. You may be below average or above average. However, there are two key points we can learn from this data:
- Families with higher incomes ($75,000-$110,000 and $110,000+) will most likely pay close to full price at the public schools.
- Private colleges have a higher list price but offer more discounts. This brings their net price much closer to the cost of state-funded schools.
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Where did this information come from?
As part of federal financial aid, colleges are required to provide detailed cost information to the U.S. government. This data is made available to the public through the National Center for Education Statistics. For more details, click here.
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What about athletes, merit aid or minority students?
Athletes, high achieving students, and those with minority status are averaged in with everyone else. Within each income bracket, there are families that pay more than average and families that pay less than average.
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The costs on this chart seemed large, how can families afford to pay it?
For many families paying for college is not easy, but in the end they figure out. Most families will pay their net cost of college with some combination of:
- college savings and investments
- payments from current income
- loans
- outside scholarships (check out our Scholarship Guide For Busy Parents, which describes how you and your student can win scholarships for college and save money!)
- tax planning
- student work
Net Price:
Net price is the total cost of attendance minus the average amount of government grants and institutional scholarships awarded. This is an average, so you may pay above the average or below the average. Your exact net price is likely to be different and sometimes drastically different.
Most families will pay the net price with some combination of savings and investments, current income and various loans. Some students will also receive scholarships from sources other than the federal or state government or the college. Any scholarships and grants from these outside sources are not included in the data. However, government grants and institutional scholarships are included in the averages.
| Total Cost at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville (2017-18) | |
|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees | $12,970 |
| Room and Board | $10,696 |
| Books | $1,598 |
| Other Expenses | $5,666 |
| Total | $30,930 |
Total Cost:
Total cost is the total cost of attendance for that particular institution for the 2017-18 school year. This is the latest data available as of January 2020. Total costs include:
- Tuition and fees (in-state tuition for public schools)
- Room and board (on campus)
- Books and supplies
- Other expenses (travel and personal)
| College Total Cost | ||
|---|---|---|
| Family Income | TN Public $23,845 | TN Private $43,259 |
| $0 - $30k | $9,532 | $16,224 |
| $30,001 – $48k | $11,493 | $17,709 |
| $48,001 – $75k | $15,900 | $19,956 |
| $75,001 – $110k | $17,767 | $22,728 |
| $110,001+ | $17,853 | $23,766 |
Public vs. Private Averages
This table shows the average total cost of attendance for the Tennessee public and private colleges we have included in our analysis. The costs include a breakdown of the average net price paid by family income. Notice that the average private college is $5,000-$7,000 more than the average public school, depending on your income bracket. It is important to stress that these are averages. Most families will not be average, and their individual circumstances could be drastically different. I encourage all families to work with their preferred colleges to get information specific to their family.
Below are similar charts for each individual private and public college in Tennessee. Click a school to view its complete chart.
Public TN Schools Cost Breakdown
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Austin Peay State University
Clarksville Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $7,913 $8,159 Room and Board $10,223 $10,699 Books $1,550 $1,550 Other Expenses $4,538 $4,538 Total $24,224 $24,946 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $10,282 $10,588 $30,001 - $48k $11,728 $12,078 $48,001 - $75k $15,658 $16,125 $75,001 - $110k $16,801 $17,302 $110,001+ $17,201 $17,714 -
East Tennessee State University
Johnson City Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $8,679 $8,935 Room and Board $7,952 $8,472 Books $1,090 $1,276 Other Expenses $3,585 $5,385 Total $21,306 $24,068 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $8,031 $9,072 $30,001 - $48k $9,803 $11,074 $48,001 - $75k $14,458 $16,332 $75,001 - $110k $16,287 $18,398 $110,001+ $15,661 $17,691 -
University of Memphis
Memphis Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $9,317 $9,317 Room and Board $9,366 $9,975 Books $1,415 $1,569 Other Expenses $4,562 $4,562 Total $24,660 $25,423 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $10,599 $10,927 $30,001 - $48k $11,819 $12,185 $48,001 - $75k $15,414 $15,891 $75,001 - $110k $17,658 $18,204 $110,001+ $17,930 $18,485 -
Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $8,612 $8,858 Room and Board $8,392 $8,698 Books $1,540 $1,260 Other Expenses $4,178 $4,148 Total $22,722 $22,964 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $9,136 $9,233 $30,001 - $48k $10,869 $10,985 $48,001 - $75k $15,382 $15,546 $75,001 - $110k $16,927 $17,107 $110,001+ $17,208 $17,391
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The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga
Chattanooga Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $8,664 $8,664 Room and Board $9,100 $9,500 Books $1,400 $1,400 Other Expenses $3,600 $4,050 Total $22,764 $23,614 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $8,305 $8,615 $30,001 - $48k $10,808 $11,212 $48,001 - $75k $15,351 $15,924 $75,001 - $110k $16,769 $17,395 $110,001+ $16,711 $17,335 -
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
Knoxville Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $12,970 $13,006 Room and Board $10,696 $11,240 Books $1,598 $1,598 Other Expenses $5,666 $5,666 Total $30,930 $31,510 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $10,501 $10,698 $30,001 - $48k $15,204 $15,489 $48,001 - $75k $23,207 $23,642 $75,001 - $110k $24,824 $25,290 $110,001+ $25,164 $25,636 -
The University of Tennessee-Martin
Martin Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $9,236 $9,512 Room and Board $5,976 $6,164 Books $1,250 $1,400 Other Expenses $3,744 $4,170 Total $20,206 $21,246 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $7,150 $7,518 $30,001 - $48k $9,504 $9,993 $48,001 - $75k $12,742 $13,398 $75,001 - $110k $14,155 $14,884 $110,001+ $14,308 $15,044 -
Tennessee State University
Nashville Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $7,776 $8,792 Room and Board $7,500 $7,806 Books $2,500 $2,700 Other Expenses $3,500 $3,700 Total $21,276 $22,998 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $9,087 $9,822 $30,001 - $48k $9,639 $10,419 $48,001 - $75k $12,883 $13,926 $75,001 - $110k $16,585 $17,927 $110,001+ $16,953 $18,325 -
Tennessee Technological University
Cookeville Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $8,513 $8,731 Room and Board $9,400 $8,800 Books $2,300 $2,300 Other Expenses $6,300 $6,300 Total $26,513 $26,131 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $12,698 $12,515 $30,001 - $48k $14,064 $13,861 $48,001 - $75k $18,003 $17,744 $75,001 - $110k $19,896 $19,609 $110,001+ $19,543 $19,261
Private TN Schools Cost Breakdown
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Belmont University
Nashville Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $32,820 $34,310 Room and Board $11,680 $12,120 Books $1,400 $1,400 Other Expenses $4,840 $4,930 Total $50,740 $52,760 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $25,875 $26,905 $30,001 - $48k $30,663 $31,884 $48,001 - $75k $33,387 $34,716 $75,001 - $110k $36,101 $37,538 $110,001+ $42,518 $44,211 -
Bethel University
McKenzie Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $16,552 $16,552 Room and Board $9,198 $9,198 Books $1,200 $1,200 Other Expenses $4,620 $4,620 Total $31,570 $31,570 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $14,932 $14,932 $30,001 - $48k $15,131 $15,131 $48,001 - $75k $17,282 $17,282 $75,001 - $110k $18,134 $18,134 $110,001+ $18,233 $18,233 -
Bryan College-Dayton
Dayton Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $25,600 $26,800 Room and Board $7,300 $7,500 Books $1,250 $1,250 Other Expenses $2,625 $2,700 Total $36,775 $38,250 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $12,734 $13,245 $30,001 - $48k $12,720 $13,230 $48,001 - $75k $16,364 $17,020 $75,001 - $110k $20,399 $21,217 $110,001+ $18,148 $18,876 -
Carson-Newman University
Jefferson City Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $27,400 $27,900 Room and Board $8,630 $8,810 Books $1,600 $1,600 Other Expenses $3,010 $3,010 Total $40,640 $41,320 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $15,865 $16,130 $30,001 - $48k $17,783 $18,081 $48,001 - $75k $18,722 $19,035 $75,001 - $110k $21,925 $22,292 $110,001+ $24,215 $24,620 -
Christian Brothers University
Memphis Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $31,870 $32,820 Room and Board $8,754 $9,016 Books $1,000 $1,250 Other Expenses $2,806 $2,950 Total $44,430 $46,036 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $8,929 $9,252 $30,001 - $48k $9,864 $10,221 $48,001 - $75k $10,758 $11,147 $75,001 - $110k $11,562 $11,980 $110,001+ $13,882 $14,384 -
Cumberland University
Lebanon Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $21,810 $22,890 Room and Board $7,290 $7,650 Books $1,400 $1,500 Other Expenses $5,740 $5,950 Total $36,240 $37,990 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $18,355 $19,241 $30,001 - $48k $20,833 $21,839 $48,001 - $75k $25,665 $26,904 $75,001 - $110k $24,306 $25,480 $110,001+ $24,580 $25,767 -
Lipscomb University
Nashville Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $30,932 $32,144 Room and Board $12,052 $12,652 Books $1,500 $1,500 Other Expenses $3,250 $3,250 Total $47,734 $49,546 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $20,432 $21,208 $30,001 - $48k $22,413 $23,264 $48,001 - $75k $23,728 $24,629 $75,001 - $110k $25,759 $26,737 $110,001+ $27,637 $28,686 -
Fisk University
Nashville Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $21,480 $21,480 Room and Board $10,790 $10,790 Books $1,800 $1,800 Other Expenses $3,000 $3,000 Total $37,070 $37,070 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $26,914 $26,914 $30,001 - $48k $29,005 $29,005 $48,001 - $75k $33,770 $33,770 $75,001 - $110k $31,950 $31,950 $110,001+ $0 $0 -
Welch College
Nashville Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $18,458 $19,012 Room and Board $7,478 $7,714 Books $876 $1,000 Other Expenses $7,000 $7,000 Total $33,812 $34,726 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $21,277 $21,852 $30,001 - $48k $15,256 $15,668 $48,001 - $75k $24,751 $25,420 $75,001 - $110k $24,310 $24,967 $110,001+ $21,724 $22,311 -
Freed-Hardeman University
Henderson Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $21,950 $21,950 Room and Board $7,950 $7,950 Books $1,300 $1,300 Other Expenses $3,750 $3,750 Total $34,950 $34,950 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $15,959 $15,959 $30,001 - $48k $13,850 $13,850 $48,001 - $75k $15,932 $15,932 $75,001 - $110k $18,633 $18,633 $110,001+ $19,608 $19,608 -
King University
Bristol Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $28,572 $29,714 Room and Board $8,424 $8,762 Books $1,440 $1,480 Other Expenses $3,500 $3,534 Total $41,936 $43,490 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $20,030 $20,772 $30,001 - $48k $21,521 $22,318 $48,001 - $75k $19,550 $20,274 $75,001 - $110k $23,360 $24,226 $110,001+ $23,228 $24,089 -
Lane College
Jackson Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $10,690 $11,500 Room and Board $7,270 $7,350 Books $1,300 $700 Other Expenses $2,350 $2,350 Total $21,610 $21,900 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $13,379 $13,559 $30,001 - $48k $15,648 $15,858 $48,001 - $75k $0 $0 $75,001 - $110k $0 $0 $110,001+ $0 $0
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Lee University
Cleveland Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $16,730 $17,690 Room and Board $8,080 $8,300 Books $1,600 $1,600 Other Expenses $4,590 $3,560 Total $31,000 $31,150 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $15,403 $15,478 $30,001 - $48k $16,294 $16,373 $48,001 - $75k $18,982 $19,074 $75,001 - $110k $19,813 $19,909 $110,001+ $19,740 $19,836 -
Lincoln Memorial University
Harrogate Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $21,410 $22,010 Room and Board $8,290 $8,000 Books $1,400 $1,400 Other Expenses $5,470 $5,470 Total $36,570 $36,880 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $13,030 $13,140 $30,001 - $48k $12,232 $12,336 $48,001 - $75k $13,939 $14,057 $75,001 - $110k $17,912 $18,064 $110,001+ $21,351 $21,532 -
Maryville College
Maryville Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $34,196 $34,880 Room and Board $11,144 $11,424 Books $1,250 $1,220 Other Expenses $2,676 $2,730 Total $49,266 $50,254 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $15,648 $15,962 $30,001 - $48k $15,190 $15,495 $48,001 - $75k $18,974 $19,355 $75,001 - $110k $22,609 $23,062 $110,001+ $16,946 $17,286 -
Rhodes College
Memphis Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $46,504 $47,890 Room and Board $11,290 $11,406 Books $1,125 $1,125 Other Expenses $2,619 $2,619 Total $61,538 $63,040 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $14,389 $14,740 $30,001 - $48k $18,568 $19,021 $48,001 - $75k $22,551 $23,101 $75,001 - $110k $24,505 $25,103 $110,001+ $33,066 $33,873 -
Sewanee-The University of the South
Sewanee Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $45,120 $45,120 Room and Board $12,880 $12,880 Books $1,200 $1,200 Other Expenses $1,750 $1,750 Total $60,950 $60,950 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $13,836 $13,836 $30,001 - $48k $16,033 $16,033 $48,001 - $75k $18,452 $18,452 $75,001 - $110k $30,154 $30,154 $110,001+ $40,208 $40,208 -
Southern Adventist University
Collegedale Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $21,550 $21,950 Room and Board $6,750 $7,740 Books $1,100 $1,100 Other Expenses $5,000 $4,200 Total $34,400 $34,990 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $21,344 $21,710 $30,001 - $48k $23,504 $23,907 $48,001 - $75k $26,111 $26,559 $75,001 - $110k $27,826 $28,303 $110,001+ $27,817 $28,294 -
Tennessee Wesleyan University
Athens Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $23,800 $24,300 Room and Board $7,750 $7,880 Books $1,600 $1,400 Other Expenses $2,500 $2,500 Total $35,650 $36,080 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $9,629 $9,745 $30,001 - $48k $14,336 $14,509 $48,001 - $75k $12,775 $12,929 $75,001 - $110k $17,082 $17,288 $110,001+ $16,724 $16,926 -
Trevecca Nazarene University
Nashville Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $25,100 $25,598 Room and Board $8,808 $8,400 Books $0 $0 Other Expenses $5,222 $5,486 Total $39,130 $39,484 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $14,688 $14,821 $30,001 - $48k $16,260 $16,407 $48,001 - $75k $18,979 $19,151 $75,001 - $110k $20,925 $21,114 $110,001+ $21,817 $22,014 -
Tusculum College
Greeneville Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $23,700 $24,860 Room and Board $8,700 $9,190 Books $2,040 $2,370 Other Expenses $4,220 $4,360 Total $38,660 $40,780 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $14,327 $15,113 $30,001 - $48k $16,753 $17,672 $48,001 - $75k $18,356 $19,363 $75,001 - $110k $20,707 $21,843 $110,001+ $20,691 $21,826 -
Union University
Jackson Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $31,510 $32,610 Room and Board $10,400 $10,590 Books $1,500 $1,550 Other Expenses $8,380 $8,800 Total $51,790 $53,550 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $24,430 $25,260 $30,001 - $48k $25,405 $26,268 $48,001 - $75k $26,263 $27,156 $75,001 - $110k $28,549 $29,519 $110,001+ $30,548 $31,586 -
Vanderbilt University
Nashville Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $47,664 $49,816 Room and Board $15,584 $16,234 Books $1,294 $1,294 Other Expenses $2,850 $2,802 Total $67,392 $70,146 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $3,965 $4,127 $30,001 - $48k $3,525 $3,669 $48,001 - $75k $8,529 $8,878 $75,001 - $110k $15,085 $15,701 $110,001+ $38,132 $39,690 -
Milligan College
Milligan College Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $32,500 $33,700 Room and Board $6,950 $7,100 Books $1,300 $1,300 Other Expenses $3,782 $1,702 Total $44,532 $43,802 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $14,060 $13,830 $30,001 - $48k $19,605 $19,284 $48,001 - $75k $22,080 $21,718 $75,001 - $110k $20,712 $20,372 $110,001+ $22,683 $22,311
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