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Source: National Center for Educational Statistics. This is the most recent data available as of January 2021
Questions & Answers
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What do all these numbers mean?
All costs shown here are the average net cost paid by families in each income bracket for one year at the college in question. Net cost is the total cost of attendance for one year, minus government grants and institutional scholarships. Figures are based on data from the 2018-19 school year, which is the latest available as of January 2021.
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What is “Total Cost” on the chart?
Total cost is the total cost of attendance for one year at 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 $18,500 and the average private school would be $23,362. 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 seem 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 the Scholarship Guide For Busy Parents to learn how your student can win scholarships)
- Tax planning
- Student work
Net Price:
Net prices is the total cost of attendance for one year, minus the average amount in government grants and institutional scholarships the school awards. 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 (2018-19) | |
|---|---|
| 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 2018-19 school year. This is the latest data available as of January 2021. 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 $24,767 | TN Private $44,299 |
| $0 - $30k | $9,914 | $16,026 |
| $30,001 – $48k | $11,905 | $16,875 |
| $48,001 – $75k | $16,168 | $19,957 |
| $75,001 – $110k | $18,500 | $23,362 |
| $110,001+ | $18,806 | $26,249 |
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 $4,000-$8,000 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 2018-19 2019-20 Tuition and Fees $8,159 $8,303 Room and Board $10,699 $11,542 Books $1,550 $1,550 Other Expenses $4,538 $6,317 Total $24,946 $27,712 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $10,909 $12,119 $30,001 - $48k $12,298 $13,662 $48,001 - $75k $16,243 $18,044 $75,001 - $110k $17,397 $19,326 $110,001+ $21,470 $23,851 -
East Tennessee State University
Johnson City Year 2018-19 2019-20 Tuition and Fees $8,935 $9,259 Room and Board $8,472 $8,242 Books $1,276 $1,276 Other Expenses $5,385 $5,385 Total $24,068 $24,162 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $10,632 $10,674 $30,001 - $48k $12,703 $12,753 $48,001 - $75k $16,359 $16,423 $75,001 - $110k $18,692 $18,765 $110,001+ $18,859 $18,933 -
University of Memphis
Memphis Year 2018-19 2019-20 Tuition and Fees $9,317 $9,912 Room and Board $9,975 $10,175 Books $1,569 $1,600 Other Expenses $4,562 $4,699 Total $25,423 $26,386 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $10,256 $10,644 $30,001 - $48k $12,264 $12,729 $48,001 - $75k $15,287 $15,866 $75,001 - $110k $18,061 $18,745 $110,001+ $18,020 $18,703 -
Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro Year 2018-19 2019-20 Tuition and Fees $8,858 $9,070 Room and Board $8,698 $8,976 Books $1,260 $1,260 Other Expenses $4,148 $4,212 Total $22,964 $23,518 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $8,919 $9,134 $30,001 - $48k $10,637 $10,894 $48,001 - $75k $14,822 $15,180 $75,001 - $110k $17,177 $17,591 $110,001+ $17,446 $17,867
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The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga
Chattanooga Year 2018-19 2019-20 Tuition and Fees $8,664 $9,656 Room and Board $9,500 $9,500 Books $1,400 $1,400 Other Expenses $4,050 $4,050 Total $23,614 $24,606 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $8,108 $8,449 $30,001 - $48k $10,515 $10,957 $48,001 - $75k $14,601 $15,214 $75,001 - $110k $16,927 $17,638 $110,001+ $16,627 $17,325 -
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
Knoxville Year 2018-19 2019-20 Tuition and Fees $13,006 $13,264 Room and Board $11,240 $11,482 Books $1,598 $1,598 Other Expenses $5,666 $5,666 Total $31,510 $32,010 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $10,224 $10,386 $30,001 - $48k $13,745 $13,963 $48,001 - $75k $23,211 $23,579 $75,001 - $110k $24,901 $25,296 $110,001+ $25,127 $25,526 -
The University of Tennessee-Martin
Martin Year 2018-19 2019-20 Tuition and Fees $9,512 $9,748 Room and Board $6,164 $6,396 Books $1,400 $1,400 Other Expenses $4,170 $4,170 Total $21,246 $21,714 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $7,524 $7,690 $30,001 - $48k $9,855 $10,072 $48,001 - $75k $13,766 $14,069 $75,001 - $110k $15,103 $15,436 $110,001+ $15,391 $15,730 -
Tennessee State University
Nashville Year 2018-19 2019-20 Tuition and Fees $8,792 $9,012 Room and Board $7,806 $7,612 Books $2,700 $2,900 Other Expenses $3,700 $3,900 Total $22,998 $23,424 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $11,015 $11,219 $30,001 - $48k $11,711 $11,928 $48,001 - $75k $14,540 $14,809 $75,001 - $110k $18,823 $19,172 $110,001+ $16,506 $16,812 -
Tennessee Technological University
Cookeville Year 2018-19 2019-20 Tuition and Fees $8,731 $8,934 Room and Board $8,800 $8,850 Books $2,300 $2,300 Other Expenses $6,300 $6,350 Total $26,131 $26,434 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $11,641 $11,776 $30,001 - $48k $13,421 $13,577 $48,001 - $75k $16,682 $16,875 $75,001 - $110k $19,419 $19,644 $110,001+ $19,810 $20,040
Private TN Schools Cost Breakdown
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Belmont University
Nashville Year 2018-19 2019-20 Tuition and Fees $34,310 $35,650 Room and Board $12,120 $12,520 Books $1,400 $1,400 Other Expenses $4,930 $5,025 Total $52,760 $54,595 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $25,980 $26,884 $30,001 - $48k $26,275 $27,189 $48,001 - $75k $31,006 $32,084 $75,001 - $110k $35,878 $37,126 $110,001+ $42,821 $44,310 -
Bethel University
McKenzie Year 2018-19 2019-20 Tuition and Fees $16,552 $17,010 Room and Board $9,198 $9,198 Books $1,200 $1,200 Other Expenses $4,620 $4,620 Total $31,570 $32,028 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $14,339 $14,547 $30,001 - $48k $13,225 $13,417 $48,001 - $75k $19,206 $19,485 $75,001 - $110k $18,643 $18,913 $110,001+ $18,446 $18,714 -
Bryan College-Dayton
Dayton Year 2018-19 2019-20 Tuition and Fees $26,800 $27,900 Room and Board $7,500 $7,800 Books $1,250 $1,250 Other Expenses $2,700 $2,700 Total $38,250 $39,650 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $13,075 $13,554 $30,001 - $48k $10,785 $11,180 $48,001 - $75k $17,689 $18,336 $75,001 - $110k $18,802 $19,490 $110,001+ $19,099 $19,798 -
Carson-Newman University
Jefferson City Year 2018-19 2019-20 Tuition and Fees $27,900 $28,900 Room and Board $8,810 $8,724 Books $1,600 $1,600 Other Expenses $3,010 $3,010 Total $41,320 $42,234 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $14,686 $15,011 $30,001 - $48k $14,044 $14,355 $48,001 - $75k $18,751 $19,166 $75,001 - $110k $23,443 $23,962 $110,001+ $22,883 $23,389 -
Christian Brothers University
Memphis Year 2018-19 2019-20 Tuition and Fees $32,820 $33,840 Room and Board $9,016 $9,143 Books $1,250 $1,250 Other Expenses $2,950 $3,097 Total $46,036 $47,330 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $9,496 $9,763 $30,001 - $48k $12,165 $12,507 $48,001 - $75k $12,013 $12,351 $75,001 - $110k $14,685 $15,098 $110,001+ $15,643 $16,083 -
Cumberland University
Lebanon Year 2018-19 2019-20 Tuition and Fees $22,890 $24,000 Room and Board $7,650 $7,720 Books $1,500 $1,500 Other Expenses $5,950 $6,010 Total $37,990 $39,230 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $21,979 $22,696 $30,001 - $48k $23,701 $24,475 $48,001 - $75k $28,079 $28,996 $75,001 - $110k $27,701 $28,605 $110,001+ $22,533 $23,268 -
Lipscomb University
Nashville Year 2018-19 2019-20 Tuition and Fees $32,144 $33,424 Room and Board $12,652 $13,280 Books $1,500 $1,500 Other Expenses $3,250 $3,250 Total $49,546 $51,454 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $20,036 $20,808 $30,001 - $48k $20,503 $21,293 $48,001 - $75k $25,044 $26,008 $75,001 - $110k $25,940 $26,939 $110,001+ $28,298 $29,388 -
Fisk University
Nashville Year 2018-19 2019-20 Tuition and Fees $21,480 $22,132 Room and Board $10,790 $11,022 Books $1,800 $1,800 Other Expenses $3,000 $3,000 Total $37,070 $37,954 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $21,816 $22,336 $30,001 - $48k $25,704 $26,317 $48,001 - $75k $25,929 $26,547 $75,001 - $110k $29,211 $29,908 $110,001+ $30,676 $31,408 -
Welch College
Nashville Year 2018-19 2019-20 Tuition and Fees $19,012 $19,582 Room and Board $7,714 $7,728 Books $1,000 $1,000 Other Expenses $7,000 $7,000 Total $34,726 $35,310 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $17,466 $17,760 $30,001 - $48k $17,912 $18,213 $48,001 - $75k $20,964 $21,317 $75,001 - $110k $25,361 $25,788 $110,001+ $26,983 $27,437 -
Freed-Hardeman University
Henderson Year 2018-19 2019-20 Tuition and Fees $21,950 $22,950 Room and Board $7,950 $7,950 Books $1,300 $1,300 Other Expenses $3,750 $3,750 Total $34,950 $35,950 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $13,512 $13,899 $30,001 - $48k $13,318 $13,699 $48,001 - $75k $14,598 $15,016 $75,001 - $110k $19,269 $19,820 $110,001+ $20,879 $21,476 -
King University
Bristol Year 2018-19 2019-20 Tuition and Fees $29,714 $30,616 Room and Board $8,762 $9,024 Books $1,480 $1,520 Other Expenses $3,534 $3,570 Total $43,490 $44,730 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $22,192 $22,825 $30,001 - $48k $20,648 $21,237 $48,001 - $75k $22,878 $23,530 $75,001 - $110k $21,579 $22,194 $110,001+ $25,105 $25,821 -
Lane College
Jackson Year 2018-19 2019-20 Tuition and Fees $11,500 $11,790 Room and Board $7,350 $7,610 Books $700 $700 Other Expenses $2,350 $3,580 Total $21,900 $23,680 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $12,963 $14,017 $30,001 - $48k $0 $0 $48,001 - $75k $13,864 $14,991 $75,001 - $110k $0 $0 $110,001+ $0 $0
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Lee University
Cleveland Year 2018-19 2019-20 Tuition and Fees $17,690 $18,770 Room and Board $8,300 $8,325 Books $1,600 $1,600 Other Expenses $3,560 $3,805 Total $31,150 $32,500 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $13,841 $14,441 $30,001 - $48k $15,543 $16,217 $48,001 - $75k $17,884 $18,659 $75,001 - $110k $18,173 $18,961 $110,001+ $19,790 $20,648 -
Lincoln Memorial University
Harrogate Year 2018-19 2019-20 Tuition and Fees $22,010 $22,740 Room and Board $8,000 $8,250 Books $1,400 $1,400 Other Expenses $5,470 $5,470 Total $36,880 $37,860 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $9,736 $9,995 $30,001 - $48k $12,893 $13,236 $48,001 - $75k $15,565 $15,979 $75,001 - $110k $27,899 $28,640 $110,001+ $29,996 $30,793 -
Maryville College
Maryville Year 2018-19 2019-20 Tuition and Fees $34,880 $35,578 Room and Board $11,424 $11,710 Books $1,220 $1,244 Other Expenses $2,730 $2,784 Total $50,254 $51,316 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $14,150 $14,449 $30,001 - $48k $16,041 $16,380 $48,001 - $75k $20,411 $20,842 $75,001 - $110k $22,776 $23,257 $110,001+ $24,404 $24,920 -
Rhodes College
Memphis Year 2018-19 2019-20 Tuition and Fees $47,890 $49,198 Room and Board $11,406 $11,631 Books $1,125 $1,125 Other Expenses $2,619 $2,619 Total $63,040 $64,573 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $16,870 $17,280 $30,001 - $48k $16,061 $16,452 $48,001 - $75k $20,749 $21,254 $75,001 - $110k $26,626 $27,273 $110,001+ $33,644 $34,462 -
Sewanee-The University of the South
Sewanee Year 2018-19 2019-20 Tuition and Fees $45,120 $46,472 Room and Board $12,880 $13,268 Books $1,200 $1,200 Other Expenses $1,750 $1,750 Total $60,950 $62,690 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $17,277 $17,770 $30,001 - $48k $15,686 $16,134 $48,001 - $75k $24,851 $25,560 $75,001 - $110k $30,313 $31,178 $110,001+ $38,820 $39,928 -
Southern Adventist University
Collegedale Year 2018-19 2019-20 Tuition and Fees $21,950 $22,520 Room and Board $7,740 $7,640 Books $1,100 $1,100 Other Expenses $4,200 $4,250 Total $34,990 $35,510 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $19,346 $19,634 $30,001 - $48k $19,618 $19,910 $48,001 - $75k $21,725 $22,048 $75,001 - $110k $25,742 $26,125 $110,001+ $28,550 $28,974 -
Tennessee Wesleyan University
Athens Year 2018-19 2019-20 Tuition and Fees $24,300 $25,150 Room and Board $7,880 $8,050 Books $1,400 $1,400 Other Expenses $2,500 $2,500 Total $36,080 $37,100 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $10,002 $10,285 $30,001 - $48k $11,867 $12,202 $48,001 - $75k $12,108 $12,450 $75,001 - $110k $17,202 $17,688 $110,001+ $17,444 $17,937 -
Trevecca Nazarene University
Nashville Year 2018-19 2019-20 Tuition and Fees $25,598 $26,098 Room and Board $8,400 $8,900 Books $0 $0 Other Expenses $5,486 $2,200 Total $39,484 $37,198 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $15,228 $14,346 $30,001 - $48k $15,172 $14,294 $48,001 - $75k $17,587 $16,569 $75,001 - $110k $19,588 $18,454 $110,001+ $21,311 $20,077 -
Tusculum College
Greeneville Year 2018-19 2019-20 Tuition and Fees $24,860 $24,860 Room and Board $9,190 $9,340 Books $2,370 $2,964 Other Expenses $4,360 $4,808 Total $40,780 $41,972 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $13,752 $14,154 $30,001 - $48k $18,111 $18,640 $48,001 - $75k $18,995 $19,550 $75,001 - $110k $22,908 $23,578 $110,001+ $22,912 $23,582 -
Union University
Jackson Year 2018-19 2019-20 Tuition and Fees $32,610 $33,750 Room and Board $10,590 $10,400 Books $1,550 $1,600 Other Expenses $8,800 $9,240 Total $53,550 $54,990 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $26,079 $26,780 $30,001 - $48k $27,004 $27,730 $48,001 - $75k $25,952 $26,650 $75,001 - $110k $29,336 $30,125 $110,001+ $31,315 $32,157 -
Vanderbilt University
Nashville Year 2018-19 2019-20 Tuition and Fees $49,816 $52,070 Room and Board $16,234 $16,910 Books $1,294 $1,294 Other Expenses $2,802 $2,874 Total $70,146 $73,148 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $3,156 $3,291 $30,001 - $48k $6,017 $6,275 $48,001 - $75k $8,086 $8,432 $75,001 - $110k $14,890 $15,527 $110,001+ $36,667 $38,236 -
Milligan College
Milligan College Year 2018-19 2019-20 Tuition and Fees $33,700 $34,650 Room and Board $7,100 $7,300 Books $1,300 $1,300 Other Expenses $1,702 $3,890 Total $43,802 $47,140 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $14,089 $15,163 $30,001 - $48k $15,411 $16,585 $48,001 - $75k $21,346 $22,973 $75,001 - $110k $23,366 $25,147 $110,001+ $22,403 $24,110
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