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Source: National Center for Educational Statistics. This is the most recent data available as of January 2023
Questions & Answers
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 2020-21 school year, which is the latest available as of January 2023.
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.
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 $18,422 and the average private school would be $22,128. You can also get information on specific Tennessee schools in the chart above or the tables below.
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.
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.
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.
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 (2020-21) | |
|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees | $13,264 |
| Room and Board | $11,856 |
| Books | $1,598 |
| Other Expenses | $5,780 |
| Total | $32,498 |
Total Cost:
Total cost is the total cost of attendance for that particular institution for the 2020-21 school year. This is the latest data available as of January 2023. 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 $25,679 | TN Private $46,111 |
| $0 - $30k | $10,241 | $15,565 |
| $30,001 – $48k | $11,800 | $16,885 |
| $48,001 – $75k | $15,961 | $18,984 |
| $75,001 – $110k | $18,422 | $22,128 |
| $110,001+ | $18,830 | $26,107 |
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 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $8,303 $8,431 Room and Board $12,120 $12,056 Books $1,250 $1,250 Other Expenses $6,562 $8,370 Total $28,235 $30,107 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $11,921 $12,711 $30,001 - $48k $13,230 $14,107 $48,001 - $75k $16,740 $17,850 $75,001 - $110k $18,782 $20,027 $110,001+ $18,042 $19,238 -
East Tennessee State University
Johnson City Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $9,259 $9,438 Room and Board $8,938 $9,582 Books $1,350 $1,350 Other Expenses $5,520 $5,520 Total $25,067 $25,890 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $10,458 $10,801 $30,001 - $48k $12,211 $12,612 $48,001 - $75k $15,151 $15,648 $75,001 - $110k $18,368 $18,971 $110,001+ $18,859 $19,478 -
University of Memphis
Memphis Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $9,912 $10,056 Room and Board $10,175 $9,354 Books $1,600 $1,600 Other Expenses $4,699 $5,419 Total $26,386 $26,429 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $11,640 $11,659 $30,001 - $48k $12,495 $12,515 $48,001 - $75k $15,155 $15,180 $75,001 - $110k $18,894 $18,925 $110,001+ $18,714 $18,744 -
Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $9,070 $9,232 Room and Board $9,286 $9,576 Books $1,260 $1,260 Other Expenses $4,398 $4,486 Total $24,014 $24,554 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $8,817 $9,015 $30,001 - $48k $10,499 $10,735 $48,001 - $75k $13,990 $14,305 $75,001 - $110k $16,479 $16,850 $110,001+ $17,144 $17,530
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The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga
Chattanooga Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $9,656 $9,848 Room and Board $9,500 $9,500 Books $1,400 $1,400 Other Expenses $4,050 $4,050 Total $24,606 $24,798 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $8,914 $8,984 $30,001 - $48k $10,058 $10,136 $48,001 - $75k $14,294 $14,406 $75,001 - $110k $16,182 $16,308 $110,001+ $16,862 $16,994 -
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
Knoxville Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $13,264 $13,244 Room and Board $11,856 $12,150 Books $1,598 $1,598 Other Expenses $5,780 $5,666 Total $32,498 $32,658 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $10,425 $10,476 $30,001 - $48k $13,492 $13,558 $48,001 - $75k $23,688 $23,805 $75,001 - $110k $25,805 $25,932 $110,001+ $26,827 $26,959 -
The University of Tennessee-Martin
Martin Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $9,748 $9,912 Room and Board $6,398 $6,750 Books $1,400 $1,500 Other Expenses $4,170 $4,170 Total $21,716 $22,332 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $7,909 $8,133 $30,001 - $48k $9,537 $9,808 $48,001 - $75k $13,278 $13,655 $75,001 - $110k $15,345 $15,780 $110,001+ $15,796 $16,244 -
Tennessee State University
Nashville Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $9,012 $8,336 Room and Board $7,612 $8,548 Books $2,900 $1,500 Other Expenses $3,900 $5,448 Total $23,424 $23,832 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $10,973 $11,164 $30,001 - $48k $12,512 $12,730 $48,001 - $75k $15,610 $15,882 $75,001 - $110k $17,647 $17,954 $110,001+ $18,847 $19,175 -
Tennessee Technological University
Cookeville Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $9,636 $9,802 Room and Board $8,850 $8,850 Books $1,280 $1,280 Other Expenses $5,400 $5,400 Total $25,166 $25,332 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $11,112 $11,185 $30,001 - $48k $12,166 $12,246 $48,001 - $75k $15,740 $15,844 $75,001 - $110k $18,293 $18,414 $110,001+ $18,377 $18,498
Private TN Schools Cost Breakdown
-
Belmont University
Nashville Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $37,030 $38,430 Room and Board $12,890 $13,240 Books $1,400 $1,400 Other Expenses $5,130 $5,235 Total $56,450 $58,305 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $19,332 $19,967 $30,001 - $48k $24,109 $24,901 $48,001 - $75k $26,446 $27,315 $75,001 - $110k $30,141 $31,131 $110,001+ $40,966 $42,312 -
Bethel University
McKenzie Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $17,010 $17,482 Room and Board $9,368 $9,368 Books $1,200 $1,200 Other Expenses $4,620 $4,620 Total $32,198 $32,670 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $14,612 $14,826 $30,001 - $48k $16,737 $16,982 $48,001 - $75k $18,939 $19,217 $75,001 - $110k $20,960 $21,267 $110,001+ $18,853 $19,129 -
Bryan College-Dayton
Dayton Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $17,050 $17,360 Room and Board $7,800 $8,050 Books $1,250 $1,250 Other Expenses $2,700 $2,700 Total $28,800 $29,360 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $11,775 $12,004 $30,001 - $48k $12,031 $12,265 $48,001 - $75k $15,353 $15,652 $75,001 - $110k $20,249 $20,643 $110,001+ $19,435 $19,813 -
Carson-Newman University
Jefferson City Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $29,500 $31,320 Room and Board $8,894 $9,474 Books $1,600 $1,600 Other Expenses $3,116 $3,122 Total $43,110 $45,516 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $16,063 $16,959 $30,001 - $48k $12,947 $13,670 $48,001 - $75k $16,993 $17,941 $75,001 - $110k $21,083 $22,260 $110,001+ $22,450 $23,703 -
Christian Brothers University
Memphis Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $34,880 $34,820 Room and Board $9,417 $9,417 Books $1,288 $1,288 Other Expenses $3,190 $3,190 Total $48,775 $48,715 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $11,054 $11,040 $30,001 - $48k $14,613 $14,595 $48,001 - $75k $13,778 $13,761 $75,001 - $110k $15,278 $15,259 $110,001+ $13,188 $13,172 -
Cumberland University
Lebanon Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $25,386 $25,412 Room and Board $8,190 $8,990 Books $1,500 $1,500 Other Expenses $6,120 $6,180 Total $41,196 $42,082 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $23,437 $23,941 $30,001 - $48k $24,474 $25,000 $48,001 - $75k $29,421 $30,054 $75,001 - $110k $30,657 $31,316 $110,001+ $26,291 $26,856 -
Lipscomb University
Nashville Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $34,744 $35,752 Room and Board $13,804 $13,976 Books $1,500 $1,500 Other Expenses $4,000 $4,000 Total $54,048 $55,228 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $21,805 $22,281 $30,001 - $48k $21,563 $22,034 $48,001 - $75k $22,993 $23,495 $75,001 - $110k $25,928 $26,494 $110,001+ $29,064 $29,699 -
Fisk University
Nashville Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $22,132 $22,906 Room and Board $11,112 $11,500 Books $1,800 $1,800 Other Expenses $3,000 $3,000 Total $38,044 $39,206 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $20,144 $20,759 $30,001 - $48k $33,888 $34,923 $48,001 - $75k $20,837 $21,473 $75,001 - $110k $26,642 $27,456 $110,001+ $17,212 $17,738 -
Welch College
Nashville Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $19,582 $19,582 Room and Board $7,728 $7,728 Books $1,000 $1,000 Other Expenses $7,000 $7,000 Total $35,310 $35,310 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $19,026 $19,026 $30,001 - $48k $19,955 $19,955 $48,001 - $75k $14,234 $14,234 $75,001 - $110k $21,282 $21,282 $110,001+ $21,728 $21,728 -
Freed-Hardeman University
Henderson Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $22,950 $23,300 Room and Board $7,950 $7,950 Books $1,300 $1,300 Other Expenses $3,750 $3,750 Total $35,950 $36,300 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $14,222 $14,360 $30,001 - $48k $13,024 $13,151 $48,001 - $75k $15,846 $16,000 $75,001 - $110k $18,857 $19,041 $110,001+ $21,587 $21,797 -
King University
Bristol Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $31,840 $32,838 Room and Board $9,386 $9,668 Books $1,560 $1,560 Other Expenses $3,590 $3,210 Total $46,376 $47,276 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $23,458 $23,913 $30,001 - $48k $19,205 $19,578 $48,001 - $75k $20,149 $20,540 $75,001 - $110k $21,827 $22,251 $110,001+ $25,587 $26,084 -
Lane College
Jackson Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $11,790 $11,790 Room and Board $7,610 $7,610 Books $700 $700 Other Expenses $3,580 $3,580 Total $23,680 $23,680 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $14,786 $14,786 $30,001 - $48k $23,637 $23,637 $48,001 - $75k $0 $0 $75,001 - $110k $0 $0 $110,001+ $0 $0
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Lee University
Cleveland Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $19,540 $20,500 Room and Board $8,260 $8,510 Books $1,600 $1,250 Other Expenses $3,275 $3,860 Total $32,675 $34,120 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $14,746 $15,398 $30,001 - $48k $16,520 $17,251 $48,001 - $75k $18,730 $19,558 $75,001 - $110k $20,561 $21,470 $110,001+ $22,577 $23,575 -
Lincoln Memorial University
Harrogate Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $23,490 $24,210 Room and Board $8,500 $10,674 Books $1,400 $1,400 Other Expenses $5,500 $4,066 Total $38,890 $40,350 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $11,849 $12,294 $30,001 - $48k $15,097 $15,664 $48,001 - $75k $16,254 $16,864 $75,001 - $110k $16,272 $16,883 $110,001+ $35,736 $37,078 -
Maryville College
Maryville Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $36,292 $37,016 Room and Board $12,004 $12,306 Books $1,240 $1,258 Other Expenses $2,812 $2,870 Total $52,348 $53,450 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $16,007 $16,344 $30,001 - $48k $18,910 $19,308 $48,001 - $75k $20,678 $21,113 $75,001 - $110k $25,204 $25,735 $110,001+ $26,319 $26,873 -
Rhodes College
Memphis Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $50,910 $50,910 Room and Board $11,816 $11,934 Books $1,125 $1,125 Other Expenses $2,619 $2,619 Total $66,470 $66,588 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $14,649 $14,675 $30,001 - $48k $14,875 $14,901 $48,001 - $75k $23,845 $23,887 $75,001 - $110k $26,499 $26,546 $110,001+ $35,698 $35,761 -
Sewanee-The University of the South
Sewanee Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $47,980 $49,418 Room and Board $13,700 $14,112 Books $1,200 $1,200 Other Expenses $1,750 $1,750 Total $64,630 $66,480 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $10,474 $10,774 $30,001 - $48k $12,758 $13,123 $48,001 - $75k $16,685 $17,163 $75,001 - $110k $20,066 $20,640 $110,001+ $37,849 $38,932 -
Southern Adventist University
Collegedale Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $22,930 $23,210 Room and Board $8,170 $8,240 Books $1,200 $1,100 Other Expenses $4,250 $4,250 Total $36,550 $36,800 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $19,111 $19,242 $30,001 - $48k $19,996 $20,133 $48,001 - $75k $23,883 $24,046 $75,001 - $110k $28,766 $28,963 $110,001+ $28,341 $28,535 -
Tennessee Wesleyan University
Athens Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $25,850 $26,590 Room and Board $8,210 $8,400 Books $1,400 $1,400 Other Expenses $2,500 $2,500 Total $37,960 $38,890 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $9,455 $9,687 $30,001 - $48k $10,373 $10,627 $48,001 - $75k $14,452 $14,806 $75,001 - $110k $19,087 $19,555 $110,001+ $18,205 $18,651 -
Trevecca Nazarene University
Nashville Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $26,898 $26,898 Room and Board $9,100 $9,400 Books $0 $0 Other Expenses $2,200 $2,310 Total $38,198 $38,608 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $10,800 $10,916 $30,001 - $48k $9,506 $9,608 $48,001 - $75k $13,914 $14,063 $75,001 - $110k $17,248 $17,433 $110,001+ $17,767 $17,958 -
Tusculum College
Greeneville Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $25,500 $26,510 Room and Board $9,450 $9,600 Books $3,120 $3,026 Other Expenses $5,523 $4,488 Total $43,593 $43,624 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $11,880 $11,888 $30,001 - $48k $12,143 $12,152 $48,001 - $75k $13,991 $14,001 $75,001 - $110k $15,249 $15,260 $110,001+ $17,321 $17,333 -
Union University
Jackson Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $34,630 $35,510 Room and Board $10,400 $10,360 Books $1,650 $1,600 Other Expenses $9,340 $10,120 Total $56,020 $57,590 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $27,239 $28,002 $30,001 - $48k $24,363 $25,046 $48,001 - $75k $26,368 $27,107 $75,001 - $110k $27,229 $27,992 $110,001+ $30,413 $31,265 -
Vanderbilt University
Nashville Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $54,158 $56,966 Room and Board $17,670 $18,376 Books $1,194 $1,194 Other Expenses $3,022 $3,002 Total $76,044 $79,538 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $4,752 $4,970 $30,001 - $48k $7,456 $7,799 $48,001 - $75k $9,117 $9,536 $75,001 - $110k $16,889 $17,665 $110,001+ $43,395 $45,389 -
Milligan College
Milligan College Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $35,600 $36,140 Room and Board $7,400 $7,500 Books $1,300 $1,300 Other Expenses $3,828 $3,918 Total $48,128 $48,858 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $12,123 $12,307 $30,001 - $48k $20,969 $21,287 $48,001 - $75k $18,441 $18,721 $75,001 - $110k $24,645 $25,019 $110,001+ $25,242 $25,625
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