Tennessee Student Loans, Financial Aid & College Costs
Tennessee College Cost Snapshot (2025-26)
Published tuition and cost-of-attendance averages across Tennessee institutions.
Top Tennessee Colleges by Published Tuition (2025-26)
Tuition and fees only. Click any column header to sort.
| School ↕ | Type ↕ | In-state T&F ↕ | Out-of-state T&F ↕ | Undergrad Enroll. ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Tennessee (Knoxville) | Public 4-yr | $13,244 | $32,414 | 30,800 |
| University of Memphis | Public 4-yr | $10,086 | $21,798 | 17,400 |
| Middle Tennessee State | Public 4-yr | $10,178 | $29,954 | 19,300 |
| East Tennessee State | Public 4-yr | $9,867 | $28,419 | 10,900 |
| Tennessee Tech University | Public 4-yr | $9,882 | $26,162 | 9,300 |
| Tennessee State University | Public 4-yr | $9,024 | $21,696 | 6,000 |
| Vanderbilt University | Private | $65,550 | $65,550 | 7,100 |
| University of the South (Sewanee) | Private | $56,630 | $56,630 | 1,700 |
| Nashville State Community College | Community | $4,524 | $17,580 | 7,000 |
Tennessee State-Funded Aid Programs
Administered by the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (TSAC).
Tennessee Promise
Last-dollar scholarship covering tuition and fees at TN community and technical colleges for recent high school grads.
Tennessee Reconnect
Free community college for TN adults without a prior degree.
Tennessee HOPE Scholarship
Merit-based award for TN residents attending eligible TN institutions with required GPA and test scores.
Aspire Award
Need-based supplement to the HOPE Scholarship for TN residents with family income under $36,000.
General Assembly Merit Scholarship
Supplement to HOPE for TN residents with 3.75+ GPA and 29+ ACT.
Tennessee Student Assistance Award (TSAA)
Need-based grant for TN residents at eligible TN institutions.
Student Loan Options for Tennessee Students
Start with federal aid before considering private loans. Federal borrower protections are stronger and rates are fixed.
Does Tennessee have a state student loan program?
No. Tennessee does not run a state nonprofit student lender. About a dozen states do — including MEFA (Massachusetts), RISLA (Rhode Island), Minnesota SELF, the Bank of North Dakota DEAL Student Loan, VSAC (Vermont), CHESLA (Connecticut), NJCLASS (New Jersey), ISL Education Lending (Iowa), NHHEAF/Granite State (New Hampshire), FAME (Maine), and Kentucky's Advantage Education Loan. These programs often price below major private banks. Tennessee residents should lean on federal loans first, then compare private lenders directly.
The order to follow
- File the FAFSA to unlock federal Pell Grants, Tennessee state grants, and Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized loans.
- Apply scholarships and 529 savings before borrowing a dollar. Every $1,000 in free aid saves roughly $1,400 in total loan cost over 10 years.
- Max federal Direct Loans next. Fixed rates, income-driven repayment, and forgiveness programs aren't available on private loans.
- Compare private student loans only for any remaining gap. Shop at least 3 lenders; cosigner rates typically run 1-3 points lower.
Private Student Loan Lenders We Recommend
If you've exhausted federal aid and still need to borrow, these are the lenders we track for rates and terms.
Credible
One form, prequalified offers from multiple private lenders. Shop rates without multiple hard credit pulls.
Compare Rates at Credible →College Ave
Flexible term lengths, no application or origination fees, and fast decisions.
Get A Quote At College Ave →Sallie Mae
Long-established lender with options for undergraduate, graduate, and career training programs.
See Sallie Mae Rates →Advertiser disclosure: The College Investor earns a commission from some of the lenders listed above. Our rankings are independent — compensation does not influence order or editorial recommendations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from Tennessee students and families.
How much does college cost in Tennessee?
Average in-state tuition and fees at Tennessee public four-year universities is about $10,500 for 2025-26. Total cost of attendance (tuition, fees, room and board, books, and personal expenses) averages roughly $25,400 on campus for Tennessee residents and $38,800 for non-residents.
What is the average student loan debt in Tennessee?
Tennessee borrowers carry an average federal student loan balance of roughly $36,700. Total outstanding federal student debt for Tennessee residents is approximately $31.4 billion.
Does Tennessee offer state-funded college grants?
Yes. TN's signature programs are Tennessee Promise (free community college for recent grads) and Tennessee Reconnect (free community college for adults), plus Tennessee HOPE (merit, up to $5,100), Aspire Award (need-based HOPE supplement), and TSAA (need-based grant).
Does Tennessee have a state student loan program?
No. Tennessee does not operate a state nonprofit student lender. About a dozen states do, including Massachusetts (MEFA), Rhode Island (RISLA), Minnesota (SELF), North Dakota (DEAL), and Kentucky (Advantage Education Loan). Tennessee residents should start with federal student loans through the FAFSA and compare private lenders for any remaining gap financing.
Which Tennessee colleges have the lowest in-state tuition?
TN community colleges average $4,524 per year and are free for recent grads through TN Promise and for adults through TN Reconnect. TN State University is lowest among four-year publics at $9,024. UT Knoxville is the highest at $13,244.
What scholarships are available for Tennessee residents?
Key awards include Tennessee Promise, Tennessee Reconnect, TN HOPE Scholarship, Aspire Award, General Assembly Merit Scholarship, and TSAA. Vanderbilt offers substantial need-based institutional aid.
Related Tennessee Resources
How We Sourced This Data
- Institutional cost pages at Tennessee public universities (2025-26 published rates)
- Education Data Initiative state-level debt and cost tables
- TSAC program pages
- NCES IPEDS data for enrollment and institutional cost profiles
Editor: Clint Proctor Reviewed by: Chris Muller