Tennessee has the SEC's most expensive university. See what others cost

August is in full swing, meaning millions of students across the country are preparing to head back to college or university, many at a high price.

A new report from the higher education firm Sallie and the market research company Ipsos draws from surveys of 1,000 undergraduate students and 1,000 parents, conducted this spring. The findings show that as higher education costs continue to rise, parents are still mostly willing to help send their children to school. 

Nearly half of families surveyed reported borrowing money to finance college, but staying in-state can help students pay less while still getting a well-rounded education, especially with Tennessee's wide variety of universities.

Here is how much it costs to attend a university in Tennessee,

both private and public.

How does Tennessee tuition compare to other SEC schools?

Tennessee has both the most expensive and one of the least expensive schools in the SEC, and it probably isn't hard to guess which is which.

According to a USA TODAY ranking, Vanderbilt University is the most expensive school in the SEC, with a total cost of attendance of $99,994, including tuition, housing, food and fees.

On the other end of the spectrum, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, ranked No. 15 among the SEC's 16 schools, making it one of the least expensive. The university's total cost of attendance is $49,672 for out-of-state students and $30,212 for in-state students, including tuition, housing, food and fees.

How much is tuition at Tennessee colleges?

The cost to attend university in Tennessee varies widely between private and public universities. Most schools will have an overall estimate of cost that includes items like tuition, housing, food, transportation and general fees.

Thanks to scholarships and in-state benefits, students will often end up paying much less than the university anticipates when they actually attend school.

Here is how much the overall cost of school is across Tennessee's universities for a year, based on the most recent data:

• Austin Peay State University: $29,522 for in-state students and $35,498 for out-of-state students.
• Belmont University: $61,330 for first-year students.
• Bethel University: $31,680 for undergraduate students.
• Carson-Newman University: $55,100 for undergraduate students.
• Christian Brothers University: $24,790 for undergraduate students.
• Cumberland University: $38,356 for undergraduate students.
• East Tennessee State University: $32,739 for in-state students, $33,699 for students from Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia, and $37,089 for out-of-state students.
• Fisk University: $29,294 for undergraduate students.
• Freed-Hardeman University: $36,310 for undergraduate students.
• King University: $50,490 for undergraduate students.
• Lee University: $37,650 for undergraduate students.
• Lipscomb University: $69,210 for undergraduate students.
• Middle Tennessee State University: $11,568 for in-state students and $35,412 for out-of-state students for just tuition and fees.
• Milligan University: $55,924 for undergraduate students.
• Sewanee: The University of the South: $77,680 for undergraduate students.
• Southern Adventist University: $40,300 for undergraduate students.
• Tennessee State University: $28,131 for in-state students and $42,827 for out-of-state students.
• Tennessee Technological University: $33,656 for in-state students and $38,522 for out-of-state students.
• Tennessee Wesleyan University: $34,175 for undergraduate students.
• Trevecca University: $47,050 for undergraduate students.
• Tusculum University: $52,158 for undergraduate students.
• Union University: $56,630 for undergraduate students.
• University of Memphis: $30,536 for in-state students and $35,240 for out-of-state students.
• University of Tennessee at Chattanooga: $11,084 for in-state students and $19,638 for out-of-state students for just tuition and fees.
• University of Tennessee at Martin: $29,633 for in-state students and $35,673 for out-of-state students.
• University of Tennessee Southern: $6,095 for undergraduate students.

Is higher education too expensive?

College expenses are increasing faster than inflation, with families spending an average of $34,019 on college in the 2025-26 academic year, a 10% rise from $30,837 the previous year.

Tuition and fees at private nonprofit colleges increased by 4% to $45,000, while in-state tuition at public four-year colleges rose by 2.9% to $11,950.

Despite rising costs, many families feel satisfied with their investments, with half paying less than the sticker price and over 70% believing the education and experience offered were fairly priced or even a bargain.

Here are the top 10 reasons families picked a school

Here are the top 10 reasons cited by students and parents for selecting the college they chose to attend. (Respondents could choose more than one.) 

1. Affordability, 40% 
2. Proximity to home, 39% 
3. In-state school, 39% 
4. Specific program or degree, 38% 
5. Scholarships and other aid, 36% 
6. Campus environment, 33% 
7. Friends at the same college, 22% 
8. Social life, 20% 
9. Online or hybrid classes, 16% 
10. Prestige, 13%  

Many students dream of attending the most prestigious college that admits them, no matter the cost. In the end, though, most families prioritize price and proximity over pedigree. 

USA TODAY contributed to this report.

Jordan Green covers trending news for The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached at [e-mail].

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee has the SEC's most expensive university. See what others cost