For the academic year 2024-2025, the average tuition of public colleges in Tennessee is $10,806 for Tennessee residents and $19,853 for out-of-state students. For private colleges in Tennessee, the average tuition & fees are $25,938 regardless of residency.
For graduate schools, the average tuition of public colleges in Tennessee is $12,117 for Tennessee residents and $20,959 for out-of-state students. For private schools in Tennessee, the average graduate tuition is $17,627.
The average living expenses other than tuition & fees are $15,428 when a student lives on-campus facilities such as dormitory and college-operated/owned apartment. The average off-campus living cost is $17,296. It includes costs for room & board, books & supplies, and other living expenses.
The average amounts are based on the cost of 4-years college which offer BS degree (or higher). You can check the average cost of 2-years college (community college) and less than 2 years colleges (trade schools / technical colleges). In addition, you can check the average cost of college by school type, level, and offered degree below.
You can compare all Tennessee colleges in various ways:
Average Cost of Attendance (COA)
In addition to the tuition & fees, the cost of college includes cost for room & board, books & supplies, and other living expenses. This total costs of attendance (COA) is important when preparing for the college admission and checking student loans.
The 2025 average COA of the four-year colleges in Tennessee is $29,069 for residents and $38,116 for out-of-state students. At private four-year schools, average COA is $42,118. At community colleges (2-4 year school), the average COA is $6,245 for Tennessee residents and $19,290 for out-of-state students.
The following table summarizes the 2025 average COA by school types and levels. In addition, you can check the changes of COA by comparing to last year.
| Tennessee Residents | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
| Public 4-Year Colleges | $29,069 | $38,116 |
| Private 4-Year Colleges | $42,118 | |
| Community Colleges | $6,245 | $19,290 |
Undergraduate Tuition & Fees
In Tennessee, 145 out of 151 colleges are offering undergraduate programs. By schools type, there are 47 public and 87 private colleges in Tennessee. The average undergraduate tuition & fees of colleges in Tennessee is $8,915 for Tennessee residents and $17,928 for out-of-state students. At private schools, the undergraduate tuition & fees is $24,639
At community colleges (2-4 years schools), the average tuition & fees is $4,472 for residents and $17,517 for out-of-state students.
| Tennessee Residents | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
| Public 4-Year Colleges | $8,915 | $17,928 |
| Private 4-Year Colleges | $24,639 | |
| Community Colleges (2-Year Colleges) | $4,472 | $17,517 |
| Trade Schools (Less than 2-Year Schools) | $13,948 | |
Graduate Programs Tuition & Fees
In Tennessee, 55 colleges and universities offer graduate programs. The average graduate school tuition & fees of colleges in Tennessee is $10,479 for Tennessee residents and $19,284 for out-of-state students. At private schools, the graduate program tuition & fees is $16,664
| Tennessee Residents | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
| Public Schools | $10,479 | $19,284 |
| Private Schools | $16,664 | |
Tuition per Credit Hour
The tuition per credit hour is used and charged to part-time students and/or full-time students who takes extra courses (credits). The average cost per credit hour of colleges in Tennessee is $355 for Tennessee residents and $724 for out-of-state students. At private schools, the average cost is $919
For graduate programs, the average tuition per credit hour is $560 for Tennessee residents and $1,038 for out-of-state students. At private graduate schools, the average cost per credit hour is $772
| Tennessee Residents | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | ||
| Public 4-Year Colleges | $355 | $724 |
| Private 4-Year Colleges | $919 | |
| Community Colleges (2-Year Colleges) | $183 | $708 |
| Graduate | ||
| Public Schools | $560 | $1,038 |
| Private Schools | $772 | |
Average Living Costs at colleges in Tennessee
At colleges in Tennessee, the average living cost is $15,428 when a student lives on campus facility and $17,296 when living off campus. It includes the cost for room & board, and other living expenses.
| On-Campus | Off-Campus | |
|---|---|---|
| Public Schools | $16,895 | $17,778 |
| Private Schools | $14,939 | $17,059 |
