Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Tennessee (2026)

Home > Programs > Liberal Arts > States > Tennessee


Tennessee Liberal Arts At a Glance

MetricDetail
Median Liberal Arts Salary$70,186
Salary OutlookTennessee offers competitive wages for liberal arts professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below.
Primary Licensing BodyTennessee Professional Licensing Board
Accreditation RequiredInstitutional + Regional

Earning an online liberal arts degree in Tennessee offers a flexible path into liberal arts careers. Tennessee offers competitive wages for liberal arts professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below. Whether you’re looking for an affordable in-state option or a nationally available program, Tennessee students have access to a variety of accredited online choices that balance quality and cost.


Online Liberal Arts Schools in Tennessee

The following schools offer accredited online liberal arts programs and are ranked based on affordability, graduation rates, and student outcomes in Tennessee.

How We Rank Schools

Every school list on this site is ordered by the BOC Score, computed from the most recent school-level data published by the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard and IPEDS). To qualify, a school must be currently operating and accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Each eligible school is then scored on five measures, percentile-ranked against schools at the same credential level:

  • Graduation rate 30%
  • Median earnings, 10 years after entry 25%
  • Average net price (lower is better) 20%
  • Retention rate 15%
  • Fully online availability 10%

Schools without enough outcome data appear after ranked schools, without a score. Advertising never affects these rankings. Read the full methodology.

#1

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN BOC Score 91.4
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Graduation rate 93%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $91,565
Avg net price $15,846/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 96%
  • Programs offered: 49

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#2

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Knoxville, TN BOC Score 74.5
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Graduation rate 71%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $60,249
Avg net price $18,976/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 91%
  • Programs offered: 50

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#3

Tennessee Technological University

Cookeville, TN BOC Score 61.8
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Graduation rate 65%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $48,501
Avg net price $14,246/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 78%
  • Programs offered: 30

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#4

Southern Adventist University

Collegedale, TN BOC Score 45.6
  • 4 year
Graduation rate 61%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $53,723
Avg net price $24,345/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 82%
  • Programs offered: 59

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard


Career Outlook and Salaries in Tennessee

Liberal Arts professionals in Tennessee experience a dynamic job market with competitive wages. Below are the median annual salaries for key roles in the field, based on the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data for Tennessee.

OccupationMedian Annual Salary (Tennessee)
Public Relations Specialist$60,900
Management Analyst$99,260
Technical Writer$79,550
News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist$62,390
Editor$59,550
Training and Development Specialist$62,280
Human Resources Specialist$67,370

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), May 2025 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.


Why Pursue an Online Liberal Arts Degree in Tennessee?

Choosing a program in Tennessee can provide several advantages:

  • In-State Tuition: Many public universities in Tennessee offer lower tuition rates for residents, even for online programs.
  • Local Networking: Attending a school within your state can make it easier to connect with local employers and professional organizations.
  • Regional Relevance: Curriculum often incorporates data and case studies relevant to the Tennessee economy and job market.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are online liberal arts programs in Tennessee accredited?

The schools in our directory hold institutional accreditation from agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education - that is a condition of inclusion. Verify any specific school and program in the Department’s DAPIP database before enrolling.

How does Liberal Arts pay in Tennessee compare to other states?

Tennessee offers competitive wages for liberal arts professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below. This makes Tennessee a strong choice for students looking to maximize their ROI after graduation.

What is the primary licensing board for liberal arts in Tennessee?

The Tennessee Professional Licensing Board oversees professional standards and licensure for the field in Tennessee. Most accredited programs are designed to align with their specific requirements.


Browse Other States

More Tennessee guides

Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Atoka, TN (2026) Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Bartlett, TN (2026) Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Brentwood, TN (2026) Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Bristol, TN (2026) Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Chattanooga, TN (2026) Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Clarksville, TN (2026) Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Cleveland, TN (2026) Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Collierville, TN (2026) Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Columbia, TN (2026) Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Cookeville, TN (2026) Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Dyersburg, TN (2026) Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in East Ridge, TN (2026) Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Farragut, TN (2026) Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Franklin, TN (2026) Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Gallatin, TN (2026) Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Germantown, TN (2026) Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Greeneville, TN (2026) Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Harriman, TN (2026) Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Hendersonville, TN (2026) Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Jackson, TN (2026) Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Johnson City, TN (2026) Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Kingsport, TN (2026) Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Knoxville, TN (2026) Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in La Vergne, TN (2026) Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Lebanon, TN (2026) Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Maryville, TN (2026) Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Memphis, TN (2026) Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Morristown, TN (2026) Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Mount Juliet, TN (2026) Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Murfreesboro, TN (2026) Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Nashville, TN (2026) Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Oak Ridge, TN (2026) Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Sevierville, TN (2026) Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Shelbyville, TN (2026) Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Smyrna, TN (2026) Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in Spring Hill, TN (2026)