Tennessee Graphic Design Schools: Most Expensive to Least Expensive

According to the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), as of July 2012, the State of Tennessee was home to 109 Title IV degree-granting institutions. The Volunteer State is one of 16 states with 100+ colleges. To become a Title IV school, the institution must meet five requirements established by the U.S. Department of Education. In addition to signing a participation agreement with the Department, the school must (2) grant an associate's degree or higher, (3) offer a program of at least 300 clock hours in length, (4) be in business for at least 2 years, and (5) have accreditation recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Tennessee is home to nearly a dozen Title IV’s that offer excellent graphic design programs. While some are expensive (especially private schools), parents and students shouldn’t worry too much about how they might manage tuition costs. All Title IV schools are eligible for federal financial aid programs. This means, even the most expensive schools are accessible to students with financial need.

If you would like to compare the costs of Tennessee graphic design schools to others across the U.S., you can get started by reviewing our list below of the most expensive to least expensive graphic design schools. Keep in mind that resident tuition is typically lower than non-resident tuition, and graduate students usually pay more than undergraduates. In many cases, all it takes is one year of documented residency and the intent to remain in the state to become eligible for resident tuition rates.

Most Expensive Tennessee Graphic Design Schools

Union University, Jackson – Tuition Information: Undergraduate $23,330 for the 2012 – 2013 school year. Tuition does not include fees of $700 per year.

Carson-Newman College, Jefferson City – Tuition Information: Undergraduate $21,660 for the 2012 – 2013 school year.  Tuition does not include fees of $992 per year.

Tusculum College, Greeneville - Tuition Information: Undergraduate $20,910 for the 2011 – 2012 school year.  Tuition does not include fees of $1,794 per year.

Watkins College of Art, Design & Film, Nashville – Tuition Information:  Undergraduate $15,720 for the 2012 – 2013 school year. Tuition does not include fees of $1,320 per year.

Least Expensive Tennessee Graphic Design Schools

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Chattanooga – Tuition Information: Undergraduate residents $7,398, nonresidents $20,932 for the 2011 – 2012 school year.  Tuition does not include fees of $1,320 per year.

University of Tennessee at Knoxville, Knoxville - Tuition Information: Undergraduate residents $7,224, nonresidents $24,066; graduate residents $8,332, nonresidents $25,162 for the 2011 – 2012 school year. Tuition does not include resident fees of $1,172 or nonresident fees of $1,742 per year.

University of Memphis, Memphis - Tuition Information: Undergraduate residents $6,114, nonresidents $20,856; graduate residents $8,360, nonresidents $21,280 for the 2011 – 2012 school year. Tuition does not include undergraduate fees of $1,246 or graduate fees of $1,252 per year or mandatory Dining Dollars ($600 per year) for undergraduates.

University of Tennessee at Martin, Martin - Tuition Information: Undergraduate residents $5,640, nonresidents $18,050 for the 2011 – 2012 school year. Tuition does not include fees of $1,064 per year.

Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro – Tuition Information: Undergraduate residents $5,256, nonresidents $18,960 for the 2011 – 2012 school year. Tuition does not include fees of $1,498 per year.

East Tennessee State University, Johnson City – Tuition Information: Undergraduate residents $5,208, nonresidents $13,560; graduate residents $7,280, nonresidents $12,916 for the 2011 – 2012 school year. Tuition does not include undergraduate fees of $1,062 or graduate fees of $1,013 per year.

Tennessee State University, Nashville – Tuition Information: Undergraduate residents $5,208, nonresidents $17,696 for the 2011 – 2012 school year. Tuition does not include fees of $880 per year.

More Tennessee Graphic Design  related programs to consider:  

Tennessee Graphic Design Scene

Tennessee is home to 25,390 salaried artists and designers. According to the latest report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (March 27, 2012), 2,720 are graphic designers. They work in advertising, production, public relations, publishing, web design, and technology. Many graphic designers work in education as well, typically individual’s with a Master’s Degree or higher in the field.

Tennessee is home to thousands of technology firms and hundreds of secondary schools, community colleges, career schools, and post-secondary institutions. The state is also home to hundreds of creative agencies, hundreds of printing companies, and dozens of publishers. Just a few employment options include FunnyPages Productions (Franklin), Paradigm Marketing & Creative (Memphis), Gish, Sherwood & Friends, Zoe Creative Services, and NorthStar Studios (Nashville), and Scripps Networks, Launch Studio, The Tombras Group, and FMB Advertising (Knoxville).

While Tennessee graphic designers can find potential job opportunities in just about any city, some of the best opportunities can be found in principal cities such as Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Clarksville, Murfreesboro, Jackson, Johnson City, Franklin, and Bartlett.