7 Liberal Arts colleges in Tennessee with strong social mobility outcomes. Average earnings: $46,934.
Top Liberal Arts graduates on this list earn over $51,151—and these schools actually serve the students who need them most. With mobility scores at the 60th percentile or above, these 7 programs deliver both access and results.
The University Of Tennessee-Chattanooga leads the rankings, producing Liberal Arts graduates earning $51,151 while maintaining an 85th percentile mobility score. Middle Tennessee State University follows closely at $48,541, backed by a 91st percentile mobility rating—proving schools serving low-income students can compete on outcomes.
The best mobility schools deliver a double win: they serve low-income students AND leave them with manageable debt. Middle Tennessee State University exemplifies this—91st percentile for mobility with just an 11.8% payment burden, meaning graduates keep more of their earnings.
Earnings: $51,151 | Mobility: 85th percentile
51.8% Pell students with $42,730 earnings
11.8% payment burden | Good - payment 8-12% of discretionary
21.5% family burden | Challenging - payment 18-25% of discretionary
| Rank | School | Graduate Earnings | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS | Mobility |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $51,151 | $19,500 | Challenging | $17,353 | High | 85th percentile mobility | |
| #2 | $48,541 | $20,000 | Good | $14,229 | Challenging | 91th percentile mobility | |
| #3 | $48,501 | $15,650 | Manageable | $11,640 | Challenging | 89th percentile mobility | |
| #4 | University Of MemphisPublic | $48,458 | $23,300 | Manageable | $15,393 | High | 90th percentile mobility |
| #5 | $44,859 | $19,442 | Challenging | $16,938 | High | 88th percentile mobility | |
| #6 | $44,301 | $20,547 | Challenging | $14,710 | High | 81th percentile mobility | |
| #7 | $42,730 | $27,000 | Manageable | $18,771 | Challenging | 82th percentile mobility |
Our social mobility rankings answer: "Which schools deliver the best outcomes for students from low-income backgrounds?"
This is not simply "which schools admit the most low-income students" — it's which schools both serve low-income students and deliver strong earnings outcomes.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
