Compare 7 Public Finance. programs in Tennessee. Average earnings: $54,496.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Public Finance tells a different story. Across 7 programs, earnings range from $48,264 to $68,331—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
The University Of Tennessee-Knoxville's Public Finance program leads with graduates earning $68,331, well above the $54,496 average. University Of Memphis follows at $60,358, proving that regional publics compete effectively in this field despite having a 93% acceptance rate versus UT-Knoxville's 46%.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. The University Of Tennessee-Knoxville graduates borrow $20,500 and face just a 6.1% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. Tennessee Technological University leads for families with a 14.7% family burden, making loan payments manageable for most households.
Highest program earnings: $68,331
Strong outcomes ($60,358) with 93% acceptance
6.1% payment burden | Excellent - payment under 8% of discretionary
14.7% family burden | Manageable - payment 12-18% of discretionary
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $68,331 | 252 | $20,500 | Excellent | $30,610 | Manageable | |
| #2 | University Of MemphisPublic | $60,358 | 91 | $23,300 | Good | $15,393 | Manageable |
| #3 | $54,144 | 61 | $19,442 | Good | $16,938 | Manageable | |
| #4 | $51,478 | 71 | $20,000 | Good | $14,229 | Manageable | |
| #5 | $49,735 | 44 | $15,650 | Excellent | $11,640 | Manageable | |
| #6 | $49,162 | 58 | $21,024 | Good | $13,218 | Challenging | |
| #7 | $48,264 | 23 | $20,547 | Good | $14,710 | Challenging |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
