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Best Colleges for Political Science in Tennessee

The best colleges for a Political Science degree in Tennessee, led by Vanderbilt University, Rhodes College and The University of the South. Each school is shown with its acceptance rate, tuition, and average SAT so you can weigh Political Science programs side by side.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best college for Political Science in Tennessee?

Based on our rankings, Vanderbilt University is the top-ranked college for Political Science in Tennessee. Other top choices include Rhodes College, The University of the South, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville.

What are the best Political Science schools?

The best Political Science schools, based on program-specific federal data including median earnings and graduate counts, are Vanderbilt University, Rhodes College, The University of the South. Our rankings use College Scorecard field-of-study data rather than editorial opinion.

How much does it cost to study Political Science?

The average out-of-state tuition among top Political Science programs is approximately $31,658 per year. However, costs vary significantly — many schools offer generous financial aid packages that can reduce the effective cost.

How long does it take to get a Political Science degree?

A bachelor's degree in Political Science typically takes four years of full-time study. Some programs offer accelerated tracks or combined bachelor's-to-master's options that can extend or shorten the timeline.

How are these Political Science rankings determined?

Our major rankings are independently calculated from U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard field-of-study (CIP) data — primarily median earnings 4 years after graduation and program scale (graduate count), with a 10+ annual graduates minimum per program. They are not derived from US News or any other publication.

Career outcomes for Political Science graduates

Among the top 10 ranked Political Science programs, the average early-career salary is approximately $60,871 per year. Below are the highest-paying Political Science programs based on federal College Scorecard earnings data reported by graduates four years after completion.

  1. 1. Vanderbilt University — Nashville, TN · 5.9% acceptance · SAT 1,549 · $67,498 tuition · 94% grad rate
  2. 2. Rhodes College — Memphis, TN · 50.3% acceptance · SAT 1,362 · $57,110 tuition · 85% grad rate
  3. 3. The University of the South — Sewanee, TN · 56.9% acceptance · SAT 1,344 · $56,120 tuition · 80% grad rate
  4. 4. The University of Tennessee-Knoxville — Knoxville, TN · 41.6% acceptance · SAT 1,311 · $33,256 tuition · 74% grad rate
  5. 5. Union University — Jackson, TN · 60.4% acceptance · SAT 1,256 · $40,025 tuition · 66% grad rate
  6. 6. Southern Adventist University — Collegedale, TN · 65.5% acceptance · SAT 1,129 · $27,300 tuition · 49% grad rate
  7. 7. University of Memphis — Memphis, TN · 72% acceptance · SAT 1,088 · $15,384 tuition · 51% grad rate
  8. 8. Lipscomb University — Nashville, TN · 67.7% acceptance · SAT 1,256 · $40,572 tuition · 72% grad rate
  9. 9. Belmont University — Nashville, TN · 95.3% acceptance · SAT 1,280 · $42,540 tuition · 71% grad rate
  10. 10. Cumberland University — Lebanon, TN · 67.3% acceptance · $27,840 tuition · 46% grad rate
  11. 11. Tennessee Technological University — Cookeville, TN · 76.1% acceptance · SAT 1,151 · $15,576 tuition · 58% grad rate
  12. 12. The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga — Chattanooga, TN · 81.1% acceptance · SAT 1,147 · $18,512 tuition · 50% grad rate
  13. 13. East Tennessee State University — Johnson City, TN · 86.2% acceptance · SAT 1,144 · $14,522 tuition · 53% grad rate
  14. 14. Maryville College — Maryville, TN · 60.9% acceptance · $39,284 tuition · 50% grad rate
  15. 15. Middle Tennessee State University — Murfreesboro, TN · 69.1% acceptance · SAT 1,121 · $31,574 tuition · 54% grad rate
  16. 16. Freed-Hardeman University — Henderson, TN · 59.7% acceptance · SAT 1,109 · $25,620 tuition · 71% grad rate
  17. 17. Lincoln Memorial University — Harrogate, TN · 62.6% acceptance · SAT 1,092 · $26,938 tuition · 50% grad rate
  18. 18. Lee University — Cleveland, TN · 70.5% acceptance · SAT 1,145 · $23,790 tuition · 63% grad rate
  19. 19. Carson-Newman University — Jefferson City, TN · 90.5% acceptance · SAT 1,117 · $34,700 tuition · 53% grad rate
  20. 20. King University — Bristol, TN · 99.7% acceptance · $36,194 tuition · 48% grad rate
  21. 21. The University of Tennessee-Martin — Martin, TN · 88.2% acceptance · SAT 1,120 · $16,600 tuition · 53% grad rate
  22. 22. Tennessee State University — Nashville, TN · 70.1% acceptance · SAT 1,000 · $22,416 tuition · 34% grad rate
  23. 23. Austin Peay State University — Clarksville, TN · 96.4% acceptance · SAT 1,088 · $14,766 tuition · 40% grad rate

Best Colleges for Political Science in Tennessee on PickACampus