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Best Colleges in Tennessee

All 66 colleges in Tennessee, ranked by overall quality and led by Vanderbilt University, Rhodes College and The University of the South. 23 public, 43 private. median out-of-state tuition $18,630. lowest in-state tuition $4,730 at Nashville State Community College. Each school below shows its acceptance rate, tuition and average SAT.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best college in Tennessee?

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

How many colleges are in Tennessee?

We track 66 four-year colleges in Tennessee, including 23 public institutions and 43 private ones.

How much does college cost in Tennessee?

The average out-of-state tuition across colleges we track in Tennessee is approximately $18,630 per year. In-state students at public schools typically pay significantly less, and most schools offer financial aid that reduces the effective cost.

What are the best public colleges in Tennessee?

The best public colleges in Tennessee include The University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Tennessee Technological University, Middle Tennessee State University. Public universities typically offer lower tuition for in-state residents.

What are the best private colleges in Tennessee?

The best private colleges in Tennessee include Vanderbilt University, Rhodes College, The University of the South. Private colleges may offer more generous financial aid despite higher sticker prices.

How are these Tennessee rankings determined?

Our overall rankings are calculated independently from publicly available data including U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, IPEDS, and aggregated student-experience signals — not from US News or any other publication.

By major in Tennessee

  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. Belmont University — Nashville, TN · 95.3% acceptance · SAT 1,280 · $42,540 tuition · 71% grad rate
  6. 6. Lipscomb University — Nashville, TN · 67.7% acceptance · SAT 1,256 · $40,572 tuition · 72% grad rate
  7. 7. Union University — Jackson, TN · 60.4% acceptance · SAT 1,256 · $40,025 tuition · 66% grad rate
  8. 8. Freed-Hardeman University — Henderson, TN · 59.7% acceptance · SAT 1,109 · $25,620 tuition · 71% grad rate
  9. 9. Christian Brothers University — Memphis, TN · 86.7% acceptance · SAT 1,098 · $38,420 tuition · 55% grad rate
  10. 10. Milligan University — Milligan, TN · 72.3% acceptance · SAT 1,189 · $40,450 tuition · 63% grad rate
  11. 11. Baptist Health Sciences University — Memphis, TN · 82% acceptance · SAT 1,050 · $13,796 tuition · 46% grad rate
  12. 12. Southern Adventist University — Collegedale, TN · 65.5% acceptance · SAT 1,129 · $27,300 tuition · 49% grad rate
  13. 13. Lee University — Cleveland, TN · 70.5% acceptance · SAT 1,145 · $23,790 tuition · 63% grad rate
  14. 14. Bryan College-Dayton — Dayton, TN · $19,800 tuition · 50% grad rate
  15. 15. Tennessee Technological University — Cookeville, TN · 76.1% acceptance · SAT 1,151 · $15,576 tuition · 58% grad rate
  16. 16. Middle Tennessee State University — Murfreesboro, TN · 69.1% acceptance · SAT 1,121 · $31,574 tuition · 54% grad rate
  17. 17. Trevecca Nazarene University — Nashville, TN · 69.4% acceptance · SAT 1,091 · $31,300 tuition · 53% grad rate
  18. 18. The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga — Chattanooga, TN · 81.1% acceptance · SAT 1,147 · $18,512 tuition · 50% grad rate
  19. 19. Lincoln Memorial University — Harrogate, TN · 62.6% acceptance · SAT 1,092 · $26,938 tuition · 50% grad rate
  20. 20. King University — Bristol, TN · 99.7% acceptance · $36,194 tuition · 48% grad rate
  21. 21. University of Memphis — Memphis, TN · 72% acceptance · SAT 1,088 · $15,384 tuition · 51% grad rate
  22. 22. The University of Tennessee-Martin — Martin, TN · 88.2% acceptance · SAT 1,120 · $16,600 tuition · 53% grad rate
  23. 23. Carson-Newman University — Jefferson City, TN · 90.5% acceptance · SAT 1,117 · $34,700 tuition · 53% grad rate
  24. 24. East Tennessee State University — Johnson City, TN · 86.2% acceptance · SAT 1,144 · $14,522 tuition · 53% grad rate
  25. 25. Cumberland University — Lebanon, TN · 67.3% acceptance · $27,840 tuition · 46% grad rate
  26. 26. Maryville College — Maryville, TN · 60.9% acceptance · $39,284 tuition · 50% grad rate
  27. 27. Johnson University — Knoxville, TN · 65.1% acceptance · SAT 1,078 · $21,122 tuition · 57% grad rate
  28. 28. Welch College — Gallatin, TN · $21,400 tuition · 53% grad rate
  29. 29. Williamson Christian College — Franklin, TN · $16,090 tuition · 67% grad rate
  30. 30. Tennessee Wesleyan University — Athens, TN · 68.9% acceptance · SAT 1,090 · $30,814 tuition · 48% grad rate
  31. 31. American Baptist College — Nashville, TN · $13,604 tuition · 31% grad rate
  32. 32. Austin Peay State University — Clarksville, TN · 96.4% acceptance · SAT 1,088 · $14,766 tuition · 40% grad rate
  33. 33. John A Gupton College — Nashville, TN · 100% acceptance · SAT 1,020 · $12,223 tuition · 38% grad rate
  34. 34. Nossi College of Art and Design — Nashville, TN · 46.3% acceptance · $20,350 tuition · 42% grad rate
  35. 35. Fisk University — Nashville, TN · 37.4% acceptance · SAT 1,200 · $25,858 tuition · 30% grad rate
  36. 36. The University of Tennessee Southern — Pulaski, TN · 86.7% acceptance · SAT 1,083 · $10,924 tuition · 37% grad rate
  37. 37. Bethel University — McKenzie, TN · 60.2% acceptance · SAT 972 · $18,712 tuition · 35% grad rate
  38. 38. Fortis Institute-Cookeville — Cookeville, TN · $15,120 tuition · 39% grad rate
  39. 39. Tusculum University — Greeneville, TN · 72.2% acceptance · $29,250 tuition · 25% grad rate
  40. 40. Roane State Community College — Harriman, TN · $18,630 tuition · 36% grad rate
  41. 41. South College — Knoxville, TN · $18,535 tuition · 42% grad rate
  42. 42. Mid-South Christian College — Memphis, TN · 100% acceptance · $10,500 tuition · 60% grad rate
  43. 43. Motlow State Community College — Tullahoma, TN · $17,722 tuition · 34% grad rate
  44. 44. Walters State Community College — Morristown, TN · $17,736 tuition · 33% grad rate
  45. 45. Dyersburg State Community College — Dyersburg, TN · $17,742 tuition · 34% grad rate
  46. 46. Columbia State Community College — Columbia, TN · $18,112 tuition · 30% grad rate
  47. 47. Pellissippi State Community College — Knoxville, TN · $17,770 tuition · 31% grad rate
  48. 48. Northeast State Community College — Blountville, TN · $17,766 tuition · 33% grad rate
  49. 49. Galen Health Institutes-Nashville Campus — Nashville, TN · $17,048 tuition
  50. 50. Tennessee State University — Nashville, TN · 70.1% acceptance · SAT 1,000 · $22,416 tuition · 34% grad rate
  51. 51. Volunteer State Community College — Gallatin, TN · $17,740 tuition · 28% grad rate
  52. 52. Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga — Chattanooga, TN · 60% grad rate
  53. 53. Strayer University-Tennessee — Memphis, TN · $13,920 tuition
  54. 54. Chattanooga State Community College — Chattanooga, TN · $17,756 tuition · 26% grad rate
  55. 55. Jackson State Community College — Jackson, TN · $17,724 tuition · 26% grad rate
  56. 56. Le Moyne-Owen College — Memphis, TN · 99.2% acceptance · $12,076 tuition · 27% grad rate
  57. 57. Nashville State Community College — Nashville, TN · $17,714 tuition · 18% grad rate
  58. 58. Southwest Tennessee Community College — Memphis, TN · $17,750 tuition · 19% grad rate
  59. 59. Lane College — Jackson, TN · $11,790 tuition · 18% grad rate
  60. 60. The University of Tennessee Health Science Center — Memphis, TN
  61. 61. Meharry Medical College — Nashville, TN
  62. 62. Memphis Theological Seminary — Memphis, TN
  63. 63. Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia Inc — Madison, TN
  64. 64. Southern College of Optometry — Memphis, TN
  65. 65. Richmont Graduate University — Chattanooga, TN
  66. 66. Omega Graduate School — Dayton, TN

Best Colleges in Tennessee on PickACampus