8 Best Colleges In Tennessee

This university confers more than 125 degrees at all levels of education, including 70 alone at the undergraduate level, through 10 colleges and

Updated on February 6, 2023

From Memphis' Beale Street to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, it's not hard to see why the state of Tennessee is one of the Top 10 tourist destinations in the United States.

Whether you're looking for great music, delicious food, or stunning scenery, Tennessee is the place to be. Which is why you should consider the state in your college search. Of course, that's not the only reason.

What kind of College in Tennessee should you attend?

The state has a number of top-flight colleges that would have no problem making it onto a list of the best schools—not only in the state, but in the country.

Whether they're private universities or part of one of the two public college systems in Tennessee, you have a lot of options to choose from. And don't immediately write off private colleges as too expensive. Take a look at our Top Online Colleges in Tennessee—one of those programs might just fit your schedule. Depending on the program, online schools might be able to give out more financial aid than public schools. You never know!

Accredited Online College Programs

Explore our featured online programs and find the right match for you today.

How much money can you earn with a degree from a College in Tennessee?

According to the 2016 census, the average person in Tennessee makes around $48,500 per year. But you're not the average person, are you? By earning an advanced degree, you are separating yourself from the pack. Your bank account will be grateful for this!

The statistics at Payscale.com show that individuals from Tennessee who earn a Bachelor of Science degree make around $59k per year. That's over $10,000 more than the Tennessee average! The numbers just keep increasing for folks who go on to earn a master's degree. In that case, you're looking at an annual salary of around $65k.

What can you do with a degree from a College in Tennessee?

If you're from Tennessee, you already know that community matters. Networking and building connections with people is almost as important as the college degree that you earn, because job opportunities often come through personal relationships.

In that vein, Tennessee is home to numerous corporate headquarters, including FedEx, Regal Entertainment, and Hospital Corporation of America. Agriculture is also a big industry in the state, especially for beef. There are over 82,000 farms in the state, and over half of them raise cattle. You'll find lots of business and science degrees on this list that would plug in perfectly in this sector. If that doesn't strike a chord for you, health care is also a huge industry in Tennessee.

What are the Best Colleges in Tennessee?

Whether you're a native Volunteer or looking to become one, the charming and idiosyncratic state of Tennessee awaits. If you're overwhelmed at the task of choosing a school, not to worry—that's where we come in!

Below, you'll find the Best Colleges in Tennessee, hands down. Our methodology takes into account academic quality, so you know that you're getting the best education possible, as well as return on investment, so you know that all of that tuition money will pay off in the job market. In addition, we factor in graduation rates, retention rates, and more.

Good luck in your search!

Rankings

See our rankings methodology page.

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