Best Tennessee Colleges

Ranked list of Colleges and Universities in Tennessee for 2024

There are 90 colleges and universities in Tennessee enrolling 304,605 students. Explore the list of top colleges in Tennessee below to begin your college search. The CollegeSimply rankings are objective and data-driven in order to help you find good matches for you. Learn how the Best Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page. Whether you're searching for a good public, private or community college, this guide to universities in Tennessee offers a comprehensive view to the state's higher education options.

 Tennessee is home to nationally ranked institutions like Vanderbilt University, Sewanee The University of the South, Rhodes College and Union University. The highest ranked college in Tennessee is Vanderbilt University and the top rated public state college is The University of Tennessee.

Local college options can be explored in Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville and Chattanooga or other cities.

Tennessee Public Private For-Profit 4 year 2 year

90 results

List of the Best Tennessee Colleges

Vanderbilt University
Connect Me
V
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University

Private 4 Year

5 reviews

#1 Best Colleges in Tennessee

  • 13,710enrollment
  • $25,606net price
  • 7%acceptance rate
  • 1490-1570SAT range
  • 34-35ACT range
  • 3.89Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Sewanee The University of the South
Connect Me
S
Sewanee, TN

Sewanee The University of the South

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Tennessee

  • 1,704enrollment
  • $33,061net price
  • 52%acceptance rate
  • 1233-1380SAT range
  • 27-32ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Rhodes College
Connect Me
R
Memphis, TN

Rhodes College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Tennessee

  • 2,008enrollment
  • $30,672net price
  • 54%acceptance rate
  • 1310-1470SAT range
  • 28-32ACT range
  • 3.99Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Union University
Connect Me
U
Jackson, TN

Union University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Colleges in Tennessee

  • 2,731enrollment
  • $28,585net price
  • 53%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1370SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.8Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
The University of Tennessee
Connect Me
T
Knoxville, TN

The University of Tennessee

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#5 Best Colleges in Tennessee

  • 33,805enrollment
  • $21,880net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1330SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.66Estimated Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Lipscomb University
Connect Me
L
Nashville, TN

Lipscomb University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#6 Best Colleges in Tennessee

  • 4,704enrollment
  • $27,937net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1320SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Belmont University
Connect Me
B
Nashville, TN

Belmont University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#7 Best Colleges in Tennessee

  • 8,910enrollment
  • $36,225net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1340SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.83Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Lincoln Memorial University
Connect Me
L
Harrogate, TN

Lincoln Memorial University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Colleges in Tennessee

  • 5,418enrollment
  • $19,162net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 982-1190SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.29Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Trevecca Nazarene University
Connect Me
T
Nashville, TN

Trevecca Nazarene University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#9 Best Colleges in Tennessee

  • 3,327enrollment
  • $16,080net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1250SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.43Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Southern Adventist University
Connect Me
S
Collegedale, TN
 

Southern Adventist University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Colleges in Tennessee

  • 2,903enrollment
  • $24,332net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 980-1280SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Tennessee Technological University
Connect Me
T
Cookeville, TN

Tennessee Technological University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Colleges in Tennessee

  • 9,902enrollment
  • $15,188net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1270SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.63Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Christian Brothers University
Connect Me
C
Memphis, TN
 

Christian Brothers University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Colleges in Tennessee

  • 1,934enrollment
  • $18,612net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1280SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.67Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Tennessee Wesleyan College
Connect Me
T
Athens, TN
 

Tennessee Wesleyan College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Colleges in Tennessee

  • 1,052enrollment
  • $13,591net price
  • 61%acceptance rate
  • 950-1150SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Fisk University
Connect Me
F
HBCU
Nashville, TN

Fisk University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#14 Best Colleges in Tennessee

  • 1,055enrollment
  • $20,578net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1450SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
King College
Connect Me
K
Bristol, TN
 

King College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Colleges in Tennessee

  • 1,357enrollment
  • $22,626net price
  • 61%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1160SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
East Tennessee State University
Connect Me
E
Johnson City, TN

East Tennessee State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#16 Best Colleges in Tennessee

  • 13,483enrollment
  • $14,350net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 980-1190SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.33Estimated Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Middle Tennessee State University
Connect Me
M
Murfreesboro, TN

Middle Tennessee State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#17 Best Colleges in Tennessee

  • 20,086enrollment
  • $13,062net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1230SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.64Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Maryville College
Connect Me
M
Maryville, TN

Maryville College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#18 Best Colleges in Tennessee

  • 1,069enrollment
  • $21,583net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 930-1120SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances