Tennessee Public Colleges

There are 22 public colleges and universities in Tennessee enrolling 216,722 students. Explore the list below to find the public college match for you. Public college tend to be larger in size and more affordable than private schools when attended by students with Tennessee state residency.  Tennessee is home to popular public schools like The University of Tennessee Knoxville.

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Tennessee Public 4 Year 2 Year
The University of Tennessee Knoxville Campus

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  • Public 4 Year
  • Knoxville, TN
  • 4.8 | 5 reviews

Tennessee is a large public university known for undergraduate supply chain management, business, and nuclear engineering. The campus borders the Tennessee River in Knoxville.

#1 Best Public Universities in Tennessee 7/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 1200-1370
  • Predicted Avg GPA 3.66
  • Acceptance Rate 42%
  • Net Price $21,648
Details
University of Memphis Campus

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  • Public 4 Year
  • Memphis, TN
  • 5.0 | 1 reviews
  • Jul 1 application deadline

University of Memphis is a large public university known for undergraduate music, business, and journalism. The urban campus is in Midtown Memphis.

#7 Best Public Universities in Tennessee 4/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 915-1180
  • Avg GPA 3.48
  • Acceptance Rate 72%
  • Net Price $12,756
Details
Middle Tennessee State University Campus

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  • Public 4 Year
  • Murfreesboro, TN
  • 4.5 | 2 reviews
  • Aug 15 application deadline

MTSU is a large public university known for undergraduate recording industry, aerospace, and music business programs. The campus is in Murfreesboro, a growing city about a half hour southeast of Nashville.

#4 Best Public Universities in Tennessee 5/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 1010-1230
  • Avg GPA 3.64
  • Acceptance Rate 69%
  • Net Price $13,859
Details
Tennessee State University Campus

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  • Public 4 Year
  • Nashville, TN
  • | 0 reviews

Tennessee State is a public HBCU known for undergraduate nursing, business, and engineering. The urban campus is in Nashville.

#9 Best Public Universities in Tennessee
  • SAT Range 880-1050
  • Avg GPA 3.22
  • Acceptance Rate 70%
  • Net Price $14,586
Details
The University of Tennessee Chattanooga Campus

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  • Public 4 Year
  • Chattanooga, TN
  • 5.0 | 1 reviews
  • May 1 application deadline

UTC is a public university known for undergraduate engineering, business, and nursing. The urban campus borders the Tennessee River in downtown Chattanooga.

#5 Best Public Universities in Tennessee 4/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 1013-1210
  • Avg GPA 3.61
  • Acceptance Rate 81%
  • Net Price $15,347
Details
Austin Peay State University Campus

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  • Public 4 Year
  • Clarksville, TN
  • | 0 reviews
  • Aug 4 application deadline

Austin Peay is a public university known for undergraduate education and nursing. The Clarksville campus is close to Fort Campbell and draws many military-connected students.

#8 Best Public Universities in Tennessee 4/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 843-1126
  • Avg GPA 3.3
  • Acceptance Rate 96%
  • Net Price $9,882
Details
East Tennessee State University Campus

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  • Public 4 Year
  • Johnson City, TN
  • 4.0 | 1 reviews

ETSU is a public university known for undergraduate nursing, health sciences, and bluegrass music. The campus sits in the Appalachian Highlands of northeastern Tennessee.

#3 Best Public Universities in Tennessee 5/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 980-1200
  • Predicted Avg GPA 3.33
  • Acceptance Rate 86%
  • Net Price $16,286
Details
Nashville State Community College Campus

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  • Public 2 Year
  • Nashville, TN
  • | 0 reviews
  • Aug 13 application deadline

Nashville State is a community college known for undergraduate programs in nursing, business, and information technology. Most students commute to its urban Nashville campus.

  • SAT Range -
  • Avg GPA 2.91
  • Acceptance Rate 100%
  • Net Price $6,892
Details
Tennessee Technological University Campus

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  • Public 4 Year
  • Cookeville, TN
  • | 0 reviews
  • Aug 1 application deadline

Tennessee Tech is a public university known for undergraduate engineering and technology. The campus sits in the college town of Cookeville on the Cumberland Plateau.

#2 Best Public Universities in Tennessee 6/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 1048-1310
  • Avg GPA 3.63
  • Acceptance Rate 76%
  • Net Price $15,336
Details
Chattanooga State Community College Campus
 

  • Public 2 Year
  • Chattanooga, TN
  • | 0 reviews

Chattanooga State is a public community college known for associate programs in nursing and engineering technology. The campus lies along the Tennessee River.

  • SAT Range -
  • Avg GPA 3.0
  • Acceptance Rate 100%
  • Net Price $5,908
Details
Southwest Tennessee Community College Campus
 

  • Public 2 Year
  • Memphis, TN
  • | 0 reviews

Southwest Tennessee is a public community college known for associate programs in nursing and business. Urban campuses serve commuting students across Memphis.

  • SAT Range -
  • Avg GPA NA
  • Acceptance Rate 100%
  • Net Price $5,396
Details
The University of Tennessee Martin Campus
 

  • Public 4 Year
  • Martin, TN
  • 5.0 | 1 reviews

UT Martin is a public university known for undergraduate agriculture, education, and business. The residential campus is in the small college town of Martin in northwest Tennessee.

#6 Best Public Universities in Tennessee 4/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 970-1210
  • Avg GPA 3.6
  • Acceptance Rate 88%
  • Net Price $11,955
Details
Pellissippi State Community College Campus
 

  • Public 2 Year
  • Knoxville, TN
  • | 0 reviews

Pellissippi State is a public community college known for associate programs in engineering technology, nursing, and information technology. Multiple campuses serve the Knoxville area, with the main Hardin Valley campus in west Knoxville.

  • SAT Range -
  • Avg GPA NA
  • Acceptance Rate 100%
  • Net Price $6,568
Details
Volunteer State Community College Campus
 

  • Public 2 Year
  • Gallatin, TN
  • 3.0 | 1 reviews
  • Aug 25 application deadline

Volunteer State is a public community college known for associate programs in nursing and allied health. The Gallatin campus primarily serves commuting students from the greater Nashville area.

  • SAT Range -
  • Avg GPA 3.24
  • Acceptance Rate 100%
  • Net Price $8,651
Details
Roane State Community College Campus
 

  • Public 2 Year
  • Harriman, TN
  • 3.5 | 2 reviews

Roane State is a public community college known for associate programs in nursing and allied health. The main campus is in Harriman, with additional locations across East Tennessee.

  • SAT Range -
  • Avg GPA 3.17
  • Acceptance Rate 100%
  • Net Price $5,249
Details
Columbia State Community College Campus
 

  • Public 2 Year
  • Columbia, TN
  • | 0 reviews
  • Aug 13 application deadline

Columbia State is a public community college known for undergraduate nursing and health sciences programs. The main campus sits in Columbia, a small city in middle Tennessee.

  • SAT Range -
  • Avg GPA NA
  • Acceptance Rate 100%
  • Net Price $6,193
Details
Motlow State Community College Campus
 

  • Public 2 Year
  • Tullahoma, TN
  • 3.0 | 2 reviews

Motlow State is a public community college offering associate degrees and technical career programs. The main campus is in Tullahoma in southern Middle Tennessee.

  • SAT Range -
  • Avg GPA 3.16
  • Acceptance Rate 100%
  • Net Price $17,423
Details
Cleveland State Community College Campus
 

  • Public 2 Year
  • Cleveland, TN
  • | 0 reviews
  • Aug 17 application deadline

A public community college known for undergraduate nursing and industrial technology programs. The campus is in Cleveland, a midsize city in southeastern Tennessee near Chattanooga.

  • SAT Range -
  • Avg GPA 3.29
  • Acceptance Rate 100%
  • Net Price $7,236
Details