The Best Tennessee Colleges

The Best Colleges in Tennessee for 2024

These are the top ranked public and private four-year colleges in Tennessee as ranked by CollegeSimply. Leading the list for 2024 as the best overall college in Tennessee is Vanderbilt University. The top rated public state college is The University of Tennessee. Learn how the Best Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page.
Tennessee Public Private 4 year

27 results

Vanderbilt University
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V
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University

Private 4 Year

5 reviews

#14 Best Colleges in America

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

Applications Due Jan 1

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Sewanee The University of the South
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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

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Rhodes College
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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

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Union University
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U
Jackson, TN

Union University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

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

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The University of Tennessee
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T
Knoxville, TN

The University of Tennessee

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

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

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Lipscomb University
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L
Nashville, TN

Lipscomb University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

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

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Belmont University
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B
Nashville, TN

Belmont University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

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

Applications Due Jul 1

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Lincoln Memorial University
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L
Harrogate, TN

Lincoln Memorial University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

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

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Trevecca Nazarene University
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T
Nashville, TN

Trevecca Nazarene University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

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

Applications Due Aug 1

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Southern Adventist University
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S
Collegedale, TN
 

Southern Adventist University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

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

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Tennessee Technological University
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T
Cookeville, TN

Tennessee Technological University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

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

Applications Due Aug 1

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Christian Brothers University
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C
Memphis, TN
 

Christian Brothers University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

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

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Tennessee Wesleyan College
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T
Athens, TN
 

Tennessee Wesleyan College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

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

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Fisk University
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F
HBCU
Nashville, TN

Fisk University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

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

Applications Due Aug 1

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King College
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K
Bristol, TN
 

King College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

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

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East Tennessee State University
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E
Johnson City, TN

East Tennessee State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

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

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Middle Tennessee State University
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M
Murfreesboro, TN

Middle Tennessee State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

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

Applications Due Aug 15

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Maryville College
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M
Maryville, TN

Maryville College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

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

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