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

Carson Newman College
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C
Jefferson City, TN
 

Carson Newman College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#15 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 2,586enrollment
  • $20,111net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 980-1143SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

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The University of Tennessee Martin
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T
Martin, TN
 

The University of Tennessee Martin

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 6,868enrollment
  • $12,619net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1240SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

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Lee University
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L
Cleveland, TN

Lee University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#16 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 3,927enrollment
  • $19,726net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1240SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA

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The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
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T
Chattanooga, TN

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 11,283enrollment
  • $14,417net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1023-1210SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Freed Hardeman University
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F
Henderson, TN
 

Freed Hardeman University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#17 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 2,330enrollment
  • $18,556net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1240SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.75Avg GPA

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University of Memphis
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M
Memphis, TN

University of Memphis

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 21,917enrollment
  • $13,873net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 930-1230SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

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Austin Peay State University
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A
Clarksville, TN

Austin Peay State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 9,326enrollment
  • $16,140net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 983-1170SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 4

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Bethel University
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B
McKenzie, TN
 

Bethel University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#18 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 4,686enrollment
  • $13,858net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 928-1130SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

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Tusculum College
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T
Greeneville, TN

Tusculum College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#19 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 1,303enrollment
  • $20,414net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 910-1110SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.18Estimated Avg GPA

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