Top Rated Tennessee Private Colleges

The Best Private Colleges in Tennessee for 2024

These are the top ranked private four-year colleges in Tennessee. Leading the rankings for 2024 as the highest ranked private college in Tennessee is Vanderbilt University. Learn how the Best Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page.


19 results

Vanderbilt University
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

Sewanee The University of the South
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

Rhodes College
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

Union University
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

Lipscomb University
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

Belmont University
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

Lincoln Memorial University
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

Trevecca Nazarene University
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

Southern Adventist University
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

Christian Brothers University
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

Tennessee Wesleyan College
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

Fisk University
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

King College
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

Maryville College
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

Carson Newman College
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

Lee University
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

Freed Hardeman University
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

Bethel University
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