Top Rated Tennessee Public Colleges

The Best Public Colleges in Tennessee for 2025

These are the top ranked public four-year colleges in Tennessee as ranked by CollegeSimply. Leading the rankings for 2025 as the best public college in Tennessee is The University of Tennessee. Learn how the Best Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page.


9 results

The University of Tennessee
T
Knoxville, TN

The University of Tennessee

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 36,304enrollment
  • $20,885net price
  • 46%acceptance rate
  • 1190-1340SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.66Estimated Avg GPA

Tennessee Technological University
T
Cookeville, TN

Tennessee Technological University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 10,117enrollment
  • $15,138net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1250SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.63Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Middle Tennessee State University
M
Murfreesboro, TN

Middle Tennessee State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 20,183enrollment
  • $12,700net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1230SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.64Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

East Tennessee State University
E
Johnson City, TN

East Tennessee State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 13,586enrollment
  • $16,033net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 950-1170SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.33Estimated Avg GPA

The University of Tennessee Martin
T
Martin, TN
 

The University of Tennessee Martin

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 6,941enrollment
  • $11,151net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1210SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
T
Chattanooga, TN

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 11,380enrollment
  • $13,801net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1005-1185SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

Austin Peay State University
A
Clarksville, TN

Austin Peay State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 9,945enrollment
  • $14,679net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 943-1165SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 4

University of Memphis
M
Memphis, TN

University of Memphis

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 21,736enrollment
  • $13,656net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 905-1205SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

Tennessee State University
T
HBCU
Nashville, TN

Tennessee State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 8,198enrollment
  • $9,231net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 856-1068SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.22Avg GPA