Business programs across Tennessee produce graduates with earnings ranging from $23,340 to $72,782, with the state's 28 programs averaging $47,976—$6,268 lower than the national average. This significant variation in career earnings demonstrates why program selection matters for long-term management careers and undergraduate business outcomes.
Leading the list is Rhodes College, achieving the highest program earnings at $72,782. The University Of Tennessee-Knoxville follows with $66,035, while Lee University rounds out the top three at $57,033. These top-performing programs demonstrate how strategic program choice directly impacts median earnings and business degree value.
| Rank | School | Location | Earnings | Net Price | Acceptance Rate | Grad Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Knoxville, TN | $81,001 Median Business Earnings | $10,029 | 41.6% | 73.9% | |
| #2 | Lipscomb UniversityPrivate | Nashville, TN | $80,520 Median Business Earnings | $20,048 | 67.7% | 72.2% |
| #3 | Rhodes CollegePrivate | Memphis, TN | $77,838 Median Business Earnings | $15,770 | 50.3% | 84.5% |
| #4 | Belmont UniversityPrivate | Nashville, TN | $74,047 Median Business Earnings | $22,950 | 95.3% | 70.7% |
| #5 | Murfreesboro, TN | $67,568 Median Business Earnings | $9,289 | 69.1% | 53.7% | |
| #6 | Chattanooga, TN | $66,554 Median Business Earnings | $9,876 | 81.1% | 50.2% | |
| #7 | University Of MemphisPublic | Memphis, TN | $66,550 Median Business Earnings | $10,607 | 72.0% | 50.9% |
| #8 | Lee UniversityPrivate | Cleveland, TN | $65,663 Median Business Earnings | $12,834 | 70.5% | 62.6% |
| #9 | Carson-Newman UniversityPrivate | Jefferson City, TN | $64,529 Median Business Earnings | $16,672 | 90.5% | 53.2% |
| #10 | Bryan College-DaytonPrivate | Dayton, TN | $64,283 Median Business Earnings | $19,500 | — | 49.7% |
| #11 | Cookeville, TN | $63,808 Median Business Earnings | $9,815 | 76.1% | 57.7% | |
| #12 | Maryville CollegePrivate | Maryville, TN | $63,053 Median Business Earnings | $15,094 | 60.9% | 50.0% |
| #13 | Athens, TN | $62,725 Median Business Earnings | $11,609 | 68.8% | 47.6% | |
| #14 | Trevecca Nazarene UniversityPrivate | Nashville, TN | $62,197 Median Business Earnings | $14,532 | 69.4% | 53.1% |
| #15 | Union UniversityPrivate | Jackson, TN | $62,008 Median Business Earnings | $25,839 | 60.4% | 66.0% |
| #16 | Tusculum UniversityPrivate | Greeneville, TN | $60,973 Median Business Earnings | $20,766 | 72.2% | 25.4% |
| #17 | Bethel UniversityPrivate | Mckenzie, TN | $60,102 Median Business Earnings | $11,871 | 60.2% | 35.0% |
| #18 | Pulaski, TN | $59,648 Median Business Earnings | $9,335 | 86.7% | 36.9% | |
| #19 | Milligan UniversityPrivate | Milligan, TN | $59,605 Median Business Earnings | $15,118 | 72.3% | 63.4% |
| #20 | Cumberland UniversityPrivate | Lebanon, TN | $59,152 Median Business Earnings | $17,882 | 67.3% | 45.6% |
