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# Best Colleges in Tennessee (2026)

Updated October 1, 2026

Best Colleges in Tennessee ranks 38 nonprofit four-year institutions on Azimuth's overall score for Tennessee. Schools are ordered by Azimuth's overall score for Tennessee, highest first.

The score combines four pillars, weighted 30% return, 30% mobility, 20% access and 20% affordability, as set out on Azimuth's methodology page. [Vanderbilt University](/school/vanderbilt-university/majors/) ranks 1st on this list, reporting $101,204 in median earnings for its graduates four years after completing. The list includes 11 public and 27 private institutions.

Vanderbilt University ranks 62nd on Azimuth's composite ranking among the 1,467 public and private nonprofit four-year institutions Azimuth ranks nationally. Austin Peay State University posts the lowest average net price at $9,735. Vanderbilt University reports the highest six-year completion rate, at 94%.

## The ranked list

38 schools in list order

| Rank | School | Median earnings, 4 years after completion | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Vanderbilt University · Nashville, TN | $101,204 | $15,846 | $3,414 | 5.9% |
|  | [Vanderbilt University](/school/vanderbilt-university/majors/) reports [median earnings of $101,204](/school/vanderbilt-university/outcomes/) for its graduates four years after completing, the highest figure on this list. |
| 2 | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville · Knoxville, TN | $67,631 | $18,976 | $10,029 | 41.6% |
|  | [The University of Tennessee-Knoxville](/school/the-university-of-tennessee-knoxville/majors/) [admits 42% of applicants](/school/the-university-of-tennessee-knoxville/admissions/) and shows a six-year completion rate of 74%. |
| 3 | University of Memphis · Memphis, TN | $57,507 | $12,397 | $10,607 | 72.0% |
|  | Graduates of [University of Memphis](/school/university-of-memphis/majors/) earn a [median of $57,507](/school/university-of-memphis/outcomes/) four years after completing, and the school carries an average net price of $12,397. |
| 4 | Middle Tennessee State University · Murfreesboro, TN | $54,525 | $13,359 | $9,289 | 69.1% |
|  | [Middle Tennessee State University](/school/middle-tennessee-state-university/majors/) ranks 4th on this list and posts a [six-year completion rate of 54%](/school/middle-tennessee-state-university/outcomes/). |
| 5 | Tennessee Technological University · Cookeville, TN | $57,413 | $14,246 | $9,815 | 76.1% |
|  | With an [admission rate of 76%](/school/tennessee-technological-university/admissions/), [Tennessee Technological University](/school/tennessee-technological-university/majors/) reports median earnings of $57,413 for its graduates four years after completing. |
| 6 | Austin Peay State University · Clarksville, TN | $52,456 | $9,735 | $7,588 | 96.4% |
|  | [Austin Peay State University](/school/austin-peay-state-university/majors/) carries the lowest average net price on the page at $9,735 and [graduates 40% of its students within six years](/school/austin-peay-state-university/outcomes/). |
| 7 | The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga · Chattanooga, TN | $57,377 | $14,265 | $9,876 | 81.1% |
|  | [The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga](/school/the-university-of-tennessee-chattanooga/majors/) shows an [average net price of $14,265](/school/the-university-of-tennessee-chattanooga/cost/) and median earnings of $57,377 for its graduates four years after completing. |
| 8 | Baptist Health Sciences University · Memphis, TN | $73,191 | $11,212 | $6,354 | 82.0% |
|  | A private nonprofit institution in Memphis, [Baptist Health Sciences University](/school/baptist-health-sciences-university/majors/) reports [median earnings of $73,191](/school/baptist-health-sciences-university/outcomes/) for its graduates four years after completing. |
| 9 | East Tennessee State University · Johnson City, TN | $53,033 | $15,983 | $12,433 | 86.2% |
|  | [East Tennessee State University](/school/east-tennessee-state-university/majors/) [admits 86% of applicants](/school/east-tennessee-state-university/admissions/) and reports an average net price of $15,983. |
| 10 | Tennessee State University · Nashville, TN | $53,808 | $15,796 | $15,005 | 70.1% |
|  | [Tennessee State University](/school/tennessee-state-university/majors/) ranks 10th on this list, with a [six-year completion rate of 34%](/school/tennessee-state-university/outcomes/). |
| 11 | Lincoln Memorial University · Harrogate, TN | $69,633 | $20,406 | $15,644 | 62.6% |
|  | Graduates of Lincoln Memorial University earn a median of $69,633 four years after completing, and the school admits 63% of applicants. |
| 12 | The University of Tennessee-Martin · Martin, TN | $47,898 | $10,701 | $7,151 | 88.2% |
|  | The University of Tennessee-Martin carries an average net price of $10,701 and reports median earnings of $47,898 for its graduates four years after completing. |
| 13 | Trevecca Nazarene University · Nashville, TN | $64,175 | $16,813 | $14,532 | 69.4% |
|  | Trevecca Nazarene University reports median earnings of $64,175 for its graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $16,813. |
| 14 | Lane College · Jackson, TN | $38,716 | $10,904 | $10,904 | Not reported |
|  | Lane College posts a six-year completion rate of 18% and an average net price of $10,904 for families earning under $30,000. |
| 15 | Christian Brothers University · Memphis, TN | $68,058 | $9,854 | $9,466 | 86.7% |
|  | Christian Brothers University admits 87% of applicants and shows median earnings of $68,058 for its graduates four years after completing. |
| 16 | The University of the South · Sewanee, TN | $63,966 | $27,872 | $10,485 | 56.9% |
|  | The University of the South graduates 80% of its students within six years, and its average net price is $27,872. |
| 17 | Cumberland University · Lebanon, TN | $58,091 | $18,759 | $17,882 | 67.3% |
|  | [Cumberland University](/school/cumberland-university/majors/) ranks 17th on this list, with an [average net price of $17,882](/school/cumberland-university/cost/) for families earning under $30,000. |
| 18 | Rhodes College · Memphis, TN | $65,427 | $28,585 | $15,770 | 50.4% |
|  | Rhodes College reports median earnings of $65,427 for its graduates four years after completing and an admission rate of 50%. |
| 19 | Lipscomb University · Nashville, TN | $63,007 | $24,739 | $20,048 | 67.7% |
|  | Lipscomb University posts a six-year completion rate of 72% and an average net price of $24,739. |
| 20 | Bethel University · Mckenzie, TN | $62,152 | $12,595 | $11,871 | 60.2% |
|  | Bethel University admits 60% of applicants, and its graduates earn a median of $62,152 four years after completing. |
| 21 | Visible Music College · Memphis, TN | $36,048 | $27,820 | $27,744 | 28.0% |
|  | Visible Music College ranks 891st on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, with an average net price of $27,744 for families earning under $30,000. |
| 22 | The University of Tennessee Health Science Center · Memphis, TN | $78,597 | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
|  | The University of Tennessee Health Science Center reports median earnings of $78,597 for its graduates four years after completing. |
| 23 | King University · Bristol, TN | $61,394 | $22,347 | $22,696 | 99.7% |
|  | [King University](/school/king-university/majors/) [admits 100% of applicants](/school/king-university/admissions/) and posts a six-year completion rate of 48%. |
| 24 | Tennessee Wesleyan University · Athens, TN | $53,707 | $14,836 | $11,609 | 68.9% |
|  | Tennessee Wesleyan University ranks 24th on this list, with an average net price of $11,609 for families earning under $30,000. |
| 25 | Fisk University · Nashville, TN | $58,830 | $32,020 | $27,647 | 37.4% |
|  | Fisk University reports median earnings of $58,830 for its graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $32,020. |
| 26 | Southern Adventist University · Collegedale, TN | $58,282 | $24,345 | $19,123 | 65.5% |
|  | With a six-year completion rate of 49%, Southern Adventist University admits 66% of applicants and ranks 1081st on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
| 27 | Carson-Newman University · Jefferson City, TN | $53,936 | $20,251 | $16,672 | 90.5% |
|  | Carson-Newman University posts an admission rate of 90% and an average net price of $16,672 for families earning under $30,000. |
| 28 | Tusculum University · Greeneville, TN | $51,271 | $21,131 | $20,766 | 72.2% |
|  | Graduates of Tusculum University earn a median of $51,271 four years after completing, and the school's six-year completion rate stands at 25%. |
| 29 | Union University · Jackson, TN | $60,152 | $27,171 | $25,839 | 60.4% |
|  | Union University ranks 1164th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, with a six-year completion rate of 66%. |
| 30 | The University of Tennessee Southern · Pulaski, TN | $46,181 | $12,798 | $9,335 | 86.7% |
|  | A public university in Pulaski, The University of Tennessee Southern reports an average net price of $12,798 and median earnings of $46,181 for its graduates four years after completing. |
| 31 | Welch College · Gallatin, TN | $43,472 | $25,263 | $25,590 | Not reported |
|  | Welch College shows a six-year completion rate of 53% and an average net price of $25,590 for families earning under $30,000. |
| 32 | Maryville College · Maryville, TN | $49,454 | $19,360 | $15,094 | 60.9% |
|  | With median earnings of $49,454 for its graduates four years after completing, Maryville College admits 61% of applicants. |
| 33 | Belmont University · Nashville, TN | $56,202 | $33,147 | $22,950 | 95.3% |
|  | Belmont University graduates 71% of its students within six years and reports an average net price of $33,147. |
| 34 | Lee University · Cleveland, TN | $47,559 | $18,878 | $12,834 | 70.5% |
|  | Lee University ranks 1282nd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its graduates earn a median of $47,559 four years after completing. |
| 35 | Milligan University · Milligan, TN | $55,216 | $21,365 | $15,118 | 72.3% |
|  | Admitting 72% of applicants, Milligan University reports an average net price of $15,118 for families earning under $30,000. |
| 36 | Bryan College-Dayton · Dayton, TN | $51,604 | $20,614 | $19,500 | Not reported |
|  | Bryan College-Dayton posts median earnings of $51,604 for its graduates four years after completing, with a six-year completion rate of 50%. |
| 37 | Freed-Hardeman University · Henderson, TN | $50,701 | $21,574 | $20,988 | 59.7% |
|  | Freed-Hardeman University ranks 37th on this list and reports median earnings of $50,701 for its graduates four years after completing. |
| 38 | Johnson University · Knoxville, TN | $42,004 | $22,063 | $17,246 | 65.1% |
|  | Johnson University, a private nonprofit university in Knoxville, has an average net price of $22,063 and a six-year completion rate of 57%. |

## How this list is ordered

Schools are ordered by Azimuth's overall score for Tennessee, highest first. The score combines four pillars, weighted 30% return, 30% mobility, 20% access and 20% affordability, as set out on [Azimuth's methodology page](/methodology/#composite). The score draws on institution-level earnings for federally aided completers who were working and not enrolled four years after completing, alongside measures of access and affordability. It does not measure fit or teaching quality. The list spans 11 public and 27 private nonprofit schools. Vanderbilt University ranks 1st on this list and posts median earnings of $101,204 for its graduates four years after completing, while The University of Tennessee-Knoxville reports $67,631.

## Related rankings

-   [Most Affordable Colleges in Tennessee](/rankings/most-affordable-colleges-in-tennessee/)
-   [Highest Paying Colleges in Tennessee](/rankings/highest-paying-colleges-in-tennessee/)
-   [Hidden Gem Colleges in Tennessee](/rankings/hidden-gem-colleges-in-tennessee/)