Best Tennessee Colleges

Ranked list of Colleges and Universities in Tennessee for 2024

There are 90 colleges and universities in Tennessee enrolling 304,605 students. Explore the list of top colleges in Tennessee below to begin your college search. The CollegeSimply rankings are objective and data-driven in order to help you find good matches for you. Learn how the Best Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page. Whether you're searching for a good public, private or community college, this guide to universities in Tennessee offers a comprehensive view to the state's higher education options.

 Tennessee is home to nationally ranked institutions like Vanderbilt University, Sewanee The University of the South, Rhodes College and Union University. The highest ranked college in Tennessee is Vanderbilt University and the top rated public state college is The University of Tennessee.

Local college options can be explored in Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville and Chattanooga or other cities.


90 results

List of the Best Tennessee Colleges

Carson Newman College
C
Jefferson City, TN
 

Carson Newman College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#19 Best Colleges in Tennessee

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

The University of Tennessee Martin
T
Martin, TN
 

The University of Tennessee Martin

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#20 Best Colleges in Tennessee

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

Lee University
L
Cleveland, TN

Lee University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#21 Best Colleges in Tennessee

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

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
T
Chattanooga, TN

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#22 Best Colleges in Tennessee

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

Applications Due May 1

Freed Hardeman University
F
Henderson, TN
 

Freed Hardeman University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#23 Best Colleges in Tennessee

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

University of Memphis
M
Memphis, TN

University of Memphis

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#24 Best Colleges in Tennessee

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

Applications Due Jul 1

Austin Peay State University
A
Clarksville, TN

Austin Peay State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#25 Best Colleges in Tennessee

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

Applications Due Aug 4

Bethel University
B
McKenzie, TN
 

Bethel University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#26 Best Colleges in Tennessee

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

Tusculum College
T
Greeneville, TN

Tusculum College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#27 Best Colleges in Tennessee

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

American Baptist College
A
HBCU
Nashville, TN
 

American Baptist College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

 

  • 53enrollment
  • $17,375net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Aquinas College
A
Nashville, TN

Aquinas College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

 

  • 342enrollment
  • $20,892net price
  • 40%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1370SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.55Avg GPA

Baptist Memorial College of Health Sciences
B
Memphis, TN
 

Baptist Memorial College of Health Sciences

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

 

  • 797enrollment
  • $9,549net price
  • 41%acceptance rate
  • 990-1090SAT range
  • 19-23ACT range
  • 3.21Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

Bryan College
B
Dayton, TN
 

Bryan College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

 

  • 1,656enrollment
  • $16,752net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.67Avg GPA

Chattanooga State Community College
C
Chattanooga, TN
 

Chattanooga State Community College

Public 2 Year

0 reviews

 

  • 6,429enrollment
  • $6,827net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.0Avg GPA

Pentecostal Theological Seminary
P
Cleveland, TN
 

Pentecostal Theological Seminary

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

 

  • 565enrollment
  • -net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Cleveland State Community College
C
Cleveland, TN
 

Cleveland State Community College

Public 2 Year

0 reviews

 

  • 3,180enrollment
  • $9,129net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.29Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 17

Columbia State Community College
C
Columbia, TN
 

Columbia State Community College

Public 2 Year

0 reviews

 

  • 4,954enrollment
  • $8,275net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Applications Due Aug 13

Cumberland University
C
Lebanon, TN

Cumberland University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

 

  • 2,588enrollment
  • $18,528net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA