The Best Tennessee Colleges

The Best Colleges in Tennessee for 2023

These are the top ranked public and private four-year colleges in Tennessee as ranked by CollegeSimply. Leading the list for 2023 as the best overall college in Tennessee is Vanderbilt University. The top rated public state college is The University of Tennessee. Learn how the Best Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page.


26 results

Vanderbilt University
V
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University

Private 4 Year

5 reviews

#15 Best Colleges in America

  • 13,796enrollment
  • $25,804net price
  • 7%acceptance rate
  • 1480-1570SAT 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

  • 1,820enrollment
  • $36,244net price
  • 60%acceptance rate
  • 1200-1390SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Rhodes College
R
Memphis, TN

Rhodes College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Tennessee

  • 2,073enrollment
  • $29,852net price
  • 57%acceptance rate
  • 1330-1490SAT range
  • 28-32ACT range
  • 3.99Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Union University
U
Jackson, TN

Union University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Value Colleges in Tennessee

  • 2,930enrollment
  • $26,906net price
  • 53%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1330SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.8Avg GPA

The University of Tennessee
T
Knoxville, TN

The University of Tennessee

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 31,701enrollment
  • $21,133net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1340SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.66Estimated Avg GPA

Lipscomb University
L
Nashville, TN

Lipscomb University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 4,778enrollment
  • $26,421net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1270SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA

Belmont University
B
Nashville, TN

Belmont University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 8,696enrollment
  • $34,368net price
  • 88%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

  • 5,118enrollment
  • $22,251net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 993-1226SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.29Avg GPA

Tennessee Technological University
T
Cookeville, TN

Tennessee Technological University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 9,840enrollment
  • $16,618net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1270SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.63Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Southern Adventist University
S
Collegedale, TN
 

Southern Adventist University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 2,719enrollment
  • $24,491net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 970-1250SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

Trevecca Nazarene University
T
Nashville, TN

Trevecca Nazarene University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 3,717enrollment
  • $16,508net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1253SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.43Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

East Tennessee State University
E
Johnson City, TN

East Tennessee State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 13,303enrollment
  • $13,661net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 940-1170SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.33Estimated Avg GPA

Tennessee Wesleyan College
T
Athens, TN
 

Tennessee Wesleyan College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 1,086enrollment
  • $13,183net price
  • 60%acceptance rate
  • 930-1180SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Maryville College
M
Maryville, TN

Maryville College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 1,046enrollment
  • $19,548net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1320SAT range
  • 19-29ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

King College
K
Bristol, TN
 

King College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 1,656enrollment
  • $22,020net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1160SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

Middle Tennessee State University
M
Murfreesboro, TN

Middle Tennessee State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 21,568enrollment
  • $12,265net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1210SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.64Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

Christian Brothers University
C
Memphis, TN
 

Christian Brothers University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 1,794enrollment
  • $17,830net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1280SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.67Avg 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

  • 6,712enrollment
  • $11,895net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1170SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA