The Best Tennessee Colleges

The Best Colleges in Tennessee for 2025

These are the top ranked public and private four-year colleges in Tennessee as ranked by CollegeSimply. Leading the list for 2025 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.
Tennessee Public Private 4 year

28 results

Vanderbilt University
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V
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University

Private 4 Year

5 reviews

#14 Best Colleges in America

  • 13,456enrollment
  • $26,689net price
  • 6%acceptance rate
  • 1510-1560SAT range
  • 34-35ACT range
  • 3.89Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

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Sewanee The University of the South
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S
Sewanee, TN

Sewanee The University of the South

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Tennessee

  • 1,693enrollment
  • $33,616net price
  • 51%acceptance rate
  • 1236-1398SAT range
  • 27-32ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Rhodes College
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R
Memphis, TN

Rhodes College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Tennessee

  • 1,952enrollment
  • $30,590net price
  • 50%acceptance rate
  • 1290-1490SAT range
  • 28-33ACT range
  • 3.99Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Union University
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U
Jackson, TN

Union University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 2,674enrollment
  • $27,191net price
  • 47%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1340SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.8Avg GPA

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The University of Tennessee
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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

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Lipscomb University
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L
Nashville, TN

Lipscomb University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 5,047enrollment
  • $27,386net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 1145-1350SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA

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Belmont University
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B
Nashville, TN

Belmont University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 8,862enrollment
  • $37,558net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1350SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.83Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

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Lincoln Memorial University
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L
Harrogate, TN

Lincoln Memorial University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 5,805enrollment
  • $19,401net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 1006-1220SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.29Avg GPA

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Tennessee Technological University
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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

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Christian Brothers University
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C
Memphis, TN
 

Christian Brothers University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 2,043enrollment
  • $17,068net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1300SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.67Avg GPA

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Southern Adventist University
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S
Collegedale, TN
 

Southern Adventist University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 3,154enrollment
  • $25,374net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 970-1270SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

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Fisk University
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F
HBCU
Nashville, TN

Fisk University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 1,005enrollment
  • $19,836net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1480SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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King College
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K
Bristol, TN
 

King College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 1,295enrollment
  • $23,282net price
  • 54%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1160SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

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Trevecca Nazarene University
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T
Nashville, TN

Trevecca Nazarene University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 3,196enrollment
  • $16,222net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 973-1193SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.43Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Maryville College
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M
Maryville, TN

Maryville College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 1,147enrollment
  • $20,990net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 1018-1188SAT range
  • 20-28ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

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Middle Tennessee State University
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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

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East Tennessee State University
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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

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Tennessee Wesleyan College
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T
Athens, TN
 

Tennessee Wesleyan College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 1,074enrollment
  • $16,414net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 960-1100SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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