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

Carson Newman College
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C
Jefferson City, TN
 

Carson Newman College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#15 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 2,735enrollment
  • $19,755net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 940-1130SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

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Lee University
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L
Cleveland, TN

Lee University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#16 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 3,680enrollment
  • $20,222net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1240SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA

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The University of Tennessee Martin
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T
Martin, TN
 

The University of Tennessee Martin

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 6,941enrollment
  • $11,151net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1210SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

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The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
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T
Chattanooga, TN

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 11,380enrollment
  • $13,801net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1005-1185SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Freed Hardeman University
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F
Henderson, TN
 

Freed Hardeman University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#17 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 2,294enrollment
  • $18,267net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 934-1084SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.75Avg GPA

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Austin Peay State University
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A
Clarksville, TN

Austin Peay State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 9,945enrollment
  • $14,679net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 943-1165SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 4

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University of Memphis
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M
Memphis, TN

University of Memphis

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 21,736enrollment
  • $13,656net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 905-1205SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

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Bethel University
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B
McKenzie, TN
 

Bethel University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#18 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 2,974enrollment
  • $20,606net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 625-1100SAT range
  • 16-24ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

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Tusculum College
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T
Greeneville, TN

Tusculum College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#19 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 1,200enrollment
  • $22,961net price
  • 60%acceptance rate
  • 910-1110SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.18Estimated Avg GPA

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Tennessee State University
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T
HBCU
Nashville, TN

Tennessee State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 8,198enrollment
  • $9,231net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 856-1068SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.22Avg GPA

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