Best Test-Optional Tennessee Colleges
Tennessee has 23 ranked test-optional colleges, part of our national test-optional list. These schools do not require SAT or ACT scores with your application, ranked by academic quality and outcomes.
Vanderbilt University tops our 2027 test-optional rankings in Tennessee. The top rated public option is Tennessee Technological University. Also highly ranked: The University of the South, Rhodes College and Lipscomb University.
Without test scores, your GPA, activities, recommendation letters, and essays carry more weight. Compare acceptance rates, tuition, and enrollment across the colleges below. Sort by tuition or acceptance rate to find schools that fit your profile. See our ranking methodology for how schools are scored.
Austin Peay State University
- Public 4 Year
- Clarksville, TN
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- Aug 4 application deadline
Austin Peay is a public university known for undergraduate education and nursing. The Clarksville campus is close to Fort Campbell and draws many military-connected students.
- SAT Range 843-1126
- Avg GPA 3.3
- Acceptance Rate 96%
- Net Price $9,882
Bethel University
- Private 4 Year
- McKenzie, TN
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Bethel is a private Christian university affiliated with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, known for undergraduate business and education programs. The campus is set in the small town of McKenzie in western Tennessee.
- SAT Range 830-1120
- Avg GPA 3.6
- Acceptance Rate 60%
- Net Price $13,112
Tennessee State University
- Public 4 Year
- Nashville, TN
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Tennessee State is a public HBCU known for undergraduate nursing, business, and engineering. The urban campus is in Nashville.
- SAT Range 880-1050
- Avg GPA 3.22
- Acceptance Rate 70%
- Net Price $14,586
Tusculum University
- Private 4 Year
- Greeneville, TN
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Tusculum is a small private university with undergraduate programs in business, education, and nursing. The historic Greeneville campus is Tennessee's oldest college and retains a Presbyterian affiliation.
- SAT Range 910-1110
- Predicted Avg GPA 3.18
- Acceptance Rate 72%
- Net Price $20,355
King University
- Private 4 Year
- Bristol, TN
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King is a private Christian university known for undergraduate nursing and business. The campus is in Bristol on the Tennessee-Virginia border.
- SAT Range 1000-1160
- Avg GPA 3.46
- Acceptance Rate 100%
- Net Price $22,748