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Tennessee Colleges

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Tennessee Colleges

83 Colleges
$66,814 Avg 4-Year Tuition (In-State)
$25,239 Avg 4-Year Student Loan

In terms of yearly graduations, Tennessee is ranked #22 in the country with 71,701 degrees handed out in 2021. Tennessee colleges offer students average in-student tuition of $16,703 per year, while students attending fron out-of-state may pay something more like $20,449 per year.

An estimated 50% of college students in Tennessee take out loans, with the average loan amount being $6,310 per year.

Learn more about the most popular schools below:

Public Public vs. Private
$13,244 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
32% Freshmen Loans

The total student population at The University of Tennessee - Knoxville is 30,559, of which 24,254 students are undergraduates and of those, 22,914 are full-time. Students tend to stick around at UT Knoxville. The freshman retention rate is 88%.

About 75% of students who apply get accepted. Of the accepted students, 36% are men and 64% are women.

Approximately 32% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The typical student loan amount is $9,233 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 1.1% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from UT Knoxville is $46,273.

#2

University of Memphis

Memphis, Tennessee
Public Public vs. Private
$10,056 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
43% Freshmen Loans

There are 22,205 students at UofM in total, 17,383 of which are undergraduates, and of those, 12,063 are full-time. The average graduation time for an undergraduate student at UofM is 4.6 years.

Around 95% of students who apply get accepted. Around 36% of accepted students are men, and 64% are women.

43% of UofM students take out loans to afford college costs. The average amount of student loans is $5,530 a year. The student loan default rate of 3.5% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $37,875 during the early-career years.

#3

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee
Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private
$60,348 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
10% Freshmen Loans

The total student population at Vanderbilt University is 13,537, of which 7,057 students are undergraduates and of those, 6,983 are full-time. The average graduation time for an undergraduate student at Vanderbilt is 4.1 years.

This a very selective school with only 7% of students getting accepted. Of the accepted students, 48% are men and 52% are women.

Roughly 10% of students at Vanderbilt take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of student loans is $9,084 a year. Vanderbilt has a 0.5% student default rate. This is excellent when you compare it to the national rate of 10.8%.

Students who graduate from Vanderbilt with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $74,018 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#4

Middle Tennessee State University

Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Public Public vs. Private
$9,232 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
36% Freshmen Loans

There are 22,080 students at Middle Tennessee State University in total, 19,188 of which are undergraduates, and of those, 15,520 are full-time. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 16 to 1.

About 68% of students who apply get accepted. Of the accepted students, 44% are men and 56% are women.

Roughly 36% of students at Middle Tennessee State University take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of student loans is $5,776 a year. The student loan default rate of 2.3% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

Students who graduate from Middle Tennessee State University with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $38,300 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#5

East Tennessee State University

Johnson City, Tennessee
Public Public vs. Private
$9,438 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
36% Freshmen Loans

There are 10,705 undergraduates at ETSU, of which 8,812 are full-time, and there are 13,713 students altogether. For undergraduates at ETSU, the average graduation time is 4.5 years.

Around 87% of students who apply get accepted. Around 33% of accepted students are men, and 67% are women.

Roughly 36% of students at ETSU take out loans to pay for college. The typical student loan amount is $7,702 a year. ETSU has a 2.5% student default rate. This is excellent when you compare it to the national rate of 10.8%.

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $35,345 during the early-career years.

#6

Austin Peay State University

Clarksville, Tennessee
Public Public vs. Private
$8,431 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
47% Freshmen Loans

There are 10,272 students at Austin Peay State University in total, 9,087 of which are undergraduates, and of those, 6,161 are full-time. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 15 to 1.

Around 93% of students who apply get accepted. Around 36% of accepted students are men, and 64% are women.

Roughly 47% of students at Austin Peay State University take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of student loans is $5,875 a year. The student loan default rate of 3.4% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $36,253 during the early-career years.

Public Public vs. Private
$9,848 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
45% Freshmen Loans

There are 10,341 undergraduates at UT Chattanooga, of which 9,234 are full-time, and there are 11,728 students altogether. It takes the average UT Chattanooga undergraduate about 4.5 years to complete their degree.

Around 86% of students who apply get accepted. Around 34% of accepted students are men, and 66% are women.

45% of UT Chattanooga students take out loans to afford college costs. The typical student loan amount is $5,833 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 1.5% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from UT Chattanooga is $39,937.

#8

Tennessee Technological University

Cookeville, Tennessee
Public Public vs. Private
$9,802 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
44% Freshmen Loans

There are 8,778 undergraduates at Tennessee Tech University, of which 7,834 are full-time, and there are 10,177 students altogether. It takes the average Tennessee Tech University undergraduate about 4.5 years to complete their degree.

The school doesn’t accept everyone who applies - it has an acceptance rate of 79%. Around 51% of accepted students are men, and 49% are women.

Roughly 44% of students at Tennessee Tech University take out loans to pay for college. The typical student loan amount is $6,259 a year. Tennessee Tech University has a 1.2% student default rate. This is excellent when you compare it to the national rate of 10.8%.

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $40,421 during the early-career years.

#9

Belmont University

Nashville, Tennessee
Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private
$39,850 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
38% Freshmen Loans

The total student population at Belmont University is 8,204, of which 6,631 students are undergraduates and of those, 6,330 are full-time. It takes the average Belmont undergraduate about 4.2 years to complete their degree.

Around 88% of students who apply get accepted. Of the accepted students, 29% are men and 71% are women.

Approximately 38% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The typical student loan amount is $8,889 a year. Belmont has a 0.6% student default rate. This is excellent when you compare it to the national rate of 10.8%.

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $44,400 during the early-career years.

#10

Lincoln Memorial University

Harrogate, Tennessee
Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private
$25,180 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
35% Freshmen Loans

The total student population at Lincoln Memorial University is 4,885, of which 1,817 students are undergraduates and of those, 1,305 are full-time. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1.

The school doesn’t accept everyone who applies - it has an acceptance rate of 70%. Of the accepted students, 31% are men and 69% are women.

35% of LMU students take out loans to afford college costs. The average amount of student loans is $6,684 a year. The student loan default rate of 0.8% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $43,038 during the early-career years.

#11

South College

Knoxville, Tennessee
Private for-profit Public vs. Private
$17,335 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
43% Freshmen Loans

The total student population at South College is 5,171, of which 4,175 students are undergraduates and of those, 2,563 are full-time. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 20 to 1.

Roughly 43% of students at South College take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of student loans is $8,236 a year. South College has a 2.2% student default rate. This is excellent when you compare it to the national rate of 10.8%.

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $32,789 during the early-career years.

#12

Pellissippi State Community College

Knoxville, Tennessee
Public Public vs. Private
$4,456 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
5% Freshmen Loans

There are 9,334 students at Pellissippi State Community College in total, 4,348 are full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 18 to 1.

5% of Pellissippi State Community College students take out loans to afford college costs. The average amount of student loans is $5,891 a year. Pellissippi State Community College has a 2.8% student default rate. This is excellent when you compare it to the national rate of 10.8%.

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from Pellissippi State Community College is $30,896.

#13

Lipscomb University

Nashville, Tennessee
Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private
$37,152 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
35% Freshmen Loans

There are 4,884 students at Lipscomb in total, 2,997 of which are undergraduates, and of those, 2,798 are full-time. For undergraduates at Lipscomb, the average graduation time is 4.2 years.

About 74% of students who apply get accepted. Around 33% of accepted students are men, and 67% are women.

35% of Lipscomb students take out loans to afford college costs. The average amount of student loans is $7,497 a year. The student loan default rate of 1.2% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from Lipscomb is $46,097.

Public Public vs. Private
$11,153 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

The total student population at The University of Tennessee - Health Science Center is 3,181, of which 218 students are undergraduates and of those, 204 are full-time. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1.

UTHSC has a 1.1% student default rate. This is excellent when you compare it to the national rate of 10.8%.

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $57,443 during the early-career years.

#15

Tennessee State University

Nashville, Tennessee
Public Public vs. Private
$8,336 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
45% Freshmen Loans

There are 7,615 students at Tennessee State University in total, 6,000 of which are undergraduates, and of those, 4,816 are full-time. For undergraduates at Tennessee State University, the average graduation time is 4.7 years.

45% of Tennessee State University students take out loans to afford college costs. The average amount of student loans is $6,369 a year. Tennessee State University has a 4.4% student default rate. This is excellent when you compare it to the national rate of 10.8%.

Students who graduate from Tennessee State University with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $34,131 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#16

Trevecca Nazarene University

Nashville, Tennessee
Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private
$28,500 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
47% Freshmen Loans

There are 3,968 students at TNU in total, 2,103 of which are undergraduates, and of those, 1,679 are full-time. For undergraduates at TNU, the average graduation time is 4.1 years.

The school doesn’t accept everyone who applies - it has an acceptance rate of 78%. Around 34% of accepted students are men, and 66% are women.

Approximately 47% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The typical student loan amount is $6,105 a year. The student loan default rate of 1.5% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $41,237 during the early-career years.

Public Public vs. Private
$9,912 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
45% Freshmen Loans

There are 6,395 undergraduates at UT Martin, of which 4,668 are full-time, and there are 7,117 students altogether. It takes the average UT Martin undergraduate about 4.6 years to complete their degree.

About 75% of students who apply get accepted. Of the accepted students, 32% are men and 68% are women.

45% of UT Martin students take out loans to afford college costs. The average amount of student loans is $5,454 a year. UT Martin has a 2.2% student default rate. This is excellent when you compare it to the national rate of 10.8%.

Students who graduate from UT Martin with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $35,258 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#18

Volunteer State Community College

Gallatin, Tennessee
Public Public vs. Private
$4,404 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
4% Freshmen Loans

The total student population at Volunteer State Community College is 8,832, which includes 4,296 full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 22 to 1.

Approximately 4% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The typical student loan amount is $4,883 a year. The student loan default rate of 1.6% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $33,818 during the early-career years.

#19

Chattanooga State Community College

Chattanooga, Tennessee
Public Public vs. Private
$4,430 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
11% Freshmen Loans

The total student population at Chattanooga State Community College is 7,452, which includes 3,404 full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 14 to 1.

Roughly 11% of students at Chattanooga State Community College take out loans to pay for college. The typical student loan amount is $4,807 a year. Chattanooga State Community College has a 2.8% student default rate. This is excellent when you compare it to the national rate of 10.8%.

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from Chattanooga State Community College is $31,692.

#20

Motlow State Community College

Tullahoma, Tennessee
Public Public vs. Private
$4,416 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

There are 6,616 students at Motlow in total, 3,127 are full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 22 to 1.

The student loan default rate of 1.3% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

Students who graduate from Motlow with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $32,131 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#21

Lee University

Cleveland, Tennessee
Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private
$21,730 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
57% Freshmen Loans

There are 4,670 undergraduates at Lee University, of which 3,459 are full-time, and there are 5,204 students altogether. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 13 to 1.

About 83% of students who apply get accepted. Of the accepted students, 29% are men and 71% are women.

Roughly 57% of students at Lee University take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of student loans is $6,913 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 1.2% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $35,687 during the early-career years.

#22

Nashville State Community College

Nashville, Tennessee
Public Public vs. Private
$4,372 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
11% Freshmen Loans

There are 2,984 full-time undergraduates at Nashville State Community College, and 7,064 students altogether. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 19 to 1.

Approximately 11% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The typical student loan amount is $4,795 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 3.6% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from Nashville State Community College is $30,136.

#23

Union University

Jackson, Tennessee
Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private
$19,363 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
48% Freshmen Loans

There are 2,096 undergraduates at Union, of which 1,711 are full-time, and there are 3,071 students altogether. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1.

The school doesn’t accept everyone who applies - it has an acceptance rate of 53%. Of the accepted students, 32% are men and 68% are women.

Roughly 48% of students at Union take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of student loans is $6,491 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 1.1% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from Union is $43,332.

Public Public vs. Private
$4,430 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

There are 7,371 students at Southwest in total, 3,243 are full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 17 to 1.

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from Southwest is $27,216.

#25

Walters State Community College

Morristown, Tennessee
Public Public vs. Private
$4,399 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

There are 2,883 full-time undergraduates at WSCC, and 5,742 students altogether. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 18 to 1.

The school reports a student loan default rate of 6.6% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from WSCC is $29,631.

Other Tennessee Colleges

Rank School Yearly Graduations
26 Roane State Community College 940
27 Columbia State Community College 915
28 Northeast State Community College 899
29 Bethel University 792
30 Carson - Newman University 750
31 King University 749
32 Southern Adventist University 739
33 Cumberland University 660
34 Christian Brothers University 563
35 Jackson State Community College 557
36 Rhodes College 498
37 Tusculum University 497
38 Freed-Hardeman University 482
39 Sewanee - The University of the South 467
40 Cleveland State Community College 453
41 Johnson University 403
42 Strayer University - Tennessee 380
43 Dyersburg State Community College 370
44 Milligan University 358
45 Tennessee Wesleyan University 344
46 Meharry Medical College 315
47 Bryan College - Dayton 279
48 Maryville College 228
49 Concorde Career College - Memphis 187
50 Martin Methodist College 160
51 Baptist Memorial College of Health Sciences 156
52 Southern College of Optometry 134
53 Lane College 128
54 Le Moyne - Owen College 114
55 Fisk University 105
56 Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia Inc 94
57 Daymar College - Clarksville 87
57 Richmont Graduate University 87
59 Remington College - Memphis Campus 83
60 Welch College 82
61 SAE Institute - Nashville 79
62 Fortis Institute - Nashville 75
63 Pentecostal Theological Seminary 66
64 Nossi College of Art 46
65 Memphis Theological Seminary 44
66 William Moore College of Technology 41
67 John A Gupton College 35
67 Meridian Institute of Surgical Assisting 35
69 Chattanooga College Medical, Dental, and Technical Careers 33
70 Miller-Motte College Chattanooga 30
70 Remington College - Nashville Campus 30
72 Visible Music College 26
73 Fortis Institute - Cookeville 23
74 Huntington University of Health Sciences 19
75 Williamson Christian College 18
76 Lincoln College of Technology - Nashville 17
76 North Central Institute 17
78 Daymar College - Nashville 16
79 Daymar College - Murfreesboro 12
80 Mid-South Christian College 10
81 DeVry University - Tennessee 7
82 Omega Graduate School 3
83 American Baptist College 2

References

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