2023 Best Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee
It's not easy to decide which program to enroll in when you have so many options available. You can choose a traditional brick and mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school half-way across the country without even leaving your house. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school or bootcamp that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.
To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Best Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee ranking. Our analysis looked at 22 schools in Tennessee to see which associate degree programs offered the best educational experiences for students. The factors used to develop this ranking include those related to how in-demand the school us, the overall quality of the school, and post-graduation wages, and more.
View our full ranking methodology.
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Top Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Volunteer State Community College to be the best school for students who want to pursue a associate degree in Tennessee.
Full-time students from Tennessee pay an average of $4,384 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend VSCC. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $17,200. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,586 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at VSCC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 98% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Out of the 22 schools in Tennessee that were part of this year’s ranking, Motlow State Community College landed the # 2 spot on the list.
Full-time students from Tennessee pay an average of $4,416 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Motlow. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $17,232. On average, associate degree students take out $9,423 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Motlow does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 78% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Trevecca Nazarene University is a great place for students working on their associate degree.
The average tuition and fees at TNU is $26,898. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since TNU does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 54% took at least some of their classes online.
The excellent associate degree programs at Jackson State Community College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools in Tennessee.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at JSCC is $4,618. Out-of-state students pay an average of $18,076. On average, associate degree students take out $10,619 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that JSCC does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 81% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
The excellent associate degree programs at Bethel University helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools in Tennessee.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $13,981 to cover tuition and fees at Bethel. The school does not offer an in-state discount.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Bethel does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 38% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Christian Brothers University landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree programs.
Christian Brothers does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 88% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Southwest Tennessee Community College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree programs.
Students from Tennessee who attend Southwest full time pay an average of $4,430 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $17,246. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,440 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that Southwest does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 78% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Pellissippi State Community College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee ranking.
In-state students pay an average of $4,456 in tuition and fees if they attend Pellissippi State Community College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $17,272. On average, associate degree students take out $13,973 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at Pellissippi State Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 95% took at least some of their classes online.
Cumberland University landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree programs.
The average tuition and fees at CU is $25,412. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $6,077 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since CU does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 0% took at least some of their classes online.
Chattanooga State Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #10 on the list.
Full-time students from Tennessee pay an average of $4,430 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Chattanooga State Community College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $16,934. Associate Degree recipients from Chattanooga State Community College accumulate an average of $18,949 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at Chattanooga State Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 95% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Southern Adventist University landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree programs.
The average tuition and fees at Southern Adventist is $23,210. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $24,595 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Southern Adventist. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 39% took at least some of their classes online.
Remington College - Memphis Campus came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee ranking.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,535 in student loans.
Remington College - Memphis Campus is primarily an online school, so it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.
Columbia State Community College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee list.
Full-time students from Tennessee pay an average of $4,666 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Columbia State Community College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $18,124. On average, associate degree students take out $17,719 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Columbia State Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 99% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Walters State Community College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree programs.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at WSCC is $4,399. Out-of-state students pay an average of $17,215. On average, associate degree students take out $10,502 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since WSCC does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2019-2020 about 61% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Roane State Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #15 on the list.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Roane State Community College is $4,636. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $17,540. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,273 in student loans.
Roane State Community College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In 2019-2020 about 52% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Nashville State Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #16 on the list.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Nashville State Community College is $4,372. Out-of-state students pay an average of $17,188. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,667 in student loans.
Online courses are available at Nashville State Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 63% took at least some of their classes online.
Cleveland State Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #17 on the list.
In-state students pay an average of $4,400 in tuition and fees if they attend Cleveland State Community College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $17,216. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,157 in student loans.
Online courses are available at Cleveland State Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 53% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #18, Dyersburg State Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working on their associate degree.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at DSCC is $4,410. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $17,226. On average, associate degree students take out $12,229 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at DSCC. During the 2019-2020 year, about 55% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Northeast State Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #19 on the list.
In-state students pay an average of $4,422 in tuition and fees if they attend Northeast State Technical Community College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $17,238. Associate Degree recipients from Northeast State Technical Community College accumulate an average of $10,550 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Northeast State Technical Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 83% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #20, Daymar College - Clarksville did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working on their associate degree.
Associate Degree recipients from Daymar College - Clarksville accumulate an average of $26,457 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at Daymar College - Clarksville, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 95% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Daymar College - Nashville did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #21 on the list.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,877 in student loans.
Since Daymar College - Nashville is primarily an online school, it is an excellent choice for undergraduate students who need more flexibility than what is offered at some other schools.
Daymar College - Murfreesboro came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee ranking.
Associate Degree recipients from Daymar College - Murfreesboro accumulate an average of $27,854 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Interested in an online degree? Then you definitely want to check out Daymar College - Murfreesboro. Every undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.
Best Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 22 schools only.
References
- Read more about our ranking methodology.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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