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Best Bachelor's Degree Schools in Tennessee

2023 Best Bachelor's Degree Schools in Tennessee

29 Schools Ranked
$28,073 Avg Tuition & Fees*

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 Bachelor's Degree Schools in Tennessee ranking. This report analyzed 29 schools in Tennessee to see which ones offered the best bachelor's degree programs 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.

Top Bachelor's Degree Schools in Tennessee

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee
2,590 Total Awards
$63,946 Average Tuition & Fees

Our analysis found Vanderbilt University to be the best school for students who want to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Tennessee. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, the fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 2,590 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in .

Vanderbilt does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $63,946. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid.

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419 Total Awards
$53,704 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Sewanee - The University of the South. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Tennessee list. Sewanee is a private not-for-profit institution located in Sewanee, Tennessee. The school has a small population, and it awarded 419 bachelor’s degrees in .

If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $53,704 to cover tuition and fees at Sewanee. The school does not offer an in-state discount.

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#3

Belmont University

Nashville, Tennessee
1,681 Total Awards
$41,320 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Belmont University is a great place for students working on their bachelor’s degree. This medium-sized private not-for-profit school is located in Nashville, Tennessee, and it awarded 1,681 bachelor’s degrees in .

If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $41,320 to cover tuition and fees at Belmont. The school does not offer an in-state discount.

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#4

Bethel University

McKenzie, Tennessee
793 Total Awards
$17,530 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent bachelor’s degree programs at Bethel University helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools in Tennessee. Located in McKenzie, Tennessee, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 793 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in .

The average tuition and fees at Bethel is $17,530. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid.

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5,746 Total Awards
$13,484 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The University of Tennessee - Knoxville. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Tennessee list. Located in Knoxville, Tennessee, the large public school awarded 5,746 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in .

Students from Tennessee who attend UT Knoxville full time pay an average of $13,484 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $31,974.

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#6

Lipscomb University

Nashville, Tennessee
698 Total Awards
$38,824 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #6, Lipscomb University did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 698 bachelor’s degree awards in .

The average tuition and fees at Lipscomb is $38,824. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid.

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#7

Rhodes College

Memphis, Tennessee
529 Total Awards
$54,892 Average Tuition & Fees

Rhodes College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree programs. Rhodes College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Memphis, Tennessee. The school has a small population, and it awarded 529 bachelor’s degrees in .

If you want to attend Rhodes College, expect to pay an average of $54,892 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid.

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#8

King University

Bristol, Tennessee
374 Total Awards
$34,800 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #8, King University did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working on their bachelor’s degree. King is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Bristol, Tennessee. It awarded 374 bachelor’s degrees in .

If you want to attend King, expect to pay an average of $34,800 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid.

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#9

Tennessee Technological University

Cookeville, Tennessee
1,824 Total Awards
$10,084 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #9, Tennessee Technological University did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working on their bachelor’s degree. Tennessee Tech University is located in Cookeville, Tennessee and has a fairly large student population. In , this school awarded 1,824 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.

Students from Tennessee who attend Tennessee Tech University full time pay an average of $10,084 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $20,116.

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#10

The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga

Chattanooga, Tennessee
2,171 Total Awards
$10,144 Average Tuition & Fees

The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree programs. Located in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the fairly large public school handed out 2,171 bachelor’s degree awards in .

Full-time students from Tennessee pay an average of $10,144 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend UT Chattanooga. Out-of-state students pay an average of $18,208.

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#11

Union University

Jackson, Tennessee
428 Total Awards
$20,302 Average Tuition & Fees

Union University landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree programs. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Jackson, Tennessee, and it awarded 428 bachelor’s degrees in .

Union does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $20,302. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid.

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#12

University of Memphis

Memphis, Tennessee
3,039 Total Awards
$10,344 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #12, University of Memphis did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working on their bachelor’s degree. UofM is a large public school situated in Memphis, Tennessee. It awarded 3,039 bachelor’s degrees in .

In-state students pay an average of $10,344 in tuition and fees if they attend UofM full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $14,784.

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#13

Middle Tennessee State University

Murfreesboro, Tennessee
3,847 Total Awards
$9,506 Average Tuition & Fees

Middle Tennessee State University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Tennessee ranking. Located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, the large public school handed out 3,847 bachelor’s degree awards in .

Students from Tennessee who attend Middle Tennessee State University full time pay an average of $9,506 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $29,042.

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#14

Trevecca Nazarene University

Nashville, Tennessee
383 Total Awards
$30,090 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #14, Trevecca Nazarene University did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 383 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in .

If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $30,090 to cover tuition and fees at TNU. The school does not offer an in-state discount.

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#15

Freed-Hardeman University

Henderson, Tennessee
316 Total Awards

With a ranking of #15, Freed-Hardeman University did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working on their bachelor’s degree. FHU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Henderson, Tennessee. The school has a small population, and it awarded 316 bachelor’s degrees in .

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#16

Tennessee Wesleyan University

Athens, Tennessee
292 Total Awards
$29,264 Average Tuition & Fees

Tennessee Wesleyan University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Tennessee ranking. TWU is located in Athens, Tennessee and has a small student population. In , this school awarded 292 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.

If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $29,264 to cover tuition and fees at TWU. The school does not offer an in-state discount.

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1,027 Total Awards
$10,194 Average Tuition & Fees

The University of Tennessee - Martin landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree programs. UT Martin is a medium-sized public school situated in Martin, Tennessee. It awarded 1,027 bachelor’s degrees in .

Students from Tennessee who attend UT Martin full time pay an average of $10,194 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $16,234.

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#18

Lee University

Cleveland, Tennessee
830 Total Awards
$22,690 Average Tuition & Fees

Lee University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #18 on the list. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Cleveland, Tennessee, and it awarded 830 bachelor’s degrees in .

If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $22,690 to cover tuition and fees at Lee University. The school does not offer an in-state discount.

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#19

Christian Brothers University

Memphis, Tennessee
368 Total Awards

Christian Brothers University landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree programs. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Memphis, Tennessee, and it awarded 368 bachelor’s degrees in .

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#20

Carson - Newman University

Jefferson City, Tennessee
389 Total Awards
$34,700 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #20, Carson - Newman University did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in Jefferson City, Tennessee, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 389 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in .

If you want to attend Carson - Newman, expect to pay an average of $34,700 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid.

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#21

Southern Adventist University

Collegedale, Tennessee
360 Total Awards
$25,590 Average Tuition & Fees

Southern Adventist University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Tennessee ranking. Located in Collegedale, Tennessee, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 360 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in .

If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $25,590 to cover tuition and fees at Southern Adventist. The school does not offer an in-state discount.

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#22

Cumberland University

Lebanon, Tennessee
317 Total Awards
$27,840 Average Tuition & Fees

Cumberland University landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree programs. Cumberland University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Lebanon, Tennessee that handed out 317 bachelor’s degrees in .

If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $27,840 to cover tuition and fees at CU. The school does not offer an in-state discount.

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#23

Tennessee State University

Nashville, Tennessee
756 Total Awards
$8,568 Average Tuition & Fees

Tennessee State University landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree programs. Nashville, Tennessee is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 756 students in .

Full-time students from Tennessee pay an average of $8,568 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Tennessee State University. Out-of-state students pay an average of $22,284.

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#24

Milligan University

Milligan, Tennessee
222 Total Awards
$39,350 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #24, Milligan University did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working on their bachelor’s degree. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Milligan, Tennessee, and it awarded 222 bachelor’s degrees in .

The average tuition and fees at Milligan is $39,350. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid.

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#25

Maryville College

Maryville, Tennessee
185 Total Awards
$38,514 Average Tuition & Fees

Maryville College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Tennessee list. Maryville College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Maryville, Tennessee. The school has a small population, and it awarded 185 bachelor’s degrees in .

If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $38,514 to cover tuition and fees at Maryville College. The school does not offer an in-state discount.

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 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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