2026 Best Science & Tech Schools in Tennessee
Looking for the best Science & Tech degree programs in Tennessee? Our ranking highlights 143 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor reviewed 95 schools to produce this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Science & Tech Degree Schools in Tennessee
Here are the top-ranked schools:
Vanderbilt University earned the #1 spot in this year's ranking in Tennessee. Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit school based in Nashville, TN. Vanderbilt University posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,498. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete their Science & Tech program here. More on Vanderbilt University
You'll be in good company at Sewanee The University Of The South, which ranked #2 this year. Based in Sewanee, TN, Sewanee The University Of The South is a private not-for-profit institution. Sewanee The University Of The South graduates 80% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,120. Graduates carry a median of $22,091 in student loans. More on Sewanee The University Of The South
Out of the 95 schools in Tennessee in this year's ranking, Belmont University landed the #3 spot. Belmont University is a private not-for-profit school based in Nashville, TN. Belmont University posts a six-year graduation rate of 70%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,540. Students borrow a median of $23,447 to complete their Science & Tech program here. See the full Belmont University profile
The strong Science & Tech programs at The University Of Tennessee earned it the #4 place in Tennessee. This public school is set in Knoxville, TN. The University Of Tennessee posts a six-year graduation rate of 74%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. The median Science & Tech program debt is $22,859. Get the full The University Of Tennessee report
Lipscomb University came in at #5 on this year's Science & Tech ranking in Tennessee. Set in Nashville, TN, Lipscomb University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 72% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,572. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete their Science & Tech program here. Get the full Lipscomb University report
Rhodes College landed the #6 spot in Tennessee this year. Based in Memphis, TN, Rhodes College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $57,110. Rhodes College Science & Tech students take on a median of $23,078 in debt. See the full Rhodes College profile
Bethel University Tennessee ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in McKenzie, TN. The six-year graduation rate is 17%. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,712. Bethel University Tennessee Science & Tech students take on a median of $28,583 in debt. See the full Bethel University Tennessee profile
Volunteer State Community College placed #8 among Science & Tech schools in Tennessee. Located in Gallatin, TN, Volunteer State Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,756 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,740. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $12,462. See the full Volunteer State Community College profile
Tennessee Technological University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. Based in Cookeville, TN, Tennessee Technological University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,376, with out-of-state students paying around $15,576. Graduates carry a median of $17,580 in student loans. More on Tennessee Technological University
King College landed the #10 spot in Tennessee this year. Based in Bristol, TN, King College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $20,397. Graduates carry a median of $25,579 in student loans. Read more about King College
Jackson State Community College placed #11 among Science & Tech schools in Tennessee. This public school is set in Jackson, TN. In-state tuition and fees average $4,740, while out-of-state students pay about $17,724. Jackson State Community College Science & Tech students take on a median of $8,553 in debt. Read the full report on Jackson State Community College
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga did well this year, earning the #12 position. This public school is set in Chattanooga, TN. About 50% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $10,448, with out-of-state students paying around $18,512. Students borrow a median of $23,324 to complete their Science & Tech program here. Get the full The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga report
Union University landed the #13 spot in Tennessee this year. Union University is a private not-for-profit school based in Jackson, TN. About 66% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $37,398. The median Science & Tech program debt is $28,605. Read the full report on Union University
Middle Tennessee State University placed #14 among Science & Tech schools in Tennessee. This public school is set in Murfreesboro, TN. Middle Tennessee State University graduates 54% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $10,266 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Students borrow a median of $22,754 to complete their Science & Tech program here. More on Middle Tennessee State University
Milligan College came in at #15 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Milligan, TN. About 63% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,450. The median Science & Tech program debt is $26,150. Read the full report on Milligan College
Freed Hardeman University did well this year, earning the #16 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Henderson, TN. Freed Hardeman University posts a six-year graduation rate of 69%. In-state tuition and fees run about $25,620. Freed Hardeman University Science & Tech students take on a median of $24,479 in debt. Get the full Freed Hardeman University report
University Of Memphis did well this year, earning the #17 position. University Of Memphis is a public school based in Memphis, TN. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,728, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $26,315. Get the full University Of Memphis report
Trevecca Nazarene University did well this year, earning the #18 position. Trevecca Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit school based in Nashville, TN. Trevecca Nazarene University graduates 53% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,300. Trevecca Nazarene University Science & Tech students take on a median of $24,962 in debt. Get the full Trevecca Nazarene University report
Remington College Memphis Campus came in at #19 in this year's ranking. Remington College Memphis Campus is a private not-for-profit school based in Memphis, TN. In-state tuition and fees average $17,083. Graduates carry a median of $18,178 in student loans. Read more about Remington College Memphis Campus
The University Of Tennessee Martin did well this year, earning the #20 position. Based in Martin, TN, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,560, with out-of-state students paying around $16,600. Graduates carry a median of $23,770 in student loans. See the full The University Of Tennessee Martin profile
Christian Brothers University did well this year, earning the #21 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Memphis, TN. Christian Brothers University graduates 55% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,420. Christian Brothers University Science & Tech students take on a median of $32,416 in debt. Read more about Christian Brothers University
Southwest Tennessee Community College did well this year, earning the #22 position. Based in Memphis, TN, Southwest Tennessee Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,766, compared with $17,750 for out-of-state students. The median Science & Tech program debt is $11,406. Read the full report on Southwest Tennessee Community College
Southern Adventist University landed the #23 spot in Tennessee this year. Located in Collegedale, TN, Southern Adventist University is a private not-for-profit institution. Southern Adventist University graduates 55% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,300. The median Science & Tech program debt is $25,498. See the full Southern Adventist University profile
Lee University did well this year, earning the #24 position. Set in Cleveland, TN, Lee University is a private not-for-profit institution. Lee University posts a six-year graduation rate of 63%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,790. Lee University Science & Tech students take on a median of $26,422 in debt. Read the full report on Lee University
Carson Newman College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. Carson Newman College is a private not-for-profit school based in Jefferson City, TN. Carson Newman College graduates 52% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,700. The median Science & Tech program debt is $22,843. See the full Carson Newman College profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best Science & Tech Degree Schools in Tennessee
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Walters State Community College came in at #26 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Morristown, TN. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,752, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. The median Science & Tech program debt is $10,210. Read the full report on Walters State Community College
Pellissippi State Community College landed the #27 spot in Tennessee this year. Located in Knoxville, TN, Pellissippi State Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,786, compared with $17,770 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $8,951 in student loans. More on Pellissippi State Community College
Lincoln Memorial University placed #28 among Science & Tech schools in Tennessee. Set in Harrogate, TN, Lincoln Memorial University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 47%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,938. Graduates carry a median of $20,693 in student loans. More on Lincoln Memorial University
Cumberland University did well this year, earning the #29 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Lebanon, TN. Cumberland University posts a six-year graduation rate of 42%. Students from in state pay about $27,840 in tuition and fees. Cumberland University Science & Tech students take on a median of $21,902 in debt. More on Cumberland University
Chattanooga State Community College landed the #30 spot in Tennessee this year. Chattanooga State Community College is a public school based in Chattanooga, TN. Students from in state pay about $4,772 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,756. Graduates carry a median of $12,079 in student loans. See the full Chattanooga State Community College profile
Columbia State Community College landed the #31 spot in Tennessee this year. Based in Columbia, TN, Columbia State Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,948, while out-of-state students pay about $17,772. Graduates carry a median of $12,674 in student loans. More on Columbia State Community College
Tennessee State University came in at #32 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Nashville, TN. Roughly 35% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $22,416. Graduates carry a median of $29,489 in student loans. Get the full Tennessee State University report
Roane State Community College came in at #33 in this year's ranking. Set in Harriman, TN, Roane State Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,998, compared with $18,630 for out-of-state students. The median Science & Tech program debt is $9,408. See the full Roane State Community College profile
Nashville State Community College came in at #34 in this year's ranking. Set in Nashville, TN, Nashville State Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,730, with out-of-state students paying around $17,714. Nashville State Community College Science & Tech students take on a median of $16,745 in debt. See the full Nashville State Community College profile
East Tennessee State University came in at #35 in this year's ranking. Set in Johnson City, TN, East Tennessee State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,216, compared with $13,726 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $21,301 in student loans. More on East Tennessee State University
Austin Peay State University landed the #36 spot in Tennessee this year. Located in Clarksville, TN, Austin Peay State University is a public institution. About 39% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,006, compared with $14,766 for out-of-state students. Austin Peay State University Science & Tech students take on a median of $24,530 in debt. See the full Austin Peay State University profile
Cleveland State Community College landed the #37 spot in Tennessee this year. Set in Cleveland, TN, Cleveland State Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,762, while out-of-state students pay about $17,746. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $8,742. More on Cleveland State Community College
Northeast State Community College landed the #38 spot in Tennessee this year. Northeast State Community College is a public school based in Blountville, TN. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,782, while out-of-state students pay about $17,766. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $6,404. See the full Northeast State Community College profile
Tusculum College came in at #39 in this year's ranking. Based in Greeneville, TN, Tusculum College is a private not-for-profit institution. Tusculum College posts a six-year graduation rate of 26%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,250. Graduates carry a median of $25,278 in student loans. More on Tusculum College
Goulds Academy
Goulds Academy placed #40 among Science & Tech schools in Tennessee. More on Goulds Academy
Massage Institute Of Memphis did well this year, earning the #41 position. More on Massage Institute Of Memphis
Middle Tennessee School Of Anesthesia Inc did well this year, earning the #42 position. See the full Middle Tennessee School Of Anesthesia Inc profile
Mid South Christian College ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. Get the full Mid South Christian College report
North Central Institute did well this year, earning the #44 position. Read the full report on North Central Institute
South College
South College ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. Read more about South College
Paul Mitchell The School Murfreesboro Nashville did well this year, earning the #46 position. More on Paul Mitchell The School Murfreesboro Nashville
Free Will Baptist Bible College did well this year, earning the #47 position. Get the full Free Will Baptist Bible College report
Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Paris ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. Get the full Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Paris report
Mr Waynes School Of Unisex Hair Design came in at #49 in this year's ranking. More on Mr Waynes School Of Unisex Hair Design
Visible Music College placed #50 among Science & Tech schools in Tennessee. Read more about Visible Music College
More Science & Tech Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: State · 95 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 143 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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