2023 Most Popular Schools in Tennessee
A student has lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. 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. Also there are many trade schools and bootcamps that offer short-term programs that open up more career options.
To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Most Popular Schools in Tennessee ranking. This report analyzed 145 schools in Tennessee to see which ones were the most popular programs for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.
Featured schools near , edit
Most Popular Schools in Tennessee
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named The University of Tennessee - Knoxville the most popular school in Tennessee for students working on their degree. This large public school is located in Knoxville, Tennessee, and it awarded 7,694 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,232 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $325 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UT Knoxville, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $44,189 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 55% were women.
You’ll be in good company if you attend University of Memphis. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in Tennessee list. Located in Memphis, Tennessee, the large public school awarded 4,820 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $28,159 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $147.After graduating from UofM, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $41,884 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 63% were women.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Vanderbilt University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Most Popular Schools in Tennessee list. This fairly large private not-for-profit school is located in Nashville, Tennessee, and it awarded 4,734 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Vanderbilt accumulate an average of $14,392 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $644 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Vanderbilt, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $66,962 during the early years of their career. Around 57% of those degree recipients were women.
Out of the 145 schools in Tennessee that were part of this year’s ranking, Middle Tennessee State University landed the # 4 spot on the list. Middle Tennessee State University is located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 4,731 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University accumulate an average of $24,342 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $144 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Middle Tennessee State University graduates make an average of $38,675 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.
Out of the 145 schools in Tennessee that were part of this year’s ranking, East Tennessee State University landed the # 5 spot on the list. East Tennessee State University is a fairly large public school located in Johnson City, Tennessee that handed out 3,735 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $23,047 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $212, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, ETSU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,858 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 65% were women.
Austin Peay State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #6 on the list. Austin Peay State University is a medium-sized public school located in Clarksville, Tennessee that handed out 3,445 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $27,168 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $159, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Austin Peay State University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,908 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 63% were women.
The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in Tennessee ranking. Located in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the fairly large public school handed out 2,624 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,246 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $162, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UT Chattanooga, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $46,162 during the early years of their career. Around 58% of those degree recipients were women.
Read full report on The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga
Tennessee Technological University landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. Tennessee Tech University is located in Cookeville, Tennessee and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2,421 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from Tennessee Tech University accumulate an average of $19,943 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $103, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Tennessee Tech University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,563 during the early year of their career. Around 51% of those degree recipients were women.
Belmont University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #9 on the list. Nashville, Tennessee is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 2,261 students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Belmont accumulate an average of $22,196 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $824 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Belmont graduates make an average of $43,927 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 68% were women.
Pellissippi State Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #10 on the list. This medium-sized public school is located in Knoxville, Tennessee, and it awarded 2,194 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,016 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Pellissippi State Community College graduates make an average of $31,307 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 54% were women.
South College ranked #11 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in Tennessee list. Knoxville, Tennessee is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out degrees to 1,874 students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from South College accumulate an average of $28,716 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $320 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, South College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $53,323 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 83% were women.
With a ranking of #12, Volunteer State Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. VSCC is a public institution located in Gallatin, Tennessee. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,652 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from VSCC accumulate an average of $15,295 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, VSCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,641 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 59% were women.
Lipscomb University ranked #13 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in Tennessee list. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 1,499 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $26,213 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $216. Once they receive their degree, Lipscomb graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $47,759 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 66% were women.
With a ranking of #14, The University of Tennessee - Health Science Center did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. This small public school is located in Memphis, Tennessee, and it awarded 1,477 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $26,526 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from UTHSC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $70,558 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 67% were women.
Tennessee State University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in Tennessee ranking. This medium-sized public school is located in Nashville, Tennessee, and it awarded 1,470 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $30,529 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $203, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Tennessee State University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $41,944 during the early year of their career. Around 66% of those degree recipients were women.
Chattanooga State Community College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in Tennessee ranking. Chattanooga State Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Chattanooga, Tennessee that handed out 1,484 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $16,563 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Chattanooga State Community College graduates make an average of $32,219 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 64% were women.
Trevecca Nazarene University ranked #17 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in Tennessee list. Trevecca Nazarene University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Nashville, Tennessee that handed out 1,323 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $26,746 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from TNU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $46,373 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 68% were women.
Walters State Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #18 on the list. Located in Morristown, Tennessee, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,319 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from WSCC accumulate an average of $11,896 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, WSCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $34,080 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 56% were women.
The University of Tennessee - Martin ranked #19 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in Tennessee list. UT Martin is a public institution located in Martin, Tennessee. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,297 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $24,559 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $149, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UT Martin graduates make an average of $35,647 annually. Around 62% of those degree recipients were women.
Nashville State Community College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in Tennessee ranking. Nashville State Community College is located in Nashville, Tennessee and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,291 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,851 in student loans.After graduating from Nashville State Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $34,207 during the early years of their career. Around 62% of those degree recipients were women.
Motlow State Community College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in Tennessee ranking. Located in Tullahoma, Tennessee, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,284 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Motlow accumulate an average of $9,423 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Motlow, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $42,022 during the early years of their career. Around 64% of those degree recipients were women.
Lincoln Memorial University ranked #22 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in Tennessee list. Located in Harrogate, Tennessee, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 1,685 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $23,978 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $97 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, LMU graduates make an average of $53,647 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 69% were women.
Northeast State Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #23 on the list. Northeast State Technical Community College is a public institution located in Blountville, Tennessee. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,193 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $10,950 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Northeast State Technical Community College graduates make an average of $38,005 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 54% were women.
Southwest Tennessee Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #24 on the list. Memphis, Tennessee is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 1,181 students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $16,818 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Southwest, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $34,164 during the early years of their career. Around 67% of those degree recipients were women.
Cleveland State Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #25 on the list. This small public school is located in Cleveland, Tennessee, and it awarded 1,127 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Cleveland State Community College accumulate an average of $14,700 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Cleveland State Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $32,755 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.
Most Popular Schools in the Southeast Region
View Most Popular Schools Nationwide >
Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our most popular schools ranking:
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 26 | Roane State Community College | Harriman, TN |
| 27 | Lee University | Cleveland, TN |
| 28 | Columbia State Community College | Columbia, TN |
| 29 | Union University | Jackson, TN |
| 30 | Dyersburg State Community College | Dyersburg, TN |
Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- 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.
Featured Schools
Request Info
|
Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More > |
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.