2027 Best Education Schools in Tennessee
Education degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 41 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for education students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Education in Tennessee
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall education education in Tennessee.
Top Schools in Education
Vanderbilt University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in education. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 254 education students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt University in the most recent data year. Education graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $67,447 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,975.
See the full education program report for Vanderbilt University
Rhodes College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #2 spot this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Memphis. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 16 education degrees were awarded at Rhodes College in the most recent year. Graduates of the education program make about $40,807 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,364 to complete this degree.
See the full education program report for Rhodes College
Lipscomb University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #3 spot this year. Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Lipscomb University graduates 72% of students within six years. Lipscomb University awarded about 448 education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their education degree from Lipscomb University earn around $54,649 in the first couple years of their career. Lipscomb University graduates carry a median of $16,563 in student loans.
See the full education program report for Lipscomb University
The University Of Tennessee came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best education schools. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 495 education students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Tennessee in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $47,984. The University Of Tennessee graduates carry a median of $22,859 in student loans.
More information about a degree in education from The University Of Tennessee
Students looking for a strong education program will find one at Belmont University, which ranked #5. Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 69 education degrees were awarded at Belmont University in the most recent year. Graduates of the education program make about $47,237 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,447 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in education from Belmont University
Tennessee Technological University earned the #6 position for education this year. Tennessee Technological University is a large public school located in the town of Cookeville. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. About 336 education degrees were awarded at Tennessee Technological University in the most recent year. Education graduates of Tennessee Technological University earn a median of $40,971 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,566.
See the full education program report for Tennessee Technological University
Lincoln Memorial University earned the #7 position for education this year. Lincoln Memorial University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Harrogate. The six-year graduation rate is 47%. About 204 education degrees were awarded at Lincoln Memorial University in the most recent year. Graduates of the education program make about $57,515 in their early career. Lincoln Memorial University graduates carry a median of $20,693 in student loans.
See the full education program report for Lincoln Memorial University
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best education schools. Located in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. There were roughly 227 education students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga generally make around $44,895. Typical student debt for the program is $22,517.
Get the full education details for The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga
Volunteer State Community College placed #9 among the best education schools. Located in the suburb of Gallatin, Volunteer State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. About 29 education degrees were awarded at Volunteer State Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their education degree from Volunteer State Community College earn around $40,137 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $12,462 to complete this degree.
Get the full education details for Volunteer State Community College
Middle Tennessee State University placed #10 among the best education schools. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. About 54% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 280 education students who graduated with this degree at Middle Tennessee State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their education degree from Middle Tennessee State University earn around $45,183 in the first couple years of their career. Middle Tennessee State University graduates carry a median of $20,003 in student loans.
Read more about the education program at Middle Tennessee State University
Motlow State Community College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best education schools. Motlow State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Tullahoma. Motlow State Community College awarded about 12 education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their education degree from Motlow State Community College earn around $43,750 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $6,470 to complete this degree.
Get the full education details for Motlow State Community College
Freed Hardeman University landed the #12 spot for education this year. Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Henderson. Freed Hardeman University graduates 69% of students within six years. There were roughly 77 education students who graduated with this degree at Freed Hardeman University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the education program make about $40,936 in their early career. Freed Hardeman University graduates carry a median of $23,125 in student loans.
Read more about the education program at Freed Hardeman University
Pellissippi State Community College earned the #13 position for education this year. Located in the suburb of Knoxville, Pellissippi State Community College is a large public university. About 22 education degrees were awarded at Pellissippi State Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their education degree from Pellissippi State Community College earn around $43,816 in the first couple years of their career. Pellissippi State Community College graduates carry a median of $8,951 in student loans.
See the full education program report for Pellissippi State Community College
South College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best education schools. South College is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Knoxville. About 53% of students finish within six years. South College awarded about 160 education degrees in the most recent data year. Education graduates of South College earn a median of $51,389 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,533 to complete this degree.
Read more about the education program at South College
Columbia State Community College placed #15 among the best education schools. Located in the town of Columbia, Columbia State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. About 29 education degrees were awarded at Columbia State Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Columbia State Community College generally make around $44,481. Columbia State Community College graduates carry a median of $12,674 in student loans.
Read more about the education program at Columbia State Community College
East Tennessee State University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best education schools. Located in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. About 264 education degrees were awarded at East Tennessee State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their education degree from East Tennessee State University earn around $50,494 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in education from East Tennessee State University
Southern Adventist University came in at #17 for education this year. Located in the suburb of Collegedale, Southern Adventist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 55% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 39 education students who graduated with this degree at Southern Adventist University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Southern Adventist University generally make around $43,283. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete this degree.
See the full education program report for Southern Adventist University
The University Of Tennessee Martin came in at #18 for education this year. The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Martin. About 52% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 210 education students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Tennessee Martin in the most recent data year. Education graduates of The University Of Tennessee Martin earn a median of $43,660 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,000.
More information about a degree in education from The University Of Tennessee Martin
Carson Newman College earned the #19 position for education this year. Carson Newman College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Jefferson City. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. Carson Newman College awarded about 331 education degrees in the most recent data year. Education graduates of Carson Newman College earn a median of $53,679 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,281.
More information about a degree in education from Carson Newman College
Roane State Community College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best education schools. Set in the town of Harriman, Roane State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 11 education degrees were awarded at Roane State Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the education program make about $36,933 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,408.
Read more about the education program at Roane State Community College
Milligan College placed #21 among the best education schools. Milligan College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Milligan. About 63% of students finish within six years. About 38 education degrees were awarded at Milligan College in the most recent year. Students who receive their education degree from Milligan College earn around $34,888 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
See the full education program report for Milligan College
Union University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best education schools. Set in the city of Jackson, Union University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. Union University awarded about 98 education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Union University generally make around $64,794. Students borrow a median of $28,605 to complete this degree.
See the full education program report for Union University
Austin Peay State University came in at #23 for education this year. Set in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public institution. About 39% of students finish within six years. About 405 education degrees were awarded at Austin Peay State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the education program make about $51,163 in their early career. Austin Peay State University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
Get the full education details for Austin Peay State University
Trevecca Nazarene University earned the #24 position for education this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Trevecca Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 53% of students finish within six years. About 218 education degrees were awarded at Trevecca Nazarene University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Trevecca Nazarene University generally make around $64,335. Students borrow a median of $24,962 to complete this degree.
See the full education program report for Trevecca Nazarene University
Cumberland University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best education schools. Set in the town of Lebanon, Cumberland University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 42% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 73 education students who graduated with this degree at Cumberland University in the most recent data year. Education graduates of Cumberland University earn a median of $46,297 early in their careers. Cumberland University graduates carry a median of $21,902 in student loans.
Read more about the education program at Cumberland University
Rest of the Top 41 Education Schools
These schools also placed among the best for education this year:
View All Education Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 41 schools evaluated.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
