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2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Tennessee for Special Ed

21 Ranked Colleges
354 Degrees Awarded
$25,800 Avg Cost*
Most Veteran Friendly in Tennessee for Special Ed

Veterans have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Most Veteran Friendly in Tennessee for Special Ed” ranking.

Special Education is the 29th most popular major in the country with 36,792 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, special education graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $45,679 and had an average of $24,977 in loans still to pay off.

Across Tennessee, there were 354 special education graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,838 and $21,956 respectively.

This year’s “Most Veteran Friendly in Tennessee for Special Ed” ranking analyzed 21 colleges that offered a degree in special education. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent special education programs, but they also offer a lot of support to veterans and active service members.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as veteran satisfaction, veteran affordability, and overall quality of the special education program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Most Veteran Friendly in Tennessee for Special Ed” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Most Veteran Friendly in Tennessee for Special Ed

The following schools top our list of the Best “Most Veteran Friendly in Tennessee for Special Ed”.

Top 21 Best Special Education Colleges for Veterans in Tennessee

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The University of Tennessee - Knoxville. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Tennessee for Special Ed list. The University of Tennessee - Knoxville is a large public school situated in Knoxville, Tennessee. It awarded 38 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

UT Knoxville did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.Our most recent data shows that 1,122 of the 30,559 students enrolled at UT Knoxville were GI Bill® students, of which 739 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $10,650. In addition to receiving other benefits, 8 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full UT Knoxville Veteran Student Life Report

2
UofM crest
University of Memphis
Memphis, Tennessee

Out of the 21 schools in the Most Veteran Friendly in Tennessee for Special Ed that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Memphis landed the #2 spot on the list. UofM is a large public school situated in Memphis, Tennessee. It awarded 69 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

UofM did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.According to our most recent data, UofM supports 22,205 students, and 766 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 446 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $7,772. In addition to receiving other benefits, 4 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

Full University of Memphis Veteran Student Life Report

3
Lipscomb crest
Lipscomb University
Nashville, Tennessee

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Lipscomb University. The school came in at #3 for the Most Veteran Friendly in Tennessee for Special Ed. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 29 degrees to qualified ’s special ed students in 2020-2021.

Lipscomb also made our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list, coming in at #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS].According to our most recent data, Lipscomb University supports 4,884 students, and 235 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 184 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $15,878. During this same period, 72 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Lipscomb University offers credit for military training for eligible students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Lipscomb Veteran Student Life Report

4
Middle Tennessee State University crest
Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Out of the 21 schools in the Most Veteran Friendly in Tennessee for Special Ed that were part of this year’s ranking, Middle Tennessee State University landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, this large public school handed out 17 degrees to qualified ’s special ed students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our tennessee vets studying special ed list, Middle Tennessee State University has also earned the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] rank in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Among the 22,080 students enrolled at Middle Tennessee State University, 1,284 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 799 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $7,132. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

Full Middle Tennessee State University Veteran Student Life Report

5
ETSU crest
East Tennessee State University
Johnson City, Tennessee

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend East Tennessee State University. The school came in at #5 for the Most Veteran Friendly in Tennessee for Special Ed. East Tennessee State University is located in Johnson City, Tennessee and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 28 ’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

ETSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.According to our most recent data, East Tennessee State University supports 13,713 students, and 6 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 3 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $25,115. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

[Read full report on veteran student life at ETSU]](/colleges/east-tennessee-state-university/student-life/veterans/)

6
Austin Peay State University crest
Austin Peay State University
Clarksville, Tennessee

Austin Peay State University landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Tennessee for Special Ed ranking. Austin Peay State University is located in Clarksville, Tennessee and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 10 ’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

Austin Peay State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.Of the 10,272 students enrolled at Austin Peay State University, 1 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 1 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $13. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.

Read More…

7

Tennessee Technological University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Veteran Friendly in Tennessee for Special Ed ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Cookeville, Tennessee, and it awarded 14 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our tennessee vets studying special ed list, Tennessee Tech University has also earned the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] rank in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Among the 10,177 students enrolled at Tennessee Technological University, 403 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 229 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $7,510. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Tennessee Tech University Veteran Student Life Report

8
TNU crest
Trevecca Nazarene University
Nashville, Tennessee

With a ranking of #8, Trevecca Nazarene University did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Tennessee for Special Ed list. Nashville, Tennessee is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s special ed degrees to 14 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at TNU, the school also landed the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.According to our most recent data, TNU supports 3,968 students, and 152 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 98 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $9,987. In addition to receiving other benefits, 10 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.

[Read full report on veteran student life at Trevecca Nazarene University]](/colleges/trevecca-nazarene-university/student-life/veterans/)

9

The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Tennessee for Special Ed ranking. UT Chattanooga is a public institution located in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UT Chattanooga, the school also landed the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Of the 11,728 students enrolled at UT Chattanooga, 431 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 270 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $7,374. On top of their other funding sources, 1 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.

Read More…

10
LMU crest
Lincoln Memorial University
Harrogate, Tennessee

Lincoln Memorial University did quite well in the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Tennessee for Special Ed ranking, coming in at #10. This medium-sized school is located in Harrogate, Tennessee, and it awarded 8 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

LMU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.According to our most recent data, Lincoln Memorial University supports 4,885 students, and 121 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 60 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $13,838. On top of their other funding sources, 3 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

[Read full report on veteran student life at Lincoln Memorial University]](/colleges/lincoln-memorial-university/student-life/veterans/)

11

The University of Tennessee - Martin did quite well in the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Tennessee for Special Ed ranking, coming in at #11. UT Martin is a public institution located in Martin, Tennessee. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UT Martin did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.According to our most recent data, The University of Tennessee - Martin supports 7,117 students, and 234 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 138 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $7,843. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

[Read full report on veteran student life at The University of Tennessee - Martin]](/colleges/the-university-of-tennessee-martin/student-life/veterans/)

12
FHU crest
Freed-Hardeman University
Henderson, Tennessee

Freed-Hardeman University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Most Veteran Friendly in Tennessee for Special Ed ranking. FHU is a small school located in Henderson, Tennessee that handed out 8 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our tennessee vets studying special ed list, FHU has also earned the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] rank in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Our most recent data shows that 43 of the 2,188 students enrolled at Freed-Hardeman University were GI Bill® students, of which 26 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $13,165. To help with additional expenses, 1 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Freed-Hardeman University Veteran Student Life Report

13
Carson - Newman crest
Carson - Newman University
Jefferson City, Tennessee

Carson - Newman University landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Tennessee for Special Ed ranking. Carson - Newman is located in Jefferson City, Tennessee and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 25 ’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

Carson - Newman did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.Of the 2,911 students enrolled at Carson - Newman, 98 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 60 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $11,328. On top of their other funding sources, 4 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Carson - Newman offers credit for military training for eligible students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read More…

14
Vanderbilt crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, Tennessee

Vanderbilt University ranked #14 on this year’s Most Veteran Friendly in Tennessee for Special Ed list. This fairly large school is located in Nashville, Tennessee, and it awarded 54 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

Vanderbilt also made our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list, coming in at #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS].Our most recent data shows that 13 of the 13,537 students enrolled at Vanderbilt were GI Bill® students, of which 3 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $17,769. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read More…

15
Lee University crest
Lee University
Cleveland, Tennessee

Lee University ranked #15 on this year’s Most Veteran Friendly in Tennessee for Special Ed list. This small school is located in Cleveland, Tennessee, and it awarded 14 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

Lee University also took the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Of the 5,204 students enrolled at Lee University, 121 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 71 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $13,028. To help with additional expenses, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

[Read full report on veteran student life at Lee University]](/colleges/lee-university/student-life/veterans/)

16
Union crest
Union University
Jackson, Tennessee

Union University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Most Veteran Friendly in Tennessee for Special Ed ranking. This small school is located in Jackson, Tennessee, and it awarded 7 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our tennessee vets studying special ed list, Union has also earned the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] rank in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.According to our most recent data, Union supports 3,071 students, and 78 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 53 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $12,190. On top of their other funding sources, 13 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Union Veteran Student Life Report

17
Tennessee State University crest
Tennessee State University
Nashville, Tennessee

Tennessee State University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Veteran Friendly in Tennessee for Special Ed ranking. Tennessee State University is a medium-sized school located in Nashville, Tennessee that handed out 2 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Tennessee State University, the school also landed the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Of the 7,615 students enrolled at Tennessee State University, 249 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 102 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $4,829. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.

Full Tennessee State University Veteran Student Life Report

18

With a ranking of #18, Christian Brothers University did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Tennessee for Special Ed list. Christian Brothers University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Memphis, Tennessee. The school has a small population, and it awarded 2 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our tennessee vets studying special ed list, Christian Brothers has also earned the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] rank in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Of the 1,918 students enrolled at Christian Brothers University, 34 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 20 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $10,902. To help with additional expenses, 7 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.

Read More…

19
CU crest
Cumberland University
Lebanon, Tennessee

Cumberland University did quite well in the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Tennessee for Special Ed ranking, coming in at #19. Cumberland University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Lebanon, Tennessee. It awarded 2 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

CU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.Among the 2,704 students enrolled at CU, 67 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 40 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $10,347. During this same period, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. CU does offer credit for military training for eligible students.

Read More…

20
Tusculum crest
Tusculum University
Greeneville, Tennessee

Tusculum University did quite well in the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Tennessee for Special Ed ranking, coming in at #20. Greeneville, Tennessee is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s special ed degrees to 4 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Tusculum, the school also landed the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Among the 1,664 students enrolled at Tusculum University, 63 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 31 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $11,491. During this same period, 0 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

Read More…

21
Bethel crest
Bethel University
McKenzie, Tennessee

With a ranking of #21, Bethel University did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Tennessee for Special Ed list. Bethel University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in McKenzie, Tennessee. It awarded 1 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

Bethel also made our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list, coming in at #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS].Of the 4,001 students enrolled at Bethel, 194 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 18 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $11,991. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

Full Bethel University Veteran Student Life Report

Notes and References

References

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