by our College Data Analytics TeamVanderbilt University ranks #1 of 125 colleges in College Factual’s 2027 Best Colleges in Tennessee ranking, which scores schools on more than 20 measures of academic quality and student outcomes. The top 25 colleges average a 60% six-year graduation rate and $75,902 in median earnings five years after graduation.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
With all of the college options in Tennessee, it can be hard to know where to start. We have ranked **125** schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology.
To help you make your decision, College Factual reviewed 125 colleges on more than 20 objective measures such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, and per-student spending, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). Learn more about our ranking methodology.
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Vanderbilt University leads the 125 ranked colleges in Tennessee, followed by The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center (#2) and Southern College Of Optometry (#3). Here are the top-ranked colleges:
No school ranked higher than Vanderbilt University this year in Tennessee. This private not-for-profit school is set in Nashville, TN. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Early-career graduates earn a median of $77,997. Graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans.
A rank of #2 makes The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center one of the top colleges in Tennessee. Based in Memphis, TN, The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,911 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,644 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $86,386. The median student debt is $25,679.
A rank of #3 makes Southern College Of Optometry one of the top colleges in Tennessee. Located in Memphis, TN, Southern College Of Optometry is a private not-for-profit institution. Median early-career earnings reach $106,728.
Out of the 125 colleges in Tennessee in this year's ranking, The University Of Tennessee landed the #4 spot. Based in Knoxville, TN, The University Of Tennessee is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. The University Of Tennessee graduates report median early-career earnings of $49,826. The University Of Tennessee students take on a median of $22,859 in debt.
The strong outcomes at Rhodes College earned it the #5 place in Tennessee. Set in Memphis, TN, Rhodes College is a private not-for-profit institution. Rhodes College posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,110. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $40,807. Typical student debt is $23,078.
Belmont University landed the #6 spot in Tennessee this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Nashville, TN. Belmont University graduates 70% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $42,540. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,699 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $23,447.
Sewanee The University Of The South came in at #7 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Sewanee, TN. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. Students from in state pay about $56,120 in tuition and fees. Median early-career earnings reach $36,927. Sewanee The University Of The South students take on a median of $22,091 in debt.
Lipscomb University did well this year, earning the #8 position. Set in Nashville, TN, Lipscomb University is a private not-for-profit institution. Lipscomb University graduates 72% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $40,572. Graduates go on to earn a median of $48,949 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete a degree here.
Tennessee Technological University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Located in Cookeville, TN, Tennessee Technological University is a public institution. About 58% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,376, while out-of-state students pay about $15,576. Median early-career earnings reach $46,981. Students borrow a median of $17,580 to complete a degree here.
Middle Tennessee School Of Anesthesia Inc landed the #10 spot in Tennessee this year. Located in Madison, TN, Middle Tennessee School Of Anesthesia Inc is a private not-for-profit institution. Graduates go on to earn a median of $200,989 early in their careers.
Union University placed #11 among the best colleges in Tennessee. This private not-for-profit school is set in Jackson, TN. Union University graduates 66% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,398. Graduates go on to earn a median of $68,508 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $28,605 to complete a degree here.
Cumberland University came in at #12 in this year's ranking. Set in Lebanon, TN, Cumberland University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 42% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $27,840. Early-career graduates earn a median of $47,696. Cumberland University students take on a median of $21,902 in debt.
Lincoln Memorial University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Set in Harrogate, TN, Lincoln Memorial University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 47% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $26,938 in tuition and fees. Lincoln Memorial University graduates report median early-career earnings of $64,307. Students borrow a median of $20,693 to complete a degree here.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga landed the #14 spot in Tennessee this year. Based in Chattanooga, TN, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a public institution. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga posts a six-year graduation rate of 50%. In-state tuition and fees average $10,448, while out-of-state students pay about $18,512. Median early-career earnings reach $50,000. Graduates carry a median of $23,324 in student loans.
Middle Tennessee State University placed #15 among the best colleges in Tennessee. This public school is set in Murfreesboro, TN. About 54% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,266, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Median early-career earnings reach $43,575. Middle Tennessee State University students take on a median of $22,754 in debt.
Christian Brothers University placed #16 among the best colleges in Tennessee. Located in Memphis, TN, Christian Brothers University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $38,420. Median early-career earnings reach $51,040. Christian Brothers University students take on a median of $32,416 in debt.
Trevecca Nazarene University came in at #17 in this year's ranking. Located in Nashville, TN, Trevecca Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 53% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,300. Graduates go on to earn a median of $52,004 early in their careers. The median student debt is $24,962.
East Tennessee State University came in at #18 in this year's ranking. Based in Johnson City, TN, East Tennessee State University is a public institution. East Tennessee State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 53%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,216, with out-of-state students paying around $13,726. East Tennessee State University graduates report median early-career earnings of $45,444. Students borrow a median of $21,301 to complete a degree here.
Freed Hardeman University placed #19 among the best colleges in Tennessee. Based in Henderson, TN, Freed Hardeman University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. In-state tuition and fees average $25,620. Median early-career earnings reach $54,530. The median student debt is $24,479.
Milligan College placed #20 among the best colleges in Tennessee. Set in Milligan, TN, Milligan College is a private not-for-profit institution. Milligan College posts a six-year graduation rate of 63%. In-state tuition and fees average $40,450. Median early-career earnings reach $64,327. Typical student debt is $26,150.
Carson Newman College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Located in Jefferson City, TN, Carson Newman College is a private not-for-profit institution. Carson Newman College posts a six-year graduation rate of 52%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,700. Graduates go on to earn a median of $48,797 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,843 to complete a degree here.
University Of Memphis landed the #22 spot in Tennessee this year. Based in Memphis, TN, University Of Memphis is a public institution. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,728, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Early-career graduates earn a median of $48,890. Graduates carry a median of $26,315 in student loans.
King College landed the #23 spot in Tennessee this year. Based in Bristol, TN, King College is a private not-for-profit institution. King College graduates 49% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $20,397. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $49,297. King College students take on a median of $25,579 in debt.
The University Of Tennessee Martin placed #24 among the best colleges in Tennessee. Set in Martin, TN, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a public institution. The University Of Tennessee Martin posts a six-year graduation rate of 52%. Students from in state pay about $10,560 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,600. The University Of Tennessee Martin graduates report median early-career earnings of $40,400. Students borrow a median of $23,770 to complete a degree here.
Baptist Memorial College Of Health Sciences did well this year, earning the #25 position. Based in Memphis, TN, Baptist Memorial College Of Health Sciences is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 38%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,796. Baptist Memorial College Of Health Sciences graduates report median early-career earnings of $57,349. Students borrow a median of $37,794 to complete a degree here.
These 25 colleges rank #26 through #50 of 125 in Tennessee. Not far behind, these colleges also landed in the top of this year’s ranking:
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
These rankings are produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and per-student spending drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
References
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.