by our College Data Analytics Team
With all of the graduate school options in Tennessee, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. Our ranking highlights **14** programs by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology.
To arm you with the information you need, College Factual evaluated 14 graduate schools across over 20 objective factors 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.
Here is the early-career salary range across the top-ranked graduate schools:
Here are the top-ranked graduate schools:
Vanderbilt University earned the #1 spot in this year's Best Graduate Schools ranking in Tennessee. This private not-for-profit school is set in Nashville, TN. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. Vanderbilt University graduates report median early-career earnings of $77,997. Typical student debt is $13,975.
Out of the 14 graduate schools in Tennessee in this year's ranking, The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center landed the #2 spot. The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center is a public school based in Memphis, TN. Students from in state pay about $12,911 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,644. The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center graduates report median early-career earnings of $86,386. Typical student debt is $25,679.
A rank of #3 makes The University Of Tennessee one of the top graduate schools in Tennessee. This public school is set in Knoxville, TN. About 74% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $49,826. The University Of Tennessee students take on a median of $22,859 in debt.
The strong outcomes at Union University earned it the #4 place in Tennessee. 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 average $37,398. Median early-career earnings reach $68,508. Graduates carry a median of $28,605 in student loans.
Out of the 14 graduate schools in Tennessee in this year's ranking, Tennessee Technological University landed the #5 spot. Located in Cookeville, TN, Tennessee Technological University is a public institution. Tennessee Technological University posts a six-year graduation rate of 58%. Students from in state pay about $11,376 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,576 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $46,981. Typical student debt is $17,580.
Lipscomb University did well this year, earning the #6 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Nashville, TN. About 72% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $40,572. Median early-career earnings reach $48,949. Typical student debt is $23,529.
Lincoln Memorial University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best graduate schools. Located in Harrogate, TN, Lincoln Memorial University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $26,938 in tuition and fees. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $64,307. Graduates carry a median of $20,693 in student loans.
Freed Hardeman University came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Located 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,530 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $24,479.
Middle Tennessee State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best graduate schools. This public school is set in Murfreesboro, TN. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,266, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $43,575. Students borrow a median of $22,754 to complete a degree here.
Trevecca Nazarene University placed #10 among the best graduate schools in Tennessee. Set in Nashville, TN, Trevecca Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. In-state tuition and fees run about $31,300. Trevecca Nazarene University graduates report median early-career earnings of $52,004. Graduates carry a median of $24,962 in student loans.
East Tennessee State University landed the #11 spot in Tennessee this year. Set in Johnson City, TN, East Tennessee State University is a public institution. East Tennessee State University graduates 53% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,216, while out-of-state students pay about $13,726. Median early-career earnings reach $45,444. The median student debt is $21,301.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga did well this year, earning the #12 position. This public school is set in Chattanooga, TN. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga posts a six-year graduation rate of 50%. In-state tuition and fees average $10,448, compared with $18,512 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $50,000. Typical student debt is $23,324.
University Of Memphis landed the #13 spot in Tennessee this year. This public school is set in Memphis, TN. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $10,728, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Median early-career earnings reach $48,890. Students borrow a median of $26,315 to complete a degree here.
Carson Newman College placed #14 among the best graduate schools in Tennessee. Located in Jefferson City, TN, Carson Newman College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $34,700. Carson Newman College graduates report median early-career earnings of $48,797. The median student debt is $22,843.
Tennessee State University came in at #15 in this year's ranking. Set in Nashville, TN, Tennessee State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 35%. In-state tuition and fees average $8,616, compared with $22,416 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,060 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $29,489 in student loans.
Memphis Theological Seminary came in at #16 in this year's ranking. Based in Memphis, TN, Memphis Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked graduate schools only.
These rankings are produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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
See our data sources and methodologies.