2026 Best Colleges for Student Athletes (Division II) in Tennessee

For student athletes, the right college balances academics with athletics. Our ranking highlights 9 colleges for Student Athletes (Division II) by academic-athletic quality, using our 2026 methodology.

So you can compare your options, College Factual scores each program on a blend of academic-athletic outcomes (NCAA Academic Progress Rate and Graduation Success Rate), athletic financial resources (team revenue, expenses, and aid per athlete from the EADA survey), and overall school quality, drawing on NCAA, U.S. Department of Education EADA, and IPEDS data. Learn more about our ranking methodology.

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Top 9 Colleges for Student Athletes (Division II)

Here are the top-ranked colleges for student athletes:

1

Union University
Jackson, TN

79% Academic Quality Percentile

Our analysis found Union University to be the best college for Student Athletes (Division II) in Tennessee. Union University is a private not-for-profit school based in Jackson, TN.

2

Lee University
Cleveland, TN

73% Academic Quality Percentile

Lee University earned the #2 place for student athletes. Based in Cleveland, TN, Lee University is a private not-for-profit institution.

3

Lincoln Memorial University
Harrogate, TN

79% Academic Quality Percentile

Lincoln Memorial University ranked #3 among the best colleges for Student Athletes (Division II). Based in Harrogate, TN, Lincoln Memorial University is a private not-for-profit institution.

4

Christian Brothers University
Memphis, TN

77% Academic Quality Percentile

Christian Brothers University is one of the top schools for Student Athletes (Division II), at #4. This private not-for-profit school is set in Memphis, TN.

5

Trevecca Nazarene University
Nashville, TN

79% Academic Quality Percentile

Trevecca Nazarene University ranked #5 among the best colleges for Student Athletes (Division II). This private not-for-profit school is set in Nashville, TN.

6

Carson-Newman University
Jefferson City, TN

73% Academic Quality Percentile

Carson-Newman University placed #6 among the best colleges for Student Athletes (Division II). Located in Jefferson City, TN, Carson-Newman University is a private not-for-profit institution.

7

King University
Bristol, TN

74% Academic Quality Percentile

King University ranked #7 on our 2026 list for Student Athletes (Division II). King University is a private not-for-profit school based in Bristol, TN.

8

Tusculum University
Greeneville, TN

63% Academic Quality Percentile

Tusculum University landed the #8 spot this year. Based in Greeneville, TN, Tusculum University is a private not-for-profit institution.

9

Lane College
Jackson, TN

56% Academic Quality Percentile

Lane College did well this year, earning the #9 position. Lane College is a private not-for-profit school based in Jackson, TN.

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Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.

This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of academic-athletic outcomes (NCAA Academic Progress Rate and Graduation Success Rate), athletic financial resources (team revenue, expenses, and athletic aid from the federal EADA survey), and overall school quality. The current methodology measures academic-athletic quality and does not include team win/loss performance.

References

• NCAA Academic Progress Rate & Graduation Success Rate — National Collegiate Athletic Association (athlete academic outcomes).
• Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act (EADA) — U.S. Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education (team participation, revenue, expenses, and aid).
• Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics (institutional data).

See our data sources and methodologies.