Tennessee’s Best Colleges and Universities by Academic Stewardship

Tennessee’s Best Colleges and Universities by Academic Stewardship

What are the best colleges and universities in Tennessee if you reward schools for making the best use of their limited resources? Academic Stewardship asks how effectively schools manage their financial and human resources to gain the influence that makes them academically excellent. Schools that are exemplary in Academic Stewardship are doing everything in their power to help students and faculty achieve their full potential.

Colleges and universities in Tennessee deserve to be recognized when they do more with less. It’s impressive when a large wealthy school can spend money lavishly on expensive buildings and programs. But it’s even more impressive when a small school with limited means is able to train and inspire students that the larger wealthier schools tend to ignore.

The American Association of Colleges and Universities reported in late 2021 that almost 75 percent of higher-education professionals at US colleges and universities felt financial constraints prevented their schools from effectively attracting students. Distracted by the size and amenities of larger schools, prospective students tended especially to be overawed by the big research universities.

Tennessee’s smaller colleges, especially its liberal arts colleges, need effective ways of communicating their value to a world that celebrates “bigger is better” and “you need the best.” Unfortunately, most college ranking companies, such as U.S. News & World Report, define “best” in a way that devalues schools with smaller budgets and fewer students even when these schools do remarkable work in advancing their students’ education. By and large, college rankings penalize schools that serve underserved populations.

Inspired by Malcolm Gladwell, who for years now has criticized conventional college rankings for misrepresenting what’s good and valuable in education, we decided to construct a new ranking metric that highlights those schools that do more with less. That metric—called the Academic Stewardship metric—takes away both the size and the wealth advantage of schools, and focuses instead on how well schools use the resources available to them to advance the education of their students.

How We Measure the Academic Stewardship of Tennessee’s Colleges and Universities

Tennessee's Best Colleges and Universities by Academic Stewardship
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As a metric, Academic Stewardship is defined by a precise mathematical formula, which can be found in our Academic Stewardship white paper. Measuring the Academic Stewardship of Tennessee’s colleges requires measuring two forms of stewardship: 1) Stewardship of financial resources (using the money they have responsibility without waste) and 2) Stewardship of human resources (doing their best to help students, faculty, and administration to flourish). Together, these two types of stewardship form what we call  Academic Stewardship. If you want to learn more about the factors involved in Academic Stewardship, click the more button below.

  1. Stewardship of financial resources: To determine a school’s stewardship of financial resources, we factored in its undergraduate size, budget, endowments and reserves, as well as tuition and fees. All these data are available from the National Center for Educational Statistics Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. In addition, we factored in a school’s financial responsibility as gauged by the Federal Student Aid Office at the US Department of Education through its financial responsibility composite scores.
  2. Stewardship of human resources: To determine a school’s stewardship of human resources, we used our InfluenceRanking engine to track the influence of the school’s faculty and alumni but also to control for size of the undergraduate student body. We’ve found that measuring a school’s influence based on the contributions of faculty and alumni make in their fields of study but then also controlling for size of the undergraduate population is the single best indicator of academic excellence. We call this Concentrated Influence. Schools that rank highly in Concentrated Influence are schools that, given their available human resources, invest heavily in their students and faculty, and the results are demonstrable.
    • We measure the influence of colleges and universities based on the publications and citations of the schools’ faculty and alumni who are teaching in and working in areas related to their degrees. To do this, we take publicly available databases, such as Semantic Scholar, Crossref, and Wikipedia and use these to measure the influence of academics in their disciplines. Having measured the influence of persons, we then identify the schools that they’re affiliated with, adding up the influence scores of the faculty and alumni to measure the influence of the schools and their disciplinary programs. Finally, we control these influence scores by size of undergraduate student body so that schools do not score high in influence simply because of a size advantage. We lay out these methodological considerations on our methodology page.
  3. Academic Stewardship: Having measured a school’s stewardship of financial and human resources in the two previous points, we now divide the second measure by the first to define the Academic Stewardship metric. This metric spotlights smaller schools, with fewer financial resources and people, that invest wisely and do proportionately better in building influence than large wealthy schools. Many of these smaller, less wealthy schools are incentivized to make better use of their resources but would never get recognized in conventional school rankings, which directly or indirectly put a premium on the wealth of schools.

Academic Stewardship as so defined is connected to keeping tuition and other costs down, but it should not be confused with affordability or frugality. The schools that this metric ranks as exemplary academic stewards tend to be all over the map when it comes to tuition and other costs. At issue is the influence of schools given the financial and human resources they have on hand. If a school is going to charge more for tuition, then that needs to be reflected in the school having proportionately greater influence.

Why Academic Stewardship Matters to Students and Their Families

The benefits of attending a school with strong academic stewardship include:

  • A clear reason for why students are at the school in the first place. Without the distraction of amenities and luxuries, these schools are at once unpretentious but also passionately committed to their educational mission. The schools in this ranking are financially efficient and academically rigorous. By avoiding frills, these schools take the most direct path to accomplishing their mission of educating students.
  • Valuing character over prestige and self-indulgence. A school that’s a good steward of its resources doesn’t instill shame in its students over what they are missing (such as elite cuisine) but rather pride in what they have and making the most of it. These schools exhibit a culture of good stewardship, which tends to build good character in the students that attend these schools.
  • Avoiding the spoiled-student syndrome. It’s easy to think that offering students endless options and opportunities will enrich their time at school in every way. But spoiling people—whether in business, sports, or academics—has the opposite effect, causing people to take their advantages for granted and in the end achieving less than they might otherwise, a point well-documented in Daniel Coyle’s The Talent Code. Schools exhibiting academic stewardship avoid this pitfall.
  • The best schools vs. the schools that help students to be their best. Students at schools demonstrating outstanding academic stewardship aren’t so much concerned about being at the “best” school, whatever that may mean, as about being at a school that helps them to be their best. These schools pay attention to their students, hoping that any glory goes to them rather than to the school. Small schools, and especially liberal arts colleges, help themselves by communicating this advantage to prospective students.
  • Emphasizing development over talent and achievement. Schools like Harvard and Stanford have their pick of academic talent, and their students have a long record of achievement even before they apply to such elite schools. But if a school doesn’t have the resources of a Harvard or Stanford, how does it build a great team of students? In that case, it must focus on student development. Colleges exemplifying academic stewardship emphasize student growth and development, ensuring that the schools are doing everything in their power to help students reach their full potential and thereby become their best selves.
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Tennessee’s Best Colleges and Universities by Academic Stewardship

  1. Tuition + fees

    $27K

    Acceptance

    61%

    Graduation

    50%

    Student body

    1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1050/21

    Career Outlook for degree at Tennessee Wesleyan University

    Cost of Degree: $27,350
    Expenses: $12,500
    Starting Salary: $43,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Tennessee Wesleyan University known for?

    Tennessee Wesleyan University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Tennessee Wesleyan University’s Online Degrees

    BS in Management
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Nursing
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  2. #3

    Cumberland University

    Lebanon , TN

    Tuition + fees

    $26K

    Acceptance

    66%

    Graduation

    49%

    Student body

    3K

    Career Outlook for degree at Cumberland University

    Cost of Degree: $26,400
    Expenses: $16,280
    Starting Salary: $43,000
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Cumberland University known for?

    Cumberland University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Cumberland University’s Online Degrees

    BSN in Nursing
    Degree Concentrations
    • Nursing
    • Required Credits: 125
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  3. #4

    Rhodes College

    Memphis , TN
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $52K

    Acceptance

    54%

    Graduation

    85%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1390/30

    Career Outlook for degree at Rhodes College

    Cost of Degree: $52,310
    Expenses: $16,040
    Starting Salary: $64,800
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  4. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $51K

    Acceptance

    52%

    Graduation

    81%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1306/29

    Career Outlook for degree at Sewanee: The University of the South

    Cost of Degree: $51,135
    Expenses: $17,558
    Starting Salary: $51,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 19 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  5. #6

    Union University

    Jackson , TN
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $37K

    Acceptance

    53%

    Graduation

    67%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1235/26

    Career Outlook for degree at Union University

    Cost of Degree: $19,363
    Expenses: $19,460
    Starting Salary: $49,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Union University known for?

    Union University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Union University’s Online Degrees

    BS in Christian Leadership
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Organizational Leadership
    Degree Concentrations
    • Organizational Management
    • Project Management
    • Health Management
    • Church Leadership
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Nursing
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  6. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Graduation

    32%

    Student body

    9K

    Career Outlook for degree at Tennessee State University

    Cost of Degree: $8,336
    Expenses: $15,556
    Starting Salary: $39,800
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Tennessee State University’s Online Degrees

    BS in Health Information Management
    Degree Concentrations
    • Utilizing Technologies in Healthcare Organizations
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Interdisciplinary Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Psychology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Nursing
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Professional Studies
    Degree Concentrations
    • Health Administration
    • Information Technology
    • International Organizational Leadership
    • Organizational Leadership
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Social Work
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Sociology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  7. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $25K

    Acceptance

    78%

    Graduation

    51%

    Student body

    6K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1086/21

    Career Outlook for degree at Lincoln Memorial University

    Cost of Degree: $25,180
    Expenses: $16,540
    Starting Salary: $41,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Lincoln Memorial University known for?

    Lincoln Memorial University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Lincoln Memorial University’s Online Degrees

    BS in Nursing
    • Required Credits: 122
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  8. #9

    Lee University

    Cleveland , TN

    Tuition + fees

    $22K

    Acceptance

    73%

    Graduation

    63%

    Student body

    5K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1125/23

    Career Outlook for degree at Lee University

    Cost of Degree: $21,730
    Expenses: $14,070
    Starting Salary: $37,800
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  9. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    88%

    Graduation

    53%

    Student body

    8K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1130/22

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Tennessee at Martin

    Cost of Degree: $9,912
    Expenses: $12,260
    Starting Salary: $40,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is University of Tennessee at Martin known for?

    University of Tennessee at Martin’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    University of Tennessee at Martin’s Online Degrees

    BS in Agricultural Business
    Degree Concentrations
    • Veterinary Technology and Management
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS/BA in History and Philosophy
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS/BA in Criminal Justice
    Degree Concentrations
    • Law Enforcement
    • Corrections
    • Courts and Law
    • Forensics
    • Generalist
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Interdisciplinary Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: None Reported
    BS in Business Administration
    Degree Concentrations
    • Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: None Reported
    BS in Business Administration major in Agricultural Business
    Degree Concentrations
    • Agricultural Business
    • Farm and Ranch Management
    • Veterinary Technology and Management
    • Required Credits: 30
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Business Administration major in Information Systems
    Degree Concentrations
    • Management Information Systems
    • Business Communication and Information Systems
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: None Reported
    BS in Nursing
    • Required Credits: 123
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: None Reported
  10. #11

    Lipscomb University

    Nashville , TN
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $37K

    Acceptance

    71%

    Graduation

    69%

    Student body

    6K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1225/26

    Career Outlook for degree at Lipscomb University

    Cost of Degree: $37,152
    Expenses: $19,536
    Starting Salary: $51,500
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Lipscomb University’s Online Degrees

    BA/BS in Customer Experience
    • Required Credits: 126
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA/BS in Data Analytics
    • Required Credits: 126
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA/BS in Entertainment Management
    • Required Credits: 126
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Professional Studies in Psychology
    Degree Concentrations
    • Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor (LADAC)
    • Required Credits: 126
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA/BS in Integrated Studies
    • Required Credits: 126
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA/BS in Psychology
    Degree Concentrations
    • Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor (LADAC)
    • Required Credits: 126
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Nursing
    • Required Credits: 33-60
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA/BS in Business Leadership
    • Required Credits: 126
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA/BS in Organizational Communication
    • Required Credits: 126
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Professional Studies in Customer Experience
    • Required Credits: 126
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Professional Studies in Data Analytics
    • Required Credits: 126
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Professional Studies in Entertainment Management
    • Required Credits: 126
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Professional Studies in Integrated Studies
    • Required Credits: 126
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Professional Studies in Public Administration
    • Required Credits: 126
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Professional Studies in Strategic Leadership
    • Required Credits: 126
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Professional Studies in Supply Chain and Operations Management
    • Required Credits: 126
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Professional Studies in Technology Management
    • Required Credits: 126
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA/BS in Public Administration
    • Required Credits: 126
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Professional Studies in Organizational Communication
    • Required Credits: 126
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA/BS in Strategic Leadership
    • Required Credits: 126
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA/BS in Supply Chain and Operations Management
    • Required Credits: 126
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA/BS in Technology Management
    • Required Credits: 126
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  11. #12

    Vanderbilt University

    Nashville , TN
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $60K

    Acceptance

    7%

    Graduation

    93%

    Student body

    15K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1530/34

    Career Outlook for degree at Vanderbilt University

    Cost of Degree: $60,348
    Expenses: $24,064
    Starting Salary: $86,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  12. #13

    Tennessee Tech

    Cookeville , TN
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    78%

    Graduation

    60%

    Student body

    11K

    Career Outlook for degree at Tennessee Tech

    Cost of Degree: $9,802
    Expenses: $17,182
    Starting Salary: $46,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Tennessee Tech’s Online Degrees

    BS in Medical Laboratory Science
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Nursing
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: None Reported
  13. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    83%

    Graduation

    52%

    Student body

    12K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1116/23

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

    Cost of Degree: $9,848
    Expenses: $14,950
    Starting Salary: $42,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s Online Degrees

    BS in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 48
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: None Reported
  14. #15

    University of Memphis

    Memphis , TN
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    95%

    Graduation

    48%

    Student body

    25K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1080/20

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Memphis

    Cost of Degree: $10,056
    Expenses: $18,080
    Starting Salary: $43,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    University of Memphis’s Online Degrees

    BA in African and African American Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Anthropology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Communication
    Degree Concentrations
    • Communication Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in English
    Degree Concentrations
    • African American Literature
    • Professional Writing
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Health Sciences major in Healthcare Studies
    Degree Concentrations
    • Health Sciences
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Healthcare Studies
    Degree Concentrations
    • Healthcare Leadership
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Hospitality and Resort Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Business Administration
    Degree Concentrations
    • Accounting
    • Business Information and Technology
    • Management
    • Marketing Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Liberal Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Criminology and Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Business Administration in Business Information and Technology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Business Administration in Finance
    Degree Concentrations
    • Business Finance
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Business Administration major in Finance
    Degree Concentrations
    • Real Estate
    • Finance
    • Insurance
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Nursing
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Psychology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Professional Studies
    Degree Concentrations
    • Health Services
    • Child Life Specialist
    • Legal Studies
    • Early Care and Learning
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Professional Studies
    Degree Concentrations
    • Organizational Leadership
    • Information Technology
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Public Relations
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Sociology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in History
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Philosophy
    Degree Concentrations
    • Applied Ethics
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  15. #16

    Austin Peay State University

    Clarksville , TN
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Acceptance

    94%

    Graduation

    43%

    Student body

    11K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1076/21

    Career Outlook for degree at Austin Peay State University

    Cost of Degree: $8,431
    Expenses: $22,434
    Starting Salary: $38,800
    Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Austin Peay State University known for?

    Austin Peay State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Austin Peay State University’s Online Degrees

    BBA in Business
    Degree Concentrations
    • Hospitality Administration
    • Leadership Science
    • Organizational Administration
    • Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Technology
    Degree Concentrations
    • Cis: Systems Development
    • Cis: Information Assurance & Security
    • Cis: Database Administration
    • Cis: Internet & Web Technology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Social Science
    Degree Concentrations
    • Criminal Justice - Homeland Security
    • Public Management
    • Sociology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Social Science
    Degree Concentrations
    • Political Science
    • Professional Communication - Information Specialist
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Medical
    Degree Concentrations
    • Medical Laboratory Science - Mlt To Mls
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BSN in Nursing
    Degree Concentrations
    • Nursing
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  16. #17

    Belmont University

    Nashville , TN

    Tuition + fees

    $40K

    Acceptance

    96%

    Graduation

    72%

    Student body

    9K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1245/27

    Career Outlook for degree at Belmont University

    Cost of Degree: $39,850
    Expenses: $20,630
    Starting Salary: $51,500
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  17. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    85%

    Graduation

    55%

    Student body

    15K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1085/22

    Career Outlook for degree at East Tennessee State University

    Cost of Degree: $9,438
    Expenses: $17,323
    Starting Salary: $40,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    East Tennessee State University’s Online Degrees

    BS in Business
    Degree Concentrations
    • Business Administration
    • Marketing
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: None Reported
    BS in Education
    Degree Concentrations
    • Early Childhood Education
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: None Reported
    BS in General Studies
    Degree Concentrations
    • Interdisciplinary Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Humanities
    Degree Concentrations
    • English
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: None Reported
    BS in Social Science
    Degree Concentrations
    • Human Services
    • Sociology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Dentistry
    Degree Concentrations
    • Dental Hygiene
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Medical
    Degree Concentrations
    • Allied Health Leadership
    • Respiratory Therapy
    • Radiologic Science
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BSN in Nursing
    Degree Concentrations
    • Nursing
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  18. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    73%

    Graduation

    55%

    Student body

    29K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1125/22

    Career Outlook for degree at Middle Tennessee State University

    Cost of Degree: $9,232
    Expenses: $15,322
    Starting Salary: $44,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  19. #21

    Carson–Newman University

    Jefferson City , TN
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $33K

    Acceptance

    80%

    Graduation

    56%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1061/22

    Career Outlook for degree at Carson–Newman University

    Cost of Degree: $33,000
    Expenses: $14,964
    Starting Salary: $41,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Carson–Newman University known for?

    Carson–Newman University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Carson–Newman University’s Online Degrees

    BBA in Business
    Degree Concentrations
    • Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  20. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $36K

    Acceptance

    87%

    Graduation

    60%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for degree at Christian Brothers University

    Cost of Degree: $35,520
    Expenses: $13,574
    Starting Salary: $50,000
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Christian Brothers University known for?

    Christian Brothers University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Christian Brothers University’s Online Degrees

    BA in Professional Psychology
    Degree Concentrations
    • Criminal Justice
    • Organizational Psychology
    • Public Health
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Professional Psychology; Organizational Psychology
    Degree Concentrations
    • Business Law
    • Microeconomics
    • Macroeconomics
    • Organization and Management
    • International Business
    • Human Resources Management
    • Marketing
    • Industrial and Organizational Psychology
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Nursing
    • Required Credits: 122
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Professional Psychology; Public Health
    Degree Concentrations
    • Principles of Epidemiology
    • Health Policy and Management
    • Global Public Health
    • Public Health of Mental Illness
    • Social and Behavioral Public Health
    • Social Determinants of Health and Well-being
    • Public Health Research Methods
    • Program Planning and Evaluation
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  21. #23

    King University

    Bristol , TN
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $34K

    Acceptance

    61%

    Graduation

    46%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for degree at King University

    Cost of Degree: $33,784
    Expenses: $15,026
    Starting Salary: $50,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is King University known for?

    King University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    King University’s Online Degrees

    BBA in Business
    Degree Concentrations
    • Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Technology
    Degree Concentrations
    • Information Technology
    • Required Credits: 36
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Arts
    Degree Concentrations
    • English
    • Required Credits: 48
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Humanities
    Degree Concentrations
    • History
    • Required Credits: 48
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Social Science
    Degree Concentrations
    • Criminal Justice
    • Communication
    • Psychology
    • Required Credits: 48
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Theology
    Degree Concentrations
    • Religious Studies
    • Required Credits: 48
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BSW in Social Science
    Degree Concentrations
    • Social Work
    • Required Credits: 52
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  22. Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    80%

    Graduation

    30%

    Student body

    <1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1092/21

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Tennessee Southern

    Cost of Degree: $10,200
    Expenses: $17,600
    Starting Salary: $36,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is University of Tennessee Southern known for?

    University of Tennessee Southern’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  23. #25

    LeMoyne–Owen College

    Memphis , TN

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    100%

    Graduation

    18%

    Student body

    <1K

    Career Outlook for degree at LeMoyne–Owen College

    Cost of Degree: $12,076
    Expenses: $8,100
    Starting Salary: $30,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is LeMoyne–Owen College known for?

    LeMoyne–Owen College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

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Tennessee’s Best Colleges in Your Area of Interest

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Colleges and Universities in Tennessee

About one third of the higher learning institutes in Tennessee are public schools. Students who attend these schools can expect to pay anywhere between $4,000 to $13,000 in tuition and have the option to pursue degrees in fields such as economics, history, nursing, literature, education, and criminal justice. Tennessee’s largest public school, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, boasts some impressive alumni, including Oprah Winfrey, Kurt Vonnegut, and Cormac McCarthy. The private school alumni are equally as notable. For example, author James Patterson and Nobel Peace Prize recipient Muhammad Yunus both attended Vanderbilt University in Nashville.

Find college admissions consultants in your state.

Tennessee also offers nearly 30 religiously affiliated schools, the largest being Belmont University in Nashville, located just blocks from the famous Music Row. Here, students can study a wide range of fields including Christian leadership, audio engineering technology, and biophysics. Additionally, Tennessee offers students several loan forgiveness programs. Math and science teachers, minority teachers, and registered nurses interested in becoming teachers or administrators who meet certain requirements may be eligible.

Tennessee is home to mouthwatering barbecues, electrified blues, and the sweeping majesty of the Smoky Mountains National Park. And with access to countless historic sites, unique museums, and lush green spaces, students attending one of the more than 60 colleges and universities in The Volunteer State will have plenty to do and see in their downtime.

Discover more about the top programs and higher education learning opportunities available in Tennessee.


What are Tennessee’s Colleges & Universities?

Tennessee’s Best Overall

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