Best Public Colleges in Tennessee 2025
Public colleges and universities account for almost 75 percent of all undergraduate students in the U.S. The best public colleges in Tennessee provide broad access to reputable degree programs, affordable tuition, and sprawling educational communities.
Key Takeaways
- Tennessee’s public colleges offer affordable in-state tuition rates, along with numerous financial aid opportunities, including the Tennessee Promise scholarship, which provides eligible students with tuition-free access to community and technical colleges.
- Tennessee’s best public colleges provide a wide range of academic programs, from liberal arts to STEM fields, with strong emphasis on research and innovation. Schools like the University of Tennessee offer students access to nationally recognized research centers, fostering opportunities for undergraduate research in various disciplines.
- Public colleges in Tennessee are known for their top-tier healthcare and nursing programs, featuring cutting-edge simulation labs, hands-on clinical experiences, and partnerships with local hospitals and healthcare facilities, making them ideal for students pursuing careers in health professions.
Best Public Colleges in Tennessee in 2025
2025 Ranking Update
Our Influence Ranking Engine™ leverages machine learning to track the real-world influence of colleges and universities over time. Below you’ll see which schools gained or lost ground for the 2025 school year.
In 2025, the top schools in our ranking of the best public colleges in Tennessee saw considerable changes in ranking positions. The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga gained the most ranking positions as the university enhanced the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, offering students hands-on experience with startup incubators, mentorship opportunities, and resources for launching new business ventures. The university has also upgraded its engineering and computer science programs, with new state-of-the-art labs and collaborative spaces for research and practical learning.
Additionally, UTC has enhanced its mental health and wellness services, providing expanded counseling, peer support, and wellness workshops to promote student well-being. These updates emphasize UTC’s focus on innovation, career readiness, and holistic student support.
This list is composed entirely of public colleges and universities that offer bachelor’s degrees. We’ve identified 9 public universities in Tennessee. To be included in our list of the best public colleges in Tennessee, shcools must receive direct funding from the state, be fully accredited, and offer a broad range of bachelor’s degress.
Best Public Colleges in Tennessee
- #1 Most Affordable Colleges in Tennessee 2025 #2 Best Grad Schools in Tennessee 2025 #2 Best Colleges in Tennessee 2025 #2 Best Research Universities in Tennessee 2025
Tuition + fees
$13K
Acceptance
68%
Graduation
73%
Student body
35K
Median SAT/ACT
1250/28
Career Outlook for degree at University of Tennessee
Cost of Degree: $13,484Expenses: $20,194Starting Salary: $56,700Cost Recoup Time: 12 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is University of Tennessee known for?
University of Tennessee’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Anthropology
- Mathematics
- Criminal Justice
- Earth Sciences
- History
- Economics
- Engineering
- Medical
- Business
- Social Work
Most Influential Alumni
- #2 Most Affordable Colleges in Tennessee 2025 #3 Best Grad Schools in Tennessee 2025 #3 Best Colleges in Tennessee 2025 #3 Best Research Universities in Tennessee 2025
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: $10,344Expenses: $17,726Starting Salary: $43,200Cost Recoup Time: 12 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is University of Memphis known for?
University of Memphis’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
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
- #5 Best Online HBCU Doctoral Programs 2025 #5 Most Influential HBCUs in the US Ranked for 2024 #8 Best HBCU Online Master's Programs #3 Most Affordable Colleges in Tennessee 2025
Tuition + fees
$8K
Graduation
32%
Student body
9K
Career Outlook for degree at Tennessee State University
Cost of Degree: $8,568Expenses: $17,300Starting Salary: $39,800Cost Recoup Time: 12 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Tennessee State University known for?
Tennessee State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Nursing
- Medical
- Education
- Engineering
- Computer Science
- History
- Business
- Political Science
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
Most Influential Alumni
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
- #4 Most Affordable Colleges in Tennessee 2025 #5 Best Grad Schools in Tennessee 2025 #5 Best Research Universities in Tennessee 2025 #6 Best Colleges in Tennessee 2025
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: $10,144Expenses: $16,402Starting Salary: $42,600Cost Recoup Time: 12 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is University of Tennessee at Chattanooga known for?
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Criminal Justice
- Earth Sciences
- Psychology
- History
- Business
- Medical
- Physics
- Education
- Communications
- Chemistry
Most Influential Alumni
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s Online Degrees
BS in Criminal Justice
- Required Credits: 48
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: None Reported
- #5 Most Affordable Colleges in Tennessee 2025 #6 Best Grad Schools in Tennessee 2025 #6 Best Research Universities in Tennessee 2025 #7 Best Colleges in Tennessee 2025
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: $9,506Expenses: $18,314Starting Salary: $44,400Cost Recoup Time: 12 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Middle Tennessee State University known for?
Middle Tennessee State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Economics
- Social Work
- Chemistry
- Business
- History
- Communications
- Mathematics
- Political Science
- Anthropology
- Earth Sciences
Most Influential Alumni
- #5 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #6 Most Affordable Colleges in Tennessee 2025 #7 Best Grad Schools in Tennessee 2025 #7 Best Research Universities in Tennessee 2025
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: $9,706Expenses: $18,550Starting Salary: $40,600Cost Recoup Time: 13 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is East Tennessee State University known for?
East Tennessee State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Mathematics
- Medical
- Nursing
- Biology
- Philosophy
- Political Science
- Earth Sciences
- Education
- History
- Communications
Most Influential Alumni
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
- #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Tennessee 2025 #7 Most Affordable Colleges in Tennessee 2025 #7 Best Online MBA Programs in Tennessee #8 Best Online Bachelor’s in Agribusiness and Agriculture Degree Programs
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: $10,194Expenses: $13,380Starting Salary: $40,100Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is University of Tennessee at Martin known for?
University of Tennessee at Martin’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Earth Sciences
- Mathematics
- Philosophy
- Criminal Justice
- Political Science
- Biology
- History
- Nursing
- Education
- Social Work
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
- #8 Most Affordable Colleges in Tennessee 2025 #2 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in Tennessee #4 Best Online Colleges in Tennessee 2024 #5 Best Online MBA Programs in Tennessee
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
78%
Graduation
60%
Student body
11K
Career Outlook for degree at Tennessee Tech
Cost of Degree: $10,084Expenses: $17,182Starting Salary: $46,700Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Tennessee Tech known for?
Tennessee Tech’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Biology
- Sociology
- Engineering
- Economics
- Mathematics
- Computer Science
- Physics
- Political Science
- History
- Communications
Most Influential Alumni
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
- #10 Most Affordable Colleges in Tennessee 2025 #1 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in Tennessee #2 Best Online Associate Degrees in Tennessee 2024 #4 Best Online Bachelor’s in Agribusiness and Agriculture Degree Programs
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: $8,675Expenses: $17,840Starting Salary: $38,800Cost Recoup Time: 13 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Austin Peay State University known for?
Austin Peay State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Sociology
- Criminal Justice
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Computer Science
- Business
- History
- Political Science
- Engineering
- Psychology
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
Tennessee’s Best Public College in Your Area of Interest
2021 Ranking Archive
Many of our 2024 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2023. That’s because we took a fundamentally different approach. For 2024 we utilized our Concentrated Influence algorithm, designed to take away the size advantage larger schools have when we rank their faculty and alumni’s academic influence. Concentrated influence highlights smaller schools that are proportionally as successful as larger universities at cultivating influential alumni and faculty.
Check out our directory of public colleges throughout the U.S. for a look at the top public colleges in every state.