2024 Tennessee Colleges Comparison
In Tennessee, 138 colleges are active and serve higher education to students. By school type, there are 49 public schools and 89 private schools. By school level, 55 4-years (or high) schools, 48 2-4 years schools (community colleges), and 35 less than 2 years schools (career, technical or vocational schools) are active this year based on the IPEDS data.
The average undergraduate tuition & fees at Tennessee colleges is $13,601 for state residents and $17,297 for out-of-state students in 2024. The graduate tuition & fee is $16,465 for state residents and $19,934 for out-of-state students. A total of 2,154 students enrolled in Tennessee colleges including 1,909 undergraduate and 1,096 graduate students.
Most Compared Tennessee Colleges
The following Tennessee college pairs are frequently compared by users. You can compare the schools by their most important academic factors such as acceptance rate and tuition.
2024 Statistics for Tennessee Colleges
Of the 138 Tennessee schools, Vanderbilt University ranked first and Lipscomb University ranked second (view more at Tennessee college rankings).
The 2024 average tuition & fees of all Tennessee colleges is $13,601 for Tennessee residents and $17,297 for out-of-state students. The average acceptance rate is 69.83% and the average SAT score is 1,143. The average number of students is 2,154 and the average student to faculty ratio is 15 to 1.
The below statements summarize the average statistics of tuition, admission, and more academic factors for Tennessee colleges. For the statistics, we include only 4-years colleges such as national universities and liberal arts colleges.
In addition, for some statistics, we include only eligible colleges, for example, for the graduate tuition & fees over colleges that offer the graduate programs.
- The average undergraduate tuition & fees of Tennessee colleges are $17,297 and Vanderbilt University has the highest tuition & fees of $63,946 and The University of Tennessee Southern has the lowest tuition & fees of $10,506.
- The average graduate tuition & fees of Tennessee colleges are $19,934 and Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia Inc has the highest tuition & fees of $90,000 and Mid-South Christian College has the lowest tuition & fees of $3,980.
- The average SAT score of Tennessee colleges is 1,143 and Vanderbilt University has the highest SAT score of 1,540 and Bethel University has the lowest score of 975.
- The average acceptance rate of Tennessee colleges is 69.83% and Vanderbilt University has the tightest (lowest) rate of 6% and Mid-South Christian College has the loosest (lowest) rate of 100%.
- The average student population of Tennessee colleges is 2,154 and The University of Tennessee-Knoxville has the most students of 33,805 and Mid-South Christian College has the fewest students of 17.
- The average graduation rate of Tennessee colleges is 58.79% and Strayer University-Tennessee has the highest rate of 100% and Lane College has the lowest rate of 17%.
Tennessee Colleges Core Statistics Comparison
The following table lists colleges located in Tennessee ordered by college ranking. The ranking is targeting only 4-years universities and colleges. The "-" value in other columns means that the corresponding data has not been reported or the school does not have programs for the values.
You can sort the table by column by clicking/touching column titles and narrow down the college list by using the buttons below.
| College Name | Undergraduate Tuition & Fees | Graduate Tuition & Fees | SAT Score | Acceptance Rate | Population | Graduation Rate | Student to Faculty Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN Private, 4 years four-years | $63,946 | $56,128 | 1,540 | 6.0% | 13,710 | 92% | 7 to 1 |
| Lipscomb University Nashville, TN Private, 4 years four-years | $38,824 | $17,100 | 1,240 | 67.0% | 4,704 | 69% | 13 to 1 |
| Belmont University Nashville, TN Private, 4 years four-years | $41,320 | $27,050 | 1,250 | 96.0% | 8,910 | 72% | 12 to 1 |
| Milligan University Milligan, TN Private, 4 years four-years | $39,350 | $7,967 | 1,210 | 70.0% | 1,105 | 63% | 9 to 1 |
| Freed-Hardeman University Henderson, TN Private, 4 years four-years | $25,000 | $11,700 | 1,010 | 91.0% | 2,330 | 69% | 13 to 1 |
| The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga Chattanooga, TN Public, 4 years four-years | $18,208 | $18,852 | 1,080 | 77.0% | 11,283 | 52% | 16 to 1 |
| Lincoln Memorial University Harrogate, TN Private, 4 years four-years | $26,150 | $23,225 | 1,110 | 59.0% | 5,418 | 50% | 8 to 1 |
| Austin Peay State University Clarksville, TN Public, 4 years four-years | $14,219 | $15,113 | 1,045 | 96.0% | 9,326 | 43% | 14 to 1 |
| Rhodes College Memphis, TN Private, 4 years four-years | $54,892 | $54,892 | 1,400 | 50.0% | 2,008 | 85% | 9 to 1 |
| Bethel University McKenzie, TN Private, 4 years four-years | $17,530 | $13,392 | 975 | 97.0% | 4,686 | 44% | 17 to 1 |
| The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Knoxville, TN Public, 4 years four-years | $31,974 | $32,108 | 1,260 | 46.0% | 33,805 | 72% | 18 to 1 |
| King University Bristol, TN Private, 4 years four-years | $34,800 | $14,182 | - | 54.0% | 1,357 | 46% | 11 to 1 |
| The University of the South Sewanee, TN Private, 4 years four-years | $53,704 | $18,730 | 1,305 | 51.0% | 1,704 | 81% | 10 to 1 |
| Southern Adventist University Collegedale, TN Private, 4 years four-years | $25,590 | $12,870 | 1,110 | 67.0% | 2,903 | 51% | 15 to 1 |
| Bryan College-Dayton Dayton, TN Private, 4 years four-years | $18,900 | $9,830 | - | - | 1,656 | 51% | 13 to 1 |
| Tusculum University Greeneville, TN Private, 4 years four-years | $28,500 | $14,400 | - | 60.0% | 1,303 | 33% | 16 to 1 |
| Union University Jackson, TN Private, 4 years four-years | $20,302 | $11,953 | 1,190 | 47.0% | 2,731 | 66% | 8 to 1 |
| Christian Brothers University Memphis, TN Private, 4 years four-years | $37,300 | $13,588 | 1,215 | 88.0% | 1,934 | 59% | 9 to 1 |
| Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, TN Public, 4 years four-years | $29,042 | $28,170 | 1,100 | 68.0% | 20,086 | 54% | 16 to 1 |
| Lee University Cleveland, TN Private, 4 years four-years | $22,690 | $16,670 | 1,120 | 72.0% | 3,927 | 62% | 12 to 1 |
| East Tennessee State University Johnson City, TN Public, 4 years four-years | $13,034 | $25,904 | 1,050 | 87.0% | 13,483 | 55% | 16 to 1 |
| University of Memphis Memphis, TN Public, 4 years four-years | $14,784 | $15,228 | 1,070 | 93.0% | 21,917 | 48% | 17 to 1 |
| Tennessee State University Nashville, TN Public, 4 years four-years | $22,284 | $23,516 | 985 | 93.0% | 9,218 | 32% | 14 to 1 |
| The University of Tennessee-Martin Martin, TN Public, 4 years four-years | $16,234 | $12,636 | 1,090 | 87.0% | 6,868 | 52% | 15 to 1 |
| Trevecca Nazarene University Nashville, TN Private, 4 years four-years | $30,090 | $12,624 | 1,090 | 70.0% | 3,327 | 61% | 22 to 1 |
| Fisk University Nashville, TN Private, 4 years four-years | $24,298 | $23,579 | 1,330 | 58.0% | 1,055 | 56% | 12 to 1 |
| Tennessee Technological University Cookeville, TN Public, 4 years four-years | $20,116 | $20,740 | 1,110 | 83.0% | 9,902 | 60% | 18 to 1 |
| Carson-Newman University Jefferson City, TN Private, 4 years four-years | $34,700 | $10,168 | 1,040 | 68.0% | 2,586 | 56% | 10 to 1 |
| Cumberland University Lebanon, TN Private, 4 years four-years | $27,840 | $8,280 | - | 67.0% | 2,588 | 48% | 16 to 1 |
| Maryville College Maryville, TN Private, 4 years four-years | $38,514 | $15,956 | 1,095 | 66.0% | 1,069 | 53% | 12 to 1 |
| Strayer University-Tennessee Memphis, TN Private, 4 years four-years | $13,920 | $15,135 | - | - | 2,882 | 100% | 41 to 1 |
| South College Knoxville, TN Private, 4 years four-years | $17,935 | $28,249 | - | - | 6,182 | 38% | 16 to 1 |
| Meridian Institute of Surgical Assisting Nashville, TN Private, 2-4 years | $7,602 | - | - | - | 791 | - | 85 to 1 |
| Chattanooga State Community College Chattanooga, TN Public, 2-4 years | $17,750 | - | - | - | 6,429 | 21% | 13 to 1 |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Livingston Livingston, TN Public, 2-4 years | $4,419 | - | - | - | 1,417 | 70% | 25 to 1 |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Henry/Carroll Paris, TN Public, 2-4 years | $4,008 | - | - | - | 248 | 76% | 11 to 1 |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Jackson Jackson, TN Public, 2-4 years | $4,008 | - | - | - | 2,239 | 75% | 15 to 1 |
| Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga Chattanooga, TN Private, 4 years four-years | $32,240 | - | - | - | 2,478 | 52% | 50 to 1 |
| EduMed Partners Goodlettsville, TN Private, Less than 2 years | $6,500 | - | - | - | 66 | 80% | 34 to 1 |
| Volunteer State Community College Gallatin, TN Public, 2-4 years | $17,724 | - | - | - | 6,957 | 22% | 24 to 1 |
| Pentecostal Theological Seminary Cleveland, TN Private, 4 years four-years | $11,472 | $11,995 | - | - | 565 | - | 14 to 1 |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Hartsville Hartsville, TN Public, 2-4 years | $4,419 | - | - | - | 643 | 81% | 13 to 1 |
| Pellissippi State Community College Knoxville, TN Public, 2-4 years | $17,776 | - | - | - | 8,452 | 26% | 18 to 1 |
| Lawrenceburg Technical College Lawrenceburg, TN Private, Less than 2 years | $12,375 | - | - | - | 40 | 100% | 10 to 1 |
| The University of Tennessee System Office Knoxville, TN Public, 4 years four-years | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| William R Moore College of Technology Memphis, TN Private, 2-4 years | $9,678 | - | - | - | 361 | 74% | 11 to 1 |
| Franklin Hair Academy School of Cosmetology Franklin, TN Private, Less than 2 years | $13,075 | - | - | - | 39 | 57% | 7 to 1 |
| Cleveland State Community College Cleveland, TN Public, 2-4 years | $17,730 | - | - | - | 3,180 | 29% | 20 to 1 |
| Genesis Career College-Cookeville Cookeville, TN Private, Less than 2 years | $9,570 | - | - | - | 346 | 44% | 20 to 1 |
| Health-Tech Institute of Memphis Memphis, TN Private, Less than 2 years | $13,542 | - | - | - | 4 | 100% | 3 to 1 |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Jacksboro Jacksboro, TN Public, 2-4 years | $4,419 | - | - | - | 328 | 73% | 12 to 1 |
| Southern College of Optometry Memphis, TN Private, 4 years four-years | - | - | - | - | 532 | - | - |
| SAE Institute of Technology-Nashville Nashville, TN Private, 4 years four-years | $15,466 | - | - | - | 1,556 | 42% | 11 to 1 |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology Nashville Nashville, TN Public, 2-4 years | $4,972 | - | - | - | 1,016 | 74% | 17 to 1 |
| Mind Body Institute Madison, TN Private, Less than 2 years | $10,000 | - | - | - | 36 | 60% | 7 to 1 |
| Concorde Career College-Memphis Memphis, TN Private, 2-4 years | $17,622 | - | - | 73.0% | 1,317 | 46% | 34 to 1 |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Memphis Memphis, TN Public, 2-4 years | $6,269 | - | - | - | 1,547 | 41% | 20 to 1 |
| American Baptist College Nashville, TN Private, 4 years four-years | $12,474 | - | - | - | 53 | 25% | 5 to 1 |
| John A Gupton College Nashville, TN Private, 2-4 years | $12,040 | - | - | 83.9% | 196 | 45% | 15 to 1 |
| Elite College of Cosmetology Lexington, TN Private, Less than 2 years | $16,875 | - | - | - | 59 | 82% | 11 to 1 |
| Memphis Theological Seminary Memphis, TN Private, 4 years four-years | - | $19,285 | - | - | 203 | - | - |
| Mr Wayne's School of Unisex Hair Design Cookeville, TN Private, Less than 2 years | $16,500 | - | - | - | 21 | 88% | 18 to 1 |
| Sandra Academy of Salon Services New Tazewell, TN Private, Less than 2 years | $16,500 | - | - | - | 73 | - | 20 to 1 |
| Fortis Institute-Nashville Nashville, TN Private, 2-4 years | $15,237 | - | - | - | 383 | 49% | 18 to 1 |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Athens Athens, TN Public, 2-4 years | $4,419 | - | - | - | 221 | 69% | 20 to 1 |
| Paul Mitchell the School-Murfreesboro Murfreesboro, TN Private, Less than 2 years | $17,400 | - | - | - | 261 | 67% | 16 to 1 |
| Dyersburg State Community College Dyersburg, TN Public, 2-4 years | $17,740 | - | - | - | 2,683 | 26% | 23 to 1 |
| Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia Inc Madison, TN Private, 4 years four-years | - | $90,000 | - | - | 295 | - | - |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Crump Crump, TN Public, 2-4 years | $5,428 | - | - | - | 1,411 | 63% | 22 to 1 |
| Genesis Career College-Lebanon Lebanon, TN Private, Less than 2 years | $17,995 | - | - | - | 155 | 58% | 20 to 1 |
| Ross Medical Education Center-Knoxville Knoxville, TN Private, Less than 2 years | $16,297 | - | - | - | 71 | 62% | 14 to 1 |
| Love Beauty School Inc Manchester, TN Private, Less than 2 years | $15,000 | - | - | - | 69 | 77% | 15 to 1 |
| Baptist Health Sciences University Memphis, TN Private, 4 years four-years | $13,846 | - | - | 67.8% | 797 | 58% | 7 to 1 |
| Chattanooga College Medical Dental and & Technical Careers Chattanooga, TN Private, 2-4 years | $10,690 | - | - | - | 220 | 98% | 25 to 1 |
| Motlow State Community College Tullahoma, TN Public, 2-4 years | $17,736 | - | - | - | 5,636 | 32% | 23 to 1 |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Shelbyville Shelbyville, TN Public, 2-4 years | $6,865 | - | - | - | 550 | 83% | 20 to 1 |
| Tennessee Board of Regents Nashville, TN Public, 2-4 years | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| The University of Tennessee Health Science Center Memphis, TN Public, 4 years four-years | $23,425 | $24,952 | - | - | 3,139 | - | 7 to 1 |
| Empire Beauty School-Nashville Brentwood, TN Private, Less than 2 years | $17,145 | - | - | - | 91 | 69% | 18 to 1 |
| Le Moyne-Owen College Memphis, TN Private, 4 years four-years | $12,076 | - | - | 97.2% | 609 | 18% | 11 to 1 |
| The Hair Academy LLC Fayetteville, TN Private, Less than 2 years | $17,250 | - | - | - | 72 | 92% | 20 to 1 |
| Lincoln College of Technology-Nashville Nashville, TN Private, 2-4 years | $36,020 | - | - | - | 1,053 | 54% | 20 to 1 |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Oneida-Huntsville Huntsville, TN Public, 2-4 years | $4,070 | - | - | - | 439 | 83% | 6 to 1 |
| North Central Institute Clarksville, TN Private, 2-4 years | $17,802 | - | - | - | 51 | 72% | 13 to 1 |
| Nashville Film Institute Nashville, TN Private, 2-4 years | $20,800 | - | - | - | 57 | 70% | 12 to 1 |
| Omega Graduate School Dayton, TN Private, 4 years four-years | - | $6,500 | - | - | 77 | - | - |
| Welch College Gallatin, TN Private, 4 years four-years | $20,796 | $8,100 | - | - | 394 | 59% | 8 to 1 |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology Northwest Newbern, TN Public, 2-4 years | $4,419 | - | - | - | 444 | 81% | 12 to 1 |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-McMinnville McMinnville, TN Public, 2-4 years | $5,492 | - | - | - | 577 | 74% | 15 to 1 |
| Williamson Christian College Franklin, TN Private, 4 years four-years | $15,010 | $16,720 | - | - | 60 | 33% | 7 to 1 |
| Master's Barber & Styling College Old Hickory, TN Private, Less than 2 years | $15,100 | - | - | - | 25 | 50% | 7 to 1 |
| Mid-South Christian College Memphis, TN Private, 4 years four-years | $11,912 | $3,980 | - | 100.0% | 17 | - | 2 to 1 |
| The University of Tennessee Southern Pulaski, TN Public, 4 years four-years | $10,506 | $8,910 | 1,060 | 83.0% | 934 | 30% | 12 to 1 |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Harriman Harriman, TN Public, 2-4 years | $4,419 | - | - | - | 579 | 59% | 20 to 1 |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Knoxville Knoxville, TN Public, 2-4 years | $5,341 | - | - | - | 1,157 | 65% | 20 to 1 |
| Massage Institute of Memphis Memphis, TN Private, Less than 2 years | $11,500 | - | - | - | 15 | 75% | 8 to 1 |
| Walters State Community College Morristown, TN Public, 2-4 years | $17,719 | - | - | - | 5,477 | 32% | 17 to 1 |
| The Salon Professional Academy-Nashville Nashville, TN Private, Less than 2 years | $19,460 | - | - | - | 45 | 90% | 7 to 1 |
| Austin's Beauty College Inc Clarksville, TN Private, Less than 2 years | $14,900 | - | - | - | 59 | 55% | 10 to 1 |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-McKenzie McKenzie, TN Public, 2-4 years | $4,308 | - | - | - | 134 | 83% | 14 to 1 |
| Gould's Academy Bartlett, TN Private, Less than 2 years | $18,650 | - | - | - | 174 | 95% | 11 to 1 |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Hohenwald Hohenwald, TN Public, 2-4 years | $5,344 | - | - | - | 912 | 68% | 20 to 1 |
| Remington College-Nashville Campus Nashville, TN Private, 2-4 years | $21,230 | - | - | - | 240 | 60% | 25 to 1 |
| Paul Mitchell the School-Knoxville Knoxville, TN Private, Less than 2 years | $14,900 | - | - | - | 137 | 27% | 16 to 1 |
| Vibe Barber College Memphis, TN Private, Less than 2 years | $17,800 | - | - | - | 67 | 75% | 15 to 1 |
| Columbia State Community College Columbia, TN Public, 2-4 years | $18,104 | - | - | - | 4,954 | 27% | 19 to 1 |
| Meharry Medical College Nashville, TN Private, 4 years four-years | - | $33,648 | - | - | 962 | - | - |
| Shear Perfection Academy of Cosmetology Nashville, TN Private, Less than 2 years | $7,900 | - | - | - | 136 | - | 1 to 1 |
| Jackson State Community College Jackson, TN Public, 2-4 years | $17,716 | - | - | - | 3,442 | 23% | 19 to 1 |
| Tennessee Wesleyan University Athens, TN Private, 4 years four-years | $29,264 | $21,845 | 1,060 | 59.0% | 1,052 | 50% | 10 to 1 |
| Visible Music College Memphis, TN Private, 4 years four-years | $22,000 | $11,000 | - | 28.7% | 230 | 24% | 6 to 1 |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Pulaski Pulaski, TN Public, 2-4 years | $4,308 | - | - | - | 565 | 62% | 13 to 1 |
| Nossi College of Art and Design Nashville, TN Private, 4 years four-years | $20,350 | - | - | 42.9% | 298 | 58% | 10 to 1 |
| Ross Medical Education Center-Johnson City Johnson City, TN Private, Less than 2 years | $16,297 | - | - | - | 67 | 51% | 17 to 1 |
| TC Beauty Johnson City, TN Private, Less than 2 years | $17,350 | - | - | - | 121 | 59% | 10 to 1 |
| Arnolds Beauty School Milan, TN Private, Less than 2 years | $16,750 | - | - | - | 70 | 75% | 12 to 1 |
| Johnson University Knoxville, TN Private, 4 years four-years | $20,318 | $10,285 | 1,010 | 53.9% | 939 | 65% | 10 to 1 |
| Roane State Community College Harriman, TN Public, 2-4 years | $18,622 | - | - | - | 4,457 | 32% | 17 to 1 |
| Queen City College Clarksville, TN Private, Less than 2 years | $16,350 | - | - | - | 128 | 56% | 20 to 1 |
| Gould's Academy Memphis, TN Private, Less than 2 years | $11,225 | - | - | - | 157 | 76% | 10 to 1 |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Dickson Dickson, TN Public, 2-4 years | $4,419 | - | - | - | 982 | 75% | 17 to 1 |
| Tennessee School of Beauty of Knoxville Inc Knoxville, TN Private, Less than 2 years | $15,995 | - | - | - | 342 | 66% | 20 to 1 |
| Paul Mitchell the School-Memphis Memphis, TN Private, Less than 2 years | $16,775 | - | - | - | 232 | 27% | 21 to 1 |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Morristown Morristown, TN Public, 2-4 years | $4,419 | - | - | - | 859 | 71% | 20 to 1 |
| Southwest Tennessee Community College Memphis, TN Public, 2-4 years | $17,750 | - | - | - | 6,443 | 14% | 16 to 1 |
| Brillare Beauty Institute Cleveland, TN Private, Less than 2 years | $18,000 | - | - | - | 255 | 54% | 18 to 1 |
| Empire Beauty School-E Memphis Memphis, TN Private, Less than 2 years | $17,145 | - | - | - | 162 | 46% | 17 to 1 |
| Lane College Jackson, TN Private, 4 years four-years | $11,790 | - | - | - | 1,010 | 17% | 15 to 1 |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Elizabethton Elizabethton, TN Public, 2-4 years | $3,936 | - | - | - | 495 | 86% | 19 to 1 |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Murfreesboro Murfreesboro, TN Public, 2-4 years | $6,924 | - | - | - | 337 | 100% | 20 to 1 |
| Remington College-Memphis Campus Memphis, TN Private, 2-4 years | $20,047 | - | - | - | 344 | 30% | 30 to 1 |
| Image Maker Beauty Institute Hendersonville, TN Private, Less than 2 years | $19,100 | - | - | - | 65 | 89% | 19 to 1 |
| Northeast State Community College Blountville, TN Public, 2-4 years | $17,742 | - | - | - | 5,100 | 28% | 20 to 1 |
| Empire Beauty School-Jackson Jackson, TN Private, Less than 2 years | $17,145 | - | - | - | 68 | 32% | 16 to 1 |
| Nashville State Community College Nashville, TN Public, 2-4 years | $17,698 | - | - | - | 6,617 | 16% | 20 to 1 |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Crossville Crossville, TN Public, 2-4 years | $4,419 | - | - | - | 495 | 82% | 20 to 1 |
| Richmont Graduate University Chattanooga, TN Private, 4 years four-years | - | $21,000 | - | - | 343 | - | - |
| Allied Health Careers Institute Murfreesboro, TN Private, Less than 2 years | $13,275 | - | - | - | 63 | 69% | 10 to 1 |
| Average | $17,297 | $19,934 | 1,143 | 69.8% | 2,154 | 59% | 15 to 1 |