The best college in Tennessee for 2027 is Vanderbilt University in Nashville, followed by the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and Rhodes College in Memphis. Tennessee has research universities, small liberal arts colleges, church-affiliated schools, and some of the country’s strongest music business programs.

Many of the state’s major colleges are in Nashville, the state capital and Music City, where institutions offer music business and production degree programs. College football is a big part of campus life, and both the University of Tennessee and Vanderbilt play in the SEC. Other strong schools are in Chattanooga, Memphis and Knoxville. This list covers 25 Tennessee schools.

Our order follows the UM World University Rankings methodology and our university rankings. Use it to compare costs, majors and campus life before you apply.

The Best Colleges In Tennessee 2027

 

1. Vanderbilt University

Vanderbilt University was founded in 1873 and named for shipping and railroad magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt. This private R1 research university sits on a 330-acre campus in Nashville and enrolled 13,575 students in 2024, including 7,221 undergraduates.

Eleven schools include four undergraduate schools and six graduate and professional schools. The Commodores are a founding member of the SEC and its only private school since 1966. Nobel Prize winners number nine among alumni, faculty, and staff, and alumni include Vice President Al Gore and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Robert Penn Warren. John Nance Garner, also a Vice President, is an alumnus too, and Vanderbilt holds Carnegie’s R1 classification.

 

2. University of Tennessee, Knoxville

The University of Tennessee was founded in 1794 as Blount College, two years before Tennessee became a state. It has been the University of Tennessee since 1879. This public land-grant R1 research university is the system’s flagship and enrolled 40,784 students in fall 2025.

Oak Ridge National Laboratory is its major research hub, and the university runs a 250-acre arboretum in Oak Ridge. The Volunteers and Lady Volunteers play NCAA Division I FBS in the SEC. Alumni include quarterback Peyton Manning, author Kurt Vonnegut and 1986 Nobel economist James M. Buchanan. East Tennessee College was its name from 1807 to 1840, followed by East Tennessee University until 1879. Carnegie classifies it as R1.

 

3. Rhodes College

Rhodes College was founded in 1848 as the Masonic University of Tennessee in Clarksville and moved to Memphis in 1925. It has been Rhodes College since 1984. The private liberal arts college sits on a 123-acre campus in Midtown Memphis and had 1,952 students in fall 2023.

It offers more than 50 majors and programs, plus graduate degrees in accounting and urban education. The Lynx compete in NCAA Division III in the Southern Athletic Association. Alumni include Pulitzer winner Robert Penn Warren and Supreme Court Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Abe Fortas. Earlier names were Stewart College, Southwestern Presbyterian University and Southwestern at Memphis. It is historically affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA).

 

4. Sewanee – The University of the South

Sewanee: The University of the South was founded in 1857 when delegates from ten Southern Episcopal dioceses met on July 4. The private Episcopal liberal arts college sits on a 13,000-acre campus atop the Cumberland Plateau and is owned by 28 southern dioceses.

About 1,700 undergraduates study arts and sciences, and graduate study runs through the School of Theology and the School of Letters, which opened in 2006. The Tigers compete in NCAA Division III in the Southern Athletic Association. Sewanee counts 26 Rhodes Scholars, and three of the last five presiding bishops of the Episcopal Church attended its School of Theology.

 

5. University of Memphis

The University of Memphis opened on September 10, 1912, as West Tennessee State Normal School. It was Memphis State University from 1957 to 1994 and has been the University of Memphis since. This public R1 research university enrolls about 20,300 students.

The Tigers play NCAA Division I FBS in The American. Alumni include a U.S. Representative for Tennessee’s 9th Congressional District, a former U.S. Senator and the first overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft. Earlier names were West Tennessee State Teachers College and Memphis State College. Carnegie gives it the R1 classification for very high research activity, and the campus has been in Memphis since the 1912 opening.

 

6. Lipscomb University

Lipscomb University was founded in 1891 by David Lipscomb and James A. Harding as the Nashville Bible School. The private Christian university is affiliated with the Churches of Christ and is located in Nashville’s Green Hills neighbourhood.

Fall 2024 enrollment was 5,646, including 3,487 undergraduates. The university has a seminary, health-science programs, a physician assistant program, a graduate College of Nursing and business programs. The Bisons field 17 varsity sports in NCAA Division I, mainly in the ASUN Conference. Singer Pat Boone and country artist Thomas Rhett are alumni. Alumnus David French is a political commentator. The school was David Lipscomb College before it became Lipscomb University.

 

7. Tennessee Technological University

Tennessee Technological University opened in 1915 as Tennessee Polytechnic Institute, rooted in the 1909 University of Dixie. It has used its current name since 1965. The public research university in Cookeville enrolled 10,701 students in fall 2025.

The university emphasizes engineering, technology, and computer science, with colleges of agriculture, arts and sciences, business, education, fine arts, and nursing. Carnegie classifies it R2. The Golden Eagles play NCAA Division I in the Ohio Valley Conference. Alumni include NASA astronauts Roger K. Crouch and Barry Wilmore and CrossFit champion Rich Froning Jr. Doctoral programs include education, engineering and environmental sciences, and the university describes itself as an institute of technology.

 

8. Union University

Union University was founded in 1823 as Jackson Male Academy. It became West Tennessee College in 1844, Southwestern Baptist University in 1875 and Union University in 1907. The private Baptist university is in Jackson, with additional campuses in Germantown and Hendersonville.

In 2025, about 1,900 undergraduates attended, and graduate degrees in business, education, Christian studies, and nursing are offered in Germantown. The business program is AACSB accredited. The Bulldogs compete in NCAA Division II in the Gulf South Conference. Alumni include Supreme Court Justice Howell Edmunds Jackson. Alumni also include Representative Tom J. Murray and juvenile court founder Ben B. Lindsey. The university fields eleven varsity sports in the Gulf South Conference.

 

9. Lincoln Memorial University

Lincoln Memorial University was chartered on February 12, 1897, with Cyrus Kehr as its first president. The private university sits on a 1,000-acre campus in Harrogate, bordering Cumberland Gap National Historical Park.

In fall 2023, it enrolled 1,605 undergraduates and 4,200 graduate and professional students. The College of Veterinary Medicine gained AVMA accreditation in 2019, and the DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine opened in 2007. The Duncan School of Law in Knoxville earned full accreditation in 2019. The Railsplitters play NCAA Division II. Alumnus Autry O.V. Pete DeBusk founded DeRoyal Industries, and author Ross Samuel Carter graduated in 1941. The Railsplitters field 21 sports in the South Atlantic Conference.

 

10. University of Tennessee at Martin

Founded in 1927 as the University of Tennessee Junior College, the University of Tennessee at Martin became UT Martin in 1967. It is one of five campuses in the University of Tennessee system, and it enrolled 7,507 students in fall 2024.

Programs include agriculture, liberal arts, business, engineering, music, and nursing, along with ROTC and graduate degrees, mostly in education and business. The Skyhawks compete in NCAA Division I FCS in the Ohio Valley Conference. Alumni include Hall of Fame basketball coach Pat Summitt and attorney Van Jones. Lin Dunn, a WNBA championship coach, is also an alumna. Its predecessor was Hall-Moody Institute.

 

11. East Tennessee State University

East Tennessee State University was founded in 1911 as East Tennessee State Normal School and became a university in 1963. The public research university in Johnson City has about 13,700 students.

About 180 academic programs run across ten colleges, including the James H. Quillen College of Medicine, Appalachian Studies and a Bluegrass, Roots and Old-Time Music program. Carnegie classifies it R2. The Buccaneers play NCAA Division I in the Southern Conference. Alumni include entertainer Kenny Chesney. Neil Cusack won the 1974 Boston Marathon. In 2025, ETSU met single-year R1 requirements for the first time, although Carnegie uses a three-year average. It was East Tennessee State College from 1943 to 1963.

 

12. Middle Tennessee State University

Middle Tennessee State University opened on September 11, 1911, as Middle Tennessee State Normal School. It became a university in 1965. The public research university in Murfreesboro enrolled 20,488 students in fall 2024.

Rolling Stone’s College Guide called its Department of Recording Industry one of the preeminent music business programs in the country. The Blue Raiders play NCAA Division I FBS in Conference USA. Alumni include Nobel economist James M. Buchanan (1986), former Senator Albert Gore Sr., and rapper Lecrae. Carnegie classifies it R2. The College of Media and Entertainment houses the recording industry program, and the school was Middle Tennessee State Teachers College in 1925.

 

13. Johnson University

Ashley S. Johnson founded Johnson University in 1893 as the School of the Evangelists. It was Johnson Bible College from 1909 to 2011. The private Christian university has roots in the Restoration Movement and enrolled 1,005 students in 2024-25.

More than 70 academic programs across seven schools lead to associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees. The Royals field twelve varsity sports in the NAIA, mainly in the Appalachian Athletic Conference. The Florida campus in Kissimmee closed on June 30, 2024. G. C. Brewer, Fred Craddock and Oren E. Long are listed among its notable people. It has been Johnson University since July 1, 2011.

 

14. Lee University

Lee University was founded in 1918 as the Church of God Bible Training School. It was Lee College from 1948 to 1997. The private Christian university in Cleveland, Tennessee, is affiliated with the Church of God and had 3,680 students in fall 2023.

Six colleges and schools cover arts and sciences, education, business, music, nursing, and theology and ministry. The Flames field 18 varsity sports in NCAA Division II in the Gulf South Conference. Alumni include Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flatts and Voice winner Jordan Smith. Charles Paul Conn, an alumnus, served as president from 1986 to 2020. Programs run at the undergraduate and master’s levels.

 

15. South College – Knoxville

South College began in 1882 as Knoxville Business College and has been South College since 2001, after Stephen A. South acquired it in 1989. The private for-profit college is based in Knoxville.

Knoxville had 8,234 students in fall 2023, and the college reached 20,000 students across campuses in 2025. Over 100 programs include health care and business administration, a Doctor of Pharmacy launched in 2012, and a Master of Health Science in Physician Assistant Studies launched in 2007. Its regional accreditation came in 2000. It can award associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees. The school began as a branch of Nashville Business College, founded by Jacob T. Johnson.

 

16. Austin Peay State University

Austin Peay State University opened in 1927 as Austin Peay Normal School, named for Governor Austin Peay. It became Austin Peay State University in 1967. The public university sits on a 182-acre urban campus in Clarksville.

About 11,000 students were registered in fall 2025. The university includes six colleges and two schools: Arts and Letters, Business, Behavioural and Health Sciences, Education and Science and Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. The Governors play NCAA Division I in the ASUN Conference, in red and white. The site has hosted educational institutions since 1845. The university is affiliated with the Tennessee Board of Regents, governed by its own Board of Trustees, and holds space-grant status.

 

17. Freed-Hardeman University

Freed-Hardeman University was founded in 1869 as the Henderson Male Institute. It was Freed-Hardeman College from 1919 to 1990. The private university in Henderson is associated with the Churches of Christ and enrolls about 2,300 students.

The five colleges include Arts and Sciences, Biblical Studies, Business and Education, and Behavioural Science;d study abroad is based in Verviers, Belgium. The Lions and Lady Lions compete in the NAIA. The men’s basketball team won national championships in 2024 and 2026, and the women’s team won in 2018. Rubel Shelly and suffragist lawyer Sue Shelton White are listed among its notable people. Trustees must be members of the Churches of Christ.

 

18. Southern Adventist University

Southern Adventist University was founded in 1892 as Graysville Academy and became Southern Adventist University in 1996. The private Seventh-day Adventist university sits on about 1,000 rural acres in Collegedale and enrolled 3,360 students in 2025-26.

It offers associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, including nursing, business, education, and visual art and design. It is one of only two schools in the country offering biblical archaeology. Alumni include novelist Cherie Priest and historian of science Ron Numbers. The Southern Union Conference operates it, and it was Southern Junior College from 1916 and Southern College from 1982. Jim Davis, a North Carolina state senator, is also an alumnus.

 

19. Maryville College

Presbyterian minister Isaac L. Anderson founded Maryville College in 1819 as the Southern and Western Theological Seminary. It has been Maryville College since its 1842 charter. The private liberal arts college sits in Maryville and had 1,147 undergraduates in 2024.

Students complete required general education courses, a comprehensive exam in their major and an extensive senior thesis. The Scots field 17 varsity sports in NCAA Division III and plan to join the Southern Athletic Association in 2026-27. Alumni include former U.S. Treasurer Dorothy Andrews Elston Kabis and Packers general manager Ron Wolf. Richard B. Sellars, former Johnson & Johnson chairman, is also an alumnus. The college is associated with the Presbyterian Church (USA).

 

20. Christian Brothers University

Christian Brothers University was founded in 1871 by the De La Salle Christian Brothers as Christian Brothers College and became a university in 1990. The private Catholic university sits on about 75 urban acres in Memphis.

It enrolled 1,772 students in fall 2024 across four schools: the Rosa Deal School of Arts, the Gadomski School of Engineering, the School of Business and the School of Sciences. Its chemical, civil, electrical and mechanical engineering programs are ABET-accredited. The Buccaneers play NCAA Division II and won the 2002 women’s soccer title. Alumni include federal judge Harry B. Anderson and Governor Malcolm R. Patterson. It also won the 2008 Gulf South Conference men’s basketball championship.

 

21. The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga was founded in 1886 as Chattanooga University. It was the University of Chattanooga from 1907 to 1969 and has been part of the University of Tennessee system since. It enrolled 12,060 students in fall 2025.

Five colleges offer over 150 degree programs and concentrations, including six doctoral programs. The Mocs play NCAA Division I in the Southern Conference, in navy and gold. Alumni include NFL star Terrell Owens and Emmy-winning actor Leslie Jordan. It enrolls 10,396 undergraduates and 1,664 graduate students. Actor Hugh Beaumont is also an alumnus, and the Chattanooga campus was part of U.S. Grant Memorial University from 1889 to 1907.

 

22. LeMoyne-Owen College

LeMoyne-Owen College traces back to 1862, when the American Missionary Association opened a school in Memphis. LeMoyne College and Owen College merged in 1968. The private, historically Black college is affiliated with the United Church of Christ and had 646 students in 2023.

The Magicians compete in NCAA Division II in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The men’s basketball team won the 1975 NCAA Division III title, the only HBCU to win a national championship at that level. Alumni include former Washington mayor Marion Barry and NAACP leader Benjamin Hooks. It began in 1871 as LeMoyne Normal and Commercial School. W. W. Herenton, a former Memphis mayor, is also an alumnus.

 

23. Tennessee Wesleyan University

Tennessee Wesleyan University was founded in 1857 as Athens Female College. It became Tennessee Wesleyan College in 1925 and Tennessee Wesleyan University in 2016. The private United Methodist university is in Athens and has a branch campus in Knoxville.

About 1,050 students enroll, and bachelor’s degrees include behavioural science, biology, business administration, nursing, psychology and education. The Bulldogs field 21 varsity sports in the NAIA, and the baseball team won the NAIA World Series in 2012, 2019 and 2026. Alumni include pitcher Tom Browning. The Bulldogs compete in the Appalachian Athletic Conference. Earlier names include East Tennessee Wesleyan College and Grant Memorial University, and federal judge Xenophon Hicks is an alumnus.

 

24. Carson-Newman University

Carson-Newman University was founded in 1851 as the Mossy Creek Missionary Baptist Seminary and has been Carson-Newman University since 2012. The private Baptist university in Jefferson City enrolled 2,735 students in fall 2023.

The university offers about 90 academic programs, with 1,669 undergraduates and 1,066 graduate students. It is affiliated with the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board. The Eagles field 21 varsity teams in NCAA DivisionII’se South Atlantic Conference. Names have included Carson College and Newman College, from 1880 to 1889, then Carson and Newman College until 1941 and Carson-Newman College until 2012. It offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

 

25. Belmont University

Belmont University was founded in 1890 as Belmont Women’s College by Susan Heron and Ida Hood. It has been Belmont University since 1991. The private Christian university sits on about 75 acres near Midtown Nashville and ended its ties with the Tennessee Baptist Convention in 2007.

It enrolled 8,910 students in fall 2022. The Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business is known for its industry internship program. The Bruins play NCAA Division I in the Missouri Valley Conference. It was Belmont College for Young Women until 1913, Ward-Belmont College until 1951, and Belmont College until 1991. Enrollment included 7,384 undergraduates and 1,526 graduate students, and the mascot is Bruiser the Bruin.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best college in Tennessee?

Vanderbilt University in Nashville is first on our 2027 list, followed by the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and Rhodes College in Memphis. Vanderbilt is a private R1 research university with 13,575 students in 2024.

What is the largest university in Tennessee?

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, with 40,784 students in fall 2025. The University of Memphis has about 20,300 students, and Middle Tennessee State University had 20,488 in fall 2024.

Where can you study music business in Tennessee?

Belmont University in Nashville is home to the Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business, known for its industry internship program. Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro has a Department of Recording Industry.

What is the oldest college in Tennessee?

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville began in 1794 as Blount College, two years before Tennessee became a state. Maryville College followed in 1819 and Union University in 1823.

Is there a historically Black college in Memphis?

Yes. LeMoyne-Owen College in Memphis is a private historically Black college affiliated with the United Church of Christ. It dates back to 1862.

Where can you study veterinary medicine, osteopathic medicine or law in Tennessee?

Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate has a College of Veterinary Medicine, the DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine and the Duncan School of Law in Knoxville.

Top 25 Best Colleges in Tennessee 2027: Ranked List

1. Vanderbilt University
2. University of Tennessee, Knoxville
3. Rhodes College
4. Sewanee – The University of the South
5. University of Memphis
6. Lipscomb University
7. Tennessee Technological University
8. Union University
9. Lincoln Memorial University
10. University of Tennessee at Martin
11. East Tennessee State University
12. Middle Tennessee State University
13. Johnson University
14. Lee University
15. South College – Knoxville
16. Austin Peay State University
17. Freed-Hardeman University
18. Southern Adventist University
19. Maryville College
20. Christian Brothers University
21. The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
22. LeMoyne-Owen College
23. Tennessee Wesleyan University
24. Carson-Newman University
25. Belmont University

 

 

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