Tennessee Colleges, Universities And Trade Schools

- Total Colleges: 183
- Total Medical Schools: 5
- Total Colleges With Tenure: 0
- Colleges By Highest Degree Offered
- Associate's: 34
- Bachelor's Degree: 27
- Master's Degree: 27
- Doctor's Degree: 23
- Total Faculty: 81,067
- Total Full Time Faculty: 63,431
- Total Part Time Faculty: 17,636
- Total Students: 368,247
- Total Full Time Students: 262,973
- Total Part Time Students: 105,274
- Total Undergraduate Students: 318,733
- Total Graduate Students: 49,514
Student Race Breakdown

Student Gender Breakdown

Student Age Breakdown

The state of Tennessee is home to a large number of public and private higher education institutions located throughout the state. Larger colleges and universities are typically located in the state’s capital, Nashville, and its largest cities, Memphis, Knoxville and Chattanooga, with Memphis and Nashville having significantly higher populations. The state is bordered by Virginia to the north, North Carolina to the east, Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi to the south, and Arkansas and Missouri to the west. Given the shape of the state, most individuals will be near the border to one or more of these states, allowing for ease of travel and exploration when not studying.
Public institutions in Tennessee are part of one of two systems. The first, the Tennessee Board of Regents, is comprised of six universities, thirteen community colleges, and 27 learning centers throughout the state. The system was formed in 1972, and is currently the sixth largest system of education in the United States. The second system is the University of Tennessee, which operates three primary campuses, two secondary campuses, and a large number of learning annexes throughout the state. The system was formed 1969 and expanded thereafter, though the oldest school in the system, University of Tennessee at Knoxville, dates to 1794.
Public Tennessee institutions include:
- University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (Chattanooga)
- University of Tennessee at Martin (Martin)
- Middle Tennessee State University (Murfreesboro)
- University of Memphis (Memphis)
- Tennessee State University (Nashville)
Private schools in the state are typically liberal arts colleges, providing a unique curriculum of study and allowing for the exploration of interests by students. Such schools also tend to have been founded within a religious context and many maintain ties to the denomination that assisted in their foundation. Private schools tend to have higher tuition costs due to a lack of public funding, smaller class sizes, and excellent student to teacher ratios allowing for a more personal educational experience. Such schools also tend to maintain programs and internship opportunities with sponsors and partners, and a small enrollment means greater opportunity.
Private schools in the state include:
- Carson-Newman College (Jefferson City)
- Lane College (Jackson)
- Rhodes College (Memphis)
- King College (Bristol)
- Tennessee Wesleyan College (Athens)
Tennessee is also home to a large number of private two year colleges, career schools and community colleges. These schools primarily offer career training and technical training for individuals seeking to enter the workforce. Private schools and colleges often are more expensive and limited in their offerings to specific, often high demand, fields. Programs normally take up to a year to complete, but can be as long as two, and are designed with the intention of immediate employment after graduation. Community colleges provide the above as well as transfer opportunities to four year institutions to pursue higher degrees of education.
Listings of Colleges in Tennessee
4-Year Colleges and Universities
The table below lists 4-year colleges and universities in Tennessee, including both public and private schools.
| School Name | Tuition | Size | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Baptist College Nashville, TN 4 Year Private (Non-Profit) | $8,594 | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Aquinas College Nashville, TN 4 Year Private (Non-Profit) | $19,050 | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Austin Peay State University (APSU) Clarksville, TN 4 Year Public | $6,432 | 10,000 to 19,999 | |
| Baptist Memorial College of Health Sciences Memphis, TN 4 Year Private (Non-Profit) | $10,660 | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Belmont University Nashville, TN 4 Year Private (Non-Profit) | $24,960 | 5,000 to 9,999 | |
| Bethel University McKenzie, TN 4 Year Private (Non-Profit) | $13,552 | 5,000 to 9,999 | |
| Bryan College-Dayton (William Jennings Bryan College) Dayton, TN 4 Year Private (Non-Profit) | $19,550 | 1,000 to 4,999 | |
| Carson - Newman College Jefferson City, TN 4 Year Private (Non-Profit) | $21,778 | 1,000 to 4,999 | |
| Christian Brothers University (CBU) Memphis, TN 4 Year Private (Non-Profit) | $26,110 | 1,000 to 4,999 | |
| Cumberland University (CU) Lebanon, TN 4 Year Private (Non-Profit) | $19,200 | 1,000 to 4,999 | |
| Daymar Institute-Nashville Nashville, TN 4 Year Private (For-Profit) | $16,710 | Less Than 1,000 | |
| East Tennessee State University (ETSU) Johnson City, TN 4 Year Public | $6,271 | 10,000 to 19,999 | |
| Emmanuel Christian Seminary (Emmanuel School of Religion) Johnson City, TN 4 Year Private (Non-Profit) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Fisk University Nashville, TN 4 Year Private (Non-Profit) | $19,462 | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Fountainhead College of Technology Knoxville, TN 4 Year Private (For-Profit) | $17,000 | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Free Will Baptist Bible College (FWBBC) Nashville, TN 4 Year Private (Non-Profit) | $11,646 | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Freed - Hardeman University Henderson, TN 4 Year Private (Non-Profit) | $17,081 | 1,000 to 4,999 | |
| Hiwassee College Madisonville, TN 4 Year Private (Non-Profit) | $17,300 | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Johnson University Knoxville, TN 4 Year Private (Non-Profit) | $9,630 | Less Than 1,000 | |
| King College Bristol, TN 4 Year Private (Non-Profit) | $24,052 | 1,000 to 4,999 | |
| Lane College Jackson, TN 4 Year Private (Non-Profit) | $8,220 | 1,000 to 4,999 | |
| Le Moyne - Owen College Memphis, TN 4 Year Private (Non-Profit) | $10,298 | 1,000 to 4,999 | |
| Lee University Cleveland, TN 4 Year Private (Non-Profit) | $12,680 | 1,000 to 4,999 | |
| Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) Harrogate, TN 4 Year Private (Non-Profit) | $17,720 | 1,000 to 4,999 | |
| Lipscomb University (David Lipscomb University) Nashville, TN 4 Year Private (Non-Profit) | $23,494 | 1,000 to 4,999 | |
| Martin Methodist College Pulaski, TN 4 Year Private (Non-Profit) | $20,582 | 1,000 to 4,999 | |
| Maryville College Maryville, TN 4 Year Private (Non-Profit) | $29,924 | 1,000 to 4,999 | |
| Meharry Medical College Nashville, TN 4 Year Private (Non-Profit) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Memphis College of Art (MCA, Memphis Academy of Art) Memphis, TN 4 Year Private (Non-Profit) | $25,050 | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Memphis Theological Seminary Memphis, TN 4 Year Private (Non-Profit) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia Inc (MTSA) Madison, TN 4 Year Private (Non-Profit) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) Murfreesboro, TN 4 Year Public | $6,754 | More Than 20,000 | |
| Milligan College Milligan College, TN 4 Year Private (Non-Profit) | $25,260 | 1,000 to 4,999 | |
| Nossi College of Art Madison, TN 4 Year Private (For-Profit) | $14,200 | Less Than 1,000 | |
| O'more College of Design Franklin, TN 4 Year Private (Non-Profit) | $23,952 | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Pentecostal Theological Seminary Cleveland, TN 4 Year Private (Non-Profit) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Rhodes College Memphis, TN 4 Year Private (Non-Profit) | $36,464 | 1,000 to 4,999 | |
| Richmont Graduate University Chattanooga, TN 4 Year Private (Non-Profit) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Sewanee - the University of the South (Sewanee, University of the South) Sewanee, TN 4 Year Private (Non-Profit) | $32,292 | 1,000 to 4,999 | |
| South College Knoxville, TN 4 Year Private (For-Profit) | $17,600 | 1,000 to 4,999 | |
| Southern Adventist University Collegedale, TN 4 Year Private (Non-Profit) | $18,324 | 1,000 to 4,999 | |
| Southern College of Optometry Memphis, TN 4 Year Private (Non-Profit) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Tennessee State University (TSU) Nashville, TN 4 Year Public | $6,088 | 5,000 to 9,999 | |
| Tennessee Technological University (Tennessee Tech University) Cookeville, TN 4 Year Public | $6,406 | 10,000 to 19,999 | |
| Tennessee Temple University Chattanooga, TN 4 Year Private (Non-Profit) | $11,920 | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Tennessee Wesleyan College Athens, TN 4 Year Private (Non-Profit) | $19,700 | 1,000 to 4,999 | |
| The University of Tennessee (UT, UTK) Knoxville, TN 4 Year Public | $8,396 | More Than 20,000 | |
| The University of Tennessee - Martin (UT Martin) Martin, TN 4 Year Public | $6,716 | 5,000 to 9,999 | |
| The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) Chattanooga, TN 4 Year Public | $6,718 | 10,000 to 19,999 | |
| Trevecca Nazarene University Nashville, TN 4 Year Private (Non-Profit) | $20,490 | 1,000 to 4,999 | |
| Tusculum College Greeneville, TN 4 Year Private (Non-Profit) | $20,910 | 1,000 to 4,999 | |
| Union University Jackson, TN 4 Year Private (Non-Profit) | $24,030 | 1,000 to 4,999 | |
| University of Memphis (U of M) Memphis, TN 4 Year Public | $7,390 | More Than 20,000 | |
| Vanderbilt University (VU) Nashville, TN 4 Year Private (Non-Profit) | $41,332 | 10,000 to 19,999 | |
| Victory University Memphis, TN 4 Year Private (For-Profit) | $8,621 | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Visible School - Music and Worships Arts College Memphis, TN 4 Year Private (Non-Profit) | $20,000 | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Watkins College of Art Design & Film (Watkins Institute) Nashville, TN 4 Year Private (Non-Profit) | $18,414 | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Williamson Christian College (WCC) Franklin, TN 4 Year Private (Non-Profit) | $9,035 | Less Than 1,000 |
Community Colleges
The table below lists 2-year public colleges and community colleges in Tennessee. Many of these colleges have an open policy for admitting new students.
| School Name | Tuition | Size | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga State Technical Community College (Chat State) Chattanooga, TN 2 Year (Community College) | $3,411 | 10,000 to 19,999 | |
| Cleveland State Community College (CSCC) Cleveland, TN 2 Year (Community College) | $3,365 | 1,000 to 4,999 | |
| Columbia State Community College Columbia, TN 2 Year (Community College) | $3,367 | 5,000 to 9,999 | |
| Dyersburg State Community College Dyersburg, TN 2 Year (Community College) | $3,387 | 1,000 to 4,999 | |
| Jackson State Community College (JSCC) Jackson, TN 2 Year (Community College) | $3,364 | 1,000 to 4,999 | |
| Motlow State Community College (MSCC) Tullahoma, TN 2 Year (Community College) | $3,372 | 1,000 to 4,999 | |
| Nashville State Technical Community College (NSCC) Nashville, TN 2 Year (Community College) | $3,321 | 5,000 to 9,999 | |
| Northeast State Technical Community College Blountville, TN 2 Year (Community College) | $3,398 | 5,000 to 9,999 | |
| Pellissippi State Community College (PSCC) Knoxville, TN 2 Year (Community College) | $3,414 | 10,000 to 19,999 | |
| Roane State Community College (RSCC) Harriman, TN 2 Year (Community College) | $3,387 | 5,000 to 9,999 | |
| Southwest Tennessee Community College Memphis, TN 2 Year (Community College) | $3,381 | 10,000 to 19,999 | |
| Volunteer State Community College (VSCC) Gallatin, TN 2 Year (Community College) | $3,367 | 5,000 to 9,999 | |
| Walters State Community College (WSCC) Morristown, TN 2 Year (Community College) | $3,375 | 5,000 to 9,999 |
Technical Colleges
The table below lists 2-year public technical colleges in Tennessee. These colleges do not offer any degrees, but rather provide students training in many career fields.
| School Name | Tuition | Size | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Technology Center at Athens Athens, TN 2 Year (Community College) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Tennessee Technology Center at Covington Covington, TN 2 Year (Community College) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Tennessee Technology Center at Crossville Crossville, TN 2 Year (Community College) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Tennessee Technology Center at Crump Crump, TN 2 Year (Community College) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Tennessee Technology Center at Dickson Dickson, TN 2 Year (Community College) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Tennessee Technology Center at Elizabethton Elizabethton, TN 2 Year (Community College) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Tennessee Technology Center at Harriman Harriman, TN 2 Year (Community College) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Tennessee Technology Center at Hartsville Hartsville, TN 2 Year (Community College) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Tennessee Technology Center at Hohenwald Hohenwald, TN 2 Year (Community College) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Tennessee Technology Center at Jacksboro (TTC Jacksboro) Jacksboro, TN 2 Year (Community College) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Tennessee Technology Center at Jackson Jackson, TN 2 Year (Community College) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Tennessee Technology Center at Knoxville Knoxville, TN 2 Year (Community College) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Tennessee Technology Center at Livingston Livingston, TN 2 Year (Community College) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Tennessee Technology Center at Mckenzie McKenzie, TN 2 Year (Community College) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Tennessee Technology Center at Mcminnville (Vo Tech) McMinnville, TN 2 Year (Community College) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Tennessee Technology Center at Memphis Memphis, TN 2 Year (Community College) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Tennessee Technology Center at Morristown Morristown, TN 2 Year (Community College) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Tennessee Technology Center at Murfreesboro Murfreesboro, TN 2 Year (Community College) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Tennessee Technology Center at Nashville Nashville, TN 2 Year (Community College) | - | 1,000 to 4,999 | |
| Tennessee Technology Center at Newbern (TTC Newbern) Newbern, TN 2 Year (Community College) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Tennessee Technology Center at Oneida - Huntsville Huntsville, TN 2 Year (Community College) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Tennessee Technology Center at Paris Paris, TN 2 Year (Community College) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Tennessee Technology Center at Pulaski Pulaski, TN 2 Year (Community College) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Tennessee Technology Center at Ripley Ripley, TN 2 Year (Community College) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Tennessee Technology Center at Shelbyville (Shelbyville Tech) Shelbyville, TN 2 Year (Community College) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Tennessee Technology Center at Whiteville Whiteville, TN 2 Year (Community College) | - | Less Than 1,000 |
Career Colleges
The table below lists career and trade schools in Tennessee. These include both public and private institutions.
| School Name | Tuition | Size | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arnolds Beauty School Milan, TN Career College (Private <2 Year) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Buchanan Beauty College Shelbyville, TN Career College (Private <2 Year) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Career Beauty College Lawrenceburg, TN Career College (Private <2 Year) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Chattanooga College Medical Dental and Technical Careers Chattanooga, TN 2 Year Private (For-Profit) | $9,160 | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Concorde Career College-Memphis Memphis, TN 2 Year Private (For-Profit) | - | 1,000 to 4,999 | |
| Elite College of Cosmetology Lexington, TN Career College (Private <2 Year) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Fayetteville College of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences Fayetteville, TN Career College (Private <2 Year) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Franklin Academy Cleveland, TN Career College (Private <2 Year) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Genesis Career College Cookeville, TN Career College (Private <2 Year) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Genesis Career College-Lebanon Campus Lebanon, TN Career College (Private <2 Year) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Institute of Hair Design Adamsville, TN Career College (Private <2 Year) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| International Barber & Style College Nashville, TN Career College (Private <2 Year) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Jenny Lea Academy of Cosmetology and Aesthetics (Jenny Lea, JLA) Johnson City, TN Career College (Private <2 Year) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| John a Gupton College Nashville, TN 2 Year Private (Non-Profit) | $9,546 | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Kaplan Career Institute-Nashville Nashville, TN 2 Year Private (For-Profit) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Knoxville Institute of Hair Design Knoxville, TN Career College (Private <2 Year) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Love Beauty School Manchester, TN Career College (Private <2 Year) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Medvance Institute - Cookeville Cookeville, TN 2 Year Private (For-Profit) | $13,600 | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Memphis Institute of Barbering Memphis, TN Career College (Private <2 Year) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Mr Waynes School of Unisex Hair Design Cookeville, TN Career College (Private <2 Year) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Nashville Auto Diesel College Nashville, TN 2 Year Private (For-Profit) | - | 1,000 to 4,999 | |
| Nashville College of Medical Careers Madison, TN Career College (Private <2 Year) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| National College of Business and Technology - Nashville Nashville, TN 2 Year Private (For-Profit) | $11,101 | 1,000 to 4,999 | |
| New Concepts School of Cosmetology Cleveland, TN Career College (Private <2 Year) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| North Central Institute Clarksville, TN 2 Year Private (For-Profit) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Paul Mitchell the School - Nashville ( Paul Mitchell Partner School) Antioch, TN Career College (Private <2 Year) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Plaza Beauty School Memphis, TN Career College (Private <2 Year) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Queen City College Clarksville, TN Career College (Private <2 Year) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Reuben - Allen College Knoxville, TN Career College (Private <2 Year) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Sae Institute of Technology - Nashville Nashville, TN Career College (Private <2 Year) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Shear Academy Crossville, TN Career College (Private <2 Year) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Southern Institute of Cosmetology Memphis, TN Career College (Private <2 Year) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Styles and Profiles Beauty College Selmer, TN Career College (Private <2 Year) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Tennessee Academy of Cosmetology Memphis, TN Career College (Private <2 Year) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Tennessee Academy of Cosmetology - East Shelby Memphis, TN Career College (Private <2 Year) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Tennessee Career Institute Columbia, TN Career College (Private <2 Year) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Tennessee School of Beauty of Knoxville Inc Knoxville, TN Career College (Private <2 Year) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Volunteer Beauty School-Dyersburg Dyersburg, TN Career College (Private <2 Year) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Volunteer Beauty School-Madison Madison, TN Career College (Private <2 Year) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Volunteer Beauty School-Nashville Nashville, TN Career College (Private <2 Year) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| West Tennessee Business College Jackson, TN 2 Year Private (For-Profit) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| William Moore College of Technology (Moore Tech) Memphis, TN 2 Year Private (Non-Profit) | $4,650 | Less Than 1,000 |