List of Private Universities & Colleges in Tennessee
Get Your Degree!

Top Rated Tennessee Private Colleges
Top ranked private colleges in Tennessee include the following institutions: Vanderbilt University, Rhodes College, Union University, Belmont University, The University of the South, and Johnson University. Private colleges are defined by the fact they do not accept public funding. In other words, they are required to operate using alumni donations, grants, tuition, internal operations, and corporate donations. Private universities are generally smaller than their state college counterparts, focusing on smaller class sizes and moderating the student to teacher ratios.Popular Degrees at Private Colleges in Tennessee
Graduate and undergraduate degree programs are available from dozens of private colleges in Tennessee to help you find your academic path. You may be interested in following an emerging area of study such as toxicology, cytotechnology, robotics, entomology, actuarial science, or biophysics or a more traditional degree route. Perineal programs that garner attention will generally include accounting, history, finance, biology, math, creative writing, engineering, teaching, and criminology. With so many choices to consider, how do you determine which degree is best for you?List of Large 4-Year Private Universities in Tennessee
There are 12 large private universities in our database for Tennessee. Follow the links below to get more details about each school.
Large Universities with Research Facilities or Faculty
The universities listed below offer many diverse academic programs, have a large student body, and usually have research facilities or faculty involved with research. These schools very often have graduate and professional programs as well.
Lipscomb University (David Lipscomb University) in Nashville, TN

Visit the website for Lipscomb University at lipscomb.edu

Program Details
- 1,000 to 4,999 Undergraduate Students Enrolled
- Estimated tuition & fees: $30,000 per year
Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, TN

Visit the website for Trevecca Nazarene University at trevecca.edu
Program Details
- 1,000 to 4,999 Undergraduate Students Enrolled
- Estimated tuition & fees: $25,000 per year
Union University in Jackson, TN

Visit the website for Union University at uu.edu
Program Details
- 1,000 to 4,999 Undergraduate Students Enrolled
- Estimated tuition & fees: $31,000 per year
Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN

Visit the website for Vanderbilt University at vanderbilt.edu

Program Details
- 10,000 to 19,999 Undergraduate Students Enrolled
- Estimated tuition & fees: $47,000 per year
Large Primarily Academic Universities
Each university listed below offers a diverse set of degrees and programs, unlike the research universities listed above, these schools contain little to no research activity on campus and are primarily academic.
- Belmont University in Nashville, TN
- Bethel University (Bethel) in McKenzie, TN
- Carson - Newman College in Jefferson City, TN
- King College in Bristol, TN
- Lee University in Cleveland, TN
- Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) in Harrogate, TN
- Southern Adventist University in Collegedale, TN
- Strayer University - Tennessee in Memphis, TN
Small to Medium Sized 4-Year Universities
The 4-year schools listed below have a small to medium sized student body and may offer a wide range of associate and bachelor's degrees. Get more information about each school by clicking the links below.
- Bryan College (William Jennings Bryan College) in Dayton, TN
- Christian Brothers University (CBU) in Memphis, TN
- Cumberland University (CU) in Lebanon, TN
- Daymar Institute in Clarksville, TN
- Fisk University in Nashville, TN
- Free Will Baptist Bible College in Nashville, TN
- Freed - Hardeman University in Henderson, TN
- Lane College in Jackson, TN
- Le Moyne - Owen College in Memphis, TN
- Martin Methodist College in Pulaski, TN
- Maryville College in Maryville, TN
- Sewanee - The University of the South (Sewanee) in Sewanee, TN
- South College in Knoxville, TN
- Tennessee Wesleyan College in Athens, TN
- Tusculum College in Greeneville, TN
4-Year Colleges with a Special Focus on an Area of Study
The schools below are grouped by their special area of focus. To learn about admissions, tuition & fees, programs offered, and more click on the school names below.
Technology-Related Schools
Health Professions Schools
- Aquinas College in Nashville, TN
- Argosy University in Nashville, TN
- Baptist Memorial College of Health Sciences in Memphis, TN
Theological Seminaries, Bible Colleges, and Other Faith-Related Institutions
- Johnson University in Knoxville, TN
Schools of Art, Music, and Design
- Memphis College of Art (MCA, Memphis Academy of Art) in Memphis, TN
- The Art Institute of Tennessee in Nashville, TN
Notes: Tuition & fee amounts are for both Tennessee in-state residents and out of state students, unless noted otherwise. The tuition information displayed is an estimate, which we calculated based on historical data and should be solely used for informational purposes only. Please contact the respective school for information about the current school year.
Source: IPEDS Survey 2012-2015: Data obtained from the US Dept. of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data may vary depending on school and academic year.