POPULATION (2021): 7 million
CAPITAL: Nashville
LARGEST PUBLIC UNIVERSITY IN TENNESSEE: University of Tennessee
LARGEST PRIVATE UNIVERSITY IN TENNESSEE: Vanderbilt University
Tennessee is a southern state with a few big cities and a lot of rolling mountains and forests to enjoy, too. Known for being a hub for live music, Tennessee has produced a lot of timeless artists such as Elvis and Dolly Parton, many of whom started their journey in the capital city of Nashville.
Visitors and residents alike flock to the countless live music joints on the weekends, and even the smaller towns always have some live music going. Food is another thing that Tennessee prides itself on, with the hot chicken being their flagship offering.
For students who are old enough, the locals also love sharing their whiskey!
Universities in Tennessee – 4-Year Colleges and Online
Tennessee is home to several large colleges, both public and private, and for students looking for the classic college experience, Tennessee has many choices. Here is a closer look at colleges and universities in Tennessee that offer 4-year degrees.
Public Universities in Tennessee
The University of Tennessee system is the main public university system and has campuses at these locations:
- UT – Main Campus (Knoxville)
- UT – Chattanooga
- UT – Martin
- UT – Southern (Pulaski)
- UT – Health Sciences Center (Memphis)
Several other public universities are located throughout Tennessee:
- Middle Tennessee State University (Murfreesboro)
- University of Memphis
- East Tennessee State University (Johnson City
- Tennessee Technical University (Cookeville)
- Austin Peay University
- Tennessee State University (Nashville)
Private Universities in Tennessee
There is no shortage of private universities in Tennessee, either. Here they are from largest to smallest, by enrollment:
- Vanderbilt University
- Tennessee Bible College
- Belmont University
- Lee University
- Lincoln Memorial University
- Lipscomb University
- Bethel University
- Cumberland University
- Freed-Hardeman University
- LeMoyne-Owen College
- Rhodes College
- King University
- Bryan College
- Lane College
- Milligan University
- Johnson University
- Maryville College
- Fisk University
Community Colleges in Tennessee
The Tennessee education sector also oversees 13 community colleges:
- Chattanooga State Community College, Chattanooga
- Cleveland State Community College, Cleveland
- Columbia State Community College, Columbia
- Dyersburg State Community College, Dyersburg
- Jackson State Community College, Jackson
- Motlow State Community College, Lynchburg
- Nashville State Community College, Nashville
- Northeast State Community College, Blountville
- Pellissippi State Community College, Knoxville
- Roane State Community College, Harriman
- Southwest Tennessee Community College, Memphis
- Volunteer State Community College, Gallatin
- Walters State Community College, Morristown
Prominent Online Colleges in Tennessee
Online school is fairly popular in Tennessee, with nearly 30% of students taking at least one course online. The 4 colleges with the most online students are Johnson University, King University, the University of Memphis, and Carson-Newman.
The UT schools also have transferable credits for their online programs, though the majority of degree programs still require some in-person learning.
Universities in Knoxville, TN
Knoxville is home to the largest college in Tennessee, the University of Tennessee’s Main Campus. The three other 4-year universities in Knoxville are Huntington University, Johnson University, and South College.
Universities in Memphis, TN
Elvis’ hometown is also home to a few colleges. The largest is the college that shares the same name, but in addition to the University of Memphis, the Baptist Memorial College of Health Sciences, LeMoyne-Owen College, the Memphis College of Art, Mid-South Christian, Remington College, Rhodes College, and the UT Health Science Center all offer 4-year degrees in Memphis.
Universities in Nashville, TN
The capital of Tennessee is also the capital of country music. Nashville is also the biggest city in Tennessee, which generally means more options for college. Here is a list of the 4-year colleges in Nashville:
- American Baptist College
- Belmont University
- DeVry University
- Fisk University
- Fortis Institute
- Hussian College
- Lipscomb University
- Nossi College of Art
- SAE Institute of Technology
- Tennessee State University
- Trevecca Nazarene University
- Vanderbilt University
- Watkins College of Art, Design, & Film
Get to Know Tennessee
Music, food, and good people are the staples of Tennessee. It has a great mix of city life and country life, and students who go to school in Tennessee will surely find a niche where they feel accepted and have a good time.
The cost of living is fairly low, especially away from the cities, and the economy is strong. Several industries well beyond the shiny lights of music and entertainment are booming in Tennessee, including automotive sales and other large-scale manufacturing processes.
| Institution Name | City | State | Website | Degree Levels Offered | Modality | Profit Status (CNTLAFFI) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Health Careers Institute | Murfreesboro | TN | www.ahci.edu | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| American Baptist College | Nashville | TN | www.abcnash.edu | Associates Bachelors |
Campus | No |
| Arnolds Beauty School | Milan | TN | arnoldsbeautyschool.com | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Austin Peay State University | Clarksville | TN | www.apsu.edu | Associates Bachelors Masters Doctorate |
Campus | No |
| Austin's Beauty College Inc | Clarksville | TN | www.austinbeautycollege.com | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Baptist Memorial College of Health Sciences | Memphis | TN | www.bchs.edu | Associates Bachelors Doctorate |
Campus | No |
| Belmont University | Nashville | TN | www.belmont.edu | Bachelors Masters Doctorate |
Campus | No |
| Bethel University | McKenzie | TN | www.bethelu.edu | Associates Bachelors Masters |
Campus | No |
| Bryan College-Dayton | Dayton | TN | www.bryan.edu | Associates Bachelors Masters |
Campus | No |
| Career Beauty College | Lawrenceburg | TN | www.cbclburg.com | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Carson-Newman University | Jefferson City | TN | www.cn.edu | Associates Bachelors Masters Doctorate |
Campus | No |
| Chattanooga College Medical Dental and Technical Careers | Chattanooga | TN | www.chattanoogacollege.edu | Certificates Associates |
Campus | No |
| Chattanooga State Community College | Chattanooga | TN | www.chattanoogastate.edu | Certificates Associates |
Campus | No |
| Christian Brothers University | Memphis | TN | www.cbu.edu | Associates Bachelors Masters |
Campus | No |
| Cleveland State Community College | Cleveland | TN | www.clevelandstatecc.edu | Certificates Associates |
Campus | No |
| Columbia State Community College | Columbia | TN | www.columbiastate.edu | Certificates Associates |
Campus | No |
| Concorde Career College-Memphis | Memphis | TN | www.concorde.edu | Certificates Associates |
Campus | No |
| Cumberland University | Lebanon | TN | www.cumberland.edu | Certificates Associates Bachelors Masters |
Campus | No |
| DeVry University-Tennessee | Nashville | TN | www.devry.edu | Associates Bachelors Masters |
Campus | No |
| Dyersburg State Community College | Dyersburg | TN | www.dscc.edu | Certificates Associates |
Campus | No |
| East Tennessee State University | Johnson City | TN | www.etsu.edu | Certificates Bachelors Masters Doctorate |
Campus | No |
| EduMed Partners | Goodlettsville | TN | www.edumed-partners.com | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Elite College of Cosmetology | Lexington | TN | www.elitecollegeofcosmetology.com | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Empire Beauty School-E Memphis | Memphis | TN | www.empire.edu | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Empire Beauty School-Jackson | Jackson | TN | www.empire.edu | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Empire Beauty School-Nashville | Brentwood | TN | www.empire.edu | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Empire Beauty School-S Memphis | Memphis | TN | www.empire.edu | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Fisk University | Nashville | TN | www.fisk.edu | Bachelors Masters |
Campus | No |
| Fortis Institute-Cookeville | Cookeville | TN | www.fortis.edu | Certificates Associates |
Campus | No |
| Fortis Institute-Nashville | Nashville | TN | www.fortis.edu | Certificates Associates |
Campus | No |
| Franklin Academy | Cleveland | TN | www.franklinacademy.edu | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Franklin Hair Academy School of Cosmetology | Franklin | TN | franklinhairacademy.com | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Freed-Hardeman University | Henderson | TN | www.fhu.edu | Associates Bachelors Masters Doctorate |
Campus | No |
| Genesis Career College-Cookeville | Cookeville | TN | www.genesiscareer.edu | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Genesis Career College-Lebanon | Lebanon | TN | www.genesiscareer.edu | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Gould's Academy | Memphis | TN | www.gouldsacademy.com | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Gould's Academy | Bartlett | TN | gouldsacademy.com | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Health-Tech Institute of Memphis | Memphis | TN | www.htim.edu | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Huntington University of Health Sciences | Knoxville | TN | www.huhs.edu | Certificates Associates Bachelors Masters Doctorate |
Online | No |
| Hussian College-Daymar College Clarksville | Clarksville | TN | www.daymarcollege.edu | Certificates Associates Bachelors |
Campus | No |
| Hussian College-Daymar College Murfreesboro | Murfreesboro | TN | www.daymarcollege.edu | Certificates Associates Bachelors |
Online | No |
| Hussian College-Daymar College Nashville | Nashville | TN | www.daymarcollege.edu | Certificates Associates Bachelors |
Campus | No |
| Image Maker Beauty Institute | Hendersonville | TN | www.imagemakerbeauty.com | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Jackson State Community College | Jackson | TN | www.jscc.edu | Certificates Associates |
Campus | No |
| Jenny Lea Academy of Cosmetology | Johnson City | TN | www.jennyleaacademy.com | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| John A Gupton College | Nashville | TN | www.guptoncollege.edu | Certificates Associates |
Online | No |
| Johnson University | Knoxville | TN | johnsonu.edu | Certificates Associates Bachelors Masters Doctorate |
Campus | No |
| King University | Bristol | TN | www.king.edu | Associates Bachelors Masters Doctorate |
Online | No |
| Lane College | Jackson | TN | www.lanecollege.edu | Associates Bachelors |
Campus | No |
| Le Moyne-Owen College | Memphis | TN | www.loc.edu | Associates Bachelors |
Campus | No |
| Lee University | Cleveland | TN | www.leeuniversity.edu | Bachelors Masters Doctorate |
Campus | No |
| Lincoln College of Technology-Nashville | Nashville | TN | www.lincolntech.edu | Certificates Associates |
Campus | No |
| Lincoln Memorial University | Harrogate | TN | www.lmunet.edu | Associates Bachelors Masters Doctorate |
Campus | No |
| Lipscomb University | Nashville | TN | www.lipscomb.edu | Certificates Associates Bachelors Masters Doctorate |
Campus | No |
| Love Beauty School Inc | Manchester | TN | www.lovebeautyschool.net | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Martin Methodist College | Pulaski | TN | www.martinmethodist.edu | Associates Bachelors Masters |
Campus | No |
| Maryville College | Maryville | TN | www.maryvillecollege.edu | Bachelors |
Campus | No |
| Massage Institute of Memphis | Memphis | TN | www.themassageinstitute.com | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Master's Barber & Styling College | Old Hickory | TN | mastersbarbercollege.edu | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Meharry Medical College | Nashville | TN | www.mmc.edu | Masters Doctorate |
Campus | No |
| Memphis College of Art | Memphis | TN | www.mca.edu | Bachelors Masters |
Campus | No |
| Memphis Theological Seminary | Memphis | TN | www.memphisseminary.edu | Masters Doctorate |
Campus | No |
| Meridian Institute of Surgical Assisting | Nashville | TN | www.meridian-institute.edu | Certificates Associates |
Online | No |
| Mid-South Christian College | Memphis | TN | www.midsouthchristian.edu | Certificates Associates Bachelors |
Campus | No |
| Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia Inc | Madison | TN | www.MTSA.edu | Masters Doctorate |
Hybrid | No |
| Middle Tennessee State University | Murfreesboro | TN | www.mtsu.edu | Certificates Bachelors Masters Doctorate |
Campus | No |
| Milligan University | Milligan | TN | www.milligan.edu | Bachelors Masters Doctorate |
Campus | No |
| Mind Body Institute | Nashville | TN | mindbody.edu | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Motlow State Community College | Tullahoma | TN | www.mscc.edu | Certificates Associates |
Campus | No |
| Mr Wayne's School of Unisex Hair Design | Cookeville | TN | www.misterwaynes.com | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Nashville College of Medical Careers | Madison | TN | www.college-universities.com | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Nashville Film Institute | Nashville | TN | nfi.edu | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Nashville State Community College | Nashville | TN | www.nscc.edu | Certificates Associates |
Hybrid | No |
| North Central Institute | Clarksville | TN | www.nci.edu | Certificates Associates |
Campus | No |
| Northeast State Community College | Blountville | TN | www.northeaststate.edu | Certificates Associates |
Campus | No |
| Nossi College of Art | Nashville | TN | www.nossi.edu | Associates Bachelors |
Campus | No |
| Omega Graduate School | Dayton | TN | www.ogs.edu | Masters Doctorate |
Campus | No |
| Paul Mitchell the School-Knoxville | Knoxville | TN | knoxville.paulmitchell.edu | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Paul Mitchell the School-Memphis | Memphis | TN | memphis.paulmitchell.edu | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Paul Mitchell the School-Murfreesboro | Murfreesboro | TN | www.paulmitchelltheschool.com | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Pellissippi State Community College | Knoxville | TN | www.pstcc.edu | Certificates Associates |
Campus | No |
| Pentecostal Theological Seminary | Cleveland | TN | www.ptseminary.edu | Certificates Masters Doctorate |
Hybrid | No |
| Platt College-Miller-Motte Technical-Chattanooga | Chattanooga | TN | www.miller-motte.edu | Certificates Associates |
Campus | No |
| Queen City College | Clarksville | TN | www.queencitycollege.com | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Remington College-Memphis Campus | Memphis | TN | www.remingtoncollege.edu | Certificates Associates Bachelors |
Campus | No |
| Remington College-Nashville Campus | Nashville | TN | www.remingtoncollege.edu | Certificates Associates |
Campus | No |
| Rhodes College | Memphis | TN | www.rhodes.edu | Bachelors Masters |
Campus | No |
| Richmont Graduate University | Chattanooga | TN | www.richmont.edu | Masters |
Online | No |
| Roane State Community College | Harriman | TN | www.roanestate.edu | Certificates Associates |
Hybrid | No |
| Ross Medical Education Center-Johnson City | Johnson City | TN | www.rosseducation.edu | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Ross Medical Education Center-Knoxville | Knoxville | TN | www.rosseducation.edu | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| SAE Institute of Technology-Nashville | Nashville | TN | www.nashville.sae.edu | Certificates Associates Bachelors |
Campus | No |
| Sandra Academy of Salon Services, Inc | New Tazewell | TN | www.sandraacademy.com | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Shear Perfection Academy of Cosmetology | Nashville | TN | shearperfectionacademy.com | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| South College | Knoxville | TN | www.south.edu | Certificates Associates Bachelors Masters Doctorate |
Online | No |
| Southern Adventist University | Collegedale | TN | www.southern.edu | Certificates Associates Bachelors Masters Doctorate |
Campus | No |
| Southern College of Optometry | Memphis | TN | www.sco.edu | Doctorate |
Campus | No |
| Southwest Tennessee Community College | Memphis | TN | www.southwest.tn.edu | Certificates Associates |
Campus | No |
| Strayer University-Tennessee | Memphis | TN | www.strayer.edu | Certificates Associates Bachelors Masters |
Online | No |
| Tennessee Board of Regents | Nashville | TN | www.tbr.edu | Certificates Associates |
No | |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology Nashville | Nashville | TN | www.tcatnashville.edu | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Athens | Athens | TN | www.tcatathens.edu | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Covington | Covington | TN | www.tcatcovington.edu | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Crossville | Crossville | TN | www.tcatcrossville.edu | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Crump | Crump | TN | www.tcatcrump.edu | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Dickson | Dickson | TN | www.tcatdickson.edu | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Elizabethton | Elizabethton | TN | www.tcatelizabethton.edu | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Harriman | Harriman | TN | www.tcatharriman.edu | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Hartsville | Hartsville | TN | www.tcathartsville.edu | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Hohenwald | Hohenwald | TN | www.tcathohenwald.edu | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Jacksboro | Jacksboro | TN | www.tcatjacksboro.edu | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Jackson | Jackson | TN | www.tcatjackson.edu | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Knoxville | Knoxville | TN | www.tcatknoxville.edu | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Livingston | Livingston | TN | www.tcatlivingston.edu | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-McKenzie | McKenzie | TN | www.tcatmckenzie.edu | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-McMinnville | McMinnville | TN | www.tcatmcminnville.edu | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Memphis | Memphis | TN | www.tcatmemphis.edu | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Morristown | Morristown | TN | www.tcatmorristown.edu | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Murfreesboro | Murfreesboro | TN | www.tcatmurfreesboro.edu | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Newbern | Newbern | TN | www.tcatnewbern.edu | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Oneida-Huntsville | Huntsville | TN | www.tcatoneida.edu | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Paris | Paris | TN | www.tcatparis.edu | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Pulaski | Pulaski | TN | www.tcatpulaski.edu | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Ripley | Ripley | TN | www.tcatripley.edu | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Shelbyville | Shelbyville | TN | www.tcatshelbyville.edu | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Whiteville | Whiteville | TN | www.tcatwhiteville.edu | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Tennessee School of Beauty of Knoxville Inc | Knoxville | TN | www.tennesseeschoolofbeauty.com | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Tennessee State University | Nashville | TN | www.tnstate.edu | Associates Bachelors Masters Doctorate |
Hybrid | No |
| Tennessee Technological University | Cookeville | TN | www.tntech.edu | Bachelors Masters Doctorate |
Campus | No |
| Tennessee Wesleyan University | Athens | TN | www.tnwesleyan.edu | Bachelors Masters |
Campus | No |
| The Hair Academy LLC | Fayetteville | TN | www.thehairacademy.net | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| The Salon Professional Academy-Nashville | Nashville | TN | www.NashvilleBeautySchool.com | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| The University of Tennessee Health Science Center | Memphis | TN | www.uthsc.edu | Bachelors Masters Doctorate |
Campus | No |
| The University of Tennessee System Office | Knoxville | TN | www.tennessee.edu | Bachelors Masters Doctorate |
No | |
| The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga | Chattanooga | TN | www.utc.edu | Bachelors Masters Doctorate |
Campus | No |
| The University of Tennessee-Knoxville | Knoxville | TN | www.utk.edu | Bachelors Masters Doctorate |
Hybrid | No |
| The University of Tennessee-Martin | Martin | TN | www.utm.edu | Bachelors Masters |
Online | No |
| The University of the South | Sewanee | TN | www.sewanee.edu | Bachelors Masters Doctorate |
Campus | No |
| Trevecca Nazarene University | Nashville | TN | www.trevecca.edu | Certificates Associates Bachelors Masters Doctorate |
Campus | No |
| Tusculum University | Greeneville | TN | www.tusculum.edu | Associates Bachelors Masters |
Campus | No |
| Union University | Jackson | TN | www.uu.edu | Certificates Associates Bachelors Masters Doctorate |
Campus | No |
| University of Memphis | Memphis | TN | www.memphis.edu | Bachelors Masters Doctorate |
Campus | No |
| University of Phoenix-Tennessee | Cordova | TN | www.phoenix.edu | Certificates Bachelors Masters |
Campus | No |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville | TN | www.vanderbilt.edu | Bachelors Masters Doctorate |
Campus | No |
| Vibe Barber College | memphis | TN | vibebarbercollege.edu | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Visible Music College | Memphis | TN | www.visible.edu | Certificates Bachelors Masters |
Hybrid | No |
| Volunteer State Community College | Gallatin | TN | www.volstate.edu | Certificates Associates |
Campus | No |
| Walters State Community College | Morristown | TN | www.ws.edu | Certificates Associates |
Campus | No |
| Watkins College of Art Design & Film | Nashville | TN | www.watkins.edu | Bachelors Masters |
Campus | No |
| Welch College | Gallatin | TN | www.welch.edu | Associates Bachelors Masters |
Hybrid | No |
| William Moore College of Technology | Memphis | TN | www.williamrmoore.org | Certificates Associates |
Campus | No |
| Williamson Christian College | Franklin | TN | www.williamsoncc.edu | Associates Bachelors Masters |
Online | No |