5 Best Colleges in Tennessee – 2024

Academic Highlights: With a 7:1 student-to-faculty ratio, undergraduate class sizes are kept small. In the 2023-24 school year, 26% of course sections contained nine or fewer students, and 61% contained 19 or fewer. Undergraduate research opportunities can be found as part of the classroom curriculum, through capstone experiences, or through the Vanderbilt University Summer Research Program; 58% of undergrads conduct research during their four years. Half of all Commodores are adventurous enough to study abroad, and over 80% of those who do say the experience helped them build job skills. The university offers 120 programs in 40 countries.

Professional Outcomes: Six months after graduating, 95% of the Class of 2023 were employed or in graduate school. Alumni can be found in droves at Capital One, Deloitte, McKinsey & Company, VUMC, Amazon, and Bank of America. Among 2023 alumni who directly pursued advanced degrees, the majority enrolled at Vanderbilt followed by Columbia, UPenn, NYU, Harvard, Yale, Duke, and Northwestern. The greatest number of recent alumni stayed in the Greater Nashville area but large pockets also assembled in New York City, Boston, and Chicago. Mid-career median salaries for Vanderbilt graduates are number one in the state by a wide margin; the median figure is $86,000.

Academic Highlights: The school offers more than 70 majors, minors, and interdisciplinary programs and a great deal of academic autonomy along the way. A 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio leads to an amazingly intimate average class size of only 15 students. Opportunities to collaborate with faculty on research projects are plentiful in every academic discipline, and the annual Undergraduate Research and Creativity Symposium is a chance to show off student projects; last year, over 300 projects were presented. A solid 65% of students elect to study abroad or at off-campus sites, and the school offers many Rhodes faculty-led locations around the world.

Professional Outcomes: Within one year of receiving their diplomas, 97% of recent Rhodes grads have found their way into the world of employment or are pursuing an advanced degree program. Among the companies employing the largest number of alumni are St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, FedEx, Deloitte, EY, and Raymond James. Close to 90% of those applying to graduate school get into their top-choice institution and Rhodes ultimately produces an incredible number of PhDs.

Academic Highlights: Offering 37 majors and 42 minors, Sewanee exposes undergrads to a wide scope of liberal arts study. Undergraduate teaching is the primary focus; the average class size is 16 students, and 66% of course sections have an enrollment under 20. Nearly one-quarter of undergrads were involved in research last year, and over 200 research projects in disciplines from physics to English were presented at 2024’s Scholarship Sewanee. Study abroad options that are a summer, a semester, or a full year in length are embarked upon by roughly half of all Sewanee students. 100+ programs are available on all seven continents.

Professional Outcomes: Within six months of graduating, 95% of last year’s grads found some form of employment or begun their graduate studies. The largest number of total alumni can be found at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Raymond James, the US Department of Veterans Affairs, Deloitte, and Wells Fargo. Sewanee graduates pursuing further education had stellar acceptance rates, attending institutions such as Oxford, the University of Edinburgh, Yale, Georgetown, and the University of Chicago.

Academic Highlights: The University of Tennessee offers an expansive academic experience with 360+ undergraduate programs across 14 colleges and schools, supported by 1,900+ faculty members. While the university’s scale is impressive, its class sizes remain manageable—62% of courses enroll fewer than 30 students, including 28% with under 19 students, all supported by an 18:1 student-faculty ratio. Research opportunities abound through the Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships, while global engagement is strengthened by 500+ study abroad programs. UT’s academic excellence is further demonstrated by its consistent recognition as a top producer of Fulbright scholars.

Professional Outcomes: Within six months of graduation, 91% of Vols alumni achieve career success—61% entering employment and 30% continuing to graduate studies. Leading employers include UT Medical Center, Axle Logistics, and Vanderbilt University Medical Center, with graduates earning a strong median starting salary of $62,000. Those pursuing advanced degrees predominantly stay within Tennessee’s strong academic network, favoring institutions like UT’s own campuses, Lincoln Memorial University, and Belmont University.

Academic Highlights: With 127 undergraduate majors spanning 12 colleges, Belmont University combines comprehensive academic choice with personalized attention through a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio and average class size of 18 students. Over half (58%) of courses maintain an intimate learning environment with fewer than 20 students, while global perspectives come alive through study abroad; annually, 1,000+ students participate in international programs.

Professional Outcomes: The Class of 2024 achieved exceptional results, with 97% securing positive outcomes – 85% employed, 12% in graduate/professional programs, and less than 1% serving in military or volunteer roles. Nearly half (48%) gained career experience through internships, leading to positions at top employers like Vanderbilt University Medical Center, HCA Healthcare, and Warner Music Group. Graduates command strong early-career median salaries of $60,600, demonstrating the value of the university’s blend of academic rigor and practical experience.