Rankings / By State
Best Colleges in Tennessee
- 50
- Schools
- $47,468
- Avg. Earnings
- 47%
- Avg. Graduation
- $15,423
- Avg. Net Price
- $19,621
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 50 schools run from $31,670 to $91,565, a 2.9× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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Roane State Community College delivers the most for the money: roughly $39,407 in median earnings against $4,270 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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Roane State Community College is the lowest-cost school here at $4,270 a year in net price.
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Vanderbilt University graduates 93% of its students, versus a 47% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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Vanderbilt University carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.15× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- Roane State Community College costs $4,270 a year and Belmont University costs $33,147. Yet their graduates earn $39,407 and $55,930, nowhere near the $28,877 price gap.
- On value, Roane State Community College beats Vanderbilt University: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
- Graduation rates split the field: Vanderbilt University finishes 93% of students while Lane College finishes 18%. Same ranking, very different odds of leaving with a degree.
The Takeaway
A consistent pattern: the schools that finish at the top get there by delivering strong earnings, manageable debt, and real mobility rather than by charging more or rejecting more applicants. Those outcomes are what define educational value.
What This Means for Students
For students evaluating these schools, begin with Roane State Community College and Vanderbilt University. Look past sticker price: pull each school's net price for your income level, compare it against projected earnings, and let the data guide the decision instead of the brand.
Why this ranking matters
These schools are ranked on outcomes that compound: graduate earnings, upward mobility, debt, and value, all drawn from federal tax records and Scorecard data rather than reputation surveys. The list rewards results over prestige, led by institutions whose graduates earn a median of about $46K ten years after enrollment.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Vanderbilt University #1 overall | $91,565 ▲ +93% vs avg | $15,846 | 93% | 81 |
| 2 The University of the South #2 overall | $64,911 ▲ +37% vs avg | $27,872 | 81% | 70 |
| 3 Rhodes College #3 overall | $66,651 ▲ +40% vs avg | $28,585 | 83% | 70 |
| $57,478 ▲ +21% vs avg | $9,854 | 55% | 70 | |
| $48,501 ▲ +2% vs avg | $14,246 | 56% | 70 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Colleges in Tennessee
This analysis ranks 50 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $47,468 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 47% and an average net price of $15,423.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Roane State Community College — Net Price: $4,270 | Graduation Rate: 34%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Vanderbilt University — 93% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Vanderbilt University — Median alumni earnings: $91,565
CollegeRanker Primary Research
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Tennessee Opportunity Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about higher education and opportunity in Tennessee?
$45,722
Median earnings (10yr)
48%
Median graduation rate
$15,289
Median net price
1.3%
Avg. mobility rate
Higher education is intensely local: most students enroll close to home and stay to work nearby, so a state's colleges are also its talent pipeline. This ranking looks at the mix of public and private institutions across Tennessee, asking who keeps graduates in-state, who delivers earnings against the local cost of living, and who moves residents up the income ladder.
Start with the medians across these 50 schools. Graduates earn a median of $45,722 ten years after enrollment. The median graduation rate is 48%, and the typical net price (what students pay after grants) runs $15,289 a year with about $20,631 in federal debt. Pell grants reach 34% of students on average, and the average mobility rate, the share of students lifted from the bottom income quintile to the top, is 1.3%.
What we’re seeing: the schools that matter most for Tennessee pair affordability with outcomes that keep talent local. A median net price of $15,289 and median earnings of $45,722 show which institutions strengthen the regional economy rather than simply enrolling students.
The podium
Build your ranking
Drag a pillar — schools re-rank live.
Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Vanderbilt University lands at #1 with a 81/100 composite, led by academic quality (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (80/100). Graduates earn a median $91,565 a decade after enrolling, 93% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,846 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
The University of the South lands at #2 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (58/100). Graduates earn a median $64,911 a decade after enrolling, 37% above this list's average, and net price runs $27,872 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Rhodes College lands at #3 with a 70/100 composite, led by academic quality (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $66,651 a decade after enrolling, 40% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,585 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Christian Brothers University lands at #4 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (64/100). Graduates earn a median $57,478 a decade after enrolling, 21% above this list's average, and net price runs $9,854 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
Tennessee Technological University lands at #5 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (65/100). Graduates earn a median $48,501 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $14,246 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Middle Tennessee State University lands at #6 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (64/100). Graduates earn a median $48,541 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,359 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Austin Peay State University lands at #7 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (61/100). Graduates earn a median $44,301 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,735 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Trevecca Nazarene University lands at #8 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (61/100). Graduates earn a median $49,378 a decade after enrolling, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,813 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Lipscomb University lands at #9 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $55,541 a decade after enrolling, 17% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,739 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Tennessee Wesleyan University lands at #10 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (61/100). Graduates earn a median $45,989 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,836 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Union University lands at #11 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $53,990 a decade after enrolling, 14% above this list's average, and net price runs $27,171 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
East Tennessee State University lands at #12 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (62/100). Graduates earn a median $44,859 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,983 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Southern Adventist University lands at #13 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $53,723 a decade after enrolling, 13% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,345 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Columbia State Community College lands at #14 with a 67/100 composite, led by value per dollar (88/100) and pulled down by academic quality (57/100). Graduates earn a median $40,256 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,734 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Belmont University lands at #15 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (45/100). Graduates earn a median $55,930 a decade after enrolling, 18% above this list's average, and net price runs $33,147 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Bethel University lands at #16 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (60/100). Graduates earn a median $47,482 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $12,595 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
University of Memphis lands at #17 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (75/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (62/100). Graduates earn a median $48,458 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $12,397 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Maryville College lands at #18 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $49,279 a decade after enrolling, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,360 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Lee University lands at #19 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $43,222 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,878 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
Johnson University lands at #20 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $40,596 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,063 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
Cumberland University lands at #21 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (52/100). Graduates earn a median $57,687 a decade after enrolling, 22% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,759 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
Volunteer State Community College lands at #22 with a 65/100 composite, led by value per dollar (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (42/100). Graduates earn a median $41,150 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,802 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
Pellissippi State Community College lands at #23 with a 65/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (45/100). Graduates earn a median $38,440 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,983 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
Lincoln Memorial University lands at #24 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (55/100). Graduates earn a median $49,956 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,406 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
Milligan University lands at #25 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $46,641 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,365 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #26
Roane State Community College lands at #26 with a 65/100 composite, led by value per dollar (90/100) and pulled down by academic quality (42/100). Graduates earn a median $39,407 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,270 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #27
Dyersburg State Community College lands at #27 with a 65/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (45/100). Graduates earn a median $36,132 a decade after enrolling, 24% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,612 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #28
Northeast State Community College lands at #28 with a 64/100 composite, led by value per dollar (87/100) and pulled down by academic quality (45/100). Graduates earn a median $34,553 a decade after enrolling, 27% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,864 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #29
Chattanooga State Community College lands at #29 with a 64/100 composite, led by value per dollar (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (45/100). Graduates earn a median $37,598 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,283 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #30
King University lands at #30 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $59,831 a decade after enrolling, 26% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,347 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #31
Cleveland State Community College lands at #31 with a 64/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by academic quality (42/100). Graduates earn a median $36,671 a decade after enrolling, 23% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,384 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #32
Tusculum University lands at #32 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $44,367 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,131 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #33
Nashville State Community College lands at #33 with a 62/100 composite, led by value per dollar (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (39/100). Graduates earn a median $38,519 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,777 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Knoxville, TN · 42% accepted · $18,976 net
Why it ranks #34
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville lands at #34 with a 62/100 composite, led by academic quality (77/100) and pulled down by social mobility (57/100). Graduates earn a median $60,249 a decade after enrolling, 27% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,976 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #35
Tennessee State University lands at #35 with a 61/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (43/100). Graduates earn a median $42,730 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,796 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #36
Baptist Health Sciences University lands at #36 with a 60/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (72/100) and pulled down by social mobility (59/100). Graduates earn a median $72,529 a decade after enrolling, 53% above this list's average, and net price runs $11,212 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Chattanooga, TN · 81% accepted · $14,265 net
Why it ranks #37
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga lands at #37 with a 59/100 composite, led by value per dollar (67/100) and pulled down by social mobility (59/100). Graduates earn a median $51,151 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $14,265 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #38
The University of Tennessee Southern lands at #38 with a 58/100 composite, led by value per dollar (68/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (58/100). Graduates earn a median $38,924 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,798 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #39
The University of Tennessee-Martin lands at #39 with a 58/100 composite, led by value per dollar (71/100) and pulled down by social mobility (56/100). Graduates earn a median $44,213 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,701 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #40
Walters State Community College lands at #40 with a 58/100 composite, led by value per dollar (90/100) and pulled down by academic quality (43/100). Graduates earn a median $37,085 a decade after enrolling, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,387 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #41
Freed-Hardeman University lands at #41 with a 58/100 composite, led by academic quality (75/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $47,485 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,574 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #42
Carson-Newman University lands at #42 with a 57/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (63/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (55/100). Graduates earn a median $48,382 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,251 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #43
Motlow State Community College lands at #43 with a 57/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (47/100). Graduates earn a median $40,397 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,742 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #44
Bryan College-Dayton lands at #44 with a 53/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (65/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $54,434 a decade after enrolling, 15% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,614 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #45
Fisk University lands at #45 with a 52/100 composite, led by social mobility (65/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (34/100). Graduates earn a median $45,454 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $32,020 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #46
Le Moyne-Owen College lands at #46 with a 50/100 composite, led by value per dollar (65/100) and pulled down by academic quality (35/100). Graduates earn a median $35,594 a decade after enrolling, 25% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,099 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #47
Jackson State Community College lands at #47 with a 50/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (28/100). Graduates earn a median $35,224 a decade after enrolling, 26% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,236 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #48
Lane College lands at #48 with a 49/100 composite, led by social mobility (63/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (45/100). Graduates earn a median $31,670 a decade after enrolling, 33% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,904 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #49
Southwest Tennessee Community College lands at #49 with a 47/100 composite, led by value per dollar (91/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (25/100). Graduates earn a median $34,071 a decade after enrolling, 28% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,754 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #50
Welch College lands at #50 with a 39/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (59/100) and pulled down by social mobility (29/100). Graduates earn a median $42,198 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $25,263 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 50 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
When considering colleges in Tennessee, prospective students and their families have a wealth of options. With 49 institutions on the list, ranging from large research universities to smaller liberal arts colleges, there's something to fit diverse needs and aspirations. Understanding how these schools stack up against each other can help in making informed choices about the future.
The most important factors in evaluating these schools are graduation rates, post-graduation earnings, student debt, and mobility. For instance, Vanderbilt University leads the pack with an impressive graduation rate of 93% and average earnings of $91,565 — both well above state averages. In contrast, Christian Brothers University shows a lower graduation rate of 55% and higher debt levels, which could impact long-term financial stability for graduates.
Consider the differences between the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and Rhodes College. While UT-Knoxville has a lower graduation rate at 74%, it offers a net price of $18,976 and a higher average earning potential of $60,249. In contrast, Rhodes College has a higher graduation rate at 83%, but its net price is significantly higher at $28,585. These factors highlight the trade-offs students must weigh as they explore their options.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
The backbone of this ranking is social-mobility data from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, which draws on more than 30 million tax records. A school's mobility rate is the share of its students who move from the bottom income quintile to the top. Among the 38 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 1.3%. Tennessee State University leads the group at 2.9%, with Christian Brothers University (2.6%) and Southern Adventist University (2.4%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 10.4% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Southwest Tennessee Community College leads at 19.3%, which signals an admissions door that is actually open to low-income students. Schools that pair high access with high mobility are the ones driving generational change.
Once low-income students enroll, their odds of reaching the top income quintile average 15.8% across this list. Vanderbilt University posts the highest success rate at 59.3%. Access without completion and career momentum is an incomplete picture, and this is the number that completes it.
Social capital, measured by economic connectedness, captures the degree of cross-class friendship on campus, another dimension Opportunity Insights ties to long-run outcomes. Across these schools it averages 1.34 against a national benchmark of 1.0. Bethel University reaches 1.82, the highest on the list.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
Looking at the data, Vanderbilt University outperforms other institutions with its combination of high earnings and graduation rates. In contrast, Christian Brothers University struggles with a graduation rate of 55% and higher average debt of $27,000, highlighting the importance of considering both financial and academic outcomes when making a choice.
After reviewing the list, think about what matters most for you or your family. If a lower net price is a priority, schools like Christian Brothers University might seem appealing, but weigh that against their graduation rates and post-graduation earnings. Each student's situation is unique, so consider how location, program fit, and financial circumstances align with these metrics.
The transition from college to a stable life often hinges on these outcomes. A solid education can lead to meaningful job opportunities and financial independence. Families facing this decision must carefully assess all available data to choose a path that aligns with their goals and values.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Colleges in Tennessee: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Colleges in Tennessee ranking? +
Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Colleges in Tennessee ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $91,565 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 93% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
Vanderbilt University posts the highest median earnings on this list: $91,565 ten years after enrollment, well above the $47,468 average across the 50 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, Roane State Community College leads: graduates earn a median $39,407 against net price of about $4,270 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
Vanderbilt University has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 93%, compared with a 47% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $15,423 a year across the 50 ranked schools with cost data. Roane State Community College is among the most affordable at roughly $4,270. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Colleges in Tennessee ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 50 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
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