Rankings / By State
Best Education Colleges in Tennessee
- 27
- Schools
- $46,473
- Avg. Earnings
- 46%
- Avg. Graduation
- $17,692
- Avg. Net Price
- $22,350
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 27 schools run from $31,670 to $59,831, a 1.9× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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Nashville State Community College delivers the most for the money: roughly $38,519 in median earnings against $6,777 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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Nashville State Community College is the lowest-cost school here at $6,777 a year in net price.
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Freed-Hardeman University graduates 70% of its students, versus a 46% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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Nashville State Community College carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.25× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- #1 Tennessee Technological University ($48,501 earnings) outranks the list's highest earner, King University ($59,831), because it does more on mobility and cost.
- Nashville State Community College costs $6,777 a year and Fisk University costs $32,020. Yet their graduates earn $38,519 and $45,454, nowhere near the $25,243 price gap.
- On value, Nashville State Community College beats King University: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
The Takeaway
The through line among the top-ranked schools is plain. They pair solid graduate earnings with affordable costs and meaningful social mobility. Prestige and selectivity matter far less than whether students end up better off.
What This Means for Students
Your shortlist should start with Nashville State Community College and Freed-Hardeman University. For each school, look up the net price your family would actually pay, weigh it against typical graduate earnings, and build the decision around the return instead of the name recognition.
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 $47K 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 Tennessee Technological University #1 overall | $48,501 ▲ +4% vs avg | $14,246 | 56% | 74 |
| 2 Austin Peay State University #2 overall | $44,301 ▼ -5% vs avg | $9,735 | 42% | 72 |
| 3 Maryville College #3 overall | $49,279 ▲ +6% vs avg | $19,360 | 49% | 71 |
| $43,222 ▼ -7% vs avg | $18,878 | 62% | 70 | |
| $45,989 ▼ -1% vs avg | $14,836 | 46% | 70 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Education Colleges in Tennessee
This analysis ranks 27 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $46,473 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 46% and an average net price of $17,692.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Nashville State Community College — Net Price: $6,777 | Graduation Rate: 18%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Freed-Hardeman University — 70% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: King University — Median alumni earnings: $59,831
Research Note
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Educator Pipeline Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the educator pipeline?
$46,641
Median earnings (10yr)
50%
Median graduation rate
$18,878
Median net price
1.4%
Avg. mobility rate
Education programs feed a workforce defined by paradox: chronic teacher shortages and high social value on one side, modest pay and high attrition on the other. These are licensure-gated, mission-driven careers. The programs that matter most reliably move graduates into classrooms and keep them there.
The median graduation rate across these 27 schools is 50%. Median graduate earnings reach $46,641 ten years after enrollment. Average net price, the cost after grants, is $18,878 a year, and median federal debt at graduation is about $21,500. Some 38% of students receive Pell grants, and mobility, the share of low-income students who reach the top quintile, averages 1.4%.
What we’re seeing: districts compete hard for credentialed teachers, but the pay ceiling makes affordability decisive. With median earnings near $46,641 and a typical net price of $18,878, value in this field is driven as much by low cost as by salary.
The podium
Build your ranking
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Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Tennessee Technological University lands at #1 with a 74/100 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, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $14,246 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 #2
Austin Peay State University lands at #2 with a 72/100 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, 5% 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 #3
Maryville College lands at #3 with a 71/100 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, 6% 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 puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Lee University lands at #4 with a 70/100 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, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,878 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 #5
Tennessee Wesleyan University lands at #5 with a 70/100 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, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,836 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 #6
Bethel University lands at #6 with a 69/100 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, 2% 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 puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Tusculum University lands at #7 with a 69/100 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, 5% 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Union University lands at #8 with a 69/100 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, 16% 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 puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Southern Adventist University lands at #9 with a 69/100 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, 16% 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 puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Cumberland University lands at #10 with a 68/100 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, 24% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,759 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 #11
University of Memphis lands at #11 with a 68/100 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, 4% 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 #12
King University lands at #12 with a 68/100 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, 29% 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 #13
Johnson University lands at #13 with a 67/100 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, 13% 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 #14
Milligan University lands at #14 with a 67/100 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, 0% above 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Lincoln Memorial University lands at #15 with a 67/100 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, 7% 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 #16
Nashville State Community College lands at #16 with a 64/100 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, 17% 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
Why it ranks #17
Tennessee State University lands at #17 with a 63/100 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, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,796 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 #18
The University of Tennessee Southern lands at #18 with a 62/100 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, 16% 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
Chattanooga, TN · 81% accepted · $14,265 net
Why it ranks #19
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga lands at #19 with a 62/100 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, 10% above this list's average, and net price runs $14,265 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
The University of Tennessee-Martin lands at #20 with a 61/100 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, 5% 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 #21
Freed-Hardeman University lands at #21 with a 61/100 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, 2% 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 #22
Carson-Newman University lands at #22 with a 61/100 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, 4% 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 #23
Bryan College-Dayton lands at #23 with a 59/100 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, 17% 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 #24
Lane College lands at #24 with a 54/100 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, 32% 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 #25
Fisk University lands at #25 with a 54/100 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, 2% 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 #26
Le Moyne-Owen College lands at #26 with a 53/100 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, 23% 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 #27
Welch College lands at #27 with a 47/100 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, 9% 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 27 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
Choosing the right education college in Tennessee is a significant decision for aspiring educators and their families. With 27 schools on this list, each offers unique strengths in preparing future teachers, making it essential to understand what sets them apart. For instance, the average earnings for graduates from these programs is $47,821, highlighting the potential return on investment for education majors.
The strongest programs on this list excel in key areas like graduation rates, earnings, and debt levels. Schools like Vanderbilt University stand out with a remarkable 93% graduation rate and average earnings of $91,565, while others may have lower rates and higher debt. As you explore the table below, consider how each institution's outcomes align with your goals.
Take Vanderbilt University and Austin Peay State University as examples. Vanderbilt boasts significantly higher earnings at $91,565 compared to Austin Peay's $44,301, but this comes with a higher net price of $15,846 versus Austin Peay's more affordable $9,735. This contrast underlines the trade-offs between cost and potential earnings that can influence your choice of school.
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
Social mobility carries the heaviest weight in this ranking, and the measure comes from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built from more than 30 million anonymized tax records. Across the 17 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 1.4%. That figure is the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top. Tennessee State University leads the group at 2.9%, with Southern Adventist University (2.4%) and Tennessee Technological University (2.3%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 10.3% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. Tennessee State University enrolls the most, at 18.2%, a sign it is reaching the students mobility is meant to lift. A high mobility rate paired with strong access is the combination that changes a generation's trajectory.
For the low-income students who do enroll, the success rate (the odds of reaching the top quintile) averages 13.9% across the list, peaking at 28.1% at Southern Adventist University.
These campuses can also be measured on social capital: the cross-class friendships Opportunity Insights links to long-run economic outcomes. Economic connectedness here averages 1.44, where about 1.0 is the national norm, and Bethel University is highest at 1.82.
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
The data reveals a clear pattern: Vanderbilt University outperforms others by a significant margin, with graduates earning $91,565 compared to Trevecca Nazarene University's $49,378. This difference in earnings reflects the quality of education and job placement opportunities available at Vanderbilt, underscoring the value of choosing a school known for strong outcomes.
After reviewing these schools, consider your personal priorities. Are you more focused on minimizing costs or maximizing potential earnings? If financial constraints are a top concern, schools like Austin Peay State University may be appealing despite their lower graduation rates. Alternatively, if you're aiming for higher earnings post-graduation and can manage the costs, Vanderbilt can offer a compelling case.
Ultimately, the path from college to a stable life hinges on these choices. One family's decision to invest in an education at Vanderbilt could lead to significantly higher earnings and job security compared to choosing a less expensive option with lower outcomes. This data invites us to think critically about the intersection of education and financial stability in our lives.
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 Education Colleges in Tennessee: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Education Colleges in Tennessee ranking? +
Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, TN ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Education Colleges in Tennessee ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $48,501 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 56% 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? +
King University posts the highest median earnings on this list: $59,831 ten years after enrollment, well above the $46,473 average across the 27 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, Nashville State Community College leads: graduates earn a median $38,519 against net price of about $6,777 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? +
Freed-Hardeman University has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 70%, compared with a 46% 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 $17,692 a year across the 27 ranked schools with cost data. Nashville State Community College is among the most affordable at roughly $6,777. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Education 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 27 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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