# Best Master's Programs in Tennessee

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-05-31 | Schools: 37 | Category: By State
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-tennessee

## Methodology

Master's programs in Tennessee ranked by graduate outcomes

CollegeRanker uses a 4-pillar algorithm: Academic Quality (15-20%), Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25-35%), Value & Affordability (20-25%). Social mobility data from Raj Chetty's Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records). No subjective surveys.

## Summary

When considering a master's program in Tennessee, prospective students look for strong outcomes that can lead to fulfilling careers. With 37 different options available, it's essential to understand which schools provide the best return on investment for their graduate students. The average earnings for graduates in the state stand at $50,916, making this an important decision point for many families.

The schools that stand out on this list are defined by key metrics like graduate earnings, completion rates, and debt loads. For example, Vanderbilt University offers impressive earnings of $91,565, alongside a high graduation rate of 93%. In contrast, other institutions may have lower earnings or completion rates, highlighting the importance of weighing these factors carefully as you review the rankings below.

Consider the difference between The University of Tennessee-Knoxville and Christian Brothers University. UT-Knoxville graduates earn an average of $60,249 with a graduation rate of 74%, while Christian Brothers graduates have lower earnings at $57,478 and a concerning graduation rate of just 55%. This contrast underscores the need to evaluate both financial outcomes and completion rates when choosing a program that aligns with your goals.

## Key Findings

- Vanderbilt University leads with average earnings of $91,565 for graduates.
- The average graduation rate across these programs is only 53%.
- Graduates from The University of Tennessee-Knoxville earn $60,249, which is $1,771 more than those from Christian Brothers University.
- Christian Brothers University has the lowest average net price at $9,854, but also the lowest graduation rate at 55%.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [Vanderbilt University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/vanderbilt-university) | Nashville, TN | 93% | $91,565 | $15,846 | $14,000 | 0.15x |
| 2 | [Christian Brothers University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/christian-brothers-university) | Memphis, TN | 55% | $57,478 | $9,854 | $27,000 | 0.47x |
| 3 | [The University of the South](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/the-university-of-the-south) | Sewanee, TN | 81% | $64,911 | $27,872 | $22,855 | 0.35x |
| 4 | [Rhodes College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/rhodes-college) | Memphis, TN | 83% | $66,651 | $28,585 | $21,761 | 0.33x |
| 5 | [Middle Tennessee State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/middle-tennessee-state-university) | Murfreesboro, TN | 54% | $48,541 | $13,359 | $20,000 | 0.41x |
| 6 | [Tennessee Technological University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/tennessee-technological-university) | Cookeville, TN | 56% | $48,501 | $14,246 | $15,650 | 0.32x |
| 7 | [Austin Peay State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/austin-peay-state-university) | Clarksville, TN | 42% | $44,301 | $9,735 | $20,547 | 0.46x |
| 8 | [Trevecca Nazarene University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/trevecca-nazarene-university) | Nashville, TN | 54% | $49,378 | $16,813 | $18,744 | 0.38x |
| 9 | [Tennessee Wesleyan University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/tennessee-wesleyan-university) | Athens, TN | 46% | $45,989 | $14,836 | $20,000 | 0.43x |
| 10 | [Lipscomb University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lipscomb-university) | Nashville, TN | 70% | $55,541 | $24,739 | $19,500 | 0.35x |
| 11 | [University of Memphis](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-memphis) | Memphis, TN | 50% | $48,458 | $12,397 | $23,300 | 0.48x |
| 12 | [East Tennessee State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/east-tennessee-state-university) | Johnson City, TN | 52% | $44,859 | $15,983 | $19,442 | 0.43x |
| 13 | [Union University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/union-university) | Jackson, TN | 68% | $53,990 | $27,171 | $20,714 | 0.38x |
| 14 | [Southern Adventist University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/southern-adventist-university) | Collegedale, TN | 50% | $53,723 | $24,345 | $24,500 | 0.46x |
| 15 | [Bethel University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/bethel-university-tn) | McKenzie, TN | 35% | $47,482 | $12,595 | $27,249 | 0.57x |
| 16 | [Belmont University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/belmont-university) | Nashville, TN | 71% | $55,930 | $33,147 | $20,500 | 0.37x |
| 17 | [Lee University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lee-university) | Cleveland, TN | 62% | $43,222 | $18,878 | $25,750 | 0.6x |
| 18 | [Maryville College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/maryville-college) | Maryville, TN | 49% | $49,279 | $19,360 | $25,375 | 0.51x |
| 19 | [Johnson University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/johnson-university) | Knoxville, TN | 59% | $40,596 | $22,063 | $21,500 | 0.53x |
| 20 | [Milligan University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/milligan-university) | Milligan, TN | 62% | $46,641 | $21,365 | $25,219 | 0.54x |
| 21 | [Cumberland University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/cumberland-university) | Lebanon, TN | 46% | $57,687 | $18,759 | $17,952 | 0.31x |
| 22 | [The University of Tennessee-Knoxville](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/the-university-of-tennessee-knoxville) | Knoxville, TN | 74% | $60,249 | $18,976 | $20,500 | 0.34x |
| 23 | [Lincoln Memorial University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lincoln-memorial-university) | Harrogate, TN | 52% | $49,956 | $20,406 | $20,000 | 0.4x |
| 24 | [King University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/king-university) | Bristol, TN | 47% | $59,831 | $22,347 | $22,750 | 0.38x |
| 25 | [Baptist Health Sciences University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/baptist-health-sciences-university) | Memphis, TN | 46% | $72,529 | $11,212 | $29,500 | 0.41x |
| 26 | [The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/the-university-of-tennessee-chattanooga) | Chattanooga, TN | 52% | $51,151 | $14,265 | $19,500 | 0.38x |
| 27 | [Tusculum University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/tusculum-university) | Greeneville, TN | 28% | $44,367 | $21,131 | $23,250 | 0.52x |
| 28 | [The University of Tennessee-Martin](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/the-university-of-tennessee-martin) | Martin, TN | 54% | $44,213 | $10,701 | $21,024 | 0.48x |
| 29 | [The University of Tennessee Southern](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/the-university-of-tennessee-southern) | Pulaski, TN | 36% | $38,924 | $12,798 | $21,500 | 0.55x |
| 30 | [Freed-Hardeman University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/freed-hardeman-university) | Henderson, TN | 70% | $47,485 | $21,574 | $21,500 | 0.45x |
| 31 | [Tennessee State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/tennessee-state-university) | Nashville, TN | 33% | $42,730 | $15,796 | $27,000 | 0.63x |
| 32 | [Carson-Newman University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/carson-newman-university) | Jefferson City, TN | 50% | $48,382 | $20,251 | $21,500 | 0.44x |
| 33 | [Bryan College-Dayton](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/bryan-college-dayton) | Dayton, TN | 53% | $54,434 | $20,614 | $23,000 | 0.42x |
| 34 | [Fisk University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/fisk-university) | Nashville, TN | 35% | $45,454 | $32,020 | $27,000 | 0.59x |
| 35 | [Le Moyne-Owen College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/le-moyne-owen-college) | Memphis, TN | 26% | $35,594 | $7,099 | $28,070 | 0.79x |
| 36 | [Lane College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lane-college) | Jackson, TN | 18% | $31,670 | $10,904 | $30,500 | 0.96x |
| 37 | [Welch College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/welch-college) | Gallatin, TN | 57% | $42,198 | $25,263 | $19,500 | 0.46x |

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "Best Master's Programs in Tennessee." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-05-31. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-tennessee

## License

This data summary is provided for informational purposes. Underlying data from federal sources (College Scorecard, IPEDS) is public domain. Opportunity Insights data is available under their data use agreement at https://opportunityinsights.org/data/.