2022 Best Colleges in Tennessee

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Created by College Confidential

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There are about 70 colleges and universities in Tennessee, but these five are among the best in the state. Read more about each school below, and click the heart icon to save your favorites to your college list.

Vanderbilt University

Vanderbilt University is a private, nonprofit college in the city of Nashville, Tennessee. Vanderbilt was founded in 1873. The college currently enrolls around 13,796 students a year, including 7,111 undergraduates.

Vanderbilt Acceptance Rate

It is extremely difficult to get into Vanderbilt. Vanderbilt admitted 7% of all applicants in 2022. In 2022, 3,368 out of 47,152 total applicants were accepted.

Vanderbilt University Admissions Facts At-A-Glance
Overall Acceptance Rate	7%
Early Decision Acceptance Rate	18%
Early Action Acceptance Rate	EA not offered
Average GPA	3.9
Test Optional	Yes
Applicants Submitting SAT scores	25%

Click below to find out more about the admissions requirements and deadlines, student life, academics, majors and more.

Vanderbilt University Community Forums

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Vanderbilt Campus Tours

Vanderbilt University is locatedin the city of Nashville, Tennessee, in the city of Nashville.

If you are interested in seeing Vanderbilt for yourself, be sure to plan a visit! The best way to reach campus is to take Interstate 65 to Nashville, or book a flight to the nearest airport, Nashville International.

You can also take a virtual campus tour to get a sense of what Vanderbilt University and Nashville are like without leaving home.

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • 4-Year, Private

In-State

$56,966

Out-of-State

$56,966

Acceptance Rate7%

The University of Tennessee

The University of Tennessee is a public, state school in the city of Knoxville, Tennessee. The University of Tennessee was founded in 1794. The college currently enrolls around 31,701 students a year, including 25,067 undergrad students.

2022 Acceptance Rate for The University of Tennessee

It is moderately difficult to get into The University of Tennessee. In 2022, The University of Tennessee accepted 75% of applicants. In 2022, 22,413 out of 29,909 total applicants were accepted.

The University of Tennessee Admissions Facts At-A-Glance
Overall Acceptance Rate	75%
Early Decision Acceptance Rate	ED not offered
Early Action Acceptance Rate	86%
Test Optional	Yes
Applicants Submitting ACT scores	86%
Applicants Submitting SAT scores	16%

Choose one of the options below to learn more about The University of Tennessee:

The University of Tennessee Community Forums

Save The University of Tennessee To Your College List

Click the heart icon in the top left to save The University of Tennessee to the list of schools you're interested in applying to.

Looking For Schools in Tennessee?

See a full list of colleges in Tennessee and save your favorites to your college list.

The University of Tennessee Campus Tours

The University of Tennessee is locatedin the city of Knoxville, Tennessee,.

If you would like to see The University of Tennessee for yourself, be sure to plan a visit! The best way to reach campus is to take Interstate 40 and I-75 to Knoxville, or book a flight to the nearest airport, McGhee Tyson Municipal.

You can also take a virtual campus tour to get a sense of what The University of Tennessee and Knoxville are like without leaving home.

The University of Tennessee

Knoxville, TN • 4-Year, Public

In-State

$13,244

Out-of-State

$31,434

Acceptance Rate75%

The University of the South

The University of the South is a private, religious college in the town of Sewanee, Tennessee. Sewanee was founded in 1857. The college enrolls around 1,820 students a year, including 1,735 undergraduates.

2022 Acceptance Rate for The University of the South

It is very difficult to get into Sewanee. The acceptance rate at Sewanee is 60%. In 2022, 4,162 students applied to Sewanee and 2,508 were admitted.

The University of the South Admissions Facts At-A-Glance
Overall Acceptance Rate	60%
Early Decision Acceptance Rate	72%
Early Action Acceptance Rate	78%
Test Optional	Yes
Applicants Submitting ACT scores	78%
Applicants Submitting SAT scores	25%

Click below to find out more about the admissions requirements and deadlines, student life, academics, majors and more.

The University of the South Community Forums

Save Sewanee To Your College List

Click the heart icon in the top left to save Sewanee to the list of schools you're interested in applying to.

Looking For Colleges and Universities in Tennessee?

See a full list of colleges in Tennessee and save your favorites to your college list.

Visit The University of the South

The University of the South is locatedin Sewanee, Tennessee, near the city of Chattanooga.

If you are interested in seeing Sewanee for yourself, plan a visit. The best way to reach campus is to take Interstate 24 to Sewanee, or book a flight to the nearest airport, Chattanooga Metropolitan.

You can also take a virtual campus tour to get a sense of what The University of the South and Sewanee are like without leaving home.

The University of the South

Sewanee, TN • 4-Year, Private

In-State

$51,146

Out-of-State

$51,146

Acceptance Rate60%

Rhodes College

Rhodes College is a private, nonprofit college in the city of Memphis, Tennessee. Rhodes College was founded in 1848. The college currently enrolls around 2,073 students a year, including 2,050 undergraduates.

2022 Acceptance Rate for Rhodes College

It is very difficult to get into Rhodes College. Around 57% of applicants get into Rhodes College each year. In 2022, 3,025 out of 5,318 total applicants were accepted.

Rhodes College Admissions Facts At-A-Glance
Overall Acceptance Rate	57%
Early Decision Acceptance Rate	65%
Early Action Acceptance Rate	EA Offered but % not available
Average GPA	4.0
Test Optional	May require tests

To learn more about Rhodes College, choose from the options below:

Rhodes College Community Forums

Save Rhodes College To Your College List

Click the heart icon in the top left to save Rhodes College to the list of schools you're interested in applying to.

Interested In Schools in Tennessee?

See a full list of colleges in Tennessee and save your favorites to your college list.

Rhodes College Campus Tours

Rhodes College is located in the city of Memphis.

If you are interested in seeing Rhodes College for yourself, be sure to plan a visit! The best way to reach campus is to take Interstate 40/55 to Memphis, or book a flight to the nearest airport, Memphis International.

You can also take a virtual campus tour to get a sense of what Rhodes College and Memphis are like without leaving home.

Rhodes College

Memphis, TN • 4-Year, Private

In-State

$50,910

Out-of-State

$50,910

Acceptance Rate57%

Middle Tennessee State University

Middle Tennessee State University is a public, state college in the city of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Middle Tennessee State University was founded in 1911. The college enrolls around 20,857 students a year, including 17,892 undergraduates.

Middle Tennessee State University Acceptance Rate 2022

It is moderately difficult to get into Middle Tennessee State University. Around 68% of applicants get into Middle Tennessee State University each year. In 2022, 7,691 out of 11,244 total applicants were accepted.

Middle Tennessee State University Admissions Facts At-A-Glance
Overall Acceptance Rate	68%
Early Decision Acceptance Rate	ED not offered
Early Action Acceptance Rate	EA not offered
Average GPA	3.6
Test Optional	Yes
Applicants Submitting SAT scores	7%

Choose one of the options below to learn more about Middle Tennessee State University:

Middle Tennessee State University Community Forums

Save Middle Tennessee State University To Your College List

Click the heart icon in the top left to save Middle Tennessee State University to the list of schools you're interested in applying to.

Considering Colleges and Universities in Tennessee?

See a full list of colleges in Tennessee and save your favorites to your college list.

Middle Tennessee State University Campus Tours

Middle Tennessee State University is locatedin the city of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, in Nashville.

If you want to see Middle Tennessee State University for yourself, plan a visit. The best way to reach campus is to take Interstate 24 to Murfreesboro, or book a flight to the nearest airport, Nashville International.

You can also take a virtual campus tour to get a sense of what Middle Tennessee State University and Murfreesboro are like without leaving home.

Middle Tennessee State University

Murfreesboro, TN • 4-Year, Public

In-State

$11,452

Out-of-State

$31,124

Acceptance Rate68%

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2022 Best Colleges in Tennessee

Vanderbilt University

Vanderbilt Acceptance Rate

Save Vanderbilt To Your College List

Interested In Colleges and Universities in Tennessee?

Vanderbilt Campus Tours

$56,966

$56,966

The University of Tennessee

2022 Acceptance Rate for The University of Tennessee

Save The University of Tennessee To Your College List

Looking For Schools in Tennessee?

The University of Tennessee Campus Tours

$13,244

$31,434

The University of the South

2022 Acceptance Rate for The University of the South

Save Sewanee To Your College List

Looking For Colleges and Universities in Tennessee?

Visit The University of the South

$51,146

$51,146

Rhodes College

2022 Acceptance Rate for Rhodes College

Save Rhodes College To Your College List

Interested In Schools in Tennessee?

Rhodes College Campus Tours

$50,910

$50,910

Middle Tennessee State University

Middle Tennessee State University Acceptance Rate 2022

Save Middle Tennessee State University To Your College List

Considering Colleges and Universities in Tennessee?

Middle Tennessee State University Campus Tours

$11,452

$31,124

Get a student loan that goes beyond tuition.

Scholarship Tips

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