Tennessee, the sixteenth state admitted to the United States, has contributed significantly to the development of America, and it’s also a huge contributor to higher education, with almost 100 colleges and universities.

The 2022 best colleges and universities in Tennessee are some of the best in their region and the nation. Many of these schools are unique to the industry for which Nashville is known – music production.

Belmont University – Belmont is a private Christian school devoted to outstanding undergraduate teaching; Belmont is fourth place in this category, and it ranks #6 among regional universities in the south. This university is also veteran-friendly and confers degrees in music and music production. Annual tuition and fees at this private school are $34,310.

Tennessee Wesleyan University – At # 16 among southern colleges, this school offers a Christian atmosphere and strong academics in teacher education, business, and nursing. Veterans will find that this school caters to their unique needs, and the university is a best-value choice. Annual tuition and fees cost $24,300.

Milligan College – Ranked at #23 among southern universities, Milligan, a Christian liberal arts school, requires that every student participates in its Spiritual Formation Program. Many Milligan graduates go on to earn advanced degrees. The annual tuition and fees are $33,700.

Welch College – This small, private school has a student enrollment of 366 students and has placed #13 among southern region colleges. Formerly known as the Free Will Baptist Bible College, the campus attracts students from a variety of Christian backgrounds. It has continued some of its original traditions, including prohibiting alcohol on campus. Annual tuition and fees run $19,012

Two universities earned national recognition in 2018:

Vanderbilt University – This private university ranks #14 among schools across the United States. Ten colleges make up Vanderbilt, and several of these have earned national distinction, including the prestigious Peabody College of Education and Human Development. Not surprisingly, the school has also been recognized for its undergraduate teaching. Expect to pay slightly less than $49,816 annually in tuition and fees.

The University of Tennessee is ranked #116 among national universities. The colleges at this school offer more than 110 degrees, and each program has an honor track. UT is an excellent choice for veterans, and it is also recognized as a best-value school. This school is slightly less than $13,000 annually for tuition and fees.

Tennessee colleges and universities are rising stars in higher education for their quality of teaching and excellent value.

Click here to learn more about the ranking methodology that we used to compile this list.

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