State Hub

Colleges in Tennessee

CampusPin tracks 79 colleges in Tennessee — 53 universities and 26 community colleges. Compare tuition, acceptance, size, and setting to build a shortlist that fits.

Colleges tracked

79

Universities

53

Community colleges

26

Avg. in-state tuition

$19k

About college search in Tennessee

How Tennessee's higher-education landscape shapes a search

Tennessee’s public higher-education sector includes the University of Tennessee System (UT Knoxville flagship, plus campuses in Chattanooga, Martin, and the UT Health Science Center in Memphis) and six Locally Governed Institutions (Middle Tennessee State, Tennessee Tech, East Tennessee State, Tennessee State HBCU, Austin Peay, and the University of Memphis) — each governed by its own board after the 2017 Tennessee FOCUS Act separated them from the Tennessee Board of Regents. The Tennessee Board of Regents now oversees 13 community colleges and 24 technical colleges (TCATs). Vanderbilt University (Nashville) is the state’s major private research anchor. Tennessee Promise covers tuition for eligible recent high school graduates at community and technical colleges — among the better-known state Promise programs in the U.S.

UT Knoxville as flagship

The University of Tennessee in Knoxville is the state’s primary public flagship and land-grant research institution.

Tennessee Promise

Tennessee Promise covers tuition and fees at Tennessee community colleges and technical colleges for eligible recent high school graduates — a national-prominence state Promise program.

Tennessee State as HBCU

Tennessee State University in Nashville is the state’s public HBCU and an 1890 land-grant institution.

Vanderbilt as private anchor

Vanderbilt University in Nashville is the state’s major private research university.

Public university system

University of Tennessee System + six Locally Governed Institutions

Tennessee’s public four-year sector includes the UT System (Knoxville flagship plus Chattanooga, Martin, and the Health Science Center) and six Locally Governed Institutions (MTSU, Tennessee Tech, ETSU, Tennessee State, Austin Peay, Memphis) — each with its own board after the 2017 FOCUS Act separated them from the Tennessee Board of Regents.

Community college network

Tennessee Board of Regents — 13 community colleges + 24 TCATs

After the 2017 FOCUS Act, TBR coordinates Tennessee’s 13 community colleges and 24 Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCATs). The Tennessee Transfer Pathways formalize credit transfer to the public four-year universities.

In-state vs. out-of-state tuition

Tennessee in-state public tuition is in the lower-middle range nationally. Tennessee Promise covers community-college and TCAT tuition for eligible recent high school graduates, materially reducing the on-campus path cost.

Top metros for college search

Where Tennessee's higher-education density concentrates

  • Nashville

    Nashville hosts Vanderbilt (private), Belmont (private), Lipscomb (private), Tennessee State (HBCU), Fisk (private HBCU), and Nashville State Community College.

  • Knoxville

    Knoxville is built around the University of Tennessee, the state’s public flagship.

  • Memphis

    Memphis hosts the University of Memphis, Rhodes College (private), LeMoyne-Owen College (private HBCU), and Southwest Tennessee Community College.

  • Chattanooga

    Chattanooga is the home of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) and Chattanooga State Community College.

  • Murfreesboro

    Murfreesboro is the home of Middle Tennessee State University, the largest Tennessee public university by undergraduate enrollment.

South region overview

What students weigh when searching colleges in Tennessee

Across Tennessee (TN), CampusPin currently indexes 79 institutions: 24 public and 55 private, split between 53 universities and 26 community colleges. Students often compare fast-growing metros, flagship publics, regional campuses, and cost-sensitive pathways across a wide mix of institutions.

Run one search for broad public options and another for community-college or commuter-oriented pathways.
Check campus setting and support services early because regional fit can vary more than names alone suggest.
Keep cost, transfer, and online flexibility visible if location is important but not completely fixed.

Browse by major

Tennessee colleges by program

Jump straight to Tennessee colleges and universities that offer a specific major. Each page compares tuition, acceptance rate, and enrollment for that program across Tennessee.

Every college we track

Colleges and universities in Tennessee

Showing 60 of 79 — use search or filters to see the rest.

Filter all Tennessee schools

How to use the Tennessee hub

Start with CampusPin results filtered to Tennessee so your first pass stays geographically focused.
Use school profiles to compare tuition, admissions, program format, and campus fit before building a shortlist.
If you are looking for lower-cost or transfer-first options, compare community colleges and four-year destinations separately.
Use blog guides and help-center content when you need stronger decision frameworks, not just more schools.

Next actions for Tennessee

Explore all colleges in TennesseeView community colleges in TennesseeView online programs in TennesseeRead planning guides before you compare

Frequently asked questions

Questions families ask about colleges in Tennessee

Which is the public flagship university in Tennessee?
The University of Tennessee in Knoxville is the state’s public flagship and land-grant research institution.
How does Tennessee Promise work?
Tennessee Promise covers tuition and mandatory fees at Tennessee community colleges and Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCATs) for eligible recent Tennessee high school graduates after other aid is applied. Recipients must complete FAFSA, community service, and mentorship requirements. Verify current eligibility with the Tennessee Higher Education Commission.
How many HBCUs are in Tennessee?
Tennessee has seven HBCUs: Tennessee State University (public, Nashville), Fisk University (private, Nashville), Meharry Medical College (private, Nashville), American Baptist College (private, Nashville), LeMoyne-Owen College (private, Memphis), Lane College (private, Jackson), and Knoxville College (private, Knoxville — currently with limited active enrollment).
What is the largest Tennessee public university?
Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro is typically the largest Tennessee public university by undergraduate enrollment, with the University of Tennessee Knoxville and the University of Memphis close behind.

Related blog clusters

Guides that pair well with a Tennessee search

Cost and Financial Aid

College affordability, net price, aid interpretation, borrowing decisions, and budgeting guidance for students and families using CampusPin to compare higher-ed options with more discipline.

Community College

Community-college strategy, affordability, transfer readiness, and credential pathway content for students exploring two-year options through CampusPin.

College Search Strategy

Filter-first search strategy, shortlist building, and planning content for students and parents using CampusPin to discover best-fit colleges and universities.

Help Center

Workflow guides for students searching in Tennessee

Getting Started With CampusPin

A fast orientation to the CampusPin workflow, from your first search through profile review, pins, and next-step planning.

How to Use Filters to Narrow Your College List

A practical help article on how to use CampusPin filters without over-filtering or locking yourself into the wrong criteria too early.

How to Read a CampusPin School Profile

A guide to the major sections inside a CampusPin institution profile and how to interpret them effectively. Each page is designed to connect search intent to clearer next steps, internal links, and more defensible CampusPin decisions.