2026 Best Graduate Degrees Schools in Tennessee
Looking for the best Graduate Degrees degree programs in Tennessee? We have ranked 143 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Grad Degree evaluated 95 schools to compile this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in Tennessee
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Vanderbilt University tops our 2026 ranking of the best Graduate Degrees degree schools in Tennessee. Set in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,498. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $13,975. See the full Vanderbilt University profile
Out of the 95 schools in Tennessee in this year's ranking, Belmont University landed the #2 spot. Belmont University is a private not-for-profit school based in Nashville, TN. Belmont University posts a six-year graduation rate of 70%. In-state tuition and fees run about $42,540. Graduates carry a median of $23,447 in student loans. More on Belmont University
A rank of #3 makes Sewanee The University Of The South one of the top choices in Tennessee. This private not-for-profit school is set in Sewanee, TN. Sewanee The University Of The South posts a six-year graduation rate of 80%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,120. Sewanee The University Of The South Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $22,091 in debt. More on Sewanee The University Of The South
You'll be in good company at Lipscomb University, which ranked #4 this year. Lipscomb University is a private not-for-profit school based in Nashville, TN. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,572. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. See the full Lipscomb University profile
The University Of Tennessee came in at #5 on this year's Graduate Degrees ranking in Tennessee. Based in Knoxville, TN, The University Of Tennessee is a public institution. About 74% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,812, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $22,859. See the full The University Of Tennessee profile
Milligan College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Set in Milligan, TN, Milligan College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $40,450 in tuition and fees. Milligan College Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $26,150 in debt. Read more about Milligan College
Tennessee Technological University came in at #7 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Cookeville, TN. About 58% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $11,376 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,576 for out-of-state students. Tennessee Technological University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $17,580 in debt. See the full Tennessee Technological University profile
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga landed the #8 spot in Tennessee this year. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a public school based in Chattanooga, TN. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. In-state tuition and fees average $10,448, compared with $18,512 for out-of-state students. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $23,324. More on The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga
King College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Based in Bristol, TN, King College is a private not-for-profit institution. King College posts a six-year graduation rate of 49%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,397. Graduates carry a median of $25,579 in student loans. Read more about King College
Freed Hardeman University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Located in Henderson, TN, Freed Hardeman University is a private not-for-profit institution. Freed Hardeman University posts a six-year graduation rate of 69%. In-state tuition and fees run about $25,620. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $24,479. See the full Freed Hardeman University profile
Southern Adventist University placed #11 among Graduate Degrees schools in Tennessee. Located in Collegedale, TN, Southern Adventist University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. In-state tuition and fees average $27,300. Students borrow a median of $25,498 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. More on Southern Adventist University
Union University placed #12 among Graduate Degrees schools in Tennessee. Based in Jackson, TN, Union University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. In-state tuition and fees average $37,398. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $28,605. Get the full Union University report
Middle Tennessee State University did well this year, earning the #13 position. Based in Murfreesboro, TN, Middle Tennessee State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,266, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $22,754 in student loans. Read more about Middle Tennessee State University
Lincoln Memorial University came in at #14 in this year's ranking. Set in Harrogate, TN, Lincoln Memorial University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 47% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $26,938. Lincoln Memorial University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $20,693 in debt. Read the full report on Lincoln Memorial University
The University Of Tennessee Martin landed the #15 spot in Tennessee this year. The University Of Tennessee Martin is a public school based in Martin, TN. The University Of Tennessee Martin posts a six-year graduation rate of 52%. Students from in state pay about $10,560 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,600. Graduates carry a median of $23,770 in student loans. See the full The University Of Tennessee Martin profile
Trevecca Nazarene University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Nashville, TN. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,300. Graduates carry a median of $24,962 in student loans. Read the full report on Trevecca Nazarene University
Christian Brothers University landed the #17 spot in Tennessee this year. Set in Memphis, TN, Christian Brothers University is a private not-for-profit institution. Christian Brothers University graduates 55% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $38,420 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $32,416 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. See the full Christian Brothers University profile
Carson Newman College came in at #18 in this year's ranking. Carson Newman College is a private not-for-profit school based in Jefferson City, TN. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,700. Carson Newman College Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $22,843 in debt. Read more about Carson Newman College
Cumberland University placed #19 among Graduate Degrees schools in Tennessee. This private not-for-profit school is set in Lebanon, TN. Cumberland University posts a six-year graduation rate of 42%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,840. Students borrow a median of $21,902 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. More on Cumberland University
Tennessee State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Based in Nashville, TN, Tennessee State University is a public institution. Roughly 35% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, compared with $22,416 for out-of-state students. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $29,489. More on Tennessee State University
University Of Memphis ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. University Of Memphis is a public school based in Memphis, TN. About 51% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,728, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Students borrow a median of $26,315 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Read the full report on University Of Memphis
East Tennessee State University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Based in Johnson City, TN, East Tennessee State University is a public institution. About 53% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,216, while out-of-state students pay about $13,726. Graduates carry a median of $21,301 in student loans. More on East Tennessee State University
Lee University came in at #23 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Cleveland, TN. Lee University posts a six-year graduation rate of 63%. In-state tuition and fees average $23,790. Students borrow a median of $26,422 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Get the full Lee University report
Austin Peay State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Located in Clarksville, TN, Austin Peay State University is a public institution. About 39% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $9,006, compared with $14,766 for out-of-state students. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $24,530. Read the full report on Austin Peay State University
Tusculum College landed the #25 spot in Tennessee this year. Set in Greeneville, TN, Tusculum College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 26%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,250. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $25,278. Get the full Tusculum College report
Rest of the Top 50 Best Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in Tennessee
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Roane State Community College did well this year, earning the #26 position. Read the full report on Roane State Community College
Tennessee Wesleyan College came in at #27 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Tennessee Wesleyan College
Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Memphis ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Read more about Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Memphis
Herzing University Nashville placed #29 among Graduate Degrees schools in Tennessee. Get the full Herzing University Nashville report
Strayer University Tennessee ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Read the full report on Strayer University Tennessee
Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Athens came in at #31 in this year's ranking. Get the full Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Athens report
Baptist Memorial College Of Health Sciences landed the #32 spot in Tennessee this year. Read the full report on Baptist Memorial College Of Health Sciences
Nashville State Community College came in at #33 in this year's ranking. Read more about Nashville State Community College
Bryan College Dayton ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Read more about Bryan College Dayton
Fortis Institute Nashville ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Read the full report on Fortis Institute Nashville
Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Crump placed #36 among Graduate Degrees schools in Tennessee. Read more about Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Crump
Tennessee School Of Beauty Of Knoxville Inc came in at #37 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Tennessee School Of Beauty Of Knoxville Inc
Miller Motte Technical College Chattanooga did well this year, earning the #38 position. More on Miller Motte Technical College Chattanooga
Austins Beauty College Inc landed the #39 spot in Tennessee this year. Read more about Austins Beauty College Inc
Columbia State Community College landed the #40 spot in Tennessee this year. More on Columbia State Community College
The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Read more about The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center
Queen City College ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Read the full report on Queen City College
Fayetteville College Of Cosmetology Arts And Sciences ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. See the full Fayetteville College Of Cosmetology Arts And Sciences profile
Free Will Baptist Bible College came in at #44 in this year's ranking. More on Free Will Baptist Bible College
Maryville College ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. More on Maryville College
Jackson State Community College landed the #46 spot in Tennessee this year. See the full Jackson State Community College profile
Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Mcminnville did well this year, earning the #47 position. Read the full report on Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Mcminnville
Oxford Graduate School landed the #48 spot in Tennessee this year. More on Oxford Graduate School
Ross Medical Education Center Knoxville placed #49 among Graduate Degrees schools in Tennessee. Read more about Ross Medical Education Center Knoxville
Southern College Of Optometry ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Get the full Southern College Of Optometry report
More Graduate Degrees Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Grad Degree (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: State · 95 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 143 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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