2021 Best Business Schools in Tennessee
It's not easy to decide which business program to enroll in when you have so many options available. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience. Also, there are a number of trade schools and bootcamp with offerings that you might find attractive.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Business Degree Central has created its Best Business Schools in Tennessee ranking. Our analysis looked at 86 schools in Tennessee to see which programs offered the best educational experiences for business students.
View our full ranking methodology.
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Top Business Schools in Tennessee
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Vanderbilt University to be the best school for business students in Tennessee. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, the fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 4,514 degrees in 2018-2019.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $39,702 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $497, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Vanderbilt graduates make an average of $67,244 annually.
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You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The University of Tennessee - Knoxville. It ranked #2 on our 2021 Best Business Schools in Tennessee list. Knoxville, Tennessee is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 7,279 students in 2018-2019.
Degree recipients from UT Knoxville accumulate an average of $29,349 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $292, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UT Knoxville, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,722 during the early years of their career.
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A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Belmont University is a great place for business students. Belmont is located in Nashville, Tennessee and has a medium-sized student population. In 2018-2019, this school awarded 2,180 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from Belmont accumulate an average of $38,420 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $499. Once they receive their degree, Belmont graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $47,290 during the early year of their career.
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A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Trevecca Nazarene University is a great place for business students. TNU is located in Nashville, Tennessee and has a small student population. In 2018-2019, this school awarded 1,046 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $33,726 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $532, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, TNU graduates make an average of $55,950 annually.
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Out of the 25 schools in Tennessee that were part of this year’s ranking, Lipscomb University landed the # 5 spot on the list. Lipscomb University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Nashville, Tennessee that handed out 1,538 degrees in 2018-2019.
On average, students take out $32,299 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $441. Once they receive their degree, Lipscomb graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $50,625 during the early year of their career.
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The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Business Schools in Tennessee ranking. The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga is a fairly large public school located in Chattanooga, Tennessee that handed out 2,574 degrees in 2018-2019.
Degree recipients from UT Chattanooga accumulate an average of $26,176 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $283, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UT Chattanooga graduates make an average of $43,755 annually.
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Tennessee Technological University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for business students. It came in at #7 on the list. Tennessee Technological University is a fairly large public school located in Cookeville, Tennessee that handed out 2,696 degrees in 2018-2019.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,083 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $197.After graduating from Tennessee Tech University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,270 during the early years of their career.
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With a ranking of #8, DeVry University - Tennessee did quite well on this year’s best schools for business students working. DeVry University - Tennessee is a very small private for-profit school situated in Nashville, Tennessee. It awarded 19 degrees in 2018-2019.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $41,653 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $443 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from DeVry University - Tennessee, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $46,282 during the early years of their career.
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Tennessee Wesleyan University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Business Schools in Tennessee ranking. Athens, Tennessee is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 297 students in 2018-2019.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,601 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $177. Once they receive their degree, TWU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $33,850 during the early year of their career.
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University of Memphis landed the #10 spot in the 2021 rankings for the best business programs. Located in Memphis, Tennessee, the large public school awarded 4,456 diplomas to qualifed students in 2018-2019.
Degree recipients from U of Memphis accumulate an average of $34,786 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $332 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, U of Memphis graduates make an average of $38,610 annually.
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Union University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Business Schools in Tennessee list. Union University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Jackson, Tennessee that handed out 1,056 degrees in 2018-2019.
Degree recipients from Union U accumulate an average of $38,538 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $647.After graduating from Union U, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $53,492 during the early years of their career.
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With a ranking of #12, Carson - Newman University did quite well on this year’s best schools for business students working. Carson - Newman University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Jefferson City, Tennessee that handed out 841 degrees in 2018-2019.
Degree recipients from Carson - Newman accumulate an average of $26,071 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $307, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Carson - Newman graduates make an average of $49,017 annually.
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With a ranking of #13, Tennessee State University did quite well on this year’s best schools for business students working. This medium-sized public school is located in Nashville, Tennessee, and it awarded 1,592 degrees in 2018-2019.
On average, students take out $36,982 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $358 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Tennessee State University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,670 during the early year of their career.
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Christian Brothers University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Business Schools in Tennessee ranking. Christian Brothers University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Memphis, Tennessee that handed out 528 degrees in 2018-2019.
On average, students take out $33,929 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $449 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Christian Brothers, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $54,286 during the early years of their career.
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The University of Tennessee - Martin landed the #15 spot in the 2021 rankings for the best business programs. This medium-sized public school is located in Martin, Tennessee, and it awarded 1,285 degrees in 2018-2019.
Degree recipients from UT Martin accumulate an average of $25,193 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $263, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UT Martin, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $32,785 during the early years of their career.
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With a ranking of #16, Bethel University did quite well on this year’s best schools for business students working. Bethel is a private not-for-profit institution located in McKenzie, Tennessee. The school has a small population, and it awarded 998 degrees in 2018-2019.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $40,006 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $553, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Bethel graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $53,300 during the early year of their career.
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With a ranking of #17, Middle Tennessee State University did quite well on this year’s best schools for business students working. Located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, the large public school awarded 4,940 diplomas to qualifed students in 2018-2019.
Degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University accumulate an average of $25,477 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $257 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Middle Tennessee State University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,971 during the early year of their career.
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Strayer University - Tennessee came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Business Schools in Tennessee ranking. Strayer University - Tennessee is a small private for-profit school situated in Memphis, Tennessee. It awarded 353 degrees in 2018-2019.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $51,359 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $609, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Strayer University - Tennessee, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $47,343 during the early years of their career.
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Cumberland University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Business Schools in Tennessee ranking. Located in Lebanon, Tennessee, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 652 degrees in 2018-2019.
On average, students take out $23,891 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $247.After graduating from CU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $44,520 during the early years of their career.
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University of Phoenix - Tennessee ranked #20 on this year’s Best Business Schools in Tennessee list. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, the very small private for-profit school awarded 38 diplomas to qualifed students in 2018-2019.
On average, students take out $39,627 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $432, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UOPX - Tennessee graduates make an average of $44,750 annually.
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Northeast State Community College landed the #21 spot in the 2021 rankings for the best business programs. Northeast State Technical Community College is a public institution located in Blountville, Tennessee. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,401 degrees in 2018-2019.
On average, students take out $6,292 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $59, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Northeast State Technical Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $33,875 during the early years of their career.
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With a ranking of #22, Austin Peay State University did quite well on this year’s best schools for business students working. Located in Clarksville, Tennessee, the fairly large public school awarded 2,348 diplomas to qualifed students in 2018-2019.
Degree recipients from Austin Peay State University accumulate an average of $26,388 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $273 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Austin Peay State University graduates make an average of $34,836 annually.
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East Tennessee State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for business students. It came in at #23 on the list. ETSU is a fairly large public school situated in Johnson City, Tennessee. It awarded 3,539 degrees in 2018-2019.
On average, students take out $34,476 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $380 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, ETSU graduates make an average of $40,067 annually.
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Nashville State Community College ranked #24 on this year’s Best Business Schools in Tennessee list. Nashville State Community College is a public institution located in Nashville, Tennessee. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,283 degrees in 2018-2019.
On average, students take out $16,080 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $152 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Nashville State Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,117 during the early year of their career.
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Chattanooga State Community College landed the #25 spot in the 2021 rankings for the best business programs. Located in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,494 degrees in 2018-2019.
Degree recipients from Chattanooga State Community College accumulate an average of $14,190 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $111 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Chattanooga State Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $33,290 during the early years of their career.
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- Read more about our ranking methodology.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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