2026 Best Business Schools in Tennessee
Looking for the best Business degree programs in Tennessee? Our ranking highlights 143 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Business Degree Central reviewed 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 Business Degree Schools in Tennessee
Here are the top-ranked schools:
Our analysis found Vanderbilt University to be the best Business school in Tennessee. Based in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. Vanderbilt University posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,498. The median Business program debt is $13,975. More on Vanderbilt University
The strong Business programs at The University Of Tennessee earned it the #2 place in Tennessee. The University Of Tennessee is a public school based in Knoxville, TN. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Students borrow a median of $22,859 to complete their Business program here. See the full The University Of Tennessee profile
The strong Business programs at Rhodes College earned it the #3 place in Tennessee. Rhodes College is a private not-for-profit school based in Memphis, TN. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,110. Students borrow a median of $23,078 to complete their Business program here. See the full Rhodes College profile
The strong Business programs at Bryan College Dayton earned it the #4 place in Tennessee. This private not-for-profit school is set in Dayton, TN. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. In-state tuition and fees run about $19,800. Students borrow a median of $25,652 to complete their Business program here. Get the full Bryan College Dayton report
The strong Business programs at Lipscomb University earned it the #5 place in Tennessee. Located in Nashville, TN, Lipscomb University is a private not-for-profit institution. Lipscomb University posts a six-year graduation rate of 72%. In-state tuition and fees average $40,572. The median Business program debt is $23,529. Get the full Lipscomb University report
Belmont University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best Business schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Nashville, TN. About 70% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $42,540 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,447 to complete their Business program here. Read the full report on Belmont University
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best Business schools. Set in Chattanooga, TN, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a public institution. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga graduates 50% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,448, with out-of-state students paying around $18,512. Graduates carry a median of $23,324 in student loans. Read the full report on The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga
Union University did well this year, earning the #8 position. Union University is a private not-for-profit school based in Jackson, TN. About 66% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $37,398. Graduates carry a median of $28,605 in student loans. See the full Union University profile
Tennessee Technological University did well this year, earning the #9 position. Located in Cookeville, TN, Tennessee Technological University is a public institution. Tennessee Technological University graduates 58% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,376, with out-of-state students paying around $15,576. Typical Business student debt is $17,580. Read the full report on Tennessee Technological University
University Of Memphis ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best Business schools. Based in Memphis, TN, University Of Memphis is a public institution. University Of Memphis posts a six-year graduation rate of 51%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,728, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. The median Business program debt is $26,315. More on University Of Memphis
King College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best Business schools. King College is a private not-for-profit school based in Bristol, TN. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $20,397. Graduates carry a median of $25,579 in student loans. See the full King College profile
Middle Tennessee State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best Business schools. Set in Murfreesboro, TN, Middle Tennessee State University is a public institution. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,266, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. The median Business program debt is $22,754. Read the full report on Middle Tennessee State University
Bethel University Tennessee did well this year, earning the #13 position. Based in McKenzie, TN, Bethel University Tennessee is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 17%. In-state tuition and fees average $18,712. Students borrow a median of $28,583 to complete their Business program here. See the full Bethel University Tennessee profile
The University Of Tennessee Martin landed the #14 spot in Tennessee this year. The University Of Tennessee Martin is a public school based in Martin, TN. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. In-state tuition and fees average $10,560, with out-of-state students paying around $16,600. The University Of Tennessee Martin Business students take on a median of $23,770 in debt. Get the full The University Of Tennessee Martin report
Trevecca Nazarene University did well this year, earning the #15 position. 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. Typical Business student debt is $24,962. Read more about Trevecca Nazarene University
Tennessee Wesleyan College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best Business schools. Located in Athens, TN, Tennessee Wesleyan College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 48% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $30,814. Typical Business student debt is $29,750. More on Tennessee Wesleyan College
Cleveland State Community College came in at #17 in this year's ranking. Cleveland State Community College is a public school based in Cleveland, TN. In-state tuition and fees average $4,762, with out-of-state students paying around $17,746. Graduates carry a median of $8,742 in student loans. Read the full report on Cleveland State Community College
Cumberland University landed the #18 spot in Tennessee this year. Cumberland University is a private not-for-profit school based in Lebanon, TN. About 42% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $27,840. Cumberland University Business students take on a median of $21,902 in debt. See the full Cumberland University profile
Lee University landed the #19 spot in Tennessee this year. Lee University is a private not-for-profit school based in Cleveland, TN. Lee University graduates 63% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $23,790 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $26,422 in student loans. More on Lee University
Roane State Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best Business schools. Based in Harriman, TN, Roane State Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,998, while out-of-state students pay about $18,630. Typical Business student debt is $9,408. Read the full report on Roane State Community College
Christian Brothers University came in at #21 in this year's ranking. Located in Memphis, TN, Christian Brothers University is a private not-for-profit institution. Christian Brothers University posts a six-year graduation rate of 55%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,420. Typical Business student debt is $32,416. More on Christian Brothers University
Carson Newman College placed #22 among Business schools in Tennessee. Set in Jefferson City, TN, Carson Newman College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 52% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,700. Graduates carry a median of $22,843 in student loans. See the full Carson Newman College profile
Maryville College came in at #23 in this year's ranking. Maryville College is a private not-for-profit school based in Maryville, TN. Maryville College posts a six-year graduation rate of 50%. Students from in state pay about $39,284 in tuition and fees. The median Business program debt is $26,428. Read the full report on Maryville College
Tennessee State University did well this year, earning the #24 position. Based in Nashville, TN, Tennessee State University is a public institution. Tennessee State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 35%. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,616, compared with $22,416 for out-of-state students. Typical Business student debt is $29,489. Get the full Tennessee State University report
Freed Hardeman University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best Business schools. Located in Henderson, TN, Freed Hardeman University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,620. Freed Hardeman University Business students take on a median of $24,479 in debt. Read more about Freed Hardeman University
Rest of the Top 50 Best Business Degree Schools in Tennessee
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Milligan College came in at #26 in this year's ranking. Located in Milligan, TN, Milligan College is a private not-for-profit institution. Milligan College posts a six-year graduation rate of 63%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,450. Students borrow a median of $26,150 to complete their Business program here. Read the full report on Milligan College
Pellissippi State Community College did well this year, earning the #27 position. Set in Knoxville, TN, Pellissippi State Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,786, with out-of-state students paying around $17,770. Pellissippi State Community College Business students take on a median of $8,951 in debt. More on Pellissippi State Community College
Southern Adventist University placed #28 among Business schools in Tennessee. Southern Adventist University is a private not-for-profit school based in Collegedale, TN. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $27,300. Southern Adventist University Business students take on a median of $25,498 in debt. See the full Southern Adventist University profile
Lincoln Memorial University did well this year, earning the #29 position. Lincoln Memorial University is a private not-for-profit school based in Harrogate, TN. Lincoln Memorial University posts a six-year graduation rate of 47%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,938. Typical Business student debt is $20,693. Get the full Lincoln Memorial University report
Tusculum College placed #30 among Business schools in Tennessee. Set in Greeneville, TN, Tusculum College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 26% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $29,250 in tuition and fees. Typical Business student debt is $25,278. See the full Tusculum College profile
East Tennessee State University placed #31 among Business schools in Tennessee. Set in Johnson City, TN, East Tennessee State University is a public institution. East Tennessee State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 53%. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,216, with out-of-state students paying around $13,726. Students borrow a median of $21,301 to complete their Business program here. Read more about East Tennessee State University
Chattanooga State Community College landed the #32 spot in Tennessee this year. Based in Chattanooga, TN, Chattanooga State Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,772, compared with $17,756 for out-of-state students. Chattanooga State Community College Business students take on a median of $12,079 in debt. See the full Chattanooga State Community College profile
Columbia State Community College ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best Business schools. This public school is set in Columbia, TN. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,948, while out-of-state students pay about $17,772. Graduates carry a median of $12,674 in student loans. See the full Columbia State Community College profile
Austin Peay State University landed the #35 spot in Tennessee this year. Set in Clarksville, TN, Austin Peay State University is a public institution. Austin Peay State University graduates 39% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $9,006 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,766. The median Business program debt is $24,530. See the full Austin Peay State University profile
Nashville State Community College landed the #36 spot in Tennessee this year. Based in Nashville, TN, Nashville State Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,730, with out-of-state students paying around $17,714. The median Business program debt is $16,745. Get the full Nashville State Community College report
Northeast State Community College ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best Business schools. Based in Blountville, TN, Northeast State Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,782 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,766. Typical Business student debt is $6,404. See the full Northeast State Community College profile
Lane College
Lane College placed #37 among Business schools in Tennessee. Get the full Lane College report
Health Tech Institute Of Memphis landed the #38 spot in Tennessee this year. Read the full report on Health Tech Institute Of Memphis
Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Morristown ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best Business schools. Get the full Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Morristown report
Concorde Career College Memphis did well this year, earning the #40 position. Read the full report on Concorde Career College Memphis
Franklin Academy
Franklin Academy landed the #41 spot in Tennessee this year. Read the full report on Franklin Academy
Sae Institute Of Technology Nashville came in at #42 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Sae Institute Of Technology Nashville
Southwest Tennessee Community College ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best Business schools. Get the full Southwest Tennessee Community College report
Paul Mitchell The School Memphis landed the #44 spot in Tennessee this year. More on Paul Mitchell The School Memphis
North Central Institute ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best Business schools. More on North Central Institute
Nashville Auto Diesel College came in at #46 in this year's ranking. Read more about Nashville Auto Diesel College
John A Gupton College placed #47 among Business schools in Tennessee. Read the full report on John A Gupton College
Fisk University
Fisk University did well this year, earning the #48 position. More on Fisk University
Strayer University Tennessee came in at #49 in this year's ranking. Get the full Strayer University Tennessee report
Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Memphis placed #50 among Business schools in Tennessee. Read more about Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Memphis
More Business Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Business Degree Central (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs 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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