2023 Most Popular Business Schools in Tennessee
There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which business program is right for you. 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. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school or bootcamp that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.
To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Business Degree Central has developed this Most Popular Business Schools in Tennessee ranking. This report analyzed 85 schools in Tennessee to see which ones were the most popular programs for business students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.
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Most Popular Business Schools in Tennessee
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named The University of Tennessee - Knoxville the most popular school in Tennessee for business students working on their degree. This large public school is located in Knoxville, Tennessee, and it awarded 1,939 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from UT Knoxville accumulate an average of $22,232 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 $325 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UT Knoxville graduates make an average of $44,189 annually. Around 40% of those degree recipients were women.
The programs at Middle Tennessee State University helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular business schools in Tennessee. Middle Tennessee State University is a large public school situated in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. It awarded 897 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,342 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $144, assuming you 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 $38,675 during the early year of their career. Around 43% of those degree recipients were women.
The programs at University of Memphis helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular business schools in Tennessee. Located in Memphis, Tennessee, the large public school awarded 885 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from UofM accumulate an average of $28,159 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 $147 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UofM graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $41,884 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 46% were women.
The programs at Vanderbilt University helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular business schools in Tennessee. Vanderbilt is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Nashville, Tennessee. It awarded 703 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $14,392 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $644, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Vanderbilt, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $66,962 during the early years of their career. Around 47% of those degree recipients were women.
Out of the 85 schools in Tennessee that were part of this year’s ranking, The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga landed the # 5 spot on the list. The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga is a fairly large public school located in Chattanooga, Tennessee that handed out 572 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $25,246 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $162, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UT Chattanooga graduates make an average of $46,162 annually. Around 46% of those degree recipients were women.
Trevecca Nazarene University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for business students. It came in at #6 on the list. TNU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Nashville, Tennessee. The school has a small population, and it awarded 463 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from TNU accumulate an average of $26,746 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, TNU graduates make an average of $46,373 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.
With a ranking of #7, East Tennessee State University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for business students working. ETSU is a fairly large public school situated in Johnson City, Tennessee. It awarded 460 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,047 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $212 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, ETSU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,858 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 45% were women.
Tennessee Technological University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Business Schools in Tennessee ranking. Tennessee Tech University is a public institution located in Cookeville, Tennessee. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 431 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $19,943 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $103 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Tennessee Tech University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,563 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 44% were women.
Bethel University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Business Schools in Tennessee ranking. Bethel is located in McKenzie, Tennessee and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 359 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $33,108 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Bethel graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $57,444 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 64% were women.
Belmont University ranked #10 on this year’s Most Popular Business Schools in Tennessee list. Nashville, Tennessee is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 345 students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,196 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $824 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Belmont graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $43,927 during the early year of their career. Around 50% of those degree recipients were women.
Lipscomb University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Business Schools in Tennessee ranking. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 323 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $26,213 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $216 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Lipscomb graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $47,759 during the early year of their career. Around 45% of those degree recipients were women.
The University of Tennessee - Martin did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for business students. It came in at #12 on the list. Martin, Tennessee is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 300 students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $24,559 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $149, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UT Martin graduates make an average of $35,647 annually. Around 49% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #13, Strayer University - Tennessee did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for business students working. Located in Memphis, Tennessee, the small private for-profit school handed out 285 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $38,671 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $121 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Strayer University - Tennessee, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $52,529 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 86% were women.
Pellissippi State Community College ranked #14 on this year’s Most Popular Business Schools in Tennessee list. Pellissippi State Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Knoxville, Tennessee that handed out 283 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Pellissippi State Community College accumulate an average of $14,016 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Pellissippi State Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $31,307 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 75% were women.
Austin Peay State University landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular business programs. Located in Clarksville, Tennessee, the medium-sized public school handed out 282 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $27,168 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $159. During the early years of their career, Austin Peay State University graduates make an average of $36,908 annually. Around 50% of those degree recipients were women.
King University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Business Schools in Tennessee ranking. King University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Bristol, Tennessee that handed out 247 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $29,018 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from King, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,581 during the early years of their career. Around 54% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #17, Tennessee State University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for business students working. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, the medium-sized public school handed out 236 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Tennessee State University accumulate an average of $30,529 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 $203 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 $41,944 during the early year of their career. Around 56% of those degree recipients were women.
Cleveland State Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for business students. It came in at #18 on the list. Cleveland State Community College is a small public school situated in Cleveland, Tennessee. It awarded 216 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,700 in student loans.After graduating from Cleveland State Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $32,755 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 76% were women.
Tusculum University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for business students. It came in at #19 on the list. Tusculum is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Greeneville, Tennessee. It awarded 197 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $25,521 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Tusculum graduates make an average of $40,249 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 50% were women.
Christian Brothers University ranked #20 on this year’s Most Popular Business Schools in Tennessee list. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Memphis, Tennessee, and it awarded 192 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $34,104 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $199 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Christian Brothers graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $53,446 during the early year of their career. Around 56% of those degree recipients were women.
Cumberland University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for business students. It came in at #21 on the list. Located in Lebanon, Tennessee, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 189 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,639 in student loans.After graduating from CU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $41,113 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 46% were women.
Lee University landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular business programs. Lee University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Cleveland, Tennessee. It awarded 187 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,373 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $260 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Lee University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $32,791 during the early years of their career. Around 45% of those degree recipients were women.
Union University landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular business programs. Union is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Jackson, Tennessee. It awarded 184 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $32,879 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $477, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Union graduates make an average of $57,821 annually. Around 55% of those degree recipients were women.
Bryan College - Dayton came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Business Schools in Tennessee ranking. Located in Dayton, Tennessee, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 152 degrees in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, William Jennings Bryan College graduates make an average of $46,728 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 49% were women.
Carson - Newman University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for business students. It came in at #25 on the list. Located in Jefferson City, Tennessee, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 145 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $23,992 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Carson - Newman, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $41,134 during the early years of their career. Around 43% of those degree recipients were women.
Most Popular Business Schools in the Southeast Region
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- 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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