2023 best colleges in Tennessee

With close proximity to Oak Ridge National Laboratory, one of the largest government-funded laboratories nationwide, the University of Tennessee provides students with extensive research opportunities in energy, biology, security, and more. Vanderbilt University, one of the top schools in the country, also deserves recognition for its health and radiation effects research and its on-campus arboretum, featuring trees as old as the American Revolution. For students interested in hands-on learning, Belmont University, located in the vibrant and musical city of Nashville, boasts leading study abroad and service learning programs.

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#1 in Tennessee | #24 in Social Work nationally
Economic score: 3.20

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

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Net cost: $14,040

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Payback: 3.8 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $39,624

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

EarningsPlus: + $6,044

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 86%
Graduation rate: 53%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#2 in Tennessee | #81 in Social Work nationally
Economic score: 4.54

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

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Net cost: $11,320

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Payback: 4.6 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $33,732

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

EarningsPlus: + $90

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 75%
Graduation rate: 49%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#3 in Tennessee | #85 in Social Work nationally

University of Memphis

Memphis, Tennessee

Economic score: 4.61

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

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Net cost: $13,904

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Payback: 4.7 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $36,629

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

EarningsPlus: + $816

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 95%
Graduation rate: 58%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#4 in Tennessee | #134 in Social Work nationally

Austin Peay State University

Clarksville, Tennessee

Economic score: 5.86

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

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Net cost: $14,845

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Payback: 5.9 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $33,755

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

EarningsPlus: + $99

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 93%
Graduation rate: 48%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#5 in Tennessee | #139 in Social Work nationally

Middle Tennessee State University

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Economic score: 6.02

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

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Net cost: $12,752

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Payback: 5.8 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $32,555

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

EarningsPlus: - $1,215

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 68%
Graduation rate: 54%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#6 in Tennessee | #163 in Social Work nationally

East Tennessee State University

Johnson City, Tennessee

Economic score: 6.76

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

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Net cost: $12,894

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Payback: 6.3 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $31,889

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

EarningsPlus: - $2,150

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 87%
Graduation rate: 56%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#7 in Tennessee | #168 in Social Work nationally
Economic score: 6.98

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

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Net cost: $18,579

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Payback: 6.8 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $34,959

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

EarningsPlus: - $818

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 75%
Graduation rate: 71%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#8 in Tennessee | #251 in Social Work nationally

Union University

Jackson, Tennessee

Economic score: 14.01

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

View school
Net cost: $29,990

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Payback: 13.2 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $32,593

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

EarningsPlus: - $2,048

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 53%
Graduation rate: 69%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#9 in Tennessee | #264 in Social Work nationally

Belmont University

Nashville, Tennessee

Economic score: 16.67

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

View school
Net cost: $30,489

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Payback: 15.1 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $32,569

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

EarningsPlus: - $3,308

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 88%
Graduation rate: 73%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#10 in Tennessee | #265 in Social Work nationally

Lipscomb University

Nashville, Tennessee

Economic score: 16.80

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

View school
Net cost: $25,704

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Payback: 14.7 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $30,409

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

EarningsPlus: - $4,265

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 74%
Graduation rate: 69%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#11 in Tennessee | #294 in Social Work nationally

Freed, Hardeman University

Henderson, Tennessee

Economic score: 95.25

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

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Net cost: $17,152

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Payback: 65.9 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $23,997

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

EarningsPlus: - $10,672

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 88%
Graduation rate: 60%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

Tennessee State University

Nashville, Tennessee

Economic score: 7.54

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

View school
Net cost: $11,867

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Payback: 6.9 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $32,201

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

EarningsPlus: - $3,221

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: N/A
Graduation rate: 41%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

Explore more schools without data

How long does it take me to repay a bachelor's degree in social work in Tennessee?

Years

7.3 years

The cost of the average bachelor's degree in social work in Tennessee is covered by the new earnings of graduates in 7.3 years.

How much do graduates with bachelor's degree in social work earn in Tennessee?

Salary

$33,317

The median bachelor's degree in social work graduate earns $33,317 3 years after graduating.

How much does a bachelor's degree in social work cost in Tennessee?

Net cost

$16,675

The average annual cost of a bachelor's degree in social work is $16,675. This is the net cost and considers only students that have received Title IV funds.