Best colleges for NCAA Division I athletes in Tennessee
Colleges that compete in NCAA Division I athletics, ranked by Compass Score.
Best colleges for NCAA Division I athletes in Tennessee12 schools
12 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.
How this list is made
- Schools in Tennessee.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- Competes in NCAA Division I (the school's athletics association, from federal and association data).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by Compass Score, highest first. Schools with the same score share a rank.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN · Private nonprofitHonor Roll#1 in Tennessee
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 94% graduate
- 2
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
Knoxville, TN · PublicHonor Roll#3 in Tennessee
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 74% graduate
- 3
Lipscomb University
Nashville, TN · Private nonprofit#5 in Tennessee
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 72% graduate
- 4
Belmont University
Nashville, TN · Private nonprofit#7 in Tennessee
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 71% graduate
- 5
Tennessee Technological University
Cookeville, TN · PublicTop 21% for low debt
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 58% graduate
- 6
Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, TN · Public#13 in Tennessee
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 54% graduate
- 7
East Tennessee State University
Johnson City, TN · Public#17 in Tennessee
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 53% graduate
- 8
The University of Tennessee-Martin
Martin, TN · PublicTop 17% for low net price
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 53% graduate
- 9
University of Memphis
Memphis, TN · PublicTop 23% for low net price
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 51% graduate
- 10
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga
Chattanooga, TN · PublicGood: Compass grade B-
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 50% graduate
- 11
Austin Peay State University
Clarksville, TN · PublicTop 14% for low net price
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 40% graduate
- 12
Tennessee State University
Nashville, TN · Public#40 in Tennessee
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 34% graduate
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanderbilt University | $15,846 | $14,000 | $91,565 | 94% |
| The University of Tennessee-Knoxville | $18,976 | $20,500 | $60,249 | 74% |
| Lipscomb University | $24,739 | $19,500 | $55,541 | 72% |
| Belmont University | $33,147 | $20,500 | $55,930 | 71% |
| Tennessee Technological University | $14,246 | $15,650 | $48,501 | 58% |
| Middle Tennessee State University | $13,359 | $20,000 | $48,541 | 54% |
| East Tennessee State University | $15,983 | $19,442 | $44,859 | 53% |
| The University of Tennessee-Martin | $10,701 | $21,024 | $44,213 | 53% |
| University of Memphis | $12,397 | $23,300 | $48,458 | 51% |
| The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga | $14,265 | $19,500 | $51,151 | 50% |
| Austin Peay State University | $9,735 | $20,547 | $44,301 | 40% |
| Tennessee State University | $15,796 | $27,000 | $42,730 | 34% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.
This list in other states
- Alabama 10
- Arizona 5
- Arkansas 5
- California 26
- Colorado 5
- Connecticut 6
- District of Columbia 4
- Florida 14
- Georgia 6
- Idaho 3
- Illinois 13
- Indiana 11
- Iowa 4
- Kansas 3
- Kentucky 8
- Louisiana 12
- Maryland 9
- Massachusetts 9
- Michigan 7
- Mississippi 6
- Missouri 6
- Nebraska 3
- New Jersey 8
- New York 23
- North Carolina 19
- Ohio 13
- Oklahoma 4
- Oregon 4
- Pennsylvania 15
- Rhode Island 4
- South Carolina 12
- Texas 26
- Utah 7
- Virginia 14
- Washington 5
- Wisconsin 4