Best large colleges in Tennessee
Colleges with 10,000 or more undergraduates, ranked by Compass Score.
Best large colleges in Tennessee4 schools
4 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.
How this list is made
- Schools in Tennessee.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- 10,000 or more undergraduate students (federal enrollment).
- 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
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
Knoxville, TN · PublicHonor Roll#3 in Tennessee
- 28,883 undergraduates
- 74% graduate
- 2
Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, TN · Public#13 in Tennessee
- 17,668 undergraduates
- 54% graduate
- 3
East Tennessee State University
Johnson City, TN · Public#17 in Tennessee
- 10,633 undergraduates
- 53% graduate
- 4
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Tennessee-Knoxville | $18,976 | $20,500 | $60,249 | 74% |
| Middle Tennessee State University | $13,359 | $20,000 | $48,541 | 54% |
| East Tennessee State University | $15,983 | $19,442 | $44,859 | 53% |
| University of Memphis | $12,397 | $23,300 | $48,458 | 51% |
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 5
- Arizona 6
- California 29
- Colorado 6
- District of Columbia 3
- Florida 13
- Georgia 8
- Idaho 3
- Illinois 8
- Indiana 6
- Kansas 4
- Kentucky 4
- Louisiana 4
- Maryland 4
- Massachusetts 6
- Michigan 8
- Minnesota 3
- Mississippi 3
- Missouri 6
- Nebraska 3
- New Jersey 4
- New York 19
- North Carolina 9
- Ohio 9
- Oklahoma 3
- Oregon 3
- Pennsylvania 6
- South Carolina 4
- Texas 19
- Utah 8
- Virginia 8
- Washington 3
- Wisconsin 3