Graduate and Undergraduate Business Schools in Tennessee
| 1 – Best Programs |
| 2 – Undergraduate |
| 3 – Graduate |
| 4 – Job Outlook |
Renowned for its culture and cuisine, Tennessee is one of the states that quickly comes to mind when many think of the Old South. But there’s much more to this diverse state than country music and dry-rub barbecue (as good as both of those can be). Tennessee is now a mix of the old and the new: venerable and respected customs and careers now mingle with modern technology and industry. The 16th state to join the United States, and currently 16th in population, Tennessee has a lot to offer, from the Great Smoky Mountains in the east to Nashville and Memphis’s active music scenes.
According to the National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES), 39 public and non-profit schools offer business degree programs. Of these, 19 offer accredited programs at the undergraduate level and 17 at the graduate level. Tennessee also has an exciting feature for the prospective student: it offers 13 community colleges that have an “open admission policy” and don’t require entrance exams. These are accredited schools but do not appear in the NCES stats, so they are in addition to the 19 mentioned above.1
We place a great deal of emphasis on accreditation because it provides you with the assurance that the program you select has clearly stated objectives and that the school has proven that its program produces quality outcomes while adhering to national and international standards. Schools with accreditation are also more likely than unaccredited schools to offer ways to get real-world experience through interaction with actual businesses.
All of the schools in this article have been accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), or International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE). They are all public or non-profit and regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).
This article provides you with the data you need to choose the ideal Tennessee business school for your unique needs based on various key factors: tuition, financial aid, entrance exam scores, acceptance rates, and more. The three sections that follow describe undergraduate programs, graduate schools, and the job prospects for business school graduates in Tennessee.
Best Business Schools in Tennessee
Best business schools in Tennessee according to US News data.8
- Vanderbilt University – #26 in Best Business Schools, #14 in Top National Universities, #7 in Best Value Schools, #37 in Most Innovative Schools
- University of Tennessee – Knoxville – #44 in Best Business Schools, #52 in Top Public Schools, #62 in Best Undergraduate Business Schools, #76 in Best Colleges for Veterans
- Tennessee Technological University – #68 in Best Online MBA Programs, #230 in Top National Universities
- Belmont University – #6 in Best Regional Universities South, #4 in Best Colleges for Veterans, #37 in Best Value Schools, #4 in Most Innovative Schools, #235 in Best Undergraduate Business Schools
- University of Memphis – #147 in Best Undergraduate Business Schools, #89 in Best Online MBA Programs, #125 in Best Online Bachelor’s Programs
- University of Tennessee – Martin – #30 in Best Online MBA Programs, #14 in Top Public Schools, #29 in Best Colleges for Veterans, #44 in Best Value Schools
34 Undergraduate Business Schools in Tennessee
Tennessee is one of the most inexpensive states for getting a business education, with a wide variety of mid-range and budget options and only one school that could be considered “expensive.” Besides, as mentioned earlier, it offers 13 accredited community colleges that are very affordable. We have broken our undergraduate schools into two tables: one for the 19 regular colleges and the other for the community colleges.1
Looking at the “normal” schools, we see an overall average tuition cost of just $18,700. The least expensive school on this list is Tennessee State University, at around $7,300, while the priciest is Vanderbilt University, at $45,600. Vanderbilt is one of the more famous schools in the state, and it leads the second-place finisher in the tuition list by a considerable margin: Belmont University costs only $31,400. Overall, eight of the schools are under $10,000, and all but the two already mentioned, plus Union University, are under $30,000. Financial aid is pretty generous as a percentage of tuition, averaging at around $12,500 and contributing to this state’s budget-friendly nature.1
The community colleges are even more affordable. All 13 are in the $4,000 ballpark for tuition and offer around $4,000 in potential financial aid. This means that lack of financial resources may not have to stop you from getting a degree in Tennessee.1
Going back to the regular colleges, we have acceptance rate data for 15 of our 19 schools. Rates are generally on the high side, with one notable exception, The overall average acceptance rate is 65%, and all of the schools but one accept 49% or more of their students. The exception is Vanderbilt University, and what an exception it is: it takes in just 11% of applicants, less than a quarter of the next most selective school. The most lenient school for which we have data is Freed-Hardeman University at 95%. (The community colleges accept all applicants.)1
Graduation rates for undergraduate business degrees in Tennessee tend to be moderate with a wide range. The overall average for the 13 schools for which we have data is 58%, with the lowest, Fisk University, at 32% and the highest, Vanderbilt University, at 92%. The other 11 schools graduate 42% to 70% of their students. Belmont University has the best combination of acceptance rate and graduate rate, at 81% and 70%, respectively.1
Popular undergraduate programs in Tennessee: Bachelor’s in Operations Management | Bachelor’s in Forensic Accounting | Bachelor’s in Accounting
We’ve included two tables below. The first shows you all the critical data you need about traditional undergraduate business schools in Tennessee, including annual in-state tuition costs, average aid per student, acceptance rates, SAT and ACT score ranges of accepted students, and graduation rates. The second lists the 13 open community colleges; test scores and acceptance rates are not generally relevant here, and these schools don’t generally provide graduation rates. You can click any column header in either table to sort it based on its contents.
| School | City | Tuition | Aid | Median SAT | Median ACT | Accept. Rate | Grad. Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belmont University | Nashville | $31,390 | $11,989 | 1040-1250 | 24-29 | 81.0% | 0.7% |
| Bryan College | Dayton | $24,450 | $14,418 | 495-605 | 19-26 | 54.0% | 0.6% |
| Cumberland University | Lebanon | $21,210 | $12,412 | 830-1030 | 19-23 | 49.0% | 0.6% |
| East Tennessee State University | Johnson City | $8,341 | $7,854 | ||||
| Fisk University | Nashville | $21,480 | $19,622 | 820-1010 | 17-22 | 78.0% | 0.3% |
| Freed-Hardeman University | Henderson | $21,500 | $13,917 | 485-585 | 21-28 | 95.0% | |
| Lee University | Cleveland | $15,770 | $8,947 | 500-620 | 19-27 | 85.0% | |
| Lincoln Memorial University | Harrogate | $21,050 | $10,824 | 490-575 | 18-25 | 50.0% | 0.6% |
| Lipscomb University | Nashville | $29,756 | $15,427 | 990-1268 | 22-28 | 61.0% | 0.6% |
| Middle Tennessee State University | Murfreesboro | $8,280 | $7,803 | ||||
| Southern Adventist University | Collegedale | $21,150 | $8,747 | ||||
| Tennessee State University | Nashville | $7,256 | $9,929 | ||||
| Tennessee Tech University | Cookeville | $8,203 | $9,030 | 960-1190 | 21-27 | 67.0% | 0.5% |
| Union University | Jackson | $30,330 | $16,541 | 1020-1300 | 23-30 | 63.0% | 0.7% |
| University of Memphis | Memphis | $9,125 | $6,732 | 900-1160 | 18-25 | 57.0% | 0.4% |
| University of Tennessee at Chattanooga | Chattanooga | $8,544 | $7,128 | 920-1190 | 21-26 | 78.0% | 0.4% |
| University of Tennessee at Knoxville | Knoxville | $12,724 | $8,519 | 1040-1250 | 24-30 | 77.0% | 0.7% |
| University of Tennessee at Martin | Martin | $9,088 | $8,216 | 975-1170 | 20-25 | 67.0% | 0.5% |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville | $45,610 | $39,081 | 1420-1590 | 32-35 | 11.0% | 0.9% |
| School | City | Tuition | Aid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga State Community College | Chattanooga | $4,063 | $3,833 |
| Cleveland State Community College | Cleveland | $4,043 | $3,739 |
| Columbia State Community College | Columbia | $4,015 | $4,171 |
| Dyersburg State Community College | Dyersburg | $4,229 | $3,608 |
| Jackson State Community College | Jackson | $4,029 | $3,645 |
| Motlow State Community College | Tullahoma | $4,051 | $4,302 |
| Nashville State Community College | Nashville | $3,969 | $4,320 |
| Northeast State Community College | Blountville | $4,056 | $3,902 |
| Pellissippi State Community College | Knoxville | $4,084 | $4,276 |
| Roane State Community College | Harriman | $4,047 | $4,467 |
| Southwest Tennessee Community College | Memphis | $4,059 | $4,291 |
| Tennessee State University | Nashville | $7,256 | $9,929 |
| Volunteer State Community College | Gallatin | $4,037 | $4,378 |
| Walters State Community College | Morristown | $4,032 | $3,834 |
19 Graduate Business Schools in Tennessee
We have data for 17 accredited colleges for graduate-level business study in Tennessee. MBA tuition in Tennessee is among the lowest in the nation; the overall average is just $29,500, but even this doesn’t tell the whole story. Excluding the two most expensive schools–Vanderbilt at $108,300 and Belmont at $58,310–drops that average to just $22,300. 13 of the 17 schools are between $17,000 and $22,500, making this a very cost-effective state to get a master’s in business.2,3,4
We have average admission GMAT scores for nine of these schools. All of them fall into a fairly typical range of 491 to 603, again, with one exception: Vanderbilt’s 687. We have data on the percentage of full-time faculty with doctorate degrees for nine schools (though these are not all the same as the schools we have GMAT data). All of these figures are near or above 80%, with the highest, Tennessee State University, at 97%.2,3,4
There are several options for an online MBA in Tennessee that are ideal for those who want to further their educations while continuing their careers. Tennessee Technological University offers a highly rated program with International Business, HR Management, Accounting, Marketing, and Finance concentrations. Middle Tennessee State University offers a hybrid MBA that is mostly online but requires in-person attendance for some of the coursework; this school has some unusual concentrations not often seen in other schools, such as Healthcare Management, Concrete Industry Management very-state-appropriate Music Business. Other schools offering online or hybrid programs include the University of Memphis, Union University, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and the University of Tennessee at Martin. Most online programs offer the same basic curriculum and courses as their offline equivalents.2,3,4
Popular graduate programs in Tennessee: Masters in Accounting Programs | Online MBA Programs in Accounting | Online MBA Programs in Project Management
The table below shows graduate business school tuition costs, average accepted applicant GMAT scores, the percentage of faculty with a doctorate, and student-to-faculty ratios. Click any column header to sort the table based on its contents.
| School | City | Tuition | Avg. GMAT | Faculty with Doct. Degree | Student/ Faculty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belmont University | Nashville | $58,310 | 560 | ||
| Cumberland University | Lebanon | $17,640 | |||
| East Tennessee State University | Johnson City | $19,242 | 535 | 86% | 2.07 |
| Fisk University | Nashville | $21,756 | |||
| Freed-Hardeman University | Henderson | $17,700 | |||
| Lee University | Cleveland | $20,224 | |||
| Lincoln Memorial University | Harrogate | $18,000 | |||
| Lipscomb University | Nashville | $43,200 | 530 | ||
| Middle Tennessee State University | Murfreesboro | $18,036 | 87% | 1.35 | |
| Tennessee State University | Nashville | $17,064 | 97% | 2.18 | |
| Tennessee Tech University | Cookeville | $18,660 | 89% | 5.38 | |
| Union University | Jackson | $22,140 | 603 | ||
| University of Memphis | Memphis | $22,408 | 550 | 87% | 5.45 |
| University of Tennessee at Chattanooga | Chattanooga | $19,340 | 491 | 85% | |
| University of Tennessee at Knoxville | Knoxville | $38,944 | 597 | 80% | 2.81 |
| University of Tennessee at Martin | Martin | $20,444 | 519 | 91% | 2.87 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville | $108,300 | 687 | 92% | 9.18 |
Job Outlook for Business School Graduates in Tennessee
Total growth of at least 5% is predicted in 32 of 37 business and management occupations across the US between 2016 and 2026, according to recent Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data.5 The highest growth will be for market analysts and marketing specialists, at 22.8% over ten years, with financial managers next at 18.7%.5
Tennessee’s economy tends to track that of the nation as a whole, and the state currently has an unemployment rate of 3.4%, slightly below the national average.6 About 373,000 people were employed in Tennessee’s business and management sector in 2016.6 The largest subgroup was general and operations managers, with 74,300 employed, this category more than double the size of the next largest, accountants and auditors at 35,000.6
Popular Articles: Accounting Schools in Tennessee | Online MBA Programs in Tennessee
According to BLS data, the overall average annual wage in 2016 across all Tennessee occupations was $48,547, which ranks the Volunteer State 44th out of 51 states plus the District of Columbia.6 Business and management occupations had a weighted average annual salary of around $115,500 in that year, nearly 2.4 times the overall average and making business occupations particularly lucrative here relative to other pursuits.6 Chief executives were the highest-paid subgroup, like their counterparts in other states, with an average salary of $215,600.6 This was followed by a variety of management positions ranging from $125,000 to $155,000.6 Meeting, convention and event planners were the lowest-paid group but still came in at a respectable $58,000.6
| Occupation Title | BLS.gov Code | 2016 Total Employment Tennessee | Mean Hourly Wage Tennessee | Mean Annual Wage Tennessee | National Growth 2016-26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | 13-2011 | 35,260 | $39 | $80,280 | 10.0% |
| Administrative Services Managers | 11-3011 | 13,060 | $52 | $108,380 | 10.1% |
| Advertising and Promotions Managers | 11-2011 | 1,330 | $69 | $144,260 | 5.8% |
| Agents and Managers of Artists and Athletes | 13-1011 | 0,350 | $33 | $69,040 | 4.9% |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | 11-9041 | 7,680 | $72 | $150,460 | 5.5% |
| Budget Analysts | 13-2031 | 1,880 | $39 | $81,060 | 6.5% |
| Business Operations Specialists | 13-1199 | 13,240 | $41 | $85,020 | 8.8% |
| Chief Executives | 11-1011 | 9,790 | $104 | $215,630 | 8.0% |
| Benefits Managers | 11-3111 | 0,810 | $64 | $132,210 | 5.0% |
| Compensation and Job Analysis Specialists | 13-1141 | 1,850 | $35 | $71,890 | 8.5% |
| Compliance Officers | 13-1041 | 7,300 | $40 | $83,420 | 8.2% |
| Information Systems Managers | 11-3021 | 16,310 | $74 | $153,830 | 11.9% |
| Construction Managers | 11-9021 | 6,460 | $52 | $107,680 | 11.4% |
| Cost Estimators | 13-1051 | 5,670 | $37 | $76,240 | 10.6% |
| Credit Analysts | 13-2041 | 1,990 | $40 | $82,320 | 8.4% |
| Credit Counselors | 13-2071 | 1,460 | $29 | $60,040 | 13.9% |
| Financial Analysts | 13-2051 | 11,750 | $47 | $97,690 | 10.8% |
| Financial Examiners | 13-2061 | 1,370 | $50 | $104,200 | 9.8% |
| Financial Managers | 11-3031 | 30,610 | $68 | $142,370 | 0.187 |
| Operations Managers | 11-1021 | 74,260 | $64 | $133,950 | 9.1% |
| Human Resources Managers | 11-3121 | 5,660 | $65 | $134,970 | 8.9% |
| Human Resources Specialists | 13-1071 | 15,940 | $36 | $74,940 | 7.1% |
| Insurance Underwriters | 13-2053 | 3,190 | $43 | $89,200 | -5.2% |
| Labor Relations Specialists | 13-1075 | 2,710 | $30 | $62,750 | -7.8% |
| Loan Officers | 13-2072 | 5,640 | $45 | $93,820 | 11.5% |
| Logisticians | 13-1081 | 2,810 | $37 | $77,250 | 6.9% |
| Management Analysts | 13-1111 | 23,230 | $54 | $112,920 | 12.0% |
| Market Research Analysts and Specialists | 13-1161 | 19,900 | $37 | $77,520 | 22.8% |
| Marketing Managers | 11-2021 | 12,770 | $70 | $146,240 | 10.0% |
| Meeting and Event Planners | 13-1121 | 2,920 | $28 | $58,070 | 10.2% |
| Public Relations | 11-2031 | 4,840 | $63 | $130,130 | 10.4% |
| Purchasing Managers | 11-3061 | 2,890 | $60 | $124,330 | 5.6% |
| Sales Managers | 11-2022 | 15,820 | $73 | $151,380 | 7.4% |
| Tax Examiners and Revenue Agents | 13-2081 | 1,600 | $33 | $67,960 | -0.6% |
| Tax Preparers | 13-2082 | 1,750 | $30 | $62,300 | 10.8% |
| Training and Development Managers | 11-3131 | 1,680 | $64 | $132,810 | 10.3% |
Other Popular State Pages
- Business Schools in Kentucky
- Business Schools in Virginia
- Business Schools in Alabama
- Business Schools in Georgia
References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics: https://nces.ed.gov/
2. AACSB, Best Business Schools: https://bestbizschools.aacsb.edu/aacsb-accredited
3. ACBSP, Business Schools: https://acbsp.org/page/accreditation-overview
4. IACBE, Business Schools: https://iacbe.org/accreditation/
5. US Bureau of Labor Statistics – Occupational Outlook Handbook, Business and Financial Occupations: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/home.htm
6. US Bureau of Labor Statistics – Employment and Wage Estimates: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_tn.htm
7. Tennessee State Board of Education: https://www.tn.gov/education.html
8. US News & World Report, Best Business Schools: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-business-schools