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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Journalism Schools in Tennessee

5 Colleges in the United States
304 Journalism Degrees Awarded
$37,924 Avg Early-Career Salary

Journalism is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 13 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for journalism students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Journalism in Tennessee

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the journalism degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Journalism

1

The University Of Tennessee is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in journalism. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 125 journalism students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Tennessee in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $32,082. Students borrow a median of $22,849 to complete this degree. See the full journalism program report for The University Of Tennessee

2
Belmont University crest
Belmont University
Nashville, TN

Belmont University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best journalism schools. Located in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 70% of students finish within six years. About 13 journalism degrees were awarded at Belmont University in the most recent year. Journalism graduates of Belmont University earn a median of $49,699 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,447 to complete this degree. Get the full journalism details for Belmont University

3

Middle Tennessee State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in journalism, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 98 journalism degrees were awarded at Middle Tennessee State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the journalism program make about $30,659 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the journalism program at Middle Tennessee State University

4

Austin Peay State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best journalism schools. Located in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 39%. Austin Peay State University awarded about 19 journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the journalism program make about $44,360 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,530 to complete this degree. Read more about the journalism program at Austin Peay State University

5

University Of Memphis came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best journalism schools. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. University Of Memphis graduates 51% of students within six years. University Of Memphis awarded about 49 journalism degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the journalism program make about $32,820 in their early career. University Of Memphis graduates carry a median of $26,875 in student loans. See the full journalism program report for University Of Memphis

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 13 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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