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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Education Schools in Tennessee

19 Colleges in the United States
4,983 Education Degrees Awarded
$45,445 Avg Early-Career Salary

Education degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 50 schools to find the best for education students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Education 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 education degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Education

1
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University tops our 2026 ranking of the best education schools. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. Vanderbilt University graduates 94% of students within six years. About 308 education degrees were awarded at Vanderbilt University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $68,272. Typical student debt for the program is $13,975. Get the full education details for Vanderbilt University

2
Milligan College crest
Milligan College
Milligan, TN

Students looking for a strong education program will find one at Milligan College, which ranked #2. Milligan College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Milligan. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 35 education students who graduated with this degree at Milligan College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the education program make about $34,888 in their early career. Milligan College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the education program at Milligan College

3

Motlow State Community College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in education, ranking #3. Set in the rural area of Tullahoma, Motlow State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 29 education degrees were awarded at Motlow State Community College in the most recent year. Education graduates of Motlow State Community College earn a median of $43,750 early in their careers. Motlow State Community College graduates carry a median of $6,470 in student loans. Read more about the education program at Motlow State Community College

4

Students looking for a strong education program will find one at The University Of Tennessee, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. The University Of Tennessee graduates 74% of students within six years. About 336 education degrees were awarded at The University Of Tennessee in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $47,982. Typical student debt for the program is $22,859. Get the full education details for The University Of Tennessee

5
Lipscomb University crest
Lipscomb University
Nashville, TN

Lipscomb University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in education, ranking #5. Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. Lipscomb University awarded about 340 education degrees in the most recent data year. Education graduates of Lipscomb University earn a median of $55,359 early in their careers. Lipscomb University graduates carry a median of $16,563 in student loans. See the full education program report for Lipscomb University

6

Bryan College Dayton placed #6 among the best education schools. Located in the town of Dayton, Bryan College Dayton is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 50% of students finish within six years. About 40 education degrees were awarded at Bryan College Dayton in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Bryan College Dayton generally make around $44,067. Bryan College Dayton graduates carry a median of $25,652 in student loans. More information about a degree in education from Bryan College Dayton

7

Tennessee Technological University came in at #7 for education this year. This large public university is located in the town of Cookeville. About 58% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 396 education students who graduated with this degree at Tennessee Technological University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Tennessee Technological University generally make around $41,007. Typical student debt for the program is $14,566. See the full education program report for Tennessee Technological University

8

Freed Hardeman University landed the #8 spot for education this year. Located in the town of Henderson, Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. There were roughly 112 education students who graduated with this degree at Freed Hardeman University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the education program make about $40,936 in their early career. Freed Hardeman University graduates carry a median of $23,125 in student loans. More information about a degree in education from Freed Hardeman University

9

Roane State Community College landed the #9 spot for education this year. Roane State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Harriman. There were roughly 20 education students who graduated with this degree at Roane State Community College in the most recent data year. Education graduates of Roane State Community College earn a median of $36,933 early in their careers. Roane State Community College graduates carry a median of $9,408 in student loans. See the full education program report for Roane State Community College

10
Belmont University crest
Belmont University
Nashville, TN

Belmont University earned the #10 position for education this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. There were roughly 75 education students who graduated with this degree at Belmont University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their education degree from Belmont University earn around $47,237 in the first couple years of their career. Belmont University graduates carry a median of $23,447 in student loans. Get the full education details for Belmont University

11

The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best education schools. Located in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public university. About 50% of students finish within six years. About 238 education degrees were awarded at The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga generally make around $44,889. Students borrow a median of $22,517 to complete this degree. See the full education program report for The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga

12

Middle Tennessee State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best education schools. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. About 54% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 386 education students who graduated with this degree at Middle Tennessee State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the education program make about $44,347 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,003. More information about a degree in education from Middle Tennessee State University

13

The University Of Tennessee Martin landed the #13 spot for education this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Martin. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. About 222 education degrees were awarded at The University Of Tennessee Martin in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee Martin generally make around $43,674. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete this degree. Get the full education details for The University Of Tennessee Martin

14

East Tennessee State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best education schools. This large public university is located in the city of Johnson City. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. About 277 education degrees were awarded at East Tennessee State University in the most recent year. Education graduates of East Tennessee State University earn a median of $49,864 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the education program at East Tennessee State University

15
Carson Newman College crest
Carson Newman College
Jefferson City, TN

Carson Newman College landed the #15 spot for education this year. Carson Newman College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Jefferson City. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 255 education degrees were awarded at Carson Newman College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Carson Newman College generally make around $52,241. Typical student debt for the program is $24,281. Get the full education details for Carson Newman College

16
Union University crest
Union University
Jackson, TN

Union University placed #16 among the best education schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Jackson. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. Union University awarded about 81 education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the education program make about $64,801 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $28,605 to complete this degree. See the full education program report for Union University

17

Columbia State Community College came in at #17 for education this year. Columbia State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Columbia. There were roughly 24 education students who graduated with this degree at Columbia State Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their education degree from Columbia State Community College earn around $44,481 in the first couple years of their career. Columbia State Community College graduates carry a median of $12,674 in student loans. Get the full education details for Columbia State Community College

18

Lincoln Memorial University earned the #18 position for education this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Harrogate. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. Lincoln Memorial University awarded about 168 education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their education degree from Lincoln Memorial University earn around $57,508 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,693 to complete this degree. Read more about the education program at Lincoln Memorial University

19

Trevecca Nazarene University came in at #19 for education this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Trevecca Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. Trevecca Nazarene University awarded about 220 education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their education degree from Trevecca Nazarene University earn around $63,755 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,962. Read more about the education program at Trevecca Nazarene University

20

Volunteer State Community College placed #20 among the best education schools. Volunteer State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Gallatin. Volunteer State Community College awarded about 22 education degrees in the most recent data year. Education graduates of Volunteer State Community College earn a median of $40,137 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $12,462. More information about a degree in education from Volunteer State Community College

21

Austin Peay State University came in at #21 for education this year. This large public university is located in the city of Clarksville. The six-year graduation rate is 39%. Austin Peay State University awarded about 228 education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Austin Peay State University generally make around $50,276. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. More information about a degree in education from Austin Peay State University

22

University Of Memphis came in at #22 for education this year. 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. There were roughly 381 education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Memphis in the most recent data year. Education graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $44,710 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,687. See the full education program report for University Of Memphis

23
Maryville College crest
Maryville College
Maryville, TN

Maryville College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best education schools. Maryville College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Maryville. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. About 25 education degrees were awarded at Maryville College in the most recent year. Graduates of the education program make about $42,971 in their early career. Maryville College graduates carry a median of $26,428 in student loans. More information about a degree in education from Maryville College

24

Southern Adventist University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best education schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Collegedale. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. Southern Adventist University awarded about 29 education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their education degree from Southern Adventist University earn around $43,283 in the first couple years of their career. Southern Adventist University graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. More information about a degree in education from Southern Adventist University

25

Tennessee State University earned the #25 position for education this year. Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Nashville. Tennessee State University graduates 35% of students within six years. Tennessee State University awarded about 190 education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their education degree from Tennessee State University earn around $34,756 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $29,000. More information about a degree in education from Tennessee State University

Rest of the Top 38 Education Schools

These schools also placed among the best for education this year:

26
27
28
South College crest
South College
Knoxville, TN
29
30
Lee University crest
Lee University
Cleveland, TN
31
32
33
King College crest
King College
Bristol, TN
34
35
Johnson University crest
Johnson University
Knoxville, TN
36
37
Tusculum College crest
Tusculum College
Greeneville, TN
38

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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 · 50 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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