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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best English Schools in Tennessee

13 Colleges in the United States
558 English Degrees Awarded
$34,547 Avg Early-Career Salary

English is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 35 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best english schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for English 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 english degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in English

1
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

No school ranked higher than Vanderbilt University this year for english. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 33 english students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english degree from Vanderbilt University earn around $34,633 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,420. Get the full english details for Vanderbilt University

2
Rhodes College crest
Rhodes College
Memphis, TN

Rhodes College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in english, ranking #2. Rhodes College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Memphis. Rhodes College graduates 84% of students within six years. About 21 english degrees were awarded at Rhodes College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Rhodes College generally make around $40,807. Typical student debt for the program is $21,545. Read more about the english program at Rhodes College

3
Lipscomb University crest
Lipscomb University
Nashville, TN

A rank of #3 makes Lipscomb University one of the top schools for english. Located in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Lipscomb University graduates 72% of students within six years. Lipscomb University awarded about 17 english degrees in the most recent data year. English graduates of Lipscomb University earn a median of $48,949 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,529. More information about a degree in english from Lipscomb University

4

The University Of Tennessee is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in english, ranking #4. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. The University Of Tennessee awarded about 92 english degrees in the most recent data year. English graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $26,476 early in their careers. The University Of Tennessee graduates carry a median of $22,990 in student loans. Get the full english details for The University Of Tennessee

5

Freed Hardeman University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in english, landing the #5 spot this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Henderson. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. Freed Hardeman University awarded about 12 english degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english program make about $54,530 in their early career. Freed Hardeman University graduates carry a median of $24,479 in student loans. Read more about the english program at Freed Hardeman University

6

Middle Tennessee State University came in at #6 for english this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Murfreesboro. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. Middle Tennessee State University awarded about 130 english degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english degree from Middle Tennessee State University earn around $31,554 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,045. Read more about the english program at Middle Tennessee State University

7

The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga landed the #7 spot for english this year. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public school located in the city of Chattanooga. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga graduates 50% of students within six years. There were roughly 37 english students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga generally make around $22,999. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga graduates carry a median of $22,796 in student loans. Get the full english details for The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga

8

East Tennessee State University came in at #8 for english this year. Set in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public institution. About 53% of students finish within six years. East Tennessee State University awarded about 63 english degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english degree from East Tennessee State University earn around $21,836 in the first couple years of their career. East Tennessee State University graduates carry a median of $16,598 in student loans. Get the full english details for East Tennessee State University

9

Tennessee Technological University came in at #9 for english this year. Located in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public university. Tennessee Technological University graduates 58% of students within six years. About 18 english degrees were awarded at Tennessee Technological University in the most recent year. Students who receive their english degree from Tennessee Technological University earn around $46,981 in the first couple years of their career. Tennessee Technological University graduates carry a median of $19,039 in student loans. See the full english program report for Tennessee Technological University

10
Belmont University crest
Belmont University
Nashville, TN

Belmont University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best english schools. Set in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. About 21 english degrees were awarded at Belmont University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Belmont University generally make around $22,360. Typical student debt for the program is $24,250. Get the full english details for Belmont University

11

University Of Memphis came in at #11 for english this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Memphis. University Of Memphis graduates 51% of students within six years. About 79 english degrees were awarded at University Of Memphis in the most recent year. English graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $25,948 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,708 to complete this degree. See the full english program report for University Of Memphis

12

Austin Peay State University landed the #12 spot for english this year. Located in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public university. About 39% of students finish within six years. About 35 english degrees were awarded at Austin Peay State University in the most recent year. English graduates of Austin Peay State University earn a median of $37,486 early in their careers. Austin Peay State University graduates carry a median of $25,677 in student loans. More information about a degree in english from Austin Peay State University

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 35 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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