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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best History Schools in Tennessee

8 Colleges in the United States
422 History Degrees Awarded
$32,705 Avg Early-Career Salary

History 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.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 36 schools to find the best for history students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for History in Tennessee

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall history education in Tennessee.

Top Schools in History

1
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University tops our 2026 ranking of the best history schools. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 55 history degrees were awarded at Vanderbilt University in the most recent year. History graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $46,856 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in history from Vanderbilt University

2

Students looking for a strong history program will find one at The University Of Tennessee, which ranked #2. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. About 74% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 84 history students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Tennessee in the most recent data year. History graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $28,713 early in their careers. The University Of Tennessee graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Read more about the history program at The University Of Tennessee

3

Students looking for a strong history program will find one at Sewanee The University Of The South, which ranked #3. Located in the rural area of Sewanee, Sewanee The University Of The South is a small private not-for-profit university. About 80% of students finish within six years. About 12 history degrees were awarded at Sewanee The University Of The South in the most recent year. Students who receive their history degree from Sewanee The University Of The South earn around $36,927 in the first couple years of their career. Sewanee The University Of The South graduates carry a median of $22,750 in student loans. More information about a degree in history from Sewanee The University Of The South

4
Rhodes College crest
Rhodes College
Memphis, TN

Rhodes College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in history, landing the #4 spot this year. Rhodes College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Memphis. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 15 history students who graduated with this degree at Rhodes College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Rhodes College generally make around $29,279. Students borrow a median of $23,104 to complete this degree. Read more about the history program at Rhodes College

5

Students looking for a strong history program will find one at Middle Tennessee State University, which ranked #5. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. About 54% of students finish within six years. Middle Tennessee State University awarded about 88 history degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their history degree from Middle Tennessee State University earn around $35,208 in the first couple years of their career. Middle Tennessee State University graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Get the full history details for Middle Tennessee State University

6

The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga came in at #6 for history 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 23 history students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga in the most recent data year. Graduates of the history program make about $26,952 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,324. More information about a degree in history from The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga

7
Lee University crest
Lee University
Cleveland, TN

Lee University earned the #7 position for history this year. Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. There were roughly 14 history students who graduated with this degree at Lee University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the history program make about $38,249 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,422. See the full history program report for Lee University

8

East Tennessee State University earned the #8 position for history this year. Located in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public university. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 51 history degrees were awarded at East Tennessee State University in the most recent year. History graduates of East Tennessee State University earn a median of $27,799 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500. See the full history program report for East Tennessee State University

9

University Of Memphis landed the #9 spot for history 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. About 42 history degrees were awarded at University Of Memphis in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $30,652. University Of Memphis graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Get the full history details for University Of Memphis

10

Tennessee Technological University landed the #10 spot for history this year. Set in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public institution. Tennessee Technological University graduates 58% of students within six years. Tennessee Technological University awarded about 13 history degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the history program make about $24,659 in their early career. Tennessee Technological University graduates carry a median of $17,194 in student loans. More information about a degree in history from Tennessee Technological University

11

Austin Peay State University came in at #11 for history this year. Set in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public institution. About 39% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 25 history students who graduated with this degree at Austin Peay State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Austin Peay State University generally make around $34,456. Students borrow a median of $19,750 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in history from Austin Peay State University

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 36 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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