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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Chemistry Schools in Tennessee

7 Colleges in the United States
298 Chemistry Degrees Awarded
$46,993 Avg Early-Career Salary

Chemistry programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their chemistry programs.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 34 schools to find the best for chemistry students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Chemistry in Tennessee

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

Top Schools in Chemistry

1
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

No school ranked higher than Vanderbilt University this year for chemistry. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Nashville. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 44 chemistry degrees were awarded at Vanderbilt University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. Vanderbilt University graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Get the full chemistry details for Vanderbilt University

2
Rhodes College crest
Rhodes College
Memphis, TN

Rhodes College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best chemistry schools. 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 18 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at Rhodes College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Rhodes College generally make around $40,807. Typical student debt for the program is $23,078. More information about a degree in chemistry from Rhodes College

3

Freed Hardeman University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in chemistry, landing the #3 spot this year. Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Henderson. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. About 12 chemistry degrees were awarded at Freed Hardeman University in the most recent year. Students who receive their chemistry degree from Freed Hardeman University earn around $54,530 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,479. Read more about the chemistry program at Freed Hardeman University

4

Students looking for a strong chemistry program will find one at The University Of Tennessee, which ranked #4. This very large public university is located in the city of Knoxville. About 74% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 43 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Tennessee in the most recent data year. Chemistry graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $41,589 early in their careers. The University Of Tennessee graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. See the full chemistry program report for The University Of Tennessee

5

University Of Memphis is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in chemistry, ranking #5. This very large public university is located in the city of Memphis. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. University Of Memphis awarded about 52 chemistry degrees in the most recent data year. Chemistry graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $36,881 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,000. More information about a degree in chemistry from University Of Memphis

6

Tennessee Technological University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best chemistry schools. Located in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public university. About 58% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 34 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at Tennessee Technological University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Tennessee Technological University generally make around $46,981. Typical student debt for the program is $20,104. Read more about the chemistry program at Tennessee Technological University

7

The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga placed #7 among the best chemistry schools. 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. About 22 chemistry degrees were awarded at The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga in the most recent year. Chemistry graduates of The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earn a median of $41,588 early in their careers. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga graduates carry a median of $24,999 in student loans. See the full chemistry program report for The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga

8

Tennessee State University landed the #8 spot for chemistry this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Nashville. About 35% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 13 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at Tennessee State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the chemistry program make about $45,060 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $29,489 to complete this degree. Get the full chemistry details for Tennessee State University

9

East Tennessee State University placed #9 among the best chemistry schools. East Tennessee State University is a large public school located in the city of Johnson City. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. About 30 chemistry degrees were awarded at East Tennessee State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their chemistry degree from East Tennessee State University earn around $45,444 in the first couple years of their career. East Tennessee State University graduates carry a median of $21,301 in student loans. Get the full chemistry details for East Tennessee State University

10

Austin Peay State University placed #10 among the best chemistry 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 11 chemistry degrees in the most recent data year. Chemistry graduates of Austin Peay State University earn a median of $42,475 early in their careers. Austin Peay State University graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Get the full chemistry details for Austin Peay State University

11

Middle Tennessee State University earned the #11 position for chemistry this year. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. About 54% of students finish within six years. About 19 chemistry degrees were awarded at Middle Tennessee State University in the most recent year. Chemistry graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $43,575 early in their careers. Middle Tennessee State University graduates carry a median of $22,754 in student loans. Read more about the chemistry program at Middle Tennessee State University

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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 · 34 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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