Ranking
Most Selective Colleges in Tennessee by Acceptance Rate 2026
Vanderbilt University leads this list with a reported acceptance rate of 5.9%. This page ranks only schools with standard reported admissions data.
The hardest Tennessee colleges to get into — ranked by lowest undergraduate acceptance.
- Schools ranked
- 25
- Cheapest net price
- $12,397
- Top earnings 10y
- $91,565
- Public / Private
- 5 / 19
Vanderbilt University
A- Acceptance
- 5.9%
- Net price
- $15,846
- Earnings 10y
- $91,565
- Acceptance
- 5.9%
Visible Music College
D- Acceptance
- 28%
- Net price
- $27,820
- Earnings 10y
- $35,933
- Acceptance
- 28%
Fisk University
D- Acceptance
- 37.4%
- Net price
- $32,020
- Earnings 10y
- $45,454
- Acceptance
- 37.4%
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
B- Acceptance
- 41.6%
- Net price
- $18,976
- Earnings 10y
- $60,249
- Acceptance
- 41.6%
Nossi College of Art and Design
D- Acceptance
- 46.3%
- Net price
- $24,044
- Earnings 10y
- $35,113
- Acceptance
- 46.3%
Rhodes College
C- Acceptance
- 50.4%
- Net price
- $28,585
- Earnings 10y
- $66,651
- Acceptance
- 50.4%
The University of the South
C- Acceptance
- 56.9%
- Net price
- $27,872
- Earnings 10y
- $64,911
- Acceptance
- 56.9%
Freed-Hardeman University
C- Acceptance
- 59.7%
- Net price
- $21,574
- Earnings 10y
- $47,485
- Acceptance
- 59.7%
Bethel University
B- Acceptance
- 60.2%
- Net price
- $12,595
- Earnings 10y
- $47,482
- Acceptance
- 60.2%
Union University
D- Acceptance
- 60.4%
- Net price
- $27,171
- Earnings 10y
- $53,990
- Acceptance
- 60.4%
Maryville College
C- Acceptance
- 60.9%
- Net price
- $19,360
- Earnings 10y
- $49,279
- Acceptance
- 60.9%
Lincoln Memorial University
C- Acceptance
- 62.6%
- Net price
- $20,406
- Earnings 10y
- $49,956
- Acceptance
- 62.6%
Johnson University
D- Acceptance
- 65.1%
- Net price
- $22,063
- Earnings 10y
- $40,596
- Acceptance
- 65.1%
Southern Adventist University
C- Acceptance
- 65.5%
- Net price
- $24,345
- Earnings 10y
- $53,723
- Acceptance
- 65.5%
Cumberland University
B- Acceptance
- 67.3%
- Net price
- $18,759
- Earnings 10y
- $57,687
- Acceptance
- 67.3%
Lipscomb University
C- Acceptance
- 67.7%
- Net price
- $24,739
- Earnings 10y
- $55,541
- Acceptance
- 67.7%
Tennessee Wesleyan University
B- Acceptance
- 68.9%
- Net price
- $14,836
- Earnings 10y
- $45,989
- Acceptance
- 68.9%
Middle Tennessee State University
B- Acceptance
- 69.1%
- Net price
- $13,359
- Earnings 10y
- $48,541
- Acceptance
- 69.1%
Trevecca Nazarene University
C- Acceptance
- 69.4%
- Net price
- $16,813
- Earnings 10y
- $49,378
- Acceptance
- 69.4%
Tennessee State University
C- Acceptance
- 70.1%
- Net price
- $15,796
- Earnings 10y
- $42,730
- Acceptance
- 70.1%
Lee University
C- Acceptance
- 70.5%
- Net price
- $18,878
- Earnings 10y
- $43,222
- Acceptance
- 70.5%
University of Memphis
B- Acceptance
- 72%
- Net price
- $12,397
- Earnings 10y
- $48,458
- Acceptance
- 72%
Tusculum University
D- Acceptance
- 72.2%
- Net price
- $21,131
- Earnings 10y
- $44,367
- Acceptance
- 72.2%
Milligan University
C- Acceptance
- 72.3%
- Net price
- $21,365
- Earnings 10y
- $46,641
- Acceptance
- 72.3%
Tennessee Technological University
B- Acceptance
- 76.1%
- Net price
- $14,246
- Earnings 10y
- $48,501
- Acceptance
- 76.1%
How we picked this list
This list starts with Tennessee colleges that report a standard admission rate, then sorts by acceptance rate. The set's average EduGradify ROI score is 6.64 (5 public, 19 private).
Source transparency: every figure comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard public data set. See our full methodology for the ROI formula, value grade rules and missing-data handling.
FAQ
Who leads this ranking?
Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN tops this ranking. Acceptance rate is 5.9%.
How does EduGradify pick this list?
We rank this set by acceptance using the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard — see our methodology for the full formula. No paid placements, no surveys.
How many Tennessee colleges are in this list?
36 Tennessee colleges qualified for this ranking based on available federal data.
What does net price mean here?
Net price is what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — not the sticker price. It is reported by each college to the U.S. Department of Education.
Can I use this ranking as a final college decision?
Use it as a shortlist, not a final decision. The ranking compares school-wide federal data; you should still confirm program fit, aid letters, graduation path, transfer policies and current costs with each college.