Best Online Colleges in Tennessee
Contributing Writer
Writer & Editor
Reviewer & Writer
Contributing Writer
Writer & Editor
Reviewer & Writer
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From the Great Smoky Mountains in the east to Memphis in the west, Tennessee is home to dozens of colleges. Earning a college degree in Tennessee can prepare you for in-demand careers in business, healthcare, education, and other fields.
Online colleges in Tennessee can give you a flexible, affordable pathway to a degree. In an online learning format, you can take classes according to your schedule and compare costs to find a school that fits your budget.
Keep reading to learn more about the best online colleges in Tennessee.
Featured Online Bachelor's Degree Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Online Colleges in Tennessee
We use trusted sources like
Peterson's Data
and the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools.
BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
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The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
Knoxville, TN - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $490
Out-of-State | $1,266
Credits to Graduate: 121
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is a public land-grant research university set on 910 acres with 294 buildings and over $1 billion in projects under design and construction. It's home to 11 colleges with 31,701 students.
The university offers over 70 fully online degree and certificate programs, covering 77 areas of interest. With 35 years of experience in distance education, UT is a leader in online learning.
With a low student-to-faculty ratio of 17 to 1 and a 72% graduation rate, it offers excellent academics with a personalized experience.
Choose from seven online bachelor's degrees, including agriculture, early childhood education, health and human sciences, applied data analytics, information sciences, business administration, and nursing.
ROI Value Score: Medium
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
Bryan College-Dayton
Dayton, TN - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $395
Out-of-State | $395
Credits to Graduate: 120
Bryan College-Dayton is set on a 128-acre campus in Dayton, Tennessee, in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains. Of the 1,450 students, over 400 students are enrolled in Bryan College's online programs including graduate, distance learning, and degree completion programs.
Bryan College offers over 50 areas of study, ranging from associate degrees to master's degrees and over 30 online degrees and certificates. Popular majors include business, psychology, education, philosophy, and religious studies.
If you need financial aid, you're not alone. Around 95% of the student body receives financial assistance, including scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study opportunities.
ROI Value Score: Medium
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
Lipscomb University
Nashville, TN - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $550
Out-of-State | $550
Credits to Graduate: 126
Lipscomb University calls itself a standard-bearer in Christian higher education. Lipscomb's vision is to create intellectually challenging academics with spiritual formation while engaging the world for good.
Lipscomb is known for a high student placement rate of 95% within six months of graduation and a low 14-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio. Choose from a variety of 100% online bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs.
You can earn bachelor's degrees 100% online in business administration, data analytics, hospitality management, public administration, psychology, technology management, supply chain management, or integrated studies.
ROI Value Score: Medium
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
Lee University
Cleveland, TN - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $915
Out-of-State | $915
Credits to Graduate: 120
Lee University, set on 127 acres in Cleveland, Tennessee, is known for its adult education programs. It has a low 13-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio and just 3,680 total students. Lee offers 52 majors and has an 81% retention rate.
Lee offers 34 bachelor's degrees. Popular bachelor's majors include criminal justice, Christian studies, bible and theology, and ministry leadership. All bachelor's programs include core areas in general education and religion.
The average ACT score for acceptance is 23. Online tuition is less than on-campus tuition.
ROI Value Score: Medium
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
Johnson University
Knoxville, TN - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $475
Out-of-State | $475
Credits to Graduate: 120
Johnson University is a Christian university set on the French Broad River in south Knoxville. Johnson University calls itself "a place that changes your future, your relationships, and your faith."
Johnson’s undergraduate programs include seven different schools for diverse majors and areas of professional study. Online bachelor's degrees include applied linguistics, business administration, intercultural commerce, intercultural studies, ministry leadership, pastoral care and counseling, psychology, and visual media production and design.
Unique on-campus degrees include music technology, cross-cultural media communication, sports and fitness leadership, and intercultural commerce. Most undergrad degrees include an internship. JU reports that 84% of alumni are satisfied with what they learned in their major.
ROI Value Score: Medium
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
How We Rank Schools
To create this ranking, BestColleges sourced the most recent data available from the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. We then ranked each school according to the top variables college students selected in our College Choice and Admissions Survey. To learn more, check out our full rankings methodology or read the summary below.
Ranking Methodology Summary
To qualify for our rankings lists, each school must be an accredited public or private, nonprofit institution. Each eligible school was then ranked based on a formula measuring:
- Affordability (30%)
- Student outcomes (30%)
- Reputation (20%)
- Diversity and social mobility (20%)
In addition, we only included colleges with graduation rates in the top third of all online colleges.
Cost of College in Tennessee
How much will you pay for a college degree in Tennessee? The answer depends on the school and the number of credits you need to earn. In-state colleges typically charge the lowest tuition rates, according to data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
The cost of Tennessee colleges varies widely, so make sure to research tuition rates, the total cost of a degree, and your financial aid opportunities. Online programs often charge a flat tuition rate regardless of where you live.
| Institution Type | Average Tuition & Required Fees |
|---|---|
| Public Four-Year (In-State) | $10,397 |
| Public Four-Year (Out-of-State) | $24,381 |
| Private Four-Year | $30,734 |
| Public Two-Year (In-State) | $4,459 |
| Public Two-Year (Out-of-State) | $17,209 |
10 Fast-Growing Jobs in Tennessee
Over the next decade, jobs for nurse practitioners, logisticians, and information security analysts are projected to grow in Tennessee — and these role also pay high wages.
Many of Tennessee's fastest-growing, highest-paying jobs require applicants to possess a college degree. Attending an online college in Tennessee can prepare you for careers in these in-demand fields.
For example, you can earn a bachelor's in mathematics or computer science to work as an information security analyst. The Tennessee Department of Labor projects this field will grow 32% from 2020-2030. Below are the top 10 fastest-growing individual jobs in Tennessee during this period.
| Job | Job Growth, 2020-2030 | Median Annual Wage, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Athletes and Sports Competitors | 6% | $41,464 |
| Cooks, Restaurants | 5% | $29,557 |
| Motion Picture Projectionists | 5% | $30,498 |
| Nurse Practitioners | 5% | $103,083 |
| Statisticians | 5% | $78,976 |
| Logisticians | 4% | $63,655 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | 4% | $39,025 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | 4% | $38,049 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | 4% | $24,102 |
| Information Security Analysts | 4% | $95,737 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Colleges in Tennessee
What is the cheapest online college in Tennessee?
The cheapest online colleges in Tennessee are Tennessee State University and Austin Peay State University. These public universities charge under $9,000 per year in tuition, according to 2023-2024 data from NCES.
How many online colleges are in Tennessee?
Tennessee is home to dozens of online colleges, including TN eCampus, which brings together 40 public institutions that offer online programs. Many of the state's public colleges and universities offer online programs.
Can you go to college for free in Tennessee?
Yes, Tennessee offers the TN Promise program, which covers the cost of a two-year degree for Tennessee high school graduates. The scholarship funds students attending one of the state's 13 community colleges or 24 colleges of applied technology.
What is the easiest online college to get into in Tennessee?
The easiest online colleges to get into in Tennessee include the University of Memphis, with a 95% acceptance rate, and Austin Peay State University, with a 94% acceptance rate, according to fall 2022 admissions data from NCES.
What is the #1 college in Tennessee?
Nashville's Vanderbilt University is considered the best college in Tennessee. A private institution, Vanderbilt enrolls around 7,000 students. Tennessee's best public university is the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.
Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by BestColleges. Page last reviewed April 16, 2024.
