The University of Tennessee-Knoxville offers the strongest combination of affordability and graduation rate among public colleges in Tennessee, graduating 73% of students within six years at $13,380 in-state tuition. This ranking covers Tennessee’s public four-year colleges, ranked by six-year graduation rate per thousand dollars of in-state tuition, using federal IPEDS data.
| Rank | College | City | 6-Year Grad Rate | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Median ACT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville | Knoxville | 73% | $13,380 | $31,798 | 28 |
| 2 | The University of Tennessee-Martin | Martin | 55% | $10,798 | $16,838 | 22 |
| 3 | The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga | Chattanooga | 53% | $10,474 | $18,538 | 23 |
| 4 | Middle Tennessee State University | Murfreesboro | 54% | $10,818 | $27,432 | 22 |
| 5 | Austin Peay State University | Clarksville | 48% | $9,841 | $14,827 | 21 |
| 6 | East Tennessee State University | Johnson City | 50% | $10,736 | $25,856 | 22 |
| 7 | Tennessee Technological University | Cookeville | 54% | $11,762 | $20,702 | 24 |
| 8 | University of Memphis | Memphis | 49% | $10,908 | $14,724 | 21 |
| 9 | The University of Tennessee Southern | Pulaski | 36% | $8,910 | $8,910 | 21 |
| 10 | Tennessee State University | Nashville | 34% | $10,732 | $22,836 | N/A |
1. The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
Knoxville, Tennessee
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville graduates 73% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $13,380 per year. Out-of-state students pay $31,798. Median ACT: 28.
2. The University of Tennessee-Martin
Martin, Tennessee
The University of Tennessee-Martin graduates 55% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $10,798 per year. Out-of-state students pay $16,838. Median ACT: 22.
3. The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga
Chattanooga, Tennessee
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga graduates 53% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $10,474 per year. Out-of-state students pay $18,538. Median ACT: 23.
4. Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Middle Tennessee State University graduates 54% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $10,818 per year. Out-of-state students pay $27,432. Median ACT: 22.
5. Austin Peay State University
Clarksville, Tennessee
Austin Peay State University graduates 48% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $9,841 per year. Out-of-state students pay $14,827. Median ACT: 21.
6. East Tennessee State University
Johnson City, Tennessee
East Tennessee State University graduates 50% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $10,736 per year. Out-of-state students pay $25,856. Median ACT: 22.
7. Tennessee Technological University
Cookeville, Tennessee
Tennessee Technological University graduates 54% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $11,762 per year. Out-of-state students pay $20,702. Median ACT: 24.
8. University of Memphis
Memphis, Tennessee
University of Memphis graduates 49% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $10,908 per year. Out-of-state students pay $14,724. Median ACT: 21.
9. The University of Tennessee Southern
Pulaski, Tennessee
The University of Tennessee Southern graduates 36% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $8,910 per year. Out-of-state students pay $8,910. Median ACT: 21.
10. Tennessee State University
Nashville, Tennessee
Tennessee State University graduates 34% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $10,732 per year. Out-of-state students pay $22,836. Historically Black College or University (HBCU). Open admissions policy — no test scores required.
How were these colleges ranked?
These rankings score each public four-year college in Tennessee by dividing its six-year graduation rate by its in-state tuition per thousand dollars. A school graduating 60% of students at $10,000 in-state tuition scores 6.0; one graduating 60% at $20,000 scores 3.0. Higher score means more degree completions per dollar spent.
Data comes from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), the federal government’s official higher education database. Graduation rates reflect the most recent six-year cohort. Only public four-year bachelor’s-granting institutions with at least 100 students in the graduation cohort are included. The ranking covers 11 qualifying public institutions in Tennessee.
Source: IPEDS — National Center for Education Statistics
Data from IPEDS 2022 reporting year. Published September 2026.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only. Information and conditions are subject to change. Verify current details directly with the relevant source before making any decisions.
