Tennessee’s top ranked universities are also its most selective, according to an analysis of this year’s Niche rankings.
Among the state’s top 10 four-year colleges and universities, the top three are the most competitive when it comes to admissions. The remaining seven range from 50-83% acceptance rates.
Niche, a ranking and review organization, released its “Best Colleges in America” rankings earlier this year. It considers data from the U.S. Department of Education and the National Science Foundation, reviews from students and alumni of the schools, tuition and financial aid information, and stastics on enrollment, graduation and alumni earnings.
With that in mind, here is how Tennessee’s top 10 colleges stack up when it comes to acceptance rates.
More: See Tennessee’s top 20 colleges, according to Niche. Is yours listed?
Best Tennessee colleges with highest acceptance rates
Southwestern Hall is seen on the campus of Rhodes College in Memphis, Tenn., on July 2, 2025.
The majority of Tennessee’s top 10 colleges have acceptance rates of 50% or higher. They are listed below in order of their statewide ranking.
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Rhodes College (private, Memphis): 50% acceptance rate, ranked No. 4 in Tennessee and No. 183 nationally
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Lipscomb University (private, Nashville): 67% acceptance rate, ranked No. 5 in Tennessee and No. 188 nationally
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Tennessee Technological University (public, Cookeville): 83% acceptance rate, ranked No. 6 in Tennessee and No. 233 nationally
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Johnson University (private, Knoxville): 54% acceptance rate, ranked No. 7 in Tennesse and No. 312 nationally
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Lincoln Memorial University (private, Harrogate): 59% acceptance rate, ranked No. 8 in Tennessee and No. 314 nationally
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Sewanee – The University of the South (private, Sewanee): 51% acceptance rate, ranked No. 9 in Tennessee and No. 317 nationally
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Lee University (private, Cleveland): 72% acceptance rate, ranked No. 10 in Tennessee and No. 326 nationally
Best Tennessee colleges with lower acceptance rates
A student walks across campus at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., Monday, Nov. 27, 2023.
Three of Tennessee’s top 10 colleges have acceptance rates of 50% or lower. They are listed below in order of their statewide ranking.
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Vanderbilt University (private, Nashville): 6% acceptance rate, ranked No. 1 in Tennessee and No. 7 nationally
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University of Tennessee, Knoxville (public, Knoxville): 46% acceptance rate, ranked No. 2 in Tennessee and No. 127 nationally
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Union University (private, Jackson): 47% acceptance rate, ranked No. 3 in Tennessee and No. 176 nationally
A word from an expert on school rankings
Experts have criticized rankings that rely on surveys in recent years, saying they are subjective and tend to favor schools in wealthier, less diverse neighborhoods. That can be due to a wide range of factors, from schools having enough resources and connections to solicit reviews to people having an internet connection to submit them.
Generally speaking, University of Massachusetts professor, historian and policy analyst Jack Schneider said rankings don’t paint the full picture of what schools have to offer. He also said rankings that rely on surveys may only be capturing the extremes of how people see them and not reflect a representative sample of students, parents and alumni.
“I suggest that they approach lists with a lot of skepticism,” Schneider said.
While ranking lists can be a starting point, Schneider said people should do their own research, as well.
Learn more
Find the full list of the best four-year colleges and universities in Tennessee at niche.com/colleges/search/best-colleges/s/tennessee. There you can filter by college types, selectivity and other factors.
Rachel Wegner covers education and children’s issues for The Tennessean. Got a story you think she should hear? Reach her via email at RAwegner@tennessean.com. You can also find her on X or Bluesky under the handle RachelAnnWegner.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Top Tennessee colleges: The most and least selective, ranked by Niche
