The Best Online Colleges in Tennessee
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Updated on October 18, 2023
Many of Tennessee’s colleges and universities offer distance education programs.
Knoxville’s Johnson University has 22 online undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs, while Bethel University has 17 bachelor’s and master’s programs. Several schools offer specialized online programs, such as Lee University’s online master’s degree in marriage and family studies and Carson–Newman’s online bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership. The Tennessee eCampus website helps students search for online courses and degrees at public colleges and universities in the state and provides them with more information about online learning.
Students enrolled at online colleges in Tennessee enjoy the increased flexibility and affordability that comes with online learning. Distance learners often save money on college expenses like transportation and commuting, housing, and other fees associated with living on campus. Students who attend online schools in Tennessee can also enjoy completing coursework on their own schedules. With many online learning options, as well as affordable tuition and financial aid opportunities, Tennessee has a lot to offer undergraduate and graduate students.
The 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. from our partners appear among these rankings and are indicated as such.
#1 The Best Online Colleges in Tennessee
University of Memphis
Memphis, TN- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$8,208
- Out-of-state$12,048
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$9,216
- Out-of-state$12,672
- Retention Rate78%
- Acceptance Rate85%
- Students Enrolled21,685
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment44%
- AccreditationYes
#2 The Best Online Colleges in Tennessee
King University
- Bristol, TN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$28,948
- Out-of-state$28,948
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$19,500
- Out-of-state$19,500
- Retention Rate65%
- Acceptance Rate62%
- Students Enrolled1,968
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment71%
- AccreditationYes
#3 The Best Online Colleges in Tennessee
Johnson University
- Knoxville, TN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$15,480
- Out-of-state$15,480
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$10,350
- Out-of-state$10,350
- Retention Rate74%
- Acceptance Rate53%
- Students Enrolled1,037
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment48%
- AccreditationYes
#4 The Best Online Colleges in Tennessee
Lee University
- Cleveland, TN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$18,120
- Out-of-state$18,120
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$13,590
- Out-of-state$13,590
- Retention Rate78%
- Acceptance Rate82%
- Students Enrolled5,189
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment14%
- AccreditationYes
#5 The Best Online Colleges in Tennessee
Austin Peay State University
- Clarksville, TN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$6,720
- Out-of-state$12,264
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$8,100
- Out-of-state$13,086
- Retention Rate66%
- Acceptance Rate95%
- Students Enrolled11,048
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment43%
- AccreditationYes
#6 The Best Online Colleges in Tennessee
Trevecca Nazarene University
- Nashville, TN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$25,198
- Out-of-state$25,198
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$9,917
- Out-of-state$9,917
- Retention Rate76%
- Acceptance Rate62%
- Students Enrolled4,088
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment43%
- AccreditationYes
#7 The Best Online Colleges in Tennessee
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
- Knoxville, TN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$11,332
- Out-of-state$28,522
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$11,468
- Out-of-state$29,656
- Retention Rate87%
- Acceptance Rate79%
- Students Enrolled29,460
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment36%
- AccreditationYes
#8 The Best Online Colleges in Tennessee
Carson-Newman University
- Jefferson City, TN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$27,600
- Out-of-state$27,600
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$9,027
- Out-of-state$9,027
- Retention Rate68%
- Acceptance Rate69%
- Students Enrolled2,725
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment48%
- AccreditationYes
#9 The Best Online Colleges in Tennessee
East Tennessee State University
- Johnson City, TN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$7,340
- Out-of-state$25,487
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$8,640
- Out-of-state$23,760
- Retention Rate72%
- Acceptance Rate86%
- Students Enrolled14,191
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment56%
- AccreditationYes
#10 The Best Online Colleges in Tennessee
Bryan College
- Dayton, TN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$27,900
- Out-of-state$27,900
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$9,414
- Out-of-state$9,414
- Retention Rate70%
- Acceptance Rate51%
- Students Enrolled1,447
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment44%
- AccreditationYes
#11 The Best Online Colleges in Tennessee
Middle Tennessee State University
- Murfreesboro, TN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$7,200
- Out-of-state$25,872
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$8,946
- Out-of-state$24,768
- Retention Rate75%
- Acceptance Rate94%
- Students Enrolled21,721
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment36%
- AccreditationYes
#12 The Best Online Colleges in Tennessee
Bethel University
- McKenzie, TN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$10,188
- Out-of-state$10,188
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$11,034
- Out-of-state$11,034
- Retention Rate62%
- Acceptance Rate90%
- Students Enrolled3,119
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment51%
- AccreditationYes
#13 The Best Online Colleges in Tennessee
The University of Tennessee at Martin
- Martin, TN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$8,214
- Out-of-state$14,254
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$9,096
- Out-of-state$15,136
- Retention Rate75%
- Acceptance Rate64%
- Students Enrolled7,280
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment29%
- AccreditationYes
#14 The Best Online Colleges in Tennessee
Union University
- Jackson, TN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$21,600
- Out-of-state$21,600
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$9,000
- Out-of-state$9,000
- Retention Rate84%
- Acceptance Rate53%
- Students Enrolled3,172
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment39%
- AccreditationYes
#15 The Best Online Colleges in Tennessee
Tennessee Technological University
- Cookeville, TN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$7,656
- Out-of-state$23,520
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$10,280
- Out-of-state$24,800
- Retention Rate77%
- Acceptance Rate79%
- Students Enrolled10,140
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment71%
- AccreditationYes
#16 The Best Online Colleges in Tennessee
Tennessee State University
- Nashville, TN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$7,854
- Out-of-state$20,574
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$10,178
- Out-of-state$22,642
- Retention Rate64%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled8,081
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment23%
- AccreditationYes
#17 The Best Online Colleges in Tennessee
Lincoln Memorial University
- Harrogate, TN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$22,200
- Out-of-state$22,200
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$18,093
- Out-of-state$18,093
- Retention Rate77%
- Acceptance Rate50%
- Students Enrolled4,867
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment10%
- AccreditationYes
#18 The Best Online Colleges in Tennessee
Cumberland University
- Lebanon, TN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$22,950
- Out-of-state$22,950
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$6,600
- Out-of-state$6,600
- Retention Rate60%
- Acceptance Rate61%
- Students Enrolled2,550
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment2%
- AccreditationYes
#19 The Best Online Colleges in Tennessee
Tennessee Wesleyan University
- Athens, TN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$23,900
- Out-of-state$23,900
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$19,575
- Out-of-state$19,575
- Retention Rate70%
- Acceptance Rate61%
- Students Enrolled1,141
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment38%
- AccreditationYes
#20 The Best Online Colleges in Tennessee
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
- Chattanooga, TN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$7,836
- Out-of-state$23,954
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$8,450
- Out-of-state$16,514
- Retention Rate71%
- Acceptance Rate82%
- Students Enrolled11,651
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment52%
- AccreditationYes
Best Online Colleges
Tennessee
2023
Online Colleges in Tennessee Ranking Guidelines
We selected the online schools in Tennessee based on the quality of their programs, types of courses and degrees offered, and faculty strengths, as well as school awards, rankings, and reputation, including a strong reputation for online degree programs.
