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2023 Best Teaching Schools in Tennessee

22 Schools Ranked
$39,202 Average Earnings
$23,028 Avg Student Debt

There are so many teaching programs in today's world that it can tough to figure out which one is the right one for you. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. Or you may find the programs at a trade school or bootcamp to be a better alternative for you.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Teaching Degree Search has developed this Best Teaching Schools in Tennessee ranking. Our analysis looked at 22 schools in Tennessee to see which programs offered the best educational experiences for teaching students.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Teaching Schools in Tennessee

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee
$66,962 Average Earnings
$14,392 Avg Student Debt

Our analysis found Vanderbilt University to be the best school for teaching students in Tennessee.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,392 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $644. During the early years of their career, Vanderbilt graduates make an average of $66,962 annually.

Full Vanderbilt University Report

#2

Southern Adventist University

Collegedale, Tennessee
$50,680 Average Earnings
$24,595 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 22 schools in Tennessee that were part of this year’s ranking, Southern Adventist University landed the # 2 spot on the list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,595 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $375. Once they receive their degree, Southern Adventist graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $50,680 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Southern Adventist University

#3

Belmont University

Nashville, Tennessee
$43,927 Average Earnings
$22,196 Avg Student Debt

The excellent programs at Belmont University helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best teaching schools in Tennessee.

Degree recipients from Belmont accumulate an average of $22,196 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $824. During the early years of their career, Belmont graduates make an average of $43,927 annually.

Full Belmont University Report

#4

Lipscomb University

Nashville, Tennessee
$47,759 Average Earnings
$26,213 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Lipscomb University. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Teaching Schools in Tennessee list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,213 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $216 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Lipscomb, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $47,759 during the early years of their career.

Full Lipscomb University Report

#5

Tennessee Technological University

Cookeville, Tennessee
$40,563 Average Earnings
$19,943 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 22 schools in Tennessee that were part of this year’s ranking, Tennessee Technological University landed the # 5 spot on the list.

On average, students take out $19,943 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $103 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Tennessee Tech University graduates make an average of $40,563 annually.

Read More…

$46,162 Average Earnings
$25,246 Avg Student Debt

The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Teaching Schools in Tennessee ranking.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,246 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $162. Once they receive their degree, UT Chattanooga graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $46,162 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga

$44,189 Average Earnings
$22,232 Avg Student Debt

The University of Tennessee - Knoxville came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Teaching Schools in Tennessee ranking.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,232 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $325, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UT Knoxville graduates make an average of $44,189 annually.

Read full report on The University of Tennessee - Knoxville

#8

Freed-Hardeman University

Henderson, Tennessee
$33,293 Average Earnings
$22,617 Avg Student Debt

Freed-Hardeman University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for teaching students. It came in at #8 on the list.

On average, students take out $22,617 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, FHU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $33,293 during the early year of their career.

Full Freed-Hardeman University Report

#9

Middle Tennessee State University

Murfreesboro, Tennessee
$38,675 Average Earnings
$24,342 Avg Student Debt

Middle Tennessee State University landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best teaching programs.

Degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University accumulate an average of $24,342 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $144, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Middle Tennessee State University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,675 during the early year of their career.

Read More…

#10

Union University

Jackson, Tennessee
$57,821 Average Earnings
$32,879 Avg Student Debt

Union University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Teaching Schools in Tennessee ranking.

On average, students take out $32,879 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $477 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Union, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $57,821 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Union University

$35,647 Average Earnings
$24,559 Avg Student Debt

The University of Tennessee - Martin came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Teaching Schools in Tennessee ranking.

Degree recipients from UT Martin accumulate an average of $24,559 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $149, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UT Martin graduates make an average of $35,647 annually.

Full The University of Tennessee - Martin Report

#12

Carson - Newman University

Jefferson City, Tennessee
$41,134 Average Earnings
$23,992 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #12, Carson - Newman University did quite well on this year’s best schools for teaching students working.

On average, students take out $23,992 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Carson - Newman, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $41,134 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Carson - Newman University

#13

Christian Brothers University

Memphis, Tennessee
$53,446 Average Earnings
$34,104 Avg Student Debt

Christian Brothers University landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best teaching programs.

On average, students take out $34,104 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $199 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Christian Brothers graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $53,446 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Christian Brothers University

#14

Trevecca Nazarene University

Nashville, Tennessee
$46,373 Average Earnings
$26,746 Avg Student Debt

Trevecca Nazarene University landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best teaching programs.

Degree recipients from TNU accumulate an average of $26,746 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from TNU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $46,373 during the early years of their career.

Full Trevecca Nazarene University Report

#15

Lee University

Cleveland, Tennessee
$32,791 Average Earnings
$26,373 Avg Student Debt

Lee University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for teaching students. It came in at #15 on the list.

On average, students take out $26,373 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $260, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Lee University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $32,791 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Lee University

#16

University of Memphis

Memphis, Tennessee
$41,884 Average Earnings
$28,159 Avg Student Debt

University of Memphis ranked #16 on this year’s Best Teaching Schools in Tennessee list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,159 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $147 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UofM graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $41,884 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on University of Memphis

#17

Lincoln Memorial University

Harrogate, Tennessee
$53,647 Average Earnings
$23,978 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #17, Lincoln Memorial University did quite well on this year’s best schools for teaching students working.

On average, students take out $23,978 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $97.After graduating from LMU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $53,647 during the early years of their career.

Full Lincoln Memorial University Report

#18

Tennessee State University

Nashville, Tennessee
$41,944 Average Earnings
$30,529 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #18, Tennessee State University did quite well on this year’s best schools for teaching students working.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $30,529 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $203.After graduating from Tennessee State University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $41,944 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Tennessee State University

#19

Cumberland University

Lebanon, Tennessee
$41,113 Average Earnings
$19,639 Avg Student Debt

Cumberland University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Teaching Schools in Tennessee ranking.

Degree recipients from CU accumulate an average of $19,639 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from CU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $41,113 during the early years of their career.

Full Cumberland University Report

#20

East Tennessee State University

Johnson City, Tennessee
$38,858 Average Earnings
$23,047 Avg Student Debt

East Tennessee State University landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best teaching programs.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,047 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $212, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from ETSU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $38,858 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on East Tennessee State University

#21

Austin Peay State University

Clarksville, Tennessee
$36,908 Average Earnings
$27,168 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #21, Austin Peay State University did quite well on this year’s best schools for teaching students working.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $27,168 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $159, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Austin Peay State University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,908 during the early years of their career.

Read More…

#22

Bethel University

McKenzie, Tennessee
$57,444 Average Earnings
$33,108 Avg Student Debt

Bethel University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Teaching Schools in Tennessee ranking.

Degree recipients from Bethel accumulate an average of $33,108 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Bethel graduates make an average of $57,444 annually.

Full Bethel University Report

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 22 schools only.

References

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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