Tennessee (TN): Overview of Tennessee's Colleges and Universities

The major colleges and universities in Tennessee include the University of Tennessee, Middle Tennessee State University, University of Memphis, East Tennessee State University and Vanderbilt University.

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Top Five Public and Not-For-Profit Colleges and Universities in Tennessee by Student Population

Tennessee General Information

In Tennessee, you can further your education at 165 colleges. Fifty-nine of the colleges offer associates degrees while 58 campuses offer bachelor's degrees. Forty colleges offer graduate or professional degrees. One of the best known schools is the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. However, the college also has campuses in Memphis, Chattanooga and Martin.

1. University of Tennessee

The University of Tennessee is the largest of the colleges and universities in Tennessee. The school, founded in 1794, is located in Knoxville, Tenn. Over 28,000 students attend the University of Tennessee, and they are enrolled in one of 300 degree programs. It is considered one of the top public research institutions in the United States and is ranked among the top 40 public universities. Students attending the University of Tennessee take classes in one of 14 colleges and has several nationally ranked programs, including nuclear engineering, supply chain management, print making, graduate education, and clinical training.

Student Demographics and Tuition

Student Population Number of Students
Total enrollment: 28,512
Undergraduate enrollment: 20,286

Undergraduate Enrollment Statistics Percentage of Population
by gender
Men: 48.90%
Women: 51.10%
by race/ethnicity
Non-resident alien: 1.10%
Black non-Hispanic: 8.70%
American Indian or Alaskan Native: 0.40%
Asian or Pacific Islander: 2.90%
Hispanic: 1.50%
White non-Hispanic: 84.80%
Race-ethnicity unknown: 0.60%

Tuition and Fees 2006-2007 2005-2006 2004-2005
In-state $5,622 $5,290 $4,748
Out-of-state $17,188 $16,360 $14,528

City of Knoxville, Tenn. Demographics

Total Population 173,890

Population Statistics Percentage of Population
Male 47.40%
Female 52.60%
Under 18 19.70%
18+ 80.30%
65+ 14.40%

Ethnicity Statistics Percentage of Population
White 79.70%
African-American 16.20%
Asian 1.50%
American Indian & Alaskan 0.30%
Other 0.70%
Mixed Race 1.60%
Hispanic (included in categories above) 1.60%

2. Middle Tennessee State University

Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) is another one of the top Tennessee colleges and universities. It is located in the city of Murfreesboro and currently has more than 22,000 students. The school offers over 80 bachelor's degrees in eight areas of study: arts, fine arts, business administration, music, social work, science, science in nursing and university studies. MTSU also offers graduate degrees in ten areas and three advanced degrees: Doctor of Arts, Specialist in Education and the Doctor of Philosophy degree.

Student Demographics and Tuition

Student Population Number of Students
Total enrollment: 22,554
Undergraduate enrollment: 20,389

Undergraduate Enrollment Statistics Percentage of Population
by gender
Men: 47.20%
Women: 52.80%
by race/ethnicity
Non-resident alien: 0.70%
Black non-Hispanic: 12.30%
American Indian or Alaskan Native: 0.40%
Asian or Pacific Islander: 2.30%
Hispanic: 2.10%
White non-Hispanic: 81.60%
Race-ethnicity unknown: 0.70%

Tuition and Fees 2006-2007 2005-2006 2004-2005
In-state $4,766 $4,600 $4,230
Out-of-state $14,460 $13,912 $12,718

City of Murfreesboro, Tenn. Demographics

Total Population 68,816

Population Statistics Percentage of Population
Male 49.70%
Female 50.30%
Under 18 22.70%
18+ 77.30%
65+ 8.80%

Ethnicity Statistics Percentage of Population
White 79.80%
African-American 13.90%
Asian 2.70%
American Indian & Alaskan 0.30%
Other 1.90%
Mixed Race 1.40%
Hispanic (included in categories above) 3.50%

3. University of Memphis

The University of Memphis is located in the state's largest city and is another one of Tennessee's top colleges and universities. The school has over 20,000 students in one of 50 undergraduate major programs or 66 advance degree programs. The school is divided into ten schools, including: the Fogelman College of Business & Economics, the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, College of Education, the Herff College of Engineering, Lowenberg School of Nursing and the School of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology.

Student Demographics and Tuition

Student Population Number of Students
Total enrollment: 20,465
Undergraduate enrollment: 15,765

Undergraduate Enrollment Statistics Percentage of Population
by gender
Men: 39.30%
Women: 60.70%
by race/ethnicity
Non-resident alien: 1.20%
Black non-Hispanic: 37.50%
American Indian or Alaskan Native: 0.30%
Asian or Pacific Islander: 2.60%
Hispanic: 1.60%
White non-Hispanic: 56.30%
Race-ethnicity unknown: 0.50%

Tuition and Fees 2006-2007 2005-2006 2004-2005
In-state $5,256 $5,084 $4,480
Out-of-state $15,722 $15,148 $13,204

City of Memphis, Tenn. Demographics

Total Population 650,100

Population Statistics Percentage of Population
Male 47.30%
Female 52.70%
Under 18 27.90%
18+ 72.10%
65+ 10.90%

Ethnicity Statistics Percentage of Population
White 34.40%
African-American 61.40%
Asian 1.50%
American Indian & Alaskan 0.20%
Other 1.50%
Mixed Race 1.0%
Hispanic (included in categories above) 3.0%

4. East Tennessee State University

Another one of Tennessee's top colleges and universities is East Tennessee State University (ETSU), located in Johnson City, TN. This 4-year school was founded in 1911 and offers over 112 undergraduate and 97 advanced degree programs for students in a variety of concentrations, including the only existing advanced degree in storytelling and reading. ETSU also offers five online degrees. The programs are divided among five colleges. Top programs at ETSU include visual and performing arts, nursing, business and liberal arts.

Student Demographics and Tuition

Student Population Number of Students
Total enrollment: 11,894
Undergraduate enrollment: 9,770

Undergraduate Enrollment Statistics Percentage of Population
by gender
Men: 42.40%
Women: 57.60%
by race/ethnicity
Non-resident alien: 1.50%
Black non-Hispanic: 3.70%
American Indian or Alaskan Native: 0.50%
Asian or Pacific Islander: 1.30%
Hispanic: 1.10%
White non-Hispanic: 89.80%
Race-ethnicity unknown: 2.10%

Tuition and Fees 2006-2007 2005-2006 2004-2005
In-state $4,637 $4,487 $4,059
Out-of-state $14,331 $13,799 $12,547

City of Johnson City, Tenn. Demographics

Total Population 55,469

Population Statistics Percentage of Population
Male 47.70%
Female 52.30%
Under 18 19.80%
18+ 80.20%
65+ 15.90%

Ethnicity Statistics Percentage of Population
White 90.10%
African-American 6.40%
Asian 1.20%
American Indian & Alaskan 0.30%
Other 0.70%
Mixed Race 1.30%
Hispanic (included in categories above) 1.90%

5. Vanderbilt University

Vanderbilt University is also one of the top Tennessee colleges and universities. It is located in Nashville and offers students a variety of academic programs. Vanderbilt was founded in 1873 when Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt donated $1 million dollars towards the start of the university. The 4-year college offers degrees through ten academic colleges: School of Nursing, Owen Graduate School of Management, Peabody College of Education & Human Development, School of Medicine, Law School, Graduate School, College of Arts & Science, Blair School of Music, School of Engineering and Divinity School.

Student Demographics and Tuition

Student Population Number of Students
Total enrollment: 11,476
Undergraduate enrollment: 6,400

Undergraduate Enrollment Statistics Percentage of Population
by gender
Men: 48.40%
Women: 51.60%
by race/ethnicity
Non-resident alien: 2.20%
Black non-Hispanic: 7.80%
American Indian or Alaskan Native: 0.30%
Asian or Pacific Islander: 6.0%
Hispanic: 4.80%
White non-Hispanic: 68.90%
Race-ethnicity unknown: 10.0%

Tuition and Fees 2006-2007 2005-2006 2004-2005
$33,440 $31,700 $29,990

City of Nashville, Tenn. Demographics

Total Population 569,891

Population Statistics Percentage of Population
Male 48.40%
Female 51.60%
Under 18 22.20%
18+ 77.80%
65+ 11.10%

Ethnicity Statistics Percentage of Population
White 67.0%
African-American 25.90%
Asian 2.30%
American Indian & Alaskan 0.30%
Other 2.40%
Mixed Race 2.0%
Hispanic (included in categories above) 4.60%
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