Colleges in Tennessee
Why go to College in Tennessee?
Tennessee is a southeastern state that is home to the Great Smoky Mountains, Appalachian Trail, and the Country Music Hall of Fame. The state is also home to several prestigious colleges, including Vanderbilt University and the University of Tennessee. If you want to receive a rigorous education and experience some southern charm, then you should considering one of the state's many online schools in Tennessee.
What Options are Available for Colleges in Tennessee?
On-Campus
Attending a traditional on-campus college in Tennessee offers a variety of benefits. You have the option of living on or near campus, close to all of your classes. You can easily engage in social activities on campus, whether it's joining a student organization, meeting up with classmates to study for an exam, eating together at a dining hall, or playing intramural sports. Studying on-campus will also provide you with access to common study areas, library books, and free additional tutoring or academic aid.
Online Programs
Online colleges in Tennessee require the same amount of courses as their on-campus counterparts, except that all coursework can be completed remotely. Courses are offered online through a learning management system, where students can access lectures, assignments, and exams at any time. Online schools in Tennessee typically offer a combination of asynchronous and synchronous courses. Synchronous courses are similar to on-campus classes, where students must attend class at a set time and participate in class discussions. On the other hand, asynchronous classes allow students to complete coursework at their own pace. Both asynchronous and synchronous courses will have set deadlines for assignments and exams. Online colleges in TN are ideal for those who have other time commitments, like a full-time job or caring for children.
Hybrid Programs
Hybrid programs offer a blend of on-campus and online coursework. Some courses are offered primarily online but include in-person capstone requirements, while others include lectures and assignments posted online with proctored exams offered on-campus. Hybrid programs are perfect for individuals who would like some scheduling flexibility but also crave in-person instruction and assistance. If a hybrid program sounds right for you, then you should check the websites of the online schools in Tennessee to see if there are any local programs.
Popular Degree Programs in Tennessee
Many students in Tennessee pursue a degree that corresponds to one of the largest or most popular industries in the state. In Tennessee, some of the major industries include professional and business services, agriculture, entertainment, manufacturing, and tourism. Business Insider found that general agriculture is by far the most popular degree in the state . In fact, Tennessee has more graduates with a general agriculture degree than any other state in the U.S. The following are two of the most popular degrees in the state of Tennessee:
Business Management and Administration A degree in business management and administration prepares students for careers in finance, accounting, marketing, supply chain management, and management information systems. Business management and administration programs provide students with foundational knowledge on a variety of business topics and allow them to concentrate on a specific sub-field.
General Agriculture General agriculture programs provide students with foundational knowledge on a variety of topics including farm management, animal science, soil science, poultry science, sustainability, and wildlife conservation. A degree in general agriculture prepares students for a variety of careers in the agricultural industry from crop farmer to agricultural equipment salesman.
What are the Best Online Colleges in Tennessee?
There are several factors that go into determining the best online colleges in Tennessee, including student-to-faculty ratio, faculty reputation, student diversity, and variety of course offerings. However, it is also important to consider how online colleges in TN will help prepare you for your long-term career goals. For example, if you are interested in political science and would like to study abroad while in college, then you may want to choose a college that has both a strong online political science program and a variety of study abroad opportunities. Below is a list of the best online colleges in Tennessee and a brief description of each to help you narrow down your choices.
Top 15 Online Colleges in Tennessee for 2019
Admissions Rate
58%
Graduation Rate
57%
Online Enrollment
24%
Retention Rate
74%
Default Rate
7%
Johnson University is a private Christian college located in Kimberlin Heights, just outside of Knoxville. Johnson boasts a rich history of distance education dating back more than a century, when the school first began offering correspondence courses. Today, Johnson is one of the best online colleges in Tennessee, offering undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programs in topics both religious and secular. Degree candidates can choose from bachelor's programs in business administration, ministry leadership, nonprofit administration, pastoral studies, and intercultural studies. Graduate options include New Testament studies, intercultural studies, and business administration. Johnson also offers hybrid programs that allow students to take a mix of campus and online courses. Along with its main campus, the school operates education extension centers in Louisville, Kentucky, and Indianapolis, Indiana.
Visit SiteSponsored
What are the Best Online Community Colleges in Tennessee?
Community colleges offer two-year associate degrees and are the perfect stepping stone between high school and college. These schools differ from universities in program length, admission requirements, and overall cost. Many students decide to earn an associate degree at a community college and then transfer these credits into a bachelor's degree program at a four-year institution. Community colleges also have a variety of flexible course offerings, including online classes, that help students who work full-time find the time to earn a degree. Below, you'll find a list of some of the best online community colleges in Tennessee and a brief description of each.
Top 4 Online Community Colleges in Tennessee for 2019
Admissions Rate
100%
Graduation Rate
5%
Online Enrollment
9%
Retention Rate
47%
Default Rate
0%
With two campuses located in Memphis, Southwest Tennessee Community College offers an education that emphasizes multicultural diversity and affordability. STCC receives high marks among online community colleges in Tennessee for its extensive distance education program, affordable tuition, on-campus child care, and libraries.
Online associate programs are available through the school's collaborative statewide eCampus partnership. The school offers online degrees in general studies, business management, banking and finance, and administrative professional technology. Students may also select hybrid options and accelerated courses beginning later in the semester. Admission requirements include ACT or SAT scores and a high school diploma or GED. Distance learners can transfer credits earned through any of the 13 participating community colleges towards their major.
Visit SiteSponsored
Education Trends in Tennessee
Education trends in Tennessee are in line with the national averages. The percentage of adults over the age of 25 with a postsecondary education in Tennessee is just 2% lower than the rest of the country. This pattern persists for graduate degree holders over 25 as well. While Tennessee allocates a high percentage of tax revenue towards higher education, the average cost to earn a college education is still above the national average.
| Tennessee | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary Education Spending per Full-Time Student | $7,051 | $6,954 |
| Percent of Tax Revenue Allocated to Higher Education | 7% | 5.8% |
| Percentage of adults over 25 with associate degree | 663% | 8.1% |
| Percentage of adults over 25 with bachelor's degree | 15.9% | 18.5% |
| Percentage of adults over 25 with graduate degree or higher | 9% | 11.2% |
| Source: SHEEO and U.S. Census | ||
Paying for College in Tennessee
There is no question that the cost of an education is an important factor when it comes to choosing which college to attend. Beyond tuition prices, the cost of college also includes other expenses like textbooks, rent, food, transportation, utilities, and leisure activities. You should consider all of these costs and decide which ones you don't mind spending more on and which ones you can cut back on to reduce costs.
Tuition Prices
Tuition costs in the U.S. can vary greatly depending on whether you're studying at a public or private institution, at a two-year or four-year school, and whether you're an in-state or out-of-state student. In general, private institutions cost more than public ones, four-year schools are more expensive than two-year schools, and out-of-state tuition is higher than in-state tuition. Be sure to remember that the total cost of an education also includes other expenses like textbooks, rent, and transportation.
Financial Aid
The first step for every student should be filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students can take advantage of financial aid in many different forms, including loans, scholarships, grants, and work-study programs. Grants and scholarships do not need to be paid back, meaning you should seek these out before any other type of financial aid. Work-study programs offer students the opportunity to work part-time while earning their degree to help pay for their education. Finally, federal student loans must be paid back, but offer payment deferments and much lower interest rates than private loans.
Cost for Online Programs in Tennessee
Students at online colleges in Tennessee have access to the same financial aid opportunities as their on-campus counterparts. While tuition costs are similar for both online and on-campus students, distance learners can save money by negating certain on-campus expenses like room and board, transportation, and textbooks. Many online courses have readings or online textbooks embedded into course modules, making it unnecessary to buy separate learning materials. This means that online students can contribute a greater percentage of their financial aid towards tuition costs, which makes distance learning an attractive option for many students.
Cost of Living by Region
Regional cost of living can greatly impact the total cost of earning an education, as many costs vary greatly from city to city. As a result, you should consider the local cost of living when calculating the cost of a college education and comparing different schools. For example, a student of Vanderbilt University in Nashville will pay more on average for rent than students of the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Thankfully, rent prices in Tennessee are lower than in large metropolitan areas like Chicago and Austin.
Scholarships for Tennessee College Students
Employment Outlook in Tennessee
The employment outlook in Tennessee is positive, with only a 3.3% unemployment rate. The mean hourly wage in the state is $20.36 , which is significantly higher than the national minimum wage. However, the mean annual salary in Tennessee is approximately $7,000 lower than the national average. We recommend doing research on your field to determine is Tennessee is the right state for you post-graduation.
| Tennessee | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate, May 2017 | 3.3% | 4.3% |
| Annual Mean Wage, May 2016 | $42,350 | $49,630 |
| Source: BLS and BLS | ||
Top Employers and Industries in Tennessee
Top Industries in Tennessee
Trade, Transportation, and Utilities: This sector includes retail trade, wholesale trade, transportation and warehousing, as well as the provision of utilities. Employees in this sector may be responsible for distributing products to consumers, buying or selling merchandise to other individuals or companies, delivering cargo or transporting passengers, or providing electric and gas services.
Education and Health Services: This industry includes the sectors of education, healthcare, and social assistance. Employees in this sector may work for a university or K-12 school, a hospital or health insurance company, or social services agency or organization.
Professional and Business Services: This industry encompasses all sectors involved in providing a specialized professional, scientific, or technical service. Common occupations in this industry, such as lawyers, accountants, and scientific researchers, usually require a high degree of training and education.
Source: Nashville Chamber of Commerce
Top Employers in Tennessee
Eastman Chemical Co.: 10,000 employees
Southern Tennessee Medical Center: 9,300 employees
Covenant Transportation Group: 5,000 employees
Source: Source: Business Climate
Accreditation for Colleges in Tennessee
Studying at an accredited college assures that you will receive a quality education. Accrediting agencies ensure that their member schools meet certain regulations and requirements to maintain their accreditation. Academic accreditation standardizes requirements for all schools and ensures a minimum level of quality. There are two main types of accreditation in the U.S.: regional and national. Regional accreditation is considered more prestigious than national and is often earned by public nonprofit universities. It is also easier to transfer credits from one regionally accredited school to another, which makes accreditation especially important for transfer students. On the other hand, national accreditation is typically pursued by for-profit colleges and trade or vocational schools.
Resources for Students in Tennessee
The East Tennessee Foundation : The East Tennessee Foundation is a public, nonprofit organization dedicated to philanthropic efforts in the community. They provide a variety of different scholarships and grants for college education. Students can search through the available grants by county on the organization's website.
The United Negro College Fund : The UNCF is a philanthropic organization dedicated to providing financial assistance for African American college students and for sponsoring general scholarships at historically black universities and colleges. This is a great resource for minority students seeking funding opportunities.
College for TN : College for Tennessee is a website where students can plan for college and future careers. It allows students to take career assessment surveys, find out more about Tennessee colleges, and explore financial aid options.
Tennessee Independent Colleges and Universities Association : TICUA is a coalition of private colleges and universities that work together to maintain cost efficiency, professional development, and other services to ensure a quality education for students and citizens. Their website contains information on education research and financial aid for students, as well as resources for educators.