Mahadev Maitri Foundation

Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Tennessee

43 accredited institutions in Tennessee offering liberal arts programs, ranked by annual graduates (IPEDS 2023–24).

43

Colleges

25,650

Graduates/yr

21

Public

Associate's

Top Degree

Ranked: Liberal Arts Programs in Tennessee

PublicAssociate's

Austin Peay State University

In-State Tuition

PublicAssociate's

Pellissippi State Community College

In-State Tuition

PublicAssociate's

Motlow State Community College

In-State Tuition

PublicAssociate's

Volunteer State Community College

In-State Tuition

PublicAssociate's

Walters State Community College

In-State Tuition

PublicAssociate's

Southwest Tennessee Community College

In-State Tuition

PublicAssociate's

Columbia State Community College

In-State Tuition

PublicAssociate's

Chattanooga State Community College

In-State Tuition

PublicAssociate's

Nashville State Community College

In-State Tuition

PublicAssociate's

Northeast State Community College

In-State Tuition

PublicAssociate's

Roane State Community College

In-State Tuition

PublicAssociate's

Jackson State Community College

In-State Tuition

PublicAssociate's

Cleveland State Community College

In-State Tuition

PublicAssociate's

Dyersburg State Community College

In-State Tuition

Private NonprofitAssociate's

Cumberland University

Net Price <$30K

PublicBachelor's

East Tennessee State University

In-State Tuition

PublicBachelor's

Middle Tennessee State University

In-State Tuition

Private NonprofitAssociate's

Bethel University

Net Price <$30K

PublicBachelor's

University of Memphis

In-State Tuition

Private NonprofitBachelor's

Net Price <$30K

Tennessee Technological University

In-State Tuition

Private NonprofitAssociate's

Tusculum University

Net Price <$30K

Private NonprofitAssociate's

Carson-Newman University

Net Price <$30K

PublicBachelor's

Tennessee State University

In-State Tuition

Private NonprofitAssociate's

Freed-Hardeman University

Net Price <$30K

Private NonprofitAssociate's

Union University

Net Price <$30K

Private NonprofitBachelor's

Belmont University

Net Price <$30K

PublicBachelor's

The University of Tennessee Southern

In-State Tuition

Private NonprofitAssociate's

Southern Adventist University

Net Price <$30K

PublicBachelor's

The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga

In-State Tuition

Private NonprofitBachelor's

Christian Brothers University

Net Price <$30K

Private NonprofitBachelor's

Net Price <$30K

Private NonprofitMaster's

Vanderbilt University

Net Price <$30K

Private NonprofitAssociate's

Le Moyne-Owen College

Net Price <$30K

Private NonprofitAssociate's

King University

Net Price <$30K

Private NonprofitAssociate's

Net Price <$30K

Private NonprofitBachelor's

Lipscomb University

Net Price <$30K

Private NonprofitAssociate's

Lincoln Memorial University

Net Price <$30K

Private NonprofitAssociate's

Trevecca Nazarene University

Net Price <$30K

Private NonprofitBachelor's

Fisk University

Net Price <$30K

Private NonprofitAssociate's

Bryan College-Dayton

Net Price <$30K

Private NonprofitBachelor's

Milligan University

Net Price <$30K

Private NonprofitAssociate's

American Baptist College

Net Price <$30K

Studying Liberal Arts in Tennessee

Tennessee has 43 accredited colleges offering liberal arts programs, producing 25,650 graduates annually. Of these, 21 are public institutions with subsidized in-state tuition for Tennessee residents.

When evaluating programs, consider accreditation, internship placement rates, and faculty expertise. Always file the FAFSA — the net price after grants can be dramatically lower than sticker tuition, especially at public institutions.

← All colleges in Tennessee ← All states

Data source: Graduate counts from IPEDS 2023–24 C2023_A Completions survey (NCES). Tuition, acceptance rate, and graduation rate from IPEDS HD2023, ADM2023, DRVGR2023.