25 Best Universities In Tennessee For International Students 2026

Tennessee is surely one of the places you should be considering if you’re looking to study in United States. This location has a lot to offer for international students, including world-class universities and exciting student experiences. With more than 33 universities and colleges in Tennessee, you’ll surely have a wide range of choices.

Out of 33 universities in Tennessee, Vanderbilt University and University of Tennessee, Knoxville are the top-performing schools in Tennessee. This list covers both public and private institutions in Tennessee.

To help you narrow down your school options, we’ve compiled the best universities in Tennessee. We based our rankings on academic reputations from reputable sources and the number of international students. By doing this, you’ll have an efficient way of comparing your target universities and choose your host university in Tennessee.

How do I get admission to the best universities in Tennessee?

Applying to the universities in Tennessee involves submitting requirements and following specific admissions procedures set by your chosen university. The requirements often include a student visa, application packages, and language scores. Check out our guide for international students who want to study in Tennessee to learn more about applying for admission in this country’s universities!

How much are the tuition fees at the best universities in Tennessee?

Tuition fees at Tennessee’s universities can vary depending on which university, degree, and program you will be enrolling in. Generally, tuition fees for the bachelor’s level range from 10,200 USD to 68,000 USD , while tuition fees for the master’s level range from 4,380 USD to 50,200 USD. If you are interested, check out the affordable universities in Tennessee!

As we cover the best universities in Tennessee for international students, feel free to check out the university’s information on Admission, Tuition, Courses, and Language Requirements by looking at the individual university pages.

Top Universities in Tennessee for International Students

Vanderbilt University is established on the values of collaboration and collegiality, allowing it to rise above and beyond most universities. This prestigious institution in Nashville aims to push humanity and the world to its full potential through discoveries and service. It accomplishes this through its top-ranked programs in law, business, education, arts, medicine, and many more.

The University of Tennessee at Knoxville has profound historical roots, established two years before Tennessee became a state. The university promotes inclusivity and hopes to welcome more students worldwide. In this modern age, the institution puts extra effort into improving its equipment and tools to keep up with the changing demands in the professional field.

Also popularly known as UT Martin, the University of Tennesse at Martin is a public institution that is situated on the western edge of Tennessee. Established in 1927, the UT Martin first started as a Baptist training camp called Hall-Moody Institute. However, as the Baptist institute closed down, the Tennesse government stepped out to replace the facilities to establish the groundwork for the University of Tennessee. Offering regional accreditations for all of its academic programs, UT Martin is a great place to go if you are looking for high-quality courses in your preferred area of study.

Named among the most distinguished universities in Tennessee is the University of Memphis. Established in 1912, it offers over 120 degree programs across the fields of science and technology, arts, communication, and more. The University of Memphis is home to active research professors and scholars contributing to some of the world’s best research.

Middle Tennessee State University has internationally-renowned graduates that were trained by its effective educational curriculum and advanced facilities. The university actively seeks to strengthen its international reputation. With that, it continues to connect with multiple enterprises and industry leaders.

Located near different national parks, East Tennessee State University is one of the biggest higher education institutions in the state. Although its main campus is located in Johnson City, the university has multiple teaching centers throughout Tennessee, and it also has flexible online learning opportunities. It offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate programs across its 10 colleges, but it’s mainly famous for its health-related programs. The university is also known for having one-of-a-kind majors related to the culture and history of the US, like the master’s degree in Appalachian Studies.

Tennessee Tech University is the more popular name of Tennessee Technological University. It started as a private entity known as the University of Dixie before becoming a public institute. While there is variety to the majors and programs Tennessee Tech offers, it specializes in engineering, tech, and science. It is ranked 277th in the National Universities ranking by US News.

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is one of the four main campuses that make up the University of Tennessee system. It was established in 1886 and has been providing excellent undergraduate and graduate education for students from within and outside the state for over 130 years. The university is also known for its innovative programs and cutting-edge research facilities. 

University of Tennessee Health Science Center aims to improve the well-being of society through clinical care, public service, and inclusive education. It is the best training ground for students who aspire to excel in the medical field. The university is full of equipment and tools that are essential in the students’ learning process, which is why it is one of the leading health sciences universities in the state.

Sewanee: the University of the South was founded by ten dioceses of the Episcopal Church to build a denominational college in the region. The university consists of the College of Arts and Sciences, The School of Letters, and the School of Theology. A study abroad program funded by the university is also offered to students who meet Sewanee’s academic and social expectations at no additional cost.

Tennessee State University was primarily founded in 1910 to serve African-American students. It is located in Tennessee’s capital and is the only one of its kind in the state. TSU is also a part of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, which benefits historically black institutions. The Times Higher Education rankings placed TSU at 801st nationwide last 2019. Meanwhile, US News ranks it at 299th.

Rhodes College is a private coeducational, residential college committed to providing intellectual engagement, services to others, and honor. It was initially founded as the Masonic University of Tennessee, later renamed Stewart College in 1850, then Southwestern Presbyterian University in 1917, and finally to its current name to honor its former college president, Peyton Nalle Rhodes in 1984. The college is recognized nationally for its liberal arts and sciences programs and has consistently ranked among the top liberal arts and sciences colleges in the country.

Belmont University maintains a Christ-centered community where students from all over the world can gain wisdom and knowledge through practical education. The university ensures that students get to heighten their passion by giving them adequate resources and materials for learning. In recent years, Belmont University began hosting more international students and participating in foreign academic competitions.

Austin Peay State University provides affordable education and highly promotes inclusivity. It aims to intensify its research by equipping students with adequate resources and training centers. The university is full of dedicated staff that offers hands-on supervision to the students.

Meharry Medical College is a private medical school in Nashville, Tennessee. It was established in 1876 as the Medical Department of Central Tennessee College, and it became the first medical school for African-American physicians in the state. It is regarded as one of the country’s largest private historically black medical schools. Graduate programs in science, medicine, and public health are available at the college.

Established in 1866, Fisk University initially started as a black-serving institution. Today, it warmly welcomes students from all ethnicities across the globe. The university prepares its students to succeed in their chosen careers by providing top-quality education with courses lectured by highly qualified professionals. Additionally, transforming students’ lives into global citizens, leaders, and experts is among the university’s top priorities.

Lipscomb University is a private educational institution located in Nashville, a city known for its flourishing entertainment industry, southern hospitality, and being a business, technological, and educational hub in the region. It offers over 200 academic programs in liberal arts. The university is also affiliated with the Churches of Christ, which is why it strives to integrate Christian values and principles in all of its programs and activities.

Established in 1897, the Lincoln Memorial University has over 125 years of experience in providing quality education to local and international students. It offers degree programs at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels and is popular for its Nursing program. The university is also known for the Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum, an on-campus museum housing an expansive collection of memorabilia related to the former President.

King University is a private Presbyterian university located in Bristol, Tennessee. It was founded in 1866 as a Christian university on land donated by Rev. James King of Bristol. All the important buildings on the campus were built in brick and Georgian form. King University is also a large university with three more campuses in Kingsport and Knoxville and 10 educational institutions across Tennessee and southwest Virginia.

Southern Adventist University was founded in 1892 as Graysville Academy in Graysville town, Rhea County, Tennessee. With its name changing over 90 years, the year 1997 was when Graysville Academy eventually became a university and had its final name change. The institution currently has 26 major buildings with over 2719 combined undergraduate and graduate students. Now, it also offers a total of 105 major and minor undergraduate and graduate degrees. To this day, Southern Adventist University continues to serve quality education to the youth in and out of the United States.

Lee University is a four-year private liberal Christian university located in Cleveland, Tennessee, United States. The university was founded in 1918 as a small Bible research institute and was later recognized as a four-year liberal arts college by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools with the addition of Bible and short-term universities. The university has been recognized in a variety of disciplines, with music schools accredited by the National Association of Music Schools and national accreditation in business schools, nursing schools, and athletic training programs.

Christian Brothers University was founded in 1871 in Midtown Memphis, Tennessee. Revolving its teachings and social practices in the Lasallian Tradition, students follow the guide of Catholic belief, academic excellence, volunteering, and social justice with faith, service, and community as their three core values. Applicants from abroad are welcome to the university and are also eligible for scholarships that are offered to their local students.

Milligan University’s Christian roots are well-reflected in its education and goals. It teaches students to “Go with God in Faith and Love,” as per their motto. Being affiliated with the Restoration Movement, a significant number of its students belong to branching congregations of the movement.

Besides being a Christian institution, Milligan is also a liberal arts university. Thus, its programs tackle religious studies, arts, education, culture, business, and the sciences. Besides undergraduate majors and graduate master’s, the institution also offers minors, seminary courses, adult degrees, pre-professional programs, certificate courses, and more.

Maryville College, also known as the Scots, has centuries of experience and history. It is one of the oldest colleges in the country and was established by a Presbyterian minister. The college mainly offers undergraduate programs in the liberal arts, such as associate and bachelor’s courses. It recently introduced an accelerated master’s program for teaching secondary STEM.

Tusculum University was established in 1794 with a rich Presbyterian heritage. It is rooted in Christian tradition with distinguished teaching methods. The school focuses on civic engagement, community service, and spiritual learning to create exemplar individuals. It has a 140-acre campus found near the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee. The campus has one of the best varsity teams competing at NCAA Division II level of competition, and various creative avenues such as the Tusculum Arts Outreach.