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2025 Best Education Schools in Tennessee

19 Colleges in Tennessee
5,123 Education Degrees Awarded
$53,180 Avg Early-Career Salary
Education is above average in terms of popularity with it being the #4 most popular degree program in the country. So, you have a fair amount of options to choose from when looking for a school.

College Factual looked at 19 colleges and universities when compiling its 2025 Best Education Schools in Tennessee ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 5,123 degrees in education to qualified students.

What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Education School

Best Education Schools in Tennessee The education program you select can have a big impact on your future. That's why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Education rankings. For our Best Overall Education School rankings, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.

In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.

Education Rankings by Degree Level

Associate Degrees in Education
Bachelor's Degrees in Education
Master's Degrees in Education
Doctor's Degrees in Education

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we've developed a number of rankings, including this Best Education Schools in Tennessee list, to help you choose the best school for you. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.

To further help you make the college decision, we've developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Read more about College Factual's methodology.

Best Schools for Education in Tennessee

Although we recommend filtering by degree level first, you can view the list below to see which schools give the educational experience for the education degree levels they offer.

10 Top Tennessee Schools in Education

1
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
221 Education Degrees Awarded
$42,118 Median Starting Salary

It's difficult to beat The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga if you want to pursue a degree in education. UT Chattanooga is a large public university located in the medium-sized city of Chattanooga. A Best Colleges rank of #959 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means UT Chattanooga is a great university overall.

There were about 221 education students who graduated with this degree at UT Chattanooga in the most recent year we have data available. Students who receive their degree from the education program make an average of $42,118 in their early career salary.

More information about a degree in education from The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga

2
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
154 Education Degrees Awarded
1.3% Growth in Graduates

Freed-Hardeman University is one of the finest schools in the United States for getting a degree in education. Located in the distant town of Henderson, FHU is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. A Best Colleges rank of #898 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means FHU is a great university overall.

There were approximately 154 education students who graduated with this degree at FHU in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the education program state that they receive average early career income of $40,936.

More information about a degree in education from Freed-Hardeman University

3
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
210 Education Degrees Awarded
$50,507 Median Starting Salary

The University of Tennessee - Knoxville is one of the finest schools in the United States for getting a degree in education. UT Knoxville is a very large public university located in the midsize city of Knoxville. A Best Colleges rank of #226 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UT Knoxville is a great university overall.

There were about 210 education students who graduated with this degree at UT Knoxville in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the education program state that they receive average early career income of $50,507.

More information about a degree in education from The University of Tennessee - Knoxville

4
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
368 Education Degrees Awarded
$42,980 Median Starting Salary

Tennessee Technological University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in education. Tennessee Tech University is a fairly large public university located in the remote town of Cookeville. A Best Colleges rank of #1174 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Tennessee Tech University is a great university overall.

There were roughly 368 education students who graduated with this degree at Tennessee Tech University in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the education program report average early career wages of $42,980.

More information about a degree in education from Tennessee Technological University

5
Lipscomb crest
Lipscomb University
Nashville, TN
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
354 Education Degrees Awarded
$52,730 Median Starting Salary

Lipscomb is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Nashville. A Best Colleges rank of #688 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Lipscomb is a great university overall.

There were roughly 354 education students who graduated with this degree at Lipscomb in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the education program report average early career income of $52,730.

More information about a degree in education from Lipscomb University

6
Lee University crest
Lee University
Cleveland, TN
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
174 Education Degrees Awarded
$42,924 Median Starting Salary

Lee University is a small private not-for-profit university located in the city of Cleveland. A Best Colleges rank of #1008 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Lee University is a great university overall.

There were roughly 174 education students who graduated with this degree at Lee University in the most recent year we have data available. Graduates who receive their degree from the education program make about $42,924 in the first couple years of working.

More information about a degree in education from Lee University

7
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
306 Education Degrees Awarded
$48,842 Median Starting Salary

Located in the midsize city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #1036 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Middle Tennessee State University is a great university overall.

There were about 306 education students who graduated with this degree at Middle Tennessee State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their degree from the education program make about $48,842 in the first couple years of working.

More information about a degree in education from Middle Tennessee State University

8
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
391 Education Degrees Awarded
$47,738 Median Starting Salary

Located in the large city of Memphis, UofM is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #807 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means UofM is a great university overall.

There were approximately 391 education students who graduated with this degree at UofM in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the education program state that they receive average early career wages of $47,738.

More information about a degree in education from University of Memphis

9
Carson - Newman crest
Carson - Newman University
Jefferson City, TN
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
331 Education Degrees Awarded
$55,222 Median Starting Salary

Located in the suburb of Jefferson City, Carson - Newman is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. This university ranks 22nd out of 41 schools for overall quality in the state of Tennessee.

There were roughly 331 education students who graduated with this degree at Carson - Newman in the most recent data year. Those education students who get their degree from Carson - Newman University receive $2,042 more than the average education student.

More information about a degree in education from Carson - Newman University

10
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
257 Education Degrees Awarded
$48,494 Median Starting Salary

ETSU is a large public university located in the city of Johnson City. A Best Colleges rank of #802 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means ETSU is a great university overall.

There were about 257 education students who graduated with this degree at ETSU in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the education program state that they receive average early career income of $48,494.

More information about a degree in education from East Tennessee State University

Best Education Colleges in the Southeast Region

Explore all the Best Education Schools in the Southeast Area or other specific states within that region.

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
North Carolina 38 6,573
West Virginia 38 1,439
Mississippi 38 3,988
South Carolina 38 3,529
Florida 38 9,462
Virginia 38 8,301
Arkansas 38 4,035
Alabama 37 4,473
Kentucky 37 5,091
Georgia 37 7,575
Louisiana 37 2,757

View All Rankings >

Education Majors to Study

Major Annual Graduates
Teacher Education Grade Specific 1,501
Educational Administration 1,144
Curriculum & Instruction 605
General Education 554
Teacher Education Subject Specific 408
Special Education 335
Student Counseling 298
Teaching English or French 171
Instructional Media Design 51
Other Education 30

View All Education Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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