Best Universities in Tennessee for 2026

Tennessee enrolls more than 12,000 international students at schools that span one of the most selective private universities in the South and large public flagships with international tuition under $35,000. Costs range from roughly $26,000 a year at regional public campuses to about $64,000 at Vanderbilt. This guide compares eight real Tennessee universities — what each is known for, the programs that attract students from abroad, approximate yearly tuition, selectivity, and the international support on offer.

Tennessee universities at a glance

Figures are approximate 2025–26 international tuition, excluding housing, fees, and insurance. Confirm current numbers with each admissions office.

University	Type	City	Known for	Intl tuition/yr	Acceptance rate
Vanderbilt University	Private	Nashville	Medicine, engineering, law	~$64,000	~7%
University of Tennessee, Knoxville	Public	Knoxville	Engineering, agriculture	~$33,000	~70%
University of Memphis	Public	Memphis	Business, audiology	~$26,000	~95%
Belmont University	Private	Nashville	Music business, health	~$42,000	~88%
Tennessee Tech University	Public	Cookeville	Engineering	~$27,000	~80%
Middle Tennessee State University	Public	Murfreesboro	Aerospace, recording	~$28,000	~90%
East Tennessee State University	Public	Johnson City	Health sciences	~$26,000	~88%
Rhodes College	Private	Memphis	Liberal arts, sciences	~$58,000	~46%

The universities in detail

Vanderbilt University

Vanderbilt in Nashville is the most selective university in the state — admitting roughly 7% of applicants — and a national leader in medicine, engineering, education (Peabody College), and law. International undergraduate tuition is near $64,000, but Vanderbilt practices need-blind admission and meets full demonstrated need for many students, including some internationals through the Opportunity Vanderbilt program. The campus sits in the heart of Nashville with strong research funding and international advising via the ISSS office.

University of Tennessee, Knoxville

UT Knoxville is the public flagship, strong in engineering, agricultural sciences, supply-chain management, and nuclear engineering (helped by proximity to Oak Ridge National Laboratory). International tuition is around $33,000. The acceptance rate of roughly 70% makes it a realistic target for solid applicants, and the Center for International Education handles F-1 advising and OPT.

University of Memphis

The University of Memphis offers some of the lowest international tuition in the state at about $26,000, with respected programs in business (Fogelman College), audiology and speech sciences, and engineering. Its near-open admission (around 95%) makes it accessible, and Memphis is an affordable city with real internship pipelines at FedEx and regional health systems.

Belmont University

Belmont, also in Nashville, is the go-to for music business and the entertainment industry, plus growing health-science programs including pharmacy and physical therapy. Tuition runs near $42,000 with merit aid available. The Music City location is the whole point — students intern at labels, studios, and healthcare networks.

Tennessee Tech University

Tennessee Tech in Cookeville is the state's specialized engineering and applied-sciences school, with strong mechanical and electrical engineering and a well-known College of Engineering. At roughly $27,000, it's an affordable route into US engineering with smaller classes than the flagship.

Middle Tennessee State University

MTSU in Murfreesboro is best known for two things: a top-tier aerospace program (with its own professional-pilot track and fleet) and one of the most respected recording-industry programs in the country. International tuition runs near $28,000, and admission is broad at about 90%. For aviation or audio production on a public budget, it's a standout, and Nashville's industry sits 30 minutes away.

East Tennessee State University

ETSU in Johnson City anchors the state's northeast and is built around health sciences — medicine (Quillen College), pharmacy, nursing, and public health — plus a distinctive bluegrass and Appalachian-studies program. At roughly $26,000, it's among the most affordable options, with a quieter mountain-town setting in the Tri-Cities region.

Rhodes College

Rhodes in Memphis is a selective liberal-arts college (admit rate around 46%) with strong pre-med, biology, and international-studies programs and tight student-faculty ratios. Tuition is about $58,000, but generous merit and need-based aid bring the effective cost down for many international students. Its partnership with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital gives undergraduates rare research access.

What it actually costs to study in Tennessee

Tuition is only the start. Budget roughly $9,000–$13,000 a year for housing and meals in cities like Knoxville, Memphis, Murfreesboro, and Johnson City, and somewhat more in Nashville. Mandatory health insurance adds about $1,500–$3,000 a year, with student fees another $1,000–$2,000. Add books, transport, and personal costs, and a realistic yearly total runs $40,000–$80,000 depending on the school. Tennessee has no state income tax and a below-average cost of living, so earnings and budgets stretch further. F-1 students may work up to 20 hours per week on campus during the semester.

How to choose the right Tennessee university

Match the school to your field first. For music business, Belmont and MTSU's recording programs lead; for engineering, UT Knoxville and Tennessee Tech; for health sciences, ETSU and Belmont; for liberal arts and pre-med, Rhodes. Then balance sticker price against aid. Vanderbilt's $64,000 list price can fall dramatically with need-based aid, while the public schools' lower base tuition rarely includes large international scholarships. Model your full yearly cost — tuition plus housing and insurance — with the cost of study calculator.

Selectivity is the other filter. Strong profiles should reach for Vanderbilt and Rhodes; UT Knoxville and Tennessee Tech are solid mid-targets; Memphis, MTSU, and ETSU are accessible safer options. For visas, work rules, and the wider state context, read our guide to studying in Tennessee.

Application basics for international students

Tennessee universities use the Common Application or institutional portals. Core requirements: high school transcripts (evaluated for international credentials), English proof (TOEFL ~71–100 or IELTS 6.0–7.0 depending on the school), and an essay. SAT/ACT is optional at most Tennessee schools but helps scholarship cases. After admission you'll submit proof of funds to receive your I-20, then apply for the F-1 visa. Fall deadlines often fall around November–January, with rolling admission at public campuses. See our US application guide for the full sequence, and the broader Tennessee state guide or the study in the USA hub for context.

Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest good university in Tennessee for international students?

The University of Memphis and East Tennessee State University sit near $26,000 a year, the lowest among accredited four-year options. Tennessee Tech and MTSU follow at $27,000–$28,000.

Which Tennessee university is best for music business?

Belmont University in Nashville is the national leader in music business, with MTSU's recording-industry program a strong, more affordable alternative. Both leverage Music City's industry connections.

Can international students get scholarships in Tennessee?

Yes. Vanderbilt and Rhodes offer need-based and merit aid that can sharply cut costs; Belmont, MTSU, and the public regionals offer merit awards of $4,000–$15,000. Flagship UT Knoxville offers more limited international scholarships.

How hard is it to get into Tennessee universities?

It varies widely. Vanderbilt admits about 7% and Rhodes around 46%, while Memphis, MTSU, and ETSU admit 88–95%. UT Knoxville and Tennessee Tech sit in the 70–80% range overall.

Do Tennessee universities require the SAT or ACT?

Most are test-optional for 2026. Submitting strong scores can still strengthen competitive-program admission and merit-scholarship consideration.

Can international students work after graduating in Tennessee?

Yes. F-1 graduates get 12 months of OPT, extended to 36 months for STEM degrees — covering most UT Knoxville, Tennessee Tech, and Vanderbilt engineering and science programs. Nashville (healthcare, music), Memphis (logistics, FedEx), and Knoxville (research, Oak Ridge) provide relevant employers.

Which Tennessee city is best for student life?

Nashville offers the most vibrant scene — music, food, and internships — though it's the priciest. Knoxville and Memphis are larger and affordable, while Murfreesboro and Johnson City are quieter, budget-friendly college towns. Your university choice largely determines your city.