Accelerated Online Bachelor's Programs in Tennessee 2026

Earning a bachelor's degree is a great way to jumpstart your career and can create job opportunities in fields such as healthcare, business, education, and more. However, higher education can be expensive and time-consuming, and rising tuition costs can prevent students from applying.

One of the best ways to reduce your cost of attendance is to find an accelerated bachelor's degree online. Accelerated programs can help online students finish their degrees faster without sacrificing the quality of their education.

Below is a list of some of the best accelerated online bachelor's degree programs in Tennessee, as well as some frequently asked questions about online education.

How Long Does It Take To Earn an Online Bachelor's Degree in Tennessee?

The average time to completion for a bachelor's degree in Tennessee is four years. However, many universities offer accelerated programs in lucrative fields such as health science, information technology, and more.

Some of the programs listed below can be completed in as little as 18 months. The fastest way to get a bachelor's degree is to choose an accelerated program or one that allows you to study at your own pace.

Keep reading to learn more about the best accelerated online bachelor's degree programs in Tennessee.

Accelerated Online Bachelor's Degree Programs in Tennessee

Below are some of the best accelerated online programs in Tennessee. An accelerated program is often the fastest way to get a bachelor's degree and can help students jumpstart their careers.

1. University of Memphis Global

The University of Memphis Global offers many online degrees, including a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in strategic media with a concentration in integrated social media. This program has only 60 credit hours and offers robust career opportunities after graduation. Graduates have become SEO managers, journalists, political managers, and more.

Time to completion: Three to four years

Accreditation: National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA)

2. Tennessee Wesleyan University

Tennessee Wesleyan University offers a 100% online registered nurse to Bachelor of Science in nursing (RN-to-BSN) program for nurses looking to advance their education. Students may challenge up to 12 credits by taking proficiency examinations, allowing them to potentially skip courses in which they are already competent.

This program is designed for working adults and can be completed in as little as one year. The university also provides applicants the chance to appeal their application if they do not meet the admissions requirements.

Time to completion: As little as one year

Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

3. Tennessee State University

Tennessee State University (TSU) has an accelerated bachelor's degree completion program to allow working adults to finish their degree in as little as 18 months. There are two Bachelor of Science (BS) degrees offered: health care administration and planning and urban studies.

These programs are designed for transfer students and are completed in a hybrid format, with both in-person and online courses.

Time to completion: As little as 18 months

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

4. Tennessee Tech

Tennessee Tech offers an online second-degree BSN program designed for students who have already obtained a bachelor's degree but still need to meet the coursework requirements to earn their BSN. This program is to be completed in 15 continuous months, with two summer semesters, a fall semester, and a spring semester.

Time to completion: 15 months

Accreditation: SACSCOC

5. Lipscomb University

Lipscomb University offers a Bachelor of Professional Studies in organizational leadership with an education studies emphasis designed for professionals looking to pursue a graduate program in education. While this program does not offer licensure, it prepares learners for future licensure programs.

This 126-credit online degree program offers flexible asynchronous coursework, allowing students to study at their own pace and complete their degree on their own schedule.

Time to completion: 1.5 to 3 years

Accreditation: SACSCOC

6. Trevecca Nazarene University

Trevecca Nazarene University offers an online business degree completion program designed for working adults who have previously earned up to 40 college credits. There are only 36 credit hours required, which streamlines the program and helps students save money. Asynchronous online coursework includes classes in marketing, economics, and real-world application of finance.

This degree also prepares students to pursue their Master of Business Administration (MBA) should they choose to go on to graduate school.

Time to completion: As little as 18 months

Accreditation: SACSCOC

7. University of Tennessee, Knoxville

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) offers up to 21 online bachelor’s degrees in various fields, including agriculture and artificial intelligence. You can get a Bachelor of Arts degree in UTK through programs such as religious studies, criminology and criminal justice, and cultures and societies.

In addition, students can earn both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in just five years through the school’s “Accelerated Combined Bachelor’s/Master’s” program. The UTK also offers an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program that can be completed in as little as 12 to 18 months.

Time to completion: 12 to 18 months

Accreditation: CCNE, SACSCOC

Other Accelerated Online Bachelor's Degrees in the U.S.

These accelerated online bachelor's degree programs can be completed from anywhere in the U.S., including Tennessee.

National University

National University offers flexible scheduling, with four-week courses that students can take at their own pace. This allows students to study faster and potentially complete their degree in as little as two years.

The BS in cybersecurity offers courses in sought-after skills such as security automation, digital forensics, incident response, and more. Students may also opt to enroll in the cybersecurity master's program upon graduation to further their skills.

Time to completion: As little as two years

Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission

Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) is a leading institution of online higher education. It accepts a high number of transfer credits and ample financial aid to both in-person and online students.

The BS in human resource management prepares students for the Associate Professional in Human Resources Exam and provides real-world skill-building for future human resource managers. Students can transfer in up to 90 credits and study at their own pace with eight-week accelerated courses.

Time to completion: As little as one to two years

Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education

Kennesaw State University

Kennesaw State University offers an online Bachelor of Science in information technology that prepares students to become software developers, cybersecurity specialists, programmers, and more.

Time to completion: As few as 16 months

Accreditation: SACSCOC

How We Rank Schools

At Learn.org, we have a rigorous set of criteria with which we rank schools. The following standards are met by all of the schools listed above.

• Accreditation: We only feature accredited online bachelor's degrees. Accreditation may come from either regional or national accrediting bodies. Both mean that the U.S. Department of Education recognizes them as legitimate institutions, and the degrees are valid.
• Program length: We look for undergraduate programs with a shorter duration than the traditional four years. Some still have a time to completion of four years, but accept a high quantity of transfer credits that can allow students to finish in a shorter period of time.
• Program reputation and quality: Employers prefer degrees with a good reputation, so we're sure to feature only the highest-quality programs of study on our site.
• Tuition cost: We feature schools with low tuition costs, which can be achieved by low credit requirements, robust financial aid services, or simply a lower cost per credit hour.

Learn more about our ranking methodology.

How To Accelerate Your Bachelor’s Degree in Tennessee

One benefit of accelerating your bachelor's degree is that it allows you to get a head start on your career. Today, we'll take a look at three ways you can expedite your studies so you can enter the workforce early.

• Leverage accelerated online degrees: Enrolling in a quick online degree is one of the fastest ways to earn a diploma. Joining any of the programs we shared earlier can help you graduate in as few as 12 months.
• Test out of courses: Taking and passing standardized tests can help you earn college credit while skipping certain courses. This also helps you complete your general education requirements quickly.
• Utilize online classes: Take classes through online course providers like Study.com. Digital courses are flexible and accessible, which makes them easier and faster to complete.

FAQs About the Fastest Bachelor's Degrees in Tennessee

Earning a bachelor's degree can change your future by opening up new career paths in fields like healthcare, computer science, education, and more. These are some of the most frequently asked questions about earning a bachelor's degree in Tennessee.

Are There Any One-Year Online Bachelor's Degrees in Tennessee?

While there are no one-year bachelor's degrees online in Tennessee, there are some programs that span just over a year. Trevecca Nazarene University and Tennessee Tech both offer degrees that can be completed in as little as 18 and 15 months, respectively.

Are Accelerated Bachelor’s Degrees Respected by Employers?

Yes, most employers view accelerated bachelor's degrees positively. Completing an accelerated program is seen as a demonstration of your commitment, discipline, and excellent time-management skills. And these qualities are extremely valued in every industry.

To make your application more appealing to employers, you can highlight the skills you acquired in completing an intense and fast-paced accelerated degree. You can also enhance your application by adding your practice experience and professional certifications.

How Fast Can You Complete an Accelerated Bachelor’s Degree?

Generally, you can complete an accelerated bachelor's degree between one and three years, depending on the program you are enrolled in. For instance, plenty of accelerated nursing programs allow students to complete degree requirements in 12 to 18 months. Meanwhile, majors in high-demand fields, such as healthcare and IT, can be finished in 24 to 36 months. In addition, the amount of credits you transfer and your degree's course load may also affect the speed of your degree.

Do Accelerated Bachelor’s Programs Accept Prior Learning Credit?

Yes, you can transfer prior learning credits to accelerated bachelor's programs. You can confirm the specific terms and the maximum number of allowable transfer credits to your program by contacting your school or coordinator. You must also confirm the types of transferable credits that your university allows.

To earn prior learning credit, you can submit your portfolio and professional certifications for assessment. You may also use military transcripts and credit-by-exam providers to earn transferable credits.

Explore Online Bachelor's Degrees

Earning your bachelor's degree online is an efficient and financially wise way to further your education. Explore more online bachelor's degrees in a variety of states here on Learn.org.