Tennessee Colleges & Career Resources
Explore Tennessee colleges and career resources, including universities, community colleges, online programs, popular majors, and statewide career pathways.
If you’re planning your education in Tennessee, you’ll find plenty of options that fit different goals, schedules, and learning styles. Students study in major cities like Nashville, Knoxville, and Memphis, as well as smaller towns and rural communities across the state. Whether you want a hands-on technical program or a bachelor’s degree you can complete online, you’ll have multiple pathways to choose from.
Many learners also balance school with work or family responsibilities. That’s why flexible formats—including online and hybrid classes—are widely available and helpful for keeping your momentum.
Higher Education Landscape in Tennessee
You can choose from public universities, private colleges, community colleges, and technical schools depending on what kind of experience you want. Community colleges appeal to many students because tuition is lower, class sizes are smaller, and the transition into a four-year program is straightforward. If you’re aiming for research opportunities or specialized majors, a university may be a better fit.
Tennessee’s technical colleges offer short-term training programs designed to help you enter the workforce quickly. These programs are especially useful if you want hands-on learning in areas like healthcare support, emergency services, industrial technology, or skilled trades.
If commuting is a challenge—or if you need to work while in school—you can take advantage of online classes that let you study from home. Hybrid options make it possible to complete lecture-based work online while visiting campus only when labs or clinicals are required.
Programs and Majors in Tennessee
Tennessee offers programs that connect to the state’s biggest industries. You’ll find options designed for careers in healthcare, business, technology, manufacturing, education, and more. Many students explore majors such as:
- nursing and allied health
- business administration, accounting, and marketing
- information technology, programming, and cybersecurity
- engineering, industrial technology, and applied sciences
- elementary, secondary, and special education
- agriculture, environmental science, and natural resources
If you prefer job-ready training, community colleges and technical schools offer certificates in medical assisting, HVAC, welding, criminal justice, early childhood education, and other hands-on fields.
Affordability and Learning Formats
Paying for college doesn’t look the same for everyone, so Tennessee students use a mix of federal aid, state programs, institutional scholarships, and employer tuition benefits. Community colleges are one of the most affordable starting points if you’re planning to transfer later. Some institutions also offer reduced tuition for residents and financial incentives for high-demand fields.
If you need flexibility, you can choose fully online programs or hybrid schedules that combine remote learning with on-campus labs. Evening, weekend, and accelerated courses are also available, especially for adult learners balancing full-time jobs.
Career Pathways in Tennessee
Tennessee’s job market includes opportunities in healthcare, business, manufacturing, logistics, and technology. Colleges around the state help you build experience through internships, clinical placements, apprenticeships, and hands-on training. Many graduates move into careers such as:
- nursing and healthcare support
- business operations and finance
- IT support, software development, and cybersecurity
- teaching, counseling, and community work
- engineering, advanced manufacturing, and logistics
Colleges often work directly with employers to make sure programs match real workforce needs in both urban and rural areas.
Explore Tennessee Colleges & Career Resources
You can use the resources below to compare Tennessee colleges, degree programs, and career fields. These articles can help you explore your options and plan your next steps.
Becoming a teacher in Tennessee involves certain steps. They include education requirements, a certification process, and choosing career options by grade level.
You will need to complete a few steps to become an ultrasound technician in Tennessee. The process typically takes about one to two years to complete.
Earning a teaching license in Tennessee requires several steps. Some steps, like earning a bachelor's degree and taking teaching exams, can be done online.
Various schools in Tennessee offer online degrees and accept the FAFSA. These include the University of Tennessee System and Tennessee State University.
The best online colleges in Tennessee are reputable institutions offering benefits such as affordable online tuition, financial aid, and online student support.
Learn about the best online community colleges in Tennessee. Earning an associate's degree online can help you jumpstart your career with minimal or no debt.
If learning from a faith-based school that offers flexible online scheduling is your goal, explore some of the top online Christian colleges in Tennessee.
If you're interested in attending a Historically Black College or University (HBCU), learn all about HBCUs in Tennessee and the academic experiences they offer.
There are several military-friendly colleges and universities in Tennessee. Some top options include Vanderbilt University and the University of Memphis.
Tennessee is home to several institutions, like Vanderbilt University and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, with innovative STEM degree programs.
Find out which colleges in the Nashville, TN, area offer information technology degree programs. See program concentrations and courses for information technology in the Nashville area.
Are you interested in pursuing an online degree program in Tennessee? Learn more about the top free online degree programs in Tennessee and the financial aid options that are available for students in this region.
Schools in Tennessee that offer affordable online psychology degrees include King University, the University of Memphis, and Middle Tennessee State University.
Explore affordable online master's degree options in Tennessee. Learn how to reduce costs with financial aid, scholarships, and low-cost accredited programs.
Tennessee's most affordable online RN to BSN degrees help registered nurses advance their careers with programs offering low tuition rates and financial aid.
Many online universities in Tennessee accept transfer credits. Some of these schools include the University of Tennessee Knoxville and King University.
If learning a trade is the best option for you, explore the bountiful array of trade schools in Tennessee today. You can even study for free. Read this article to find out how.
Ready to make the most of your time in the field of technology? Learn about these online cybersecurity degree programs in Tennessee to get started in your career.
Set your sights on Tennessee for the best online marketing programs in 2024. Earn your online marketing degree in Tennessee from some of the top colleges in the Volunteer State.
Online psychology degrees provide students with the knowledge and skills for a variety of career paths. Several schools offer these degrees in Tennessee.
Find out which schools offer flexible Tennessee online computer science degree programs designed to set your computer science career on the right path.
Whether you're looking for a career change or pursuing an interesting technology hobby project, these Tennessee AI programs can help you achieve all of your goals.
Tennessee residents can earn online degrees from several nationally well-known, accredited schools. This article tells about university programs that offer online courses leading to bachelor's degrees in economics available to Tennessee residents.
RN to BSN programs allow registered nurses to complete their bachelor's degree in just a few semesters. Check out the best RN to BSN programs in Nashville, TN.
Learn about business administration degrees in Tennessee. Earning a business degree in a distance learning format provides students with increased flexibility.
Find out how to advance your career in healthcare through Tennessee online nursing degrees. Nurses with bachelor's degrees may get additional opportunities.
Find schools in Nashville, TN, offering public relations (PR) programs and classes. Learn about admission requirements and programs so you can make an informed decision about your education.
Find out which Tennessee schools offer EMT training programs. See requirements and school information, and learn about admissions and tuition costs for EMT programs in Tennessee.
Find out which Memphis schools offer banking and finance degrees. See requirements and school information, including school tuition fees and enrollment statistics.
Find schools in Memphis, Tennessee, offering healthcare administration degree programs and courses. Learn about state requirements and school information regarding tuition fees and enrollment statistics.
Learn about paralegal studies degree programs near Memphis, Tennessee. Get information about certifications available and program requirements to make an informed decision about your education.
Learn about software engineering degree programs in Memphis, TN. Get information about available programs and requirements to make an informed decision about your education.
Learn about teacher certification programs in Tennessee. See degree options, program requirements and courses for schools that offer bachelor's and master's degree programs.
Find out which Tennessee schools offer dental hygiene programs. See requirements, prerequisites and school information, and learn about admissions and tuition for a dental hygiene education in Tennessee.
Find out which Memphis schools offer emergency medical technician (EMT) training. See requirements, prerequisites and school information, and learn about admissions and tuition for emergency medical program in Memphis, TN.
Find schools offering automotive mechanics courses in Nashville, Tennessee. See educational requirements, program options and coursework for automotive mechanics in the Nashville area.
Learn about architecture colleges in Tennessee and their degree programs. See degree and specialization options, program requirements and courses, as well as school details.
Find out which Nashville, TN, schools offer law enforcement degree programs. See requirements, prerequisites and school information, and make an informed decision about your future.
Find out which Tennessee schools offer dental degree programs. See requirements, prerequisites and school information, and learn about the enrollment and tuition at these Tennessee institutions.
Learn about the photography colleges in Tennessee. See degree and specialization options, program requirements and courses to determine the right fit for you.
Find out which Memphis schools offer hospitality management degree programs. See requirements, prerequisites, and school information as you prepare to study hospitality management in Memphis.
Learn about radiology programs in Tennessee. See degree and specialization options, program prerequisites and courses for three schools located in the region.
Learn about criminal justice degree programs in Tennessee colleges. Read about school and degree options and learn about their prerequisites and common course topics.
The University of Tennesee has a 68% acceptance rate, but this number is expected to change due to new guidelines regarding applications from in-state students.
These Tennessee universities offer accelerated online bachelor's degrees that allow students to potentially complete their degree in as little as 18 months.
Students in Tennessee can complete a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) program in as little as three years, and become licensed professional clinical psychologists.
Most radiology tech programs in Tennessee take two years to complete. However, students looking for faster options can speed up the process in several ways.
Tennessee's ABSN programs help students with a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field obtain RN licensure and start a nursing career in as little as one year.