A Complete Guide to Colleges in Nashville

3 Popular Colleges in Nashville, TN

Nashville attracts many students with its thriving music scene, active nightlife, and prestigious schools. We've highlighted three impressive universities in Nashville to consider.

All school data below comes from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Tuition and fees are from 2022-2023, while acceptance rates, enrollment statistics, net prices, and number of applicants are from 2021.

• 1. Vanderbilt University

  
  

  • Avg. Undergraduate Tuition & Fees: $60,348
  • Acceptance Rate: 7%
  • Total Student Enrollment: 13,796

  Considered a "Southern Ivy," Vanderbilt boasts an impressive 93% graduation rate. Most students major in social studies, economics, or engineering. The median income for Vanderbilt graduates from 2018 to 2022 was $80,000 — about $35,000 more than the median income for all jobs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

  Nearly 4 in 5 undergraduates live on Vanderbilt's lush 7-acre campus, which is home to 300 varieties of trees and shrubs, an arboretum, and buildings dating back to 1859.

  The university runs a need-based financial aid program called Opportunity Vanderbilt, through which the school promises to meet 100% of students' demonstrated financial need.

Image credit: Douglas Sacha / Moment / Getty Images

• 2. Belmont University

  
  
  • Avg. Undergraduate Tuition & Fees: $39,850
  • Acceptance Rate: 88%
  • Total Student Enrollment: 8,696

  Belmont is a private school known for its music management and recording arts programs. Here, you can specialize in music areas like tour operations, live event management, international music business, and legal studies.

  Just six months after graduating, 96% of Belmont students were employed or continuing their education.

  Many students credit their ability to find a job after graduation to Belmont's internship efforts — 46% of students participate in an internship for course credit.

• 3. Lipscomb University

  
  
  • Avg. Undergraduate Tuition & Fees: $37,152
  • Acceptance Rate: 74%
  • Total Student Enrollment: 4,778

  Lipscomb is a private Christian university that prioritizes service, with students logging over 60,000 volunteer hours each year. Most undergraduates major in nursing, biology, accounting, psychology, exercise science, or marketing.

  Lipscomb's Nashville location has attracted a lot of musical talent as well, with famous alums like country singers Thomas Rhett and Kelsea Ballerini.

  In 2021, 99% of beginning undergraduates received grants or scholarships. What's more, the university boasts a 95% job placement rate for recent grads.

List of All Nashville Colleges and Universities

We've compiled an exhaustive list of four-year nonprofit Nashville schools. Use the table below to compare data on student population, net cost, acceptance rate, and number of applicants.

Source: NCES

Frequently Asked Questions About Colleges in Nashville

Do I qualify for in-state tuition in Nashville?

To qualify for in-state tuition in Nashville, you (or your parents or guardians) must be a Tennessee resident for at least one full year before you enroll.

Some colleges and universities in Nashville offer discounted tuition to students in border states. For example, Tennessee State University offers a tuition discount for students from counties within a 250-mile radius of the university.

What is the cheapest college in Nashville?

When comparing four-year nonprofit colleges in Nashville, Tennessee State University has the lowest average annual net price at $11,880, according to NCES data.

Other Nashville universities with low price tags include Middle Tennessee State University ($12,617) and Trevecca Nazarene University ($15,795).

What is the cost of living in Nashville?

According to Payscale, the cost of living in Nashville is 2% lower than the national average. Currently, the median rent in Nashville is $1,455.

Student expenses are typically lower than a state's average cost of living. As a student, you can access benefits like discounted housing options and are more likely to split costs with roommates.

What HBCU is in Nashville?

The state of Tennessee is home to six HBCUs, two of which are in Nashville: Fisk University and Tennessee State University. TSU is a mid-sized university with just over 8,000 students, whereas Fisk is a much smaller school with just 900 students.

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