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2026 Best Trade Schools in Tennessee
Looking for the best Trade degree programs in Tennessee? We have ranked 143 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Trade College evaluated 95 schools to produce this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Trade Degree Schools in Tennessee
Here are the top-ranked schools:
No school ranked higher than Tennessee Technological University this year in Tennessee. Tennessee Technological University is a public school based in Cookeville, TN. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,376, compared with $15,576 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,580 to complete their Trade program here. More on Tennessee Technological University
Out of the 95 schools in Tennessee in this year's ranking, Trevecca Nazarene University landed the #2 spot. Located in Nashville, TN, Trevecca Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,300. Graduates carry a median of $24,962 in student loans. More on Trevecca Nazarene University
You'll be in good company at King College, which ranked #3 this year. King College is a private not-for-profit school based in Bristol, TN. About 49% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,397. The median Trade program debt is $25,579. Read the full report on King College
Out of the 95 schools in Tennessee in this year's ranking, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga landed the #4 spot. Set in Chattanooga, TN, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a public institution. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga graduates 50% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $10,448 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,512 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,324 to complete their Trade program here. Read the full report on The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga
A rank of #5 makes Jackson State Community College one of the top choices in Tennessee. Set in Jackson, TN, Jackson State Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,740, compared with $17,724 for out-of-state students. Jackson State Community College Trade students take on a median of $8,553 in debt. Read more about Jackson State Community College
Motlow State Community College came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Located in Tullahoma, TN, Motlow State Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,738, with out-of-state students paying around $17,722. The median Trade program debt is $6,470. More on Motlow State Community College
Lipscomb University came in at #7 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Nashville, TN. About 72% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $40,572 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. Read more about Lipscomb University
University Of Memphis landed the #8 spot in Tennessee this year. Set in Memphis, TN, University Of Memphis is a public institution. University Of Memphis posts a six-year graduation rate of 51%. In-state tuition and fees average $10,728, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. Typical Trade student debt is $26,315. More on University Of Memphis
The University Of Tennessee landed the #9 spot in Tennessee this year. This public school is set in Knoxville, TN. The University Of Tennessee posts a six-year graduation rate of 74%. Students from in state pay about $13,812 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. Students borrow a median of $22,859 to complete their Trade program here. See the full The University Of Tennessee profile
Volunteer State Community College placed #10 among Trade schools in Tennessee. Located in Gallatin, TN, Volunteer State Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,756, while out-of-state students pay about $17,740. The median Trade program debt is $12,462. Read more about Volunteer State Community College
Remington College Memphis Campus placed #11 among Trade schools in Tennessee. This private not-for-profit school is set in Memphis, TN. Students from in state pay about $17,083 in tuition and fees. The median Trade program debt is $18,178. See the full Remington College Memphis Campus profile
Christian Brothers University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Located in Memphis, TN, Christian Brothers University is a private not-for-profit institution. Christian Brothers University graduates 55% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $38,420 in tuition and fees. The median Trade program debt is $32,416. More on Christian Brothers University
Union University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Based in Jackson, TN, Union University is a private not-for-profit institution. Union University posts a six-year graduation rate of 66%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,398. Students borrow a median of $28,605 to complete their Trade program here. See the full Union University profile
Middle Tennessee State University placed #14 among Trade schools in Tennessee. Set in Murfreesboro, TN, Middle Tennessee State University is a public institution. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $10,266 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. The median Trade program debt is $22,754. Read the full report on Middle Tennessee State University
Southwest Tennessee Community College did well this year, earning the #15 position. Set in Memphis, TN, Southwest Tennessee Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,766, compared with $17,750 for out-of-state students. Southwest Tennessee Community College Trade students take on a median of $11,406 in debt. Get the full Southwest Tennessee Community College report
Austin Peay State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Set in Clarksville, TN, Austin Peay State University is a public institution. Austin Peay State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 39%. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,006, with out-of-state students paying around $14,766. Graduates carry a median of $24,530 in student loans. More on Austin Peay State University
Lincoln Memorial University came in at #17 in this year's ranking. Set in Harrogate, TN, Lincoln Memorial University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $26,938 in tuition and fees. The median Trade program debt is $20,693. Get the full Lincoln Memorial University report
Southern Adventist University landed the #18 spot in Tennessee this year. Based in Collegedale, TN, Southern Adventist University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $27,300 in tuition and fees. Typical Trade student debt is $25,498. Read more about Southern Adventist University
Tennessee State University did well this year, earning the #19 position. This public school is set in Nashville, TN. Roughly 35% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $8,616 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,416 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $29,489 in student loans. See the full Tennessee State University profile
East Tennessee State University did well this year, earning the #20 position. Located in Johnson City, TN, East Tennessee State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,216, with out-of-state students paying around $13,726. Students borrow a median of $21,301 to complete their Trade program here. Read the full report on East Tennessee State University
Dyersburg State Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. This public school is set in Dyersburg, TN. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,758, while out-of-state students pay about $18,060. The median Trade program debt is $10,611. More on Dyersburg State Community College
Cumberland University came in at #22 in this year's ranking. Set in Lebanon, TN, Cumberland University is a private not-for-profit institution. Cumberland University posts a six-year graduation rate of 42%. In-state tuition and fees average $27,840. The median Trade program debt is $21,902. Get the full Cumberland University report
Lee University came in at #23 in this year's ranking. Lee University is a private not-for-profit school based in Cleveland, TN. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $23,790. Graduates carry a median of $26,422 in student loans. More on Lee University
Bethel University Tennessee came in at #24 in this year's ranking. Located in McKenzie, TN, Bethel University Tennessee is a private not-for-profit institution. Bethel University Tennessee graduates 17% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,712. Graduates carry a median of $28,583 in student loans. Read the full report on Bethel University Tennessee
Columbia State Community College came in at #25 in this year's ranking. Set in Columbia, TN, Columbia State Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,948, compared with $17,772 for out-of-state students. Columbia State Community College Trade students take on a median of $12,674 in debt. Read more about Columbia State Community College
Rest of the Top 50 Best Trade Degree Schools in Tennessee
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
Roane State Community College placed #26 among Trade schools in Tennessee. Based in Harriman, TN, Roane State Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,998, compared with $18,630 for out-of-state students. The median Trade program debt is $9,408. Read the full report on Roane State Community College
Walters State Community College ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Located in Morristown, TN, Walters State Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,752, compared with $17,736 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $10,210 in student loans. Get the full Walters State Community College report
Chattanooga State Community College ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. This public school is set in Chattanooga, TN. In-state tuition and fees average $4,772, compared with $17,756 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,079 to complete their Trade program here. More on Chattanooga State Community College
Pellissippi State Community College ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Set in Knoxville, TN, Pellissippi State Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,786, with out-of-state students paying around $17,770. Graduates carry a median of $8,951 in student loans. Read the full report on Pellissippi State Community College
Nashville State Community College landed the #30 spot in Tennessee this year. Located in Nashville, TN, Nashville State Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,730, compared with $17,714 for out-of-state students. Typical Trade student debt is $16,745. Get the full Nashville State Community College report
Northeast State Community College landed the #31 spot in Tennessee this year. Based in Blountville, TN, Northeast State Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,782, compared with $17,766 for out-of-state students. Typical Trade student debt is $6,404. More on Northeast State Community College
Cleveland State Community College placed #35 among Trade schools in Tennessee. This public school is set in Cleveland, TN. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,762, with out-of-state students paying around $17,746. Cleveland State Community College Trade students take on a median of $8,742 in debt. Read more about Cleveland State Community College
Meharry Medical College came in at #33 in this year's ranking. Read more about Meharry Medical College
Health Tech Institute Of Memphis ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. See the full Health Tech Institute Of Memphis profile
Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Morristown came in at #35 in this year's ranking. Get the full Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Morristown report
The Salon Professional Academy Nashville did well this year, earning the #36 position. Read more about The Salon Professional Academy Nashville
Love Beauty School Inc landed the #37 spot in Tennessee this year. Read more about Love Beauty School Inc
Paul Mitchell The School Memphis ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Read more about Paul Mitchell The School Memphis
Paul Mitchell The School Murfreesboro placed #39 among Trade schools in Tennessee. Get the full Paul Mitchell The School Murfreesboro report
Lane College
Lane College did well this year, earning the #40 position. See the full Lane College profile
Ross Medical Education Center Johnson City came in at #41 in this year's ranking. Read more about Ross Medical Education Center Johnson City
Tennessee School Of Beauty Of Knoxville Inc ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Get the full Tennessee School Of Beauty Of Knoxville Inc report
Queen City College landed the #43 spot in Tennessee this year. Read the full report on Queen City College
The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Get the full The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center report
Empire Beauty School Nashville came in at #45 in this year's ranking. More on Empire Beauty School Nashville
Allied Health Careers Institute did well this year, earning the #46 position. Get the full Allied Health Careers Institute report
Empire Beauty School E Memphis ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Read the full report on Empire Beauty School E Memphis
Southern College Of Optometry did well this year, earning the #48 position. Read more about Southern College Of Optometry
Strayer University Tennessee placed #49 among Trade schools in Tennessee. More on Strayer University Tennessee
Chattanooga College Medical Dental And Technical Careers came in at #50 in this year's ranking. More on Chattanooga College Medical Dental And Technical Careers
More Trade Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Trade College (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: State · 95 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 143 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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