2023 Best Online Colleges in Tennessee

Vanderbilt University (VU) is a private, nonprofit university specializing in online graduate degrees. There are six master's programs and four doctoral programs, the majority of which are in the fields of nursing and education. Credit requirements generally range from 30 to 36 units, allowing students to take between two and four years to complete on a full-time schedule. An additional six short-term online certificates are also available. Only 7% of applicants are accepted into VU, while 94% of students graduate with a degree.

Brightspace is the main learning platform used by VU students for their coursework. Some programs can be completed entirely online (synchronously and asynchronously), while others may be in a hybrid format with on-campus requirements. VU can assist with the proper financial aid and scholarship forms through their online student services. There's an 8-1 student-to-faculty ratio. Students have access to tutoring and career services. VU is known for its research abilities, which reached $1 billion in funding in 2021.

Bethel University - TN is a private, Christian university in McKenzie, TN. Their slate of academic offerings includes 43 online degrees, licensure programs, and certificates. The majority come from Bethel's College of Professional Studies, while a select few are in the school's College of Health Sciences and College of Arts and Sciences. Program examples include a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies, a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration - Accounting, and a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in History. Bethel also host an honors program that accepts only a limited number of students.

Coursework for each degree is delivered through Moodle, an online LMS. After graduation, students may receive career support through Bethel's career services department.

The University of Tennessee - Knoxville (UTK) is a public university with online graduate certificates, bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, and doctoral degrees. Major offerings for bachelor's degrees include agricultural leadership, early childhood education, and information science, among other areas of study. Programs require 120 credits, which full-time students typically complete in four years. UTK has a 75% acceptance rate, with 71% of students reaching graduation.

Canvas is the learning platform for online students, who can complete coursework both synchronously and asynchronously. The student-to-faculty ratio is 17-1. Financial aid and scholarships are made available to UTK's online students. Support services include career development, tutoring, online libraries, and mental health counseling. UTK is known as a research institute that utilizes over $130 million in spending each year.

Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) is a public institution with online bachelor's, master's, and graduate certificate programs. Undergraduate majors include criminal justice, English, political science, and information systems, among others. Bachelor's degrees require a minimum of 120 credit hours, which full-time students may complete in approximately four years. MTSU has a 68% acceptance rate and a 49% graduation rate.

MTSU uses Desire2Learn to deliver its online courses, most of which are asynchronous. There's a 16-1 student-to-faculty ratio. Financial aid and scholarships are available. Online students have access to digital libraries and counseling services. MTSU is known for additional student support services for those that may be transitioning from foster care or homelessness.

The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga (UTC) is a public university that mostly offers online master's programs, along with a single bachelor's degree in management. UTC's master's degrees are mostly available in engineering and business administration, and generally require a minimum of 31 credits, which full-time students can complete in approximately two years. It has an 86% acceptance rate and a 51% graduation rate.

UTC students utilize the Canvas learning management system to complete their online classes. Coursework for the MBA, for example, is delivered entirely asynchronously. The student-to-faculty ratio is 18-1. Financial aid and scholarships are available. Online students can take advantage of academic advising, digital bookstores and libraries, and tutoring services. UTC is also known for its MyMocsPASS system, which allows a student's family members to view their grades and financial aid information.

Trevecca Nazarene University (TNU) is a private, nonprofit, faith-based institution with online certificates, associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. There's a wide range of majors at each level with bachelor's degrees including such subjects as healthcare administration, psychology, and business. Some require the completion of an associate degree before enrollment, with 120 credits required in total. This may take full-time students four years to complete. TNU has a 78% acceptance rate with 58% of students graduating with degrees.

Online programs are taught through Blackboard's LMS with most classes delivered asynchronously. There's a 17-1 student-to-faculty ratio. TNU offers access to financial aid and scholarships for undergraduate students and adult learners. Students also have access to online writing labs. TNU is known for integrating faith into its curriculum, including in its general education requirements for undergraduate students.

The University of Memphis (UofM) is a public university situated just outside of downtown Memphis, TN. UofM has been featuring online educational opportunities for over 20 years, specializing in fully remote, flexible programs. As of 2022, students can select from over 100 programs, including undergraduate degrees, graduate degrees, graduate certificates, and complementary courses in resource management, college prep, and nutrition. Among the bachelor's degree options are Organizational Leadership, Information Technology, and Political Science. The majority of their offerings, however, are at the master's and graduate levels, with programs such as a Master of Science in Educational Psychology and Research, a Master of Public Health - Epidemiology, and a Graduate Certificate in Teaching English as a Second/Foreign Language.

Coursework is delivered through the Canvas learning management system (LMS). UofM allows students from all over the world to apply for any given program. Once enrolled, support is provided through 24/7 tutoring, library services, and career services.

Tennessee State University (TSU) is a public institution and Historically Black College or University (HBCU). There are online graduate certificates, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in majors such as psychology, hospitality, and nursing. Bachelor's degrees require a minimum of 120 credits to graduate, which most students complete in four years on a full-time schedule. TSU has an open admissions policy where 100% of applicants are accepted and 39% of students reach graduation.

Online courses are delivered through eLearn, TSU's learning management system. Students may study synchronously and asynchronously. There's a 14-1 student-to-faculty ratio. Financial aid forms are available online and scholarships are offered directly through TSU. Online students are given support counselors, access to a digital library, and technical support. TSU is known as an HBCU that has an 85% Black student body, with 40% of its full-time staff also being Black.

Union University (UU) is a private, nonprofit school that considers itself a Christian-focused institution. There are online associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs in areas such as business, education, nursing, and social work. Bachelor's degrees require a minimum of 128 credits, which full-time students may complete in four years. Over half of applicants (53%) are accepted for enrollment while 66% reach graduation.

Canvas is UU's primary LMS for online learning where courses are delivered on flexible schedules for working adults. There's a student-to-faculty ratio of 9-1. Self-service financial aid resources are available online alongside scholarship opportunities. Online students have access to counseling services through BetterHelp.com. UU is known to allow students to start with a certificate major for its Christian leadership bachelor's degree. Two 12-credit certificates give students an idea as to what they'll study in the full degree program.

Austin Peay State University (APSU) is a public institution located in Clarksville, TN that hosts a range of online degrees. They primarily offer online undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs, with only one online associate degree available. Subjects range from marketing and management to criminal justice and social work. Examples of bachelor's degree programs include Criminal Justice, Management, Marketing, Political Science, and Sociology, to name a few options.

All coursework is delivered through the Brightspace LMS, allowing for a combination of synchronous and asynchronous learning. Prospective graduate students may take advantage of APSU's one-on-one online advisor calls to learn more about their preferred program. After enrollment, online students may benefit from a number of resources, such as academic coaching and individual tutoring.

Tennessee Tech University (TTU) is a public university with online bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. Bachelor's degree majors include accounting, nursing, and engineering. While credit requirements may vary, each program generally requires a minimum of 120 credits. Full-time students are likely to graduate in four years. TTU's acceptance rate is 70%, with 58% of students graduating with a degree.

TTU uses Brightspace to deliver its online, asynchronous coursework. There's an 18-1 student-to-faculty ratio. Financial aid and scholarships are available. Online students have access to TechConnect, an online tool for student services and academic advising. TTU is best known for its focus on education, with more than a dozen online education specialist programs with concentrations, such as library science, special education, and curriculum.

Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) is a private, nonprofit university offering online bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. Students can take popular majors, such as nursing, business administration, and education. Nursing is available at each degree level, with the bachelor's program requiring 122 credits. Generally, this is completed in four years while studying full time. LMU has a 72% acceptance rate, with 62% of students reaching graduation.

Blackboard is the learning management system used by LMU to deliver its online coursework. Most online classes are completed asynchronously. There's a 10-1 student-to-faculty ratio. Undergraduate and graduate students have access to financial aid and scholarship opportunities. Academic advising, career services, tutoring, and mental health counseling are available for online students. LMU is known for the additional support it offers through LinkedIn Learning, where students can learn online skills in software, business, and creative skills.

The University of Tennessee - Martin (UT Martin) is a public university located in Martin, TN. The school offers 30 online programs. Each degree can be completed 100% online on a schedule that's flexible and convenient for the individual. Some examples of programs include a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Business, a Bachelor of Arts in History, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. In addition, nine of UT Martin's online programs come in the form of a master's in education. Students at UT Martin use the popular LMS Canvas to finish their online coursework. Students receive support through academic skill development, tutoring, and career planning.

Tusculum University is a private, nonprofit institution with online bachelor's, master's, and associate programs. There are undergraduate majors in several popular areas, such as business administration, English, and art and design, each with distinct concentrations. A minimum of 120 credits are required for graduation, which full-time students may achieve in approximately four years. Tusculum has a 77% acceptance rate, with 40% of students graduating with a degree.

Tusculum students use Canvas to take their online courses, which are mostly delivered asynchronously. There's a 19-1 student-to-faculty ratio. Financial aid, tuition assistance, and scholarships are available. Online students have access to career readiness services, an academic resource center, and counseling services. Tusculum is known for its Associate of Science and Associate of Arts, which offer nearly 20 concentration options — such as history, political science, pre-nursing, and business.

Carson - Newman University (C - N) is a private, nonprofit, and Baptist institution. There are online bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in fields such as nursing, education, and business. Bachelor's programs require 120 credit hours, which students may complete in four years while studying full time. Among those who apply, 79% are accepted for enrollment with 55% of students reaching graduation.

C - N uses Canvas to facilitate online learning with 24/7 access to online coursework for convenient studying. There's a 14-1 student-to-faculty ratio. Financial aid forms can be filled out online and scholarships are available. Online students are supported through real-time communication with faculty. C - N is known as a Christian institution that requires students to engage in the study of Christian values and skills during their curriculum.

Lee University (LeeU) is a private, nonprofit, and Christ-centered institution. There are online associates, bachelor's, master's, and certificates available for remote students. Bachelor's degrees offer majors in popular fields like criminal justice and general studies, along with less common areas of study such as human services in addiction and gerontology. These programs require 120 credits, which full-time students may complete in approximately four years. LeeU's acceptance rate is 83% and its graduation rate is 56%.

LeeU uses Moodle to deliver its online courses that come in seven-week, asynchronous formats. The student-to-faculty ratio is 13-1. Financial aid and scholarships are available. Online students can take advantage of resources, such as academic support, writing labs, software support, and digital libraries. LeeU is known for its specialized religious programs, where students can earn bachelor's degrees and certificates in bible studies, Christian studies, and ministry leadership.

East Tennessee State University (ETSU) is a public institution located in Johnson City, TN. It offers flexible online programs through undergraduate degrees, graduate degrees, and graduate certificates. While students can take a substantial portion of ETSU's offerings 100% online, some programs require in-person practicums, such as the Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Development and the Doctorate of Philosophy in Nursing Program. Among the 100% online degrees are the Bachelor of Business Administration - Management, Bachelor of Arts in English, and Bachelor of Science in Human Services, among others.

Instructors may deliver classes synchronously or asynchronously, depending on the course, through the Brightspace LMS. Online students have access to digital libraries and tutoring through ETSU's Center for Academic Achievement. Career services are also offered including resume reviews and job boards.

King University is a private, nonprofit school affiliated with Presbyterian Christianity. Remote students have access to online associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. Popular majors include nursing, business administration, and information technology. There's also one post-masters online certificate in the field of nurse education. Bachelor's programs require 124 credits, which can be completed in approximately four years while studying full time. King University's acceptance rate is 66%, and its graduation rate is 72%.

Canvas is the learning management system for King University's online students. Delivery formats vary per program. The online nursing degree, for example, features synchronous learning. King University has an 11-1 student-to-faculty ratio. Financial aid is available and scholarships are accepted for degree-seeking students only. There are career planning tools for online students. King University is known for its faith-based learning platform that requires online students to take at least four credits of a religion course.

Daymar College, otherwise known as Hussian College, is a private, nonprofit institution offering online diplomas and bachelor's degrees. Bachelor's programs are in business management and criminal justice, while diplomas are primarily in two categories: (1) healthcare and (2) computer programming. Complete degrees require the completion of between 122 and 180 credit hours, which full-time students can complete in approximately four years. The acceptance rate at Daymar College is 100%, with 29% of students graduating.

Students at Daymar College use the Canvas learning management system to access their core online courses, which are taught entirely online. Courses are offered both synchronously and asynchronously. There is a 10-1 student-and-faculty ratio. Online students are eligible for financial aid and various scholarship programs. Student services, such as tutoring and career support, are available online. Daymar College is best known for its computer programming diplomas that provide technical training in specialized areas, such as 3D modeling, game programming, and illustration.

Bryan College - Dayton (BC) is a private, nonprofit, and Christ-centered college with online programs at every academic level including associate, bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and certificate. Many of its bachelor's degrees are in the field of business administration with concentrations in leadership, marketing, economics, and more. To graduate, 120 credit hours are required. An online bachelor's program may take students approximately four years on a full-time schedule. BC's open admission policy means 100% of applicants are accepted for enrollment, with 47% of students reaching graduation.

Students at BC use Brightspace to complete their coursework online and on a flexible schedule. There's a 13-1 student-to-faculty ratio. Financial aid, scholarships, and grants are available. All online students have access to live tutoring sessions through Tutor.com. BC is known to continue its faith-based mission through its core curriculum that requires six credits of bible studies. Some programs, such as the BBA, include Christian-centered business courses.

South College is a private, nonprofit school with online programs at every academic level including certificate, associate, bachelor's, and master's, doctoral. Most of these programs are in business, computer science, and healthcare. There's also one education specialist program for professional teachers. Bachelor's degrees may require up to 185 credits, while master's degrees may require up to 45 credits. South College has an open admissions policy that accepts all applicants, while 38% of students reach graduation.

All online courses at South College are delivered through the Canvas learning management system. This allows students to study completely online and on their schedule. Financial aid and scholarships are available. There is a 20-1 student-and-faculty ratio. Student services are available for online students and include advising, counseling, and career development. South College is known for its career-focused programs, which are based on the current national employment needs.

Pentecostal Theological Seminary (PTS) is a private, Christian seminary with online master's and doctoral degrees in religious studies. Most programs are available at the master's level and feature majors such as theological studies, divinity, and church ministries. A minimum of 48 credits are required, which may take full-time students approximately two years to complete. PTS has a 49% graduation rate, according to a 2022 graduate assessment.

PTS does not specify whether its programs are delivered synchronously or asynchronously, although some programs mention a structured format. Students may apply for financial aid and scholarships. Students are required to take part in a counseling development group and faith-based community meetings each semester, as well as Pentecostal studies. PTS will assist students in career placements after graduation.

Johnson University (JU) is a private, nonprofit school offering a Christ-first education. There are online associate, bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and certificate programs in a variety of religious and non-religious majors. Examples of bachelor's degrees include business administration, psychology, and linguistics, each one requiring at least 124 credits. This may take full-time students approximately four years to complete. JU has an 81% acceptance rate and a 63% graduation rate.

JU uses the Sakai learning management system for online coursework, which is entirely asynchronous. There's a 10-1 student-to-faculty ratio. Online students are eligible for financial aid and scholarships and have access to an academic advisor. JU is known for including a double major in religious studies with every bachelor's degree. The core curriculum features 33 Bible and theology credits that each student must complete to graduate.

Freed - Hardeman University (FHU) is a private, nonprofit institution with a focus on Christian education. Online associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees are available for remote students, including two online dual-enrollment programs. FHU notes the coursework for these programs is primarily completed online and requires 155 credits for the bachelor's and master's combined. Full-time students may graduate in approximately five years. FHU's acceptance rate is 88%, with 60% of students reaching graduation.

Canvas is the learning management system for FHU's online programs, which are delivered asynchronously. There's a 13-1 student-to-faculty ratio. Financial aid and scholarships are available. Online resources provide study tips and tutorials for remote learning. FHU is known for its Christian values that feature prominently in its liberal arts core with seven credits of biblical values courses.