2025 Guide To Top Online Colleges in Tennessee
Are you in Tennessee looking for an online college that best fits your needs? Start your search here.
The Best Adult Colleges & Careers Guide makes it easy to find information about schools offering online degrees in Tennessee. Get detailed information about colleges and universities with 100% online degree programs, including the number of distance-offered degree completions, student type, programs offered and more. In the end, you'll have an understanding of what each school has to offer and which ones may be right for you. Click here to learn more about the guide.
Tennessee's Online Colleges by the Numbers
Online associate, bachelor's, masters, and doctoral degree completions at institutions in Tennessee have been growing over the past 5 years. In 2023, students completed 23,665 degree programs that were offered 100% online by Tennessee's colleges and universities. That was an increase of 44% from completions reported in 2019.
Schools with Distance Education Completions
Est. Total Online Completions in 2023
Est. OnlineCompletions (Last 5 Years)
Sponsored
Top Online College for Busy Adults & Transfer Students
Franklin University is a top choice for online learners, transfer students and adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin's main focus has been serving adult students and tailoring education to fit their needs. Nonprofit and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440), Franklin offers more than 50 affordable bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.
Est. Online Degree Availability
100%
Adult Students
77%
Undergraduate Cost / Credit Hour
Best Nonprofit Online Colleges Serving Tennessee
There are at least 26 nonprofit 4-year schools serving Tennessee, where students completed 7,807 distance education degree programs. Of those schools, 26 were private nonprofit institutions and 11 were public schools. Browse through the listing below to learn more about these nonprofit online colleges serving Tennessee, including an estimate about online degree availability and popular online degree programs. Tuition shown reflects in-state rates.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Franklin offers more than 50 online bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctoral programs in Tennessee. Franklin University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are adults and all programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Franklin University. In 2023, 1,429 distance education bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 88 associate degrees, 616 master's degrees, and 38 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
100%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
2,171
Online Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Johnson University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Johnson University. In 2023, 49 distance education bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 13 associate degrees, 40 master's degrees, and 6 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
28%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
108
Online Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Richmont Graduate University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and all programs completed were offered online. Master's degrees are the most popular at Richmont Graduate University. In 2023, 93 distance education master's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 bachelor's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
100%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
93
Online Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Lipscomb University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Lipscomb University. In 2023, 86 distance education bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 85 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
12%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
171
Online Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Trevecca Nazarene University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and some programs completed were offered online. Master's degrees are the most popular at Trevecca Nazarene University. In 2023, 261 distance education master's degrees were completed. In addition, 10 associate degrees, 166 bachelor's degrees, and 149 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
59%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
586
Online Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Belmont University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online. Master's degrees are the most popular at Belmont University. In 2023, 78 distance education master's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 32 bachelor's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
5%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
110
Online Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Baptist Health Sciences University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and some programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Baptist Health Sciences University. In 2023, 140 distance education bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
62%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
140
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Freed-Hardeman University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and some programs completed were offered online. Master's degrees are the most popular at Freed-Hardeman University. In 2023, 85 distance education master's degrees were completed. In addition, 20 associate degrees, 22 bachelor's degrees, and 24 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
34%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
151
Online Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Milligan University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Milligan University. In 2023, 27 distance education bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 18 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
12%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
45
Online Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Tennessee Wesleyan University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Tennessee Wesleyan University. In 2023, 59 distance education bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 21 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
23%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
80
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Bryan College-Dayton is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and some programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Bryan College-Dayton. In 2023, 47 distance education bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 3 associate degrees, 45 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
50%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
95
Online Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Omega Graduate School is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and most programs completed were offered online. Master's degrees are the most popular at Omega Graduate School. In 2023, 2 distance education master's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 bachelor's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
67%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
2
Online Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Williamson Christian College is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and all programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Williamson Christian College. In 2023, 11 distance education bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 1 associate degree, 2 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
100%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
14
Online Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Vanderbilt University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online. Master's degrees are the most popular at Vanderbilt University. In 2023, 264 distance education master's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 bachelor's degrees, and 139 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
7%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
403
Online Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Maryville College is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online. Master's degrees are the most popular at Maryville College. In 2023, 3 distance education master's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 bachelor's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
2%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
3
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Lincoln Memorial University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online. Master's degrees are the most popular at Lincoln Memorial University. In 2023, 157 distance education master's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 132 bachelor's degrees, and 27 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
23%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
316
Online Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
King University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and most programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at King University. In 2023, 281 distance education bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 4 associate degrees, 165 master's degrees, and 2 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
81%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
452
Online Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia Inc is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and all programs completed were offered online. Doctoral degrees are the most popular at Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia Inc. In 2023, 75 distance education doctoral degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 bachelor's degrees, and 0 master's degrees, were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
100%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
75
Online Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Union University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online. Master's degrees are the most popular at Union University. In 2023, 173 distance education master's degrees were completed. In addition, 19 associate degrees, 49 bachelor's degrees, and 18 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
32%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
259
Online Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Christian Brothers University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and some programs completed were offered online. Master's degrees are the most popular at Christian Brothers University. In 2023, 241 distance education master's degrees were completed. In addition, 2 associate degrees, 78 bachelor's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
41%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
321
Online Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Carson-Newman University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online. Master's degrees are the most popular at Carson-Newman University. In 2023, 91 distance education master's degrees were completed. In addition, 1 associate degree, 60 bachelor's degrees, and 58 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
26%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
210
Online Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Cumberland University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online. Master's degrees are the most popular at Cumberland University. In 2023, 85 distance education master's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 44 bachelor's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
18%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
129
Online Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Welch College is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and some programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Welch College. In 2023, 44 distance education bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 8 associate degrees, 15 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
61%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
67
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Bethel University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and all programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Bethel University. In 2023, 723 distance education bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 291 associate degrees, 203 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
95%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
1,217
Online Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Tusculum University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and most programs completed were offered online. Master's degrees are the most popular at Tusculum University. In 2023, 124 distance education master's degrees were completed. In addition, 38 associate degrees, 115 bachelor's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
68%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
277
Online Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Lee University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Lee University. In 2023, 217 distance education bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 23 associate degrees, 72 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
30%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
312
Online Completions by Program Area
For-Profit Online Colleges in Tennessee
Get a list of four-year for-profit online colleges and universities in Tennessee here. According to 2022 data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, there were 1 for-profit 4-year schools in Tennessee where students completed 432 distance education degree programs.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Strayer University-Tennessee is an institutionally accredited for profit 4-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are adults and all programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Strayer University-Tennessee. In 2023, 185 distance education bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 128 associate degrees, 119 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
100%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
432
Online Completions by Program Area
Best Online Community Colleges in Tennessee
Looking for a 2-year school or online community college in Tennessee? According to 2022 data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, there were 10 two-year schools where students completed 5,108 distance education degree programs. Browse through the listing below to learn more about each of the online community colleges in Tennessee, including an estimate about online degree availability and popular online degree programs. Tuition shown reflects in-state rates.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Roane State Community College is an institutionally accredited for profit 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
23%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
178
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Southwest Tennessee Community College is an institutionally accredited for profit 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and most programs completed were offered online.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
73%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
614
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Motlow State Community College is an institutionally accredited for profit 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and most programs completed were offered online.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
86%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
793
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Volunteer State Community College is an institutionally accredited for profit 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and most programs completed were offered online.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
77%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
889
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Northeast State Community College is an institutionally accredited for profit 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and most programs completed were offered online.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
67%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
553
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Walters State Community College is an institutionally accredited for profit 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and most programs completed were offered online.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
69%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
630
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Chattanooga State Community College is an institutionally accredited for profit 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and some programs completed were offered online.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
60%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
590
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Cleveland State Community College is an institutionally accredited for profit 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and most programs completed were offered online.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
70%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
332
Online Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Dyersburg State Community College is an institutionally accredited for profit 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and minimal programs completed were offered online.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
2%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
9
Online Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Nashville State Community College is an institutionally accredited for profit 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and some programs completed were offered online.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
63%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
520
Online Completions by Program Area
Affordable Online Colleges in Tennessee
Wondering what you can expect to pay for an online degree in Tennessee? According to undergraduate tuition data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, the average tuition at Tennessee's 4-year nonprofit schools is $28,459. The average tuition at similar 4-year for-profit schools in Tennessee is $13,920, while tuition at 2-year online colleges and universities is N/A.
4-Year Nonprofit
4-Year For-Profit
2-Year
Accredited Online Colleges Serving Tennessee
Earning a college degree is an investment — and earning a college degree from an institutionally accredited university is one of the best ways to ensure your education is of high quality. Institutionally accredited universities are held to rigorous standards by state and regional bodies and undergo regular reviews to verify that their processes and academic programs meet the proper standards.
Wondering if a certain college or university offering degree programs in Tennessee is institutionally accredited? View a list of institutionally accredited online colleges and universities serving Tennessee here. We've made it easy to find your school by breaking down the list by school type.
- Franklin University
- Williamson Christian College
- Omega Graduate School
- Baptist Health Sciences University
- Belmont University
- Bethel University
- Bryan College-Dayton
- Carson-Newman University
- Christian Brothers University
- Cumberland University
- Lipscomb University
- Welch College
- Freed-Hardeman University
- Johnson University
- King University
- Lee University
- Lincoln Memorial University
- Maryville College
- Milligan University
- Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia Inc
- Tennessee Wesleyan University
- Trevecca Nazarene University
- Richmont Graduate University
- Tusculum University
- Union University
- Vanderbilt University
- Roane State Community College
- Southwest Tennessee Community College
- Motlow State Community College
- Volunteer State Community College
- Northeast State Community College
- Walters State Community College
- Chattanooga State Community College
- Cleveland State Community College
- Dyersburg State Community College
- Nashville State Community College
- Strayer University-Tennessee