Tennessee Colleges with the Lowest Acceptance Rate

The average acceptance rate of the 30 Tennessee colleges that have competitive admission is 68.58% for the academic year 2024-2025. Compared to last year, the acceptance rate is lower by 1.07%. The acceptance rate at 15 Tennessee colleges increased and the rate of 15 colleges decreased.

Vanderbilt University has the lowest (i.e. hard to admit) acceptance rate of 5.86%. Fisk University (37.42%) and The University of Tennessee-Knoxville (41.60%) are following it in the list of Tightest Tennessee Colleges to Get In.

This ranking is only based on acceptance rates and more admission stats such as SAT and ACT scores are helpful to measure the chances to get in more accurately.

Vanderbilt University stays at first place of the lowest acceptance rate ranking since last year. Fisk University ranked 2nd, up 6 places from 8th last year.

The average undergraduate tuition & fees of the schools is $38,779 and graduate tuition & fees is $27,556 for the academic year 2024-2025.

We note that the actual tightness of admission lies in considering other admission requirements such as SAT score.

Comparison between Tightest Tennessee Colleges To Get In

Table. Tightest Tennessee Colleges To Get In Comparison
School NameAcceptance RateYieldSAT ScoreUndergraduate Tuition & FeesTotal PopulationGraduation RateStudents to Faculty Ratio
1
-		Vanderbilt University Nashville, TNPrivate, 4-year 5.86%
0.42%		61.23%1,540$67,49813,57594.00%8 to 1
2
6		Fisk University Nashville, TNPrivate, 4-year 37.42%
20.49%		8.75%1,420$25,8581,05930.00%12 to 1
3
1		The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Knoxville, TNPublic, 4-year 41.60%
4.39%		27.37%1,280$33,256
($13,812)		38,72874.00%18 to 1
4
-		Rhodes College Memphis, TNPrivate, 4-year 50.35%
0.67%		12.11%1,385$57,1101,86185.00%9 to 1
5
-		The University of the South Sewanee, TNPrivate, 4-year 56.90%
6.00%		17.86%1,330$56,1201,72480.00%9 to 1
6
19		Freed-Hardeman University Henderson, TNPrivate, 4-year 59.68%
30.94%		36.42%1,020$25,6202,30671.00%10 to 1
7
23		Bethel University McKenzie, TNPrivate, 4-year 60.23%
36.94%		32.18%920$18,7122,93635.00%15 to 1
8
5		Union University Jackson, TNPrivate, 4-year 60.41%
13.23%		30.08%1,290$37,3982,71366.00%9 to 1
9
2		Maryville College Maryville, TNPrivate, 4-year 60.92%
4.76%		13.63%-$39,2841,13650.00%12 to 1
10
1		Lincoln Memorial University Harrogate, TNPrivate, 4-year 62.59%
3.32%		15.83%1,100$26,9386,08150.00%10 to 1
Average49.60%25.55%1,254$38,779
($13,812)		7,21263.50%11 to 1