Colleges in Nashville

Colleges in Nashville

The capital of Tennessee, Nashville is also the most populous city in the state. Home to the Grand Ol’ Opry, a variety of honky-tonk bars, and the CMA Music Festival, Nashville is known for music, particularly country music and contemporary Christian music. Healthcare, Civil War tourism, publishing, and numerous higher education institutions also play a significant role in Nashville’s economy.

Sometimes referred to as the “Athens of the South” for its collection of institutions, Nashville has 16 colleges and universities in its city limits. Most of them are private, but there are two public options as well. The Nashville State Community College is a public 2-year institution serving nearly 10,000 students and Tennessee State University is the largest and only public-funded historically black university in the state. TSU offers degrees at all levels, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate, and its main campus spans 500 acres.

There are three other HBCUs in the city, Fisk University, American Baptist College, and Meharry Medical College. Founded in 1866, Fisk is affiliated with the United Methodist Church and was the first African-American institution to be accredited by SACS. Also affiliated with the United Methodist Church, Meharry Medical is a graduate school dedicated to healthcare professionals and scientists. American Baptist College was founded in 1924 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its contribution to the Civil Rights Movement.

One of the most prominent universities in Nashville is Vanderbilt University, a nationally and globally recognized private research institution. Founded in 1873, Vanderbilt offers 137 areas of study on its campus in the heart of Nashville, and is one of the founders of the Southeast Conference. Belmont University, Lipscomb University, and Trevecca Nazarene University, Christian liberal arts institutions, both call Nashville home, as well, as do Aquinas College and Welch College.

There are a number of special focus institutions in the city, too. John A. Gupton College focuses on mortuary sciences, while Watkins College of Art, Film, and Design specializes in 4-year art degrees. The Nashville Auto Diesel College is one of 23 campuses in 14 states that offers career-focused training, the Nashville campus in automotive, while Daymar College is a career college that offers training in healthcare, technology, criminal justice, and more.

Nashville is largely dependent on automobiles, though it does offer public transit via bus and currently a single leg of a commuter rail system. The city is not served by Amtrak and has no public intercity transportation, but is served by the Nashville International Airport.

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Vanderbilt University was founded in 1873 as a private research university in Nashville, Tennessee. Academically, the university focuses on an interdisciplinary approach,  encouraging students to take courses from any of the 143 areas of study. The...

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Vanderbilt is often confused with one of them Ivy League schools up in Connecticut or wherever, but with good reason. If you choose to attend the prestigious Vanderbilt University then you will receive a very fine education from professors who want...

” – K from Atlanta, GA

With two campuses in Nashville, Tennessee State University is the only state-funded Historically Black College and University in the state of Tennessee and part of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. TSU grants bachelor’s and graduate degrees in 77...

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I learn a lot of things here. This college is a great place to be. I love the experience!

” – Amber from Memphis, TN

Belmont University is a 4-year liberal arts institution in Nashville and the largest ecumenical Christian university in the United States. Belmont is home to 10 colleges and schools conferring undergraduate degrees in more than 90 fields of study...

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The tour I was given at the Nursing building was phenomenal. My advisor was helpful in every way possible and fully capable of answering all my questions and concerns. At Belmont, the class sizes are smaller so the student feels comfortable and can...

” – Nicole from Brentwood, TN

Affiliated with the Churches of Christ, Lipscomb University is a Christian liberal arts institution in Nashville. Lipscomb confers undergraduate degrees in 176 academic areas of study. As a Christian university, Lipscomb holds chapel services twice...

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I am learning about so many things I didn't know existed. I am learning about the Babylonian number system, Mayan number system, and the eight-fold path from the Buddhist religion.

” – Erica from LA Vergne, TN

Founded in 1866, Fisk University is a private HBCU and the oldest university in Nashville, Tennessee. Fisk University is a member of the United Negro College Fund and its Victorian architecture-style campus is recorded in the National Register of...

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At Fisk, professors aren't the only ones you learn from. It's the students.
I am reminded everyday that, I sit in class next to some of the brightest minds in the country!

” – Jamal from Stone Mountain, GA

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Nashville State Community College is a public, 2-year institution established in Davidson County, Tennessee, with satellite locations in Antioch, Waverly, Dickson, and Clarksville. NSCC offers over 80 academic programs, featuring fields of study such...

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this college is one of kind. helpful advisers and great selection of classes. would be my first pick any day!!

” – Alicia from Tennessee Ridge, TN

Trevecca Nazarene University is a Christian university in the heart of Nashville focused on preparing students for lives of leadership and service. Founded in 1901, Trevecca is committed to holistic education, encouraging students to grow...

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Education here is great, the teachers are just pouring out knowledge

” – Joshua from Paris, TN

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Volunteer State Community College is a public, 2-year institution located in Gallatin, Tennessee, with satellite facilities in Livingston, Springfield, and Cookeville. Vol State offers more than 100 academic programs conferring certificates and...

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There are some great teachers at this school. Everyone is extremely willing to go out of their way to help their students. Several of them even offer study sessions in their own homes! They really care about what they're teaching, and it shows (in...

” – Candace from Gallatin, TN

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Founded in 1876, Meharry Medical College is an institution of health sciences in Nashville and an Historically Black College and University. Affiliated with the United Methodist Church, Meharry is home to Schools of Medicine and Dentistry. In...

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Affiliated with the National Association of Free Will Baptists, Welch College is a 4-year Christian college in north Tennessee. Welch is home to a School of Theology which provides training for a life in ministry as well as departments of Arts &...

Cumberland University is a private university in Lebanon, Tennessee. The university was founded by the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in 1842, and five years later a law school was added, followed by the school of theology in 1854. The Cumberland...

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If you plan on attending all four years, you will make friendships and relationships with your professors who all know you by name and really do want you to be the best you can be. Every professor is looking out for your best interest. One of our...

” – Kristen from Franklin, OH

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American Baptist College is a liberal arts college emphasizing Christian leadership, service, and social justice. Although its student body is predominately African American, ABC is open to all students regardless of race, gender, or ethnicity. ABC...

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The Tennessee College of Applied Technology Nashville is a vocational and workforce development school in middle Tennessee. TCATN’s campus is home to 19 academic programs and an Auto Technology facility housing the college’s Automotive Technology and...

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the school is great for hands-on experiences, you learn wonderful things from instructors who are willing to listen and teach, and also you get the experience of a life time.

” – Monique from Madison, TN

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John A. Gupton College is a 2-year mortuary science institution in Nashville. The college features three academic programs conferring associate of arts and associate of applied science degrees in Funeral Service and a Funeral Director certificate...

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The Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Murfreesboro is a regional campus of the TCAT system with two locations in the Nashville metro area. TCAT Murfreesboro offers 17 technical and vocational programs conferring degrees and certificates. The...

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Affiliated with the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia is a graduate-level medical school specializing in training nurse anesthetists. As the only independent anesthesia training academy in the United States, MTSA...

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Williamson College is a private, Christ-centered institution located in Franklin, Tennessee, with a newly-established satellite campus in Smyrna. WC offers programs in Ministry and Organizational Leadership, Business Administration, and Accounting...

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From its tree-filled and landscaped campus, Remington College Nashville is a technical and vocational school and a campus of the Remington system in middle Tennessee. The Nashville campus is home to seven career-centered associate degrees and five...

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