Anchor Down: Led by Vanderbilt, 9 Tennessee universities rated among best in U.S.

Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean
Updated ·2 min read
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Money Magazine recently released its 2023 list of Best Colleges in America. Add there's good news for The Volunteer State: Three Nashville universities made the annual list.

Overall, nine Tennessee universities are listed.

The highest ranking Tennessee school? Vanderbilt University nearly earned the highest rating, placing it next to the most prestigious and elite schools in the nation — from Harvard University and Brown University to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Founded in 1873, Vanderbilt consistently ranks as one of the nation's top universities. U.S. News & World Report and Princeton Review previously recognized the Nashville-based institution of higher learning for enjoying the happiest students, while also earning a reputation for its superior medical programs, Greek life and campus food. More than 4,000 students are pursuing degrees in the College of Arts and Science, nearly one-third of student enrollment.

Benton Chapel at the Vanderbilt University Divinity School Thursday, July 6, 2023.
Benton Chapel at the Vanderbilt University Divinity School Thursday, July 6, 2023.

Tennessee schools

  • Belmont University (Nashville): 3.5 star rating

  • Bethel University (McKenzie): 3.5 star rating

  • King University (Bristol): 4 star rating

  • Lipscomb University (Nashville): 3.5 star rating

  • Maryville College (Maryville): 3.5 star rating

  • Rhodes College (Memphis): 4 star rating

  • University of Tennessee Knoxville (Knoxville): 4 star rating

  • The University of The South (Sewanee): 4 star rating

  • Vanderbilt University (Nashville): 4.5 star rating

Methodology

Money Magazine analyzed more than 2,400 four-year public and private nonprofit colleges across America.

To make the initial cut, colleges had to enroll at least 500 undergraduate students, have sufficient, reliable data to be analyzed, not face financial distress, enjoy a graduation rate at or above the median for the institutional category or score in the top 25% of graduation rates after accounting for the student body.

This narrowed the list down to 736 schools. Those schools were then ranked across 26 factors in three categories: quality of education, affordability and the overall outcome of attending said university.

Finally, those remaining schools were ranked using a star rating system, marking the first year Money Magazine didn't use a numbered ranking system.

To see the full list of universities, visit money.com/best-colleges.

Diana Leyva covers breaking and trending news for The Tennessean. Connect with her by email at Dleyva@gannett.com or follow her on twitter at @_leyvadiana

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee universities make the 2023 list for best schools in nation