14 Top Christian Colleges in Tennessee
Are you a Christian student looking for a college in the Volunteer State? Look no further than this list of the top 14 Christian colleges in Tennessee. From small liberal arts schools to large universities, Tennessee has a diverse range of Christian institutions that offer high-quality education and spiritual growth opportunities.
1. Bryan College
Religious affiliation: Evangelical, Nondenominational
Bryan College is a private Christian liberal arts college located in Dayton. The college offers over 50 undergraduate majors and pre-professional programs, with popular choices including business, education, biology, and psychology.
Students at Bryan College can enjoy a vibrant campus life and participate in over 40 student organizations, including performing arts and various athletic teams. The college also emphasizes spiritual development, with chapel services held three times a week and numerous opportunities for mission trips and service projects. Off-campus activities include exploring Chickamauga Lake, Tennessee River, and downtown Dayton.
School size: 1,450 traditional students
Student-teacher ratio: 12:1
Tuition: $18,300 per year
2. Carson-Newman University
Religious affiliation: Baptist
Carson-Newman University is a private Christian university in Jefferson City. The university offers over 50 undergraduate majors and several graduate programs, with the top majors being business, nursing, education, biology, and exercise science.
Students can join various clubs and organizations, including honors societies, religious groups, sports teams, and student government. Regarding spiritual life, there are daily chapel services, mission trips, and other opportunities for students to grow in their faith. Nearby the campus is the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, two lakes for kayaking and fishing, and Knoxville for a large city feel.
School size: 2,835 students
Student-teacher ratio: 14:1
Tuition: $31,300 per year
For more information about Carson-Newman University, see page 121 of The Guide.
3. Freed-Hardeman University
Religious affiliation: Churches of Christ
Located in Henderson, Freed-Hardeman University (FHU) is a private Christian university offering various undergraduate and graduate programs. The most popular majors include nursing, business, education, and biblical studies.
Student life at FHU consists of clubs, intramural sports, and campus events. In addition to chapel services, students can participate in Spring Break mission trips, disaster relief efforts, and community service opportunities. Additionally, students can enjoy fun activities such as outdoor recreational sports, concerts, and performances, as well as local attractions like Chickasaw State Park and Pinson Mounds State Park.
School size: 2,117 students
Student-teacher ratio: 13:1
Tuition: $25,000 per year
4. Johnson University
Religious affiliation: Christian Church/Church of Christ
Johnson University is a private Christian university in Knoxville with a mission to equip students with the skills and resources they need to be successful in their spiritual formation. All undergraduate programs require a major in Bible and theology in addition to an arts and sciences core. The top academic programs are life sciences, pre-nursing and nursing, visual media production and design, music technology, and mathematics.
Along with academic excellence, Johnson University also offers a vibrant student and spiritual life, providing opportunities for students to get involved in numerous student clubs, mission trips, and spiritual retreats. In addition, the surrounding area has a lot to do as the campus sits on the French Broad River and is near downtown Knoxville and the Smoky Mountains.
School size: 673 students
Student-teacher ratio: 8:1
Tuition: $17,384 per year
For more information about Johnson University, see page 140 of The Guide.
5. King University
Religious affiliation: Presbyterian Church
Located in Bristol, King University is a private Christian liberal arts university offering over 90 undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs in a variety of fields. Popular majors include nursing, business, education, and psychology.
The university also strongly emphasizes spiritual life, with daily chapel services and a campus ministry program. Students can get involved in various clubs and organizations on campus, including academic, athletic, and social groups. Additionally, the surrounding area offers many exciting things to do for college students, such as visiting local museums, attending concerts, and exploring the nearby mountains and hiking trails.
School size: 1,252 undergraduate students*
Student-teacher ratio: 13:1
Tuition: $32,902 on-campus, undergraduate per year
*Statistic from Niche.com
6. Lee University
Religious affiliation: Church of God
Lee University is a Christian liberal arts university in Cleveland. The university offers 53 majors, 158 academic programs, and 52 study-abroad trips. Popular majors include business, communications, nursing, behavioral and social sciences, and education.
Spiritual life is integral to campus culture, with weekly chapel services, campus ministries, and community service. In terms of student life, Lee University has more than 100 clubs and organizations for students to engage with, including intramural sports, service organizations, and academic clubs. The university is also located near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, providing students with ample opportunities for outdoor recreation.
School size: 4,441 students
Student-teacher ratio: 15:1
Tuition: $21,730 per year
For more information about Lee University, see page 64 of The Guide.
7. Lipscomb University
Religious affiliation: Church of Christ
Located in Nashville, Lipscomb University is a private Christian university. It offers more than 75 majors with top programs that include engineering, entertainment and arts, nursing, pre-med, and business.
The student body is diverse and actively engaged in campus life, with over 100 student organizations and a wide range of athletic teams. The university also provides many opportunities for spiritual growth, such as chapel services, Bible studies, service projects, and mission trips in over 25 countries. Located in Nashville, students have access to internship and service-learning opportunities and a vibrant cultural scene.
School size: 3,000 undergraduate students
Student-teacher ratio: 14:1
Tuition: $37,152 per year
For more information about Lipscomb University, see page 143 of The Guide.
8. Mid-South Christian College
Religious affiliation: Christian Churches and Churches of Christ
Mid-South Christian College in Memphis is committed to providing students with academic, practical, and spiritual preparation. The school offers traditional ministry degrees in preaching, missions, and Christian education, as well as a program in Christian leadership.
In terms of spiritual life, students can attend chapel, participate in devotions, and be a part of the campus-wide Christian community. Students can also join the student council to facilitate change on campus. There’s a lot to do in the school’s surrounding area, Memphis, known for its vibrant music and arts scene, barbecue, and historical landmarks.
School size: 22 undergraduate students*
Student-teacher ratio: 3:1*
Tuition: $300 per credit hour
*Statistics from Niche.com
9. Milligan University
Religious affiliation: Independent Christian Churches
Milligan University is a private Christian liberal arts university in Milligan. Students can choose from over 100 majors and minors with popular programs, including nursing, business, exercise science, engineering, and psychology. Additionally, the university offers small class sizes and personalized attention from professors specializing in their fields.
Student life is active, with a diverse range of clubs and organizations and 27 varsity athletic teams. The university also emphasizes spiritual growth, offering chapel programs, Bible studies, and mission trips.
School size: 1,170 students
Student-teacher ratio: 12:1
Tuition: $35,950 per year
For more information about Milligan University, see page 70 of The Guide.
10. The College at Mid-America
The College at Mid-America is a Christ-centered school in Memphis. Its focus is on academic excellence and community service to give students real-world experience and cultivate leadership. The college offers bachelor’s degrees in Christian studies, Biblical counseling, communication, organizational leadership, and business administration.
Apart from being situated just outside the lively city of Memphis, the school has events, fellowships, chapel, and leadership opportunities. The state-of-the-art campus has many facilities where students can connect and make new friends.
School size: 316 students
Student-teacher ratio: 10:1
Tuition: $10,550 per year
11. The Institute for G.O.D.
Religious affiliation: Nondenominational
The Institute for G.O.D. is a Christian college dedicated to the Bible and missions in Nashville. Students choose from two majors, Biblical Studies and Community Development, and combine their program with minors across various subjects.
This college emphasizes hands-on learning, with students completing internships for their minors and embarking on international missions lasting 20 to 40 weeks. Apart from academics, there are opportunities for spiritual growth through mentoring, Bible studies, prayer groups, chapel, and more.
School size: 200 students
Student-teacher ratio: 10:1
Tuition: $12,600 per year
For more information about The Institute for G.O.D., see page 96 of The Guide.
12. Trevecca Nazarene University
Religious affiliation: Church of the Nazarene
Also located in Nashville, Trevecca Nazarene University is a private Christian college offering bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. Popular undergraduate majors include business administration, nursing, psychology, education, and music.
The university has a diverse student body, with students from 47 states and 39 countries. In addition, Trevecca offers various student organizations and activities, chapel services, campus ministries, and mission trips to integrate faith and learning.
School size: ~2,000 students
Student-teacher ratio: 19:1
Tuition: $14,295 per semester
13. Union University
Religious affiliation: Southern Baptist
Union University is a liberal arts Christian institution located in Jackson. The university offers more than 100 programs of study. Top majors include nursing, business, biology, education, and communication arts.
Outside the classroom, students can engage with over 90 student organizations, NCAA Division II sports, and an active residential life experience. Regarding spiritual life, there are campus worship experiences, Bible studies, and small group ministries for students to grow their faith.
School size: 3,017 students
Student-teacher ratio: 9:1
Tuition: $35,500 per year
For more information about Union University, see page 98 of The Guide.
14. Welch College
Religious affiliation: Free Will Baptists
Located in Gallatin, Welch College is a private Christian college dedicated to preparing students to serve Christ in their chosen field. The school offers over 50 academic programs across four schools and departments: School of Theology, School of Education, Department of Arts and Sciences, and Department of Music.
Apart from academics, students are part of a Christian-centered community filled with events, service, leadership development, on-campus activities, and more. In addition, the school is just a short drive from Nashville, where students can experience a city filled with arts and culture.
School size: ~500 students
Student-teacher ratio: 10:1
Tuition: $10,388 per semester
Wrapping Up
Tennessee is home to many Christian colleges and universities offering high-quality education and opportunities for spiritual growth. By choosing one of these top 14 Christian colleges in Tennessee, students can receive a well-rounded education that prepares them for lives of service, leadership, and faith.
