2024 Best MBA Programs in Tennessee

Tennessee, the U.S. and Online

Averages	Tennessee MBA Programs	Online MBA Programs	MBA Programs in the US
Average MBA Tuition	$44,060	$38,871	$43,473
Average GMAT Scores	564	550	562
Average Full-Time MBA Faculty	62	69	69
Average MBA Student Faculty Ratio	16:1	17:1	16:1
Average # of MBA Faculty with Doctorate	89.60%	83.45%	83.95%
Average Full-Time MBA Enrollment	179	279	288
Average Part-Time MBA Enrollment	215	404	354
Average % of MBA Students from U.S.	91%	76%	75%

What Are the Best Ranked MBA Programs in Tennessee

Read about our ranking methodology.

What is the Average Graduate MBA Salary in Tennessee?

While the average starting salary for graduates of an in-person MBA program in Tennessee is about $84,991, the lowest average MBA starting salary is $52,400 from East Tennessee State University, and the highest average MBA starting salary is $139,711 from Vanderbilt University.

The average starting salary for graduates of an Online MBA program from an institution in Tennessee is between $52,400 from East Tennessee State University and $107,108 from Tennessee State University. The average starting MBA salary for graduates of online MBA programs within Tennessee is $78,500.

Average Graduate Salaries for In-Person MBA Programs

• Average: $84,991 from Tennessee's 11 In-Person MBA Programs
• Lowest In-Person: $52,400 from East Tennessee State University
• Highest In-Person:$139,711 from Vanderbilt University

Average Graduate Salaries for Online MBA Programs

• Average: $78,500 from Tennessee's 8 Online MBA Programs
• Lowest Online: $52,400 from East Tennessee State University
• Highest Online: $107,108 from Tennessee State University

 

What is the Average Tuition for MBA Programs in Tennessee?
If you plan on attending an MBA program, it's best to start thinking about fiscal responsibility. A prospective B-Student needs to weigh their tuition options. An AACSB-accredited MBA program can pave the way for a great starting salary or career advancement. An online MBA program can provide the flexibility of completing a program while being employed in your respective career.

While the average in-person MBA program in Tennessee will cost about $44,060, the least expensive MBA program is $9,452 from Tennessee State University, and the most expensive is $131,000 from Vanderbilt University.

An Online MBA program from an institution in Tennessee will cost you between $9,452 from Tennessee State University and $54,000 from Tennessee Technological University. The average cost of online MBA programs within Tennessee is $27,399.

Average Tuition for In-Person MBA Programs

• Average: $43,556 from Tennessee's 11 in-person MBA Programs
• Lowest in-person: $9,452 from Tennessee State University
• Highest in-person: $131,000 from Vanderbilt University

Average Tuition for Online MBA Programs

• Average: $27,399 from Tennessee's 8 online MBA Programs
• Lowest online: $9,452 from Tennessee State University
• Highest online: $54,000 from Tennessee Technological University

What is the ROI for MBA Programs in Tennessee?

Choosing an MBA program requires more than a glance at the school's reputation or curriculum. The return on investment (ROI) should take center stage in your evaluation. This measurement reveals the potential value derived from your tuition investment, putting key factors such as starting salary and career progression under the microscope.

By scrutinizing the ROI, you're not just making a decision—you're making an informed one. This approach will ensure the selection of an MBA program that provides the most bang for your buck. Checking the ROI might not be an afterthought; it could be the game-changer in your MBA journey.

While the average in-person MBA program ROI from Tennessee is 170%, the lowest ROI is 53% from Vanderbilt University, and the best ROI is 567% from Tennessee State University.

The ROI from Online MBA programs in Tennessee range between 62% from Tennessee Technological University and 567% from Tennessee State University. The average ROI of online MBA programs within Tennessee is 210%.

In-Person ROI for MBA Programs

• Average: 170% from Tennessee's 11 in-person MBA Programs
• Lowest in-person: 53% from Vanderbilt University
• Highest in-person: 567% from Tennessee State University

Online ROI for MBA Programs

• Average: 210% from Tennessee's 8 online MBA Programs
• Lowest online: 62% from Tennessee Technological University
• Highest online: 567% from Tennessee State University

What is the Average GMAT Score Needed for an MBA Program in Tennessee?

The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a standardized examination used by MBA schools to assess their applicant pool. The test is strategically designed to measure an applicant’s analytical, verbal, writing and mathematical skills. The GMAT is used as a predictor of success in MBA programs and tests one’s ability to successfully handle the advanced quantitative and qualitative study of business and management.

While the average GMAT score needed for in-person MBA program in Tennessee is 564, the lowest average GMAT score is for an MBA program is 400 from South College, and the highest GMAT score needed is 687 from Vanderbilt University.

The average GMAT score needed for an online MBA program from an institution in Tennessee is between 400 from South College to 673 from University of Tennessee at Martin. The average GMAT scored for online MBA programs within Tennessee is 539.

Average GMAT Score for In-Person MBA Programs

• Average: 580 from Tennessee's 11 in-person MBA Programs
• Lowest in-person: 400 from South College
• Highest in-person: 687 from Vanderbilt University

Average GMAT Score for Online MBA Programs

• Average: 539 from Tennessee's 8 online MBA Programs
• Lowest online: 400 from South College
• Highest online: 673 from University of Tennessee at Martin

Which MBA Schools Have the Highest Student Enrollment in Tennessee?

The importance of networking, whether it's by way of campus job fairs, student organization members, or faculty mentorship, should not be understated. The average MBA enrollment size has a direct impact on your studies, your job prospects, and your ability to define your career goals.

Every B-School has a strategy behind their enrollment sizes. If a prospective B-Student is looking for networking opportunities, wants to attend job fairs, and plans on joining student organizations, B-School enrollment size plays an important role in the decision making process. For the B-Student interested in the smaller cohort-style classroom experience and thrive with face-to-face collaboration with their professors, a manageable enrollment size is the preferred option.

For Tennessee state's MBA programs, the range for full-time enrollment is between 34 and 503. For part-time enrollment, the range is between 44 and 512.

Average Enrollment for In-Person MBA Programs

• Lowest: 34 from Belmont University
• Highest: 503 from University of Tennessee at Knoxville
• Average: 203 from Tennessee's 19 MBA Programs.
• Average: 291 from 875 the nation's campus MBA Programs.

Average Enrollment for Online MBA Programs

• Lowest: 53 from Tennessee State University
• Highest: 228 from University of Tennessee at Martin
• Average: 170 from Tennessee's 8 MBA Programs.
• Average: 279 from 327 nation's online MBA Programs.

What MBA Concentrations Available in Tennessee?

Highly competitive B-Schools recruit part-time and full-time professors that are both academic and industry influencers. They are the subject matter experts in their respective concentrations. To meet the diverse needs of Tennessee businesses, MBA programs here have risen to the challenge by offering you an array of more than 37 MBA concentrations including:

• Marketing: 15
• Finance: 15
• Accounting: 14
• Management: 10
• Entrepreneurship: 10
• General Business: 10
• International Business: 9
• Information Systems: 8
• Economics: 7
• Supply Chain: 6

Here are the top schools offering the widest variety of concentrations to choose from:

• University of Tennessee at Chattanooga: 19
• University of Tennessee at Martin: 18
• East Tennessee State University: 17
• Vanderbilt University: 15
• Belmont University: 15
• Tennessee Technological University: 13
• Tennessee State University: 12
• Middle Tennessee State University: 11
• University of Tennessee at Knoxville: 11
• Union University: 10

The Importance of MBA Accreditation

The importance of accreditation can't be underestimated. For many, knowing your school is accredited by the AACSB and regionally accredited by the US Department of Education is enough assurance that you will receive a quality education, where credits are more likely to transfer, and you will be qualified for loans, grants, and scholarships.

AACSB accreditation is considered to be the gold standard in business school credentialing. Established to promote high-quality business education in the U.S., AACSB members developed a stringent accreditation process. Members are held accountable for following an established business education framework set forth by the AACSB. With that comes MBA degrees conferrals that are widely recognized by Fortune 500 companies. This results in lucrative job opportunities.

Cities Offering MBA Programs in Tennessee

Looking for a particular city in Tennessee with an accredited MBA program? Research and compare MBA programs from other cities in Tennessee. Find online programs, programs by concentration, by average GMAT score and more.

• Chattanooga
• Cookeville
• Jackson
• Johnson City
• Knoxville
• Martin
• Memphis
• Murfreesboro
• Nashville

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MBA Program Options Available in Tennessee

Options for earning your MBA in Tennessee have never been more flexible. Tennessee MBA programs have become adept at offering effective alternatives for you to earn your MBA, no matter your life situation or schedule.

Tennessee has 19 Accredited MBA programs. 0 private and 8 public schools offering MBA programs.

Tennessee has 8 public schools and 0 private schools offering MBA degree programs.

19 Accredited MBA programs.  and 8 public schools offering MBA programs.

Tennessee schools offer 9 different paths to earn your MBA in Tennessee including Campus, Full-Time, Online, Part-Time, Evenings, Weekends, Distance Education, 1-Year and Partnership.

To meet the diverse needs of Tennessee businesses, MBA programs here have risen to the challenge by offering you an array of more than 37 MBA concentrations to specialize in.

Awards for MBA Programs in Tennessee

The ranking of MBA programs is certainly not an exact science and plenty of subjective reasoning and biases come into play. We offer insights into ranking as another way to evaluate a potential MBA program.

Of the 19 accredited MBA programs offered in Tennessee, 11 of them have been recognized by at least one distinguished publication (MBAGuide, PQ, US News, Forbes, BW, FT and Economist) garnering an award as one of the best MBA programs in the country.

Tennessee schools have earned a total of 21 Best MBA awards from publications. Here are the top MBA schools and the number of awards the each program has garnered:

• Vanderbilt University: 7
• University of Tennessee at Knoxville: 5
• Union University: 1
• The University of Memphis: 1
• Tennessee Technological University: 1
• Tennessee State University: 1
• Middle Tennessee State University: 1
• University of Tennessee at Martin: 1
• University of Tennessee at Chattanooga: 1
• East Tennessee State University: 1
• Belmont University: 1

Publications and the number of awards granted for Tennessee schools:

• MBAGuide: 11
• US News: 2
• Forbes: 2
• BW: 2
• FT: 1
• Economist: 1

Data sources: IPEDS, National Center of Educational Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences (ERIC), Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), 520 MBA Schools, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). If you notice errors in the MBA program database, please contact us.

Find: MBA Programs in Tennessee | Online MBA Programs in Tennessee Rankings: MBA Program Rankings | Online MBA Program Rankings Guides: Guide to Earning an Online MBA | Guide to Earning an MBA Concentrations: Online MBA Concentrations | Campus MBA Concentrations