Best Business Administration, Management and Operations Schools in Tennessee

Tennessee has 35 colleges offering Business Administration, Management and Operations programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 3,519 recent graduates. Graduates in Tennessee earn $38,452 on average within two years — 10% below the national average of $42,534. Lower cost of living or industry mix may explain the gap.

School choice matters significantly: The University of Tennessee-Knoxville graduates earn $55,590 while Johnson University graduates earn $21,052 — a $34,538 gap. Research each program's curriculum, employer connections, and career services before deciding.

Schools in TN

$38,452

TN Avg. Earnings

$42,534

National Avg.

1309

Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Business Administration, Management and Operations in Tennessee

Public Schools (10)

$39,046

avg. 2yr earnings

Private Schools (21)

$37,592

avg. 2yr earnings

Public schools in Tennessee produce comparable or higher early earnings for Business Administration, Management and Operations graduates, often at lower cost — making them strong value options.

Business Administration, Management and Operations Schools in Tennessee, Ranked by Earnings

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Knoxville, TN · Public

$55,590

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $54,030

Graduates: 483

Acceptance: 46.0%

Lipscomb University

Nashville, TN · Private

$58,221

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $59,514

Graduates: 35

Acceptance: 66.6%

Rhodes College

Memphis, TN · Private

$48,667

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $41,921

Graduates: 47

Acceptance: 49.7%

Belmont University

Nashville, TN · Private

$47,327

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $40,319

Graduates: 21

Acceptance: 96.4%

The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga

Chattanooga, TN · Public

$39,022

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $41,220

Graduates: 410

Acceptance: 77.0%

University of Memphis

Memphis, TN · Public

$39,261

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $44,779

Graduates: 206

Acceptance: 93.4%

Carson-Newman University

Jefferson City, TN · Private

$36,745

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $36,221

Graduates: 42

Acceptance: 68.3%

Bryan College-Dayton

Dayton, TN · Private

N/A

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $46,728

Graduates: 22

Acceptance: N/A

Middle Tennessee State University

Murfreesboro, TN · Public

$39,051

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $38,176

Graduates: 245

Acceptance: 68.0%

#10

Fisk University

Nashville, TN · Private

N/A

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $36,640

Graduates: 22

Acceptance: 57.9%

#11

Union University

Jackson, TN · Private

$28,960

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $39,743

Graduates: 129

Acceptance: 47.2%

#12

Maryville College

Maryville, TN · Private

$32,711

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $30,865

Graduates: 23

Acceptance: 65.7%

#13

Trevecca Nazarene University

Nashville, TN · Private

$43,798

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $43,652

Graduates: 174

Acceptance: 70.0%

#14

Tennessee Wesleyan University

Athens, TN · Private

$39,009

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $38,842

Graduates: 47

Acceptance: 59.4%

#15

Tusculum University

Greeneville, TN · Private

$40,346

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $40,662

Graduates: 189

Acceptance: 60.4%

#16

Tennessee Technological University

Cookeville, TN · Public

$37,856

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $38,452

Graduates: 179

Acceptance: 83.2%

#17

Cumberland University

Lebanon, TN · Private

N/A

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $33,915

Graduates: 19

Acceptance: 67.0%

#18

Bethel University

McKenzie, TN · Private

$39,950

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $46,354

Graduates: 273

Acceptance: 97.2%

#19

The University of Tennessee Southern

Pulaski, TN · Public

N/A

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $34,844

Graduates: 34

Acceptance: 82.7%

#20

Milligan University

Milligan, TN · Private

$26,353

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $34,515

Graduates: 33

Acceptance: 70.3%

#21

King University

Bristol, TN · Private

$42,682

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $34,822

Graduates: 260

Acceptance: 54.4%

#22

Lee University

Cleveland, TN · Private

$38,122

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $35,450

Graduates: 72

Acceptance: 72.2%

#23

Tennessee State University

Nashville, TN · Public

$39,369

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $38,743

Graduates: 124

Acceptance: 92.6%

#24

East Tennessee State University

Johnson City, TN · Public

$32,747

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $33,833

Graduates: 119

Acceptance: 87.1%

#25

Austin Peay State University

Clarksville, TN · Public

$33,993

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $26,045

Graduates: 22

Acceptance: 96.0%

#26

The University of Tennessee-Martin

Martin, TN · Public

$34,526

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $36,201

Graduates: 101

Acceptance: 87.3%

#27

Christian Brothers University

Memphis, TN · Private

$36,560

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $36,110

Graduates: 49

Acceptance: 88.4%

#28

Strayer University-Tennessee

Memphis, TN ·

$51,516

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: N/A

#29

Southern Adventist University

Collegedale, TN · Private

$34,530

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $32,843

Graduates: 26

Acceptance: 66.6%

#30

Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga

Chattanooga, TN ·

$34,704

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $39,434

Graduates: 68

Acceptance: N/A

#31

Williamson Christian College

Franklin, TN ·

$38,871

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: N/A

#32

South College

Knoxville, TN ·

$38,829

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: N/A

#33

Freed-Hardeman University

Henderson, TN · Private

Lane College

Jackson, TN · Private

$23,340

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $18,143

Graduates: 45

Acceptance: N/A

#35

Johnson University

Knoxville, TN · Private

$21,052

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 53.8%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Business Administration, Management and Operations in Tennessee?

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville ranks #1 for Business Administration, Management and Operations in Tennessee with median graduate earnings of $55,590 within two years of graduation. There are 35 schools offering Business Administration, Management and Operations programs in the state.

How much do Business Administration, Management and Operations graduates earn in Tennessee?

Business Administration, Management and Operations graduates in Tennessee earn an average of $38,452 within two years of graduation. This is 10% below the national average of $42,534 for this major.

What is the hardest Business Administration, Management and Operations school to get into in Tennessee?

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville is the most selective Business Administration, Management and Operations program in Tennessee with an acceptance rate of 46.0%. The average acceptance rate across Business Administration, Management and Operations programs in the state is 72.9%.

Should I attend a public or private school for Business Administration, Management and Operations in Tennessee?

In Tennessee, private Business Administration, Management and Operations programs produce average earnings of $37,592 vs $39,046 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 10 public and 21 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in Tennessee

Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering $67,457 Chemical Engineering $66,750 Engineering, General $62,877 Computer Science $59,925 Computer Engineering $59,120 Civil Engineering $58,536 Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions $57,018 Biomedical/Medical Engineering $56,708

All colleges in Tennessee →

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Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study file last updated June 2026. Institution-level figures elsewhere on the site come from the June 2026 release.