Vanderbilt University is a private college located in Nashville. In 2011, U.S. News and World Report ranked Vanderbilt University number 17 on its list of best colleges in the nation. Founded in 1873, Vanderbilt offers degrees in a variety of subjects including law, medicine, nursing, arts and sciences, engineering, management, education, the Divinity and music. Vanderbilt is home to several top ranked graduate programs including the Owen Graduate School of Management and the Peabody College of Education and Human Development. Student social life includes an active Greek system and more than 400 student-run organizations on campus. Vanderbilt also offers an extensive study abroad program in more than 25 host countries.
Founded as an African-American normal school in 1912, this college merged with the University of Tennessee at Nashville in 1979 to comprise what is now known as Tennessee State University. The student body at this college remains predominantly black. The university awards 40 different bachelor's degrees as well as graduate and doctoral degrees. Major areas of study include business, education, health sciences, public service, human affairs and arts and sciences. The university's well-known Air Force ROTC program is available through the college of Aerospace Studies.
Founded in 1912, the University of Memphis is an urban college that is one of the leading research institutions in the state. The Center for Earthquake Research and Information and the FedEx Institute of Technology are both located here. More than 50 majors are available for undergraduate students, as well as 45 master's and 21 doctoral programs. The university's student body is comprised of students from over 100 countries. Students at this school have won many national competitions in diverse areas such as music, robotics and mathematics. The university is also a top choice for athletes due to its NCAA Division I ranking in 18 different sports.
The University of Tennessee in Knoxville is the largest public university in the state. The school, which was founded in 1794, has an undergraduate population of about 20,000. The university offers an abundance of financial aid and scholarships. Since instituting the Hope Scholarship in 2004, which provides students $4,000 a year, the school has seen a rise in ACT scores of incoming freshman. About 99 percent of incoming freshman qualify for the Hope Scholarship, and about 40 percent of those students also receive additional financial aid. Major areas of study include education, business administration, agricultural sciences, engineering, architecture, nursing, social work and law. The university has four satellite campuses in Memphis, Chattanooga, Martin and Tullahoma.
In 2011, U.S. News and World Report ranked Milligan College as the 10th best college in the southern region of the country. This private institution was founded in 1866 as a Christian-affiliated liberal arts school. The school offers over 25 undergraduate and three master's degree programs. It is a highly sought after choice for humanities majors and provides extensive opportunities for students to develop leadership skills through the "Servant-Leader Experience." Career counseling, mentoring programs and internships are all available to students.