University Benchmarks

Ranking the Top 100 Academic Universities

UniversityBenchmarks.com ranks the universities that attract and produce the best academic students.

There are many 'University Rankings' on the internet. Most rankings rely heavily on subjective metrics like 'reputation' and 'selectivity'. UniversityBenchmarks is purely an academic ranking model. The rankings are based on the reported academic and financial metrics of the colleges. There are no subjective factors like 'reputation' that are used. The calculations are performed using normal statistical models. All universities are considered equal and there is no weighting of the ranking categories.

The university 2014-2015 dataset is comprised of over 2400 US Universities & Colleges and comes from multiple sources using the most favorable reported metrics for a university.

The universities are ranked against each other in each filtered set. It is an iterative process whereby lower ranking universities are removed and the set is re-ranked until the final set of 100 is reached.

Selecting 'Rank Top 10 Only' will show the Top 10 for each filter category ranked against each other.

The academic rankings of the universities within the major conferences (ACC, Big12, Big10, Pac12, SEC) are available.

The 2017 rankings will be available in August.

Notes:
  • It is possible for universities to be ranked higher/lower than one another depending on the filter set.
  • Conference averages are based on the top 8 schools in the conference.
  • Public Schools are highlighted
  • Clicking on the university's seal icon will take you to the university's website.

Ranking Fields

Rank - Overall rank based on the average of the ranking fields (Scores, Difficulty, Smartest, Brainpower, Faculty and Research).

Scores - SAT & ACT scores. The university's test scores are corrected for dropout rate when score level is Good, Excellent or Elite. This will slightly boost scores for highly competitive schools.

Difficulty - Academic rigor is estimated based on how difficult it is to get an "A" at the university. An estimated GPA at the university is calculated for the average US Student. University grade inflation, average GPA, and STEM density are factors.

Smartest - University that can field the highest scoring students based on the average US University size. Higher Smartest Rank = "Smartest for the Average University"

Brainpower - The average "smartest" rank using 5 reference populations (CalTech, MIT, Stanford, GaTech and Berkeley). Higher Brainpower Rank = "Higher Density of Smart Students". The university ranked higher can mathematically field 'X' number of smarter students than universities ranked below them.

Faculty - Ranking based on number of % of faculty with awards and academy membership.

Research - Ranking is achieved by iteratively ranking the average of 3 research metrics (r-pop, r-stem, r-other ). The lowest ranked college is then removed and the new set is re-ranked. The result is the schools with potentially the strongest research environments per student bubble up to the top regardless of size or research budget.

  • r-pop - Average research spending for student population
  • r-stem - STEM research spending
  • r-other - Other/Medical/Health research spending

Salary ROI - "Salary Return on Investment" is not used in the overall ranking but is provided for additional information. Using the undergraduate average starting and mid-career salaries, the rank is based on a 20yr salary accumulation (with raises) minus the cost of a 4 year education at the university. Salaries are normalized across the country using the average COLA for the university's geo-economic region (7 regions total). The COLA effect is diminished by the level of the university. Elite, Excellent and Good universities have a greater distribution of graduates across the country and a diminishing COLA effect. The resultant value would be the graduate's spending potential over the 20yr period.

Overall ROI - "Overall Return on Investment" is not used in the overall ranking but is provided for additional information. The average of Overall Rank and Salary ROI. This would be the "Best academic bang for the buck". Colleges that produce the best education, at the best price, with the best return will be ranked higher.

Color Key - ranks are colorized as follows 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 50 100

The 2016 University Academic Rankings

State of Tennessee University Academic Rankings

Search :
examples: Yale "Wake Forest" "Big Ten" TX NC

2016 Tennessee University Academic Rankings

2016 Tennessee University Academic Rankings
rank value image public university state conference scores difficulty smartest brainpower faculty research r pop r stem r other salary ROI overall ROI scores value difficulty value smartest value brainpower value faculty value research value salary ROI value overall ROI value scores level stem drop gpa avg research undergrads grads salary price scores valid
11.00
PrivateVanderbilt UniversityTennesseeSoutheastern Conference111111111112223|930.50|882244|942171|9068|771.00|991671994|841.00|992223/1482/33Elite2683.32544685158355730062320True
23.17
PublicThe University of Tennessee-KnoxvilleTennesseeSoutheastern Conference6522222222291745|732.64|341978|821907|79136|552.00|98942217|4712.00|881745/1163/26AboveAverage22352.953102166487223860047870True
36.33
PrivateRhodes CollegeTennesseeSouthern Athletic Association2214587767421955|812.43|391509|631616|67300|06.67|931392356|703.50|971955/1303/29Excellent19253.2502031234320055644True
36.33
PrivateUnion UniversityTennesseeGulf South Conference4397877671141866|782.54|361705|711544|64300|06.67|931181755|597.00|931866/1244/28Good18393.100271711294370045880True
56.67
PrivateBelmont UniversityTennesseeOhio Valley Conference5758877671471750|732.68|331798|751542|64300|06.67|931129593|569.50|911750/1167/26AboveAverage5312.950583714074020045340True
68.00
PrivateSewanee-The University of the SouthTennesseeSouthern Athletic Association3416108776741251869|782.58|361338|561460|61300|06.67|93668367|3323.50|771869/1246/28Good11143.1001631833190049700True
78.12
PublicTennessee Technological UniversityTennesseeOhio Valley Conference996687767331610|672.70|331781|741556|65300|06.67|931462173|735.00|951610/1073/24Average33462.8001031410255080039129True
88.67
PrivateLipscomb UniversityTennesseeAtlantic Sun Conference66121387767641745|732.66|331585|661359|57300|06.67|931267549|637.00|931745/1163/26AboveAverage14372.950288316064140042240True
99.00
PublicUniversity of MemphisTennesseeAmerican Athletic Conference17174433333761570|652.82|291831|761722|72167|443.00|971247356|628.00|921570/1047/24Average23562.80501707339864390035902True
109.40
PublicThe University of Tennessee-ChattanoogaTennesseeSouthern Conference1112798776721111590|662.80|301765|741535|64300|06.67|93981953|4915.50|851590/1060/24Average16572.8001031513553860037936True
1110.20
PublicMiddle Tennessee State UniversityTennesseeConference USA221933466561391535|642.84|291833|761735|72189|375.67|941171216|5912.00|881535/1023/23Average20502.8062026224674160037704True
1211.50
PrivateBaptist Memorial College of Health SciencesTennesseeNo Conference Affiliation81019178776724161633|682.74|31867|361029|43300|06.67|93802115|4018.00|821633/1089/25Average0362.800117003190020733True
1312.40
PrivateLee UniversityTennesseeGulf South Conference121513148776718111585|662.80|301582|661284|53300|06.67|931111094|5615.50|851585/1057/24Average7502.80045743913520027500True
1412.97
PrivateChristian Brothers UniversityTennesseeGulf South Conference108201987767571600|672.69|33800|33974|41300|06.67|931291210|659.50|911600/1067/24Average44452.80012963714240039710True
1513.85
PrivateSouthern Adventist UniversityTennesseeNo Conference Affiliation161317168776717131575|662.80|301331|551079|45300|06.67|931113168|5616.00|841575/1050/24Average16442.80027284474500031290True
1614.88
PrivateFreed-Hardeman UniversityTennesseeAmerican Midwest Conference131121228776730231580|662.79|30760|32942|39300|06.67|93753415|3823.00|771580/1053/24Average15492.80014054623190032908True
1715.05
PrivateBryan College-DaytonTennesseeAppalachian Athletic Conference131421218776729231580|662.80|30760|32945|39300|06.67|93754727|3823.00|771580/1053/24Average10422.8001506933190032580True
1815.33
PrivateMilligan CollegeTennesseeAppalachian Athletic Conference151623238776738291578|662.81|30756|32918|38300|06.67|93726327|3628.00|721578/1052/24Average10352.8009532113190039680True
1916.40
PublicThe University of Tennessee-MartinTennesseeOhio Valley Conference252311158776720191500|632.89|281601|671233|51300|06.67|931001345|5019.50|811500/1000/23Average20502.80066773653860033088True
2016.80
PublicEast Tennessee State UniversityTennesseeSouthern Conference31288116554512131490|622.92|271708|711451|60198|344.67|951173907|5916.00|841490/993/22Average31532.80101155028844140039493True
2117.81
PrivateTrevecca Nazarene UniversityTennessee191824247776715161555|652.84|29710|30905|38200|336.67|931125125|5618.00|821555/1037/23Average10442.80016779294200035994True
2218.20
PrivateKing UniversityTennesseeConference Carolinas232218208776737311525|642.88|281102|46968|40300|06.67|93730735|3729.50|711525/1017/23Average27582.80024274703190038578True
2318.60
PublicAustin Peay State UniversityTennesseeOhio Valley Conference323110128776716191465|612.97|261645|691374|57300|06.67|931124059|5619.50|811465/977/22BelowAverage23612.80092468653870036876True
2418.77
PrivateJohnson UniversityTennesseeNo Conference Affiliation192024268776725261555|652.87|28710|30873|36300|06.67|93795699|4024.50|761555/1037/23Average0462.8008942303190022337True
2520.20
PrivateCarson-Newman UniversityTennesseeSouth Atlantic Conference21212625877679151543|642.88|28685|29885|37300|06.67|931189145|5917.00|831543/1028/23Average7542.80017576054450037530True
2620.83
PrivateVisible Music CollegeTennesseeNo Conference Affiliation242727328776727271520|632.91|27640|27640|27300|06.67|93764647|3826.50|741520/1013/23Average002.80011203190030100True
2721.60
PrivateLincoln Memorial UniversityTennesseeSouth Atlantic Conference252428278776735331500|632.89|28600|25808|34300|06.67|93738887|3731.00|691500/1000/23Average17492.800169920363190036540True
2821.83
PrivateO'More College of DesignTennesseeNo Conference Affiliation252928348776733321500|632.94|27600|25600|25300|06.67|93743095|3730.50|701500/1000/23Average0222.80017203190035488True
2922.02
PrivateMaryville CollegeTennesseeUSA South Athletic Conference252528298776740371500|632.91|27600|25792|33300|06.67|93703599|3534.50|661500/1000/23Average13462.800121303190045362True
3022.80
PrivateBethel UniversityTennesseeMid - South Conference / TranS...37361518877678181373|573.08|231385|581004|42300|06.67|931197555|6019.00|811373/915/21BelowAverage5652.800479214374200030196True
3123.00
PrivateLane CollegeTennesseeSouthern Intercollegiate Athle...252628288776723281500|632.91|27600|25794|33300|06.67|93805247|4027.00|731500/1000/23Average25662.800126203190019950True
3224.80
PrivateMemphis College of ArtTennesseeNo Conference Affiliation252928348776739391500|632.94|27600|25600|25300|06.67|93716567|3635.50|651500/1000/23Average0682.800366693190042120True
3325.00
PublicTennessee State UniversityTennesseeOhio Valley Conference184141415446410211565|654.00|0-2400|0-2400|0193|364.00|961183817|5921.50|791565/1043/23Unknown0622.8014707319544510031784False
3427.80
PrivateCumberland UniversityTennesseeMid - South Conference343334308776732361435|603.01|25470|20678|28300|06.67|93748087|3733.00|671435/957/22BelowAverage13652.80012542273190034240True
3528.20
PrivateWatkins College of Art Design & FilmTennesseeNo Conference Affiliation323233368776734371465|612.98|25530|22530|22300|06.67|93739687|3734.50|661465/977/22BelowAverage0522.80030403190036340True
3528.20
PrivateTennessee Wesleyan CollegeTennesseeAppalachian Athletic Conference343434318776728341435|603.01|25470|20664|28300|06.67|93756647|3831.50|691435/957/22BelowAverage13562.800992143190032100True
3729.60
PrivateTusculum CollegeTennesseeSouth Atlantic Conference363536338776719291400|583.05|24400|17633|26300|06.67|931025466|5128.00|721400/933/21BelowAverage12612.80017461753630036290True
3831.60
PrivateTennessee Temple UniversityTennesseeNo Conference Affiliation383737388776726351325|553.12|22250|10329|14300|06.67|93787487|3932.00|681325/883/20BelowAverage7762.8004982323190024390True
3932.00
PrivateFisk UniversityTennesseeGulf Coast Athletic Conference393838378776736411285|543.15|21170|7364|15300|06.67|93738575|3737.50|631285/857/19BelowAverage14542.800729433190036618True
4033.00
PrivateAquinas CollegeTennesseeNo Conference Affiliation403939398776731391280|533.17|21160|7160|7300|06.67|93750859|3835.50|651280/853/19BelowAverage0502.800415573190033547True
4133.80
PrivateLe Moyne-Owen CollegeTennesseeSouthern Intercollegiate Athle...41404040877672211033|433.32|17-333|0-58|0300|06.67|931516217|7621.50|791033/689/16BelowAverage23822.800100604370018540True

Common Questions...

What are the best colleges in Tennessee?

1. Vanderbilt University

2. The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

3. Rhodes College

4. Union University

5. Belmont University

6. Sewanee-The University of the South

7. Tennessee Technological University

2016 Top 10 Tennessee University Academic Rankings

2016 Top 10 Tennessee University Academic Rankings
rank value public name state conference scores difficulty smartest brainpower faculty research salary ROI overall ROI scores level stem drop gpa avg research undergrads grads salary price
11.00PrivateVanderbilt UniversityTennesseeSoutheastern Conference111111112223/1482/33Elite2683.32544685158355730062320
23.17PublicThe University of Tennessee-KnoxvilleTennesseeSoutheastern Conference652222951745/1163/26AboveAverage22352.953102166487223860047870
34.67PrivateRhodes CollegeTennesseeSouthern Athletic Association229555321955/1303/29Excellent19253.2502031234320055644
45.17PrivateUnion UniversityTennesseeGulf South Conference437755631866/1244/28Good18393.100271711294370045880
55.80PublicUniversity of MemphisTennesseeAmerican Athletic Conference994433531570/1047/24Average23562.80501707339864390035902
65.83PrivateBelmont UniversityTennesseeOhio Valley Conference575855881750/1167/26AboveAverage5312.950583714074020045340
76.00PrivateSewanee-The University of the SouthTennesseeSouthern Athletic Association341095510101869/1246/28Good11143.1001631833190049700
76.00PublicMiddle Tennessee State UniversityTennesseeConference USA10103344781535/1023/23Average20502.8062026224674160037704
96.67PrivateLipscomb UniversityTennesseeAtlantic Sun Conference6681055471745/1163/26AboveAverage14372.950288316064140042240
106.86PublicTennessee Technological UniversityTennesseeOhio Valley Conference886655261610/1073/24Average33462.8001031410255080039129