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Best 15 MBA Programs in Tennessee in 2024

January 26, 2024 | Admin

MBA Programs in Tennessee
Best MBA programs in Tennessee badge

Earning an MBA degree prepares graduates for a rewarding future in a variety of careers, partly depending upon the concentration or specialization chosen in the student’s MBA program. The MBA programs in Tennessee offers the flexibility often needed for graduate students, and the opportunity to pursue a particular program that meets the career needs and goals of MBA students.  

Why Should I Consider MBA Programs in Tennessee? 

The colleges and universities in Tennessee that offer MBA programs often offer more than one program option, realizing that students in today’s MBA programs want a focused education that takes their educational and career interests into consideration. There is also proof of the benefits offered by completing an MBA program. 

Top 5 MBA Programs in Tennessee

Rank School Location
1East Tennessee State University Johnson City, Tennessee
2University of Tennessee ChattanoogaChattanooga, Tennessee
3King University Bristol, Tennessee
4Carson-Newman UniversityJefferson City, Tennessee
5Tusculum University Greeneville, Tennessee

The Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAC) published its first report based on results of a prospective student survey in 2018. The GMAC indicated that student demands for specific program types had dramatically increased in recent years, and subsequently resulted in competitions between the various programs to attract the top talent.  

There were several other key findings in the report, and the Corporate Recruiters Survey, including: 

  • MBA program types continue to be a preference among an estimated 60 percent of prospective MBA students 
  • Nearly 90 percent of employers that responded to the Corporate Recruiters Survey indicated that they plan to hire MBA graduates in 2021 
  • Corporate recruiters remain confident in the abilities of business schools to graduate students with the skills required for workplace success 
  • 87 percent of corporate recruiters cited the attractiveness of graduates with an MBA 

Graduates of MBA programs in Tennessee have an outstanding opportunity to compete for the best jobs at their preferred organization. This is true even though students often have to juggle existing work and family responsibilities. 

Another benefit of earning an MBA in Tennessee is the salary. GMAC demonstrates the difference in earnings between an individual with a bachelor’s degree and an individual that holds an MBA. The undergraduate degree holder earns an estimated $65,000 annually, compared to the MBA holder, who earns an estimated $115,000 median starting salary. 

These schools each offer at least one MBA program in the State of Tennessee.  

Best 15 MBA Programs in Tennessee

1

East Tennessee State University

  • Johnson City, Tennessee
East Tennessee State University logo

East Tennessee State University offers a broad-based General Master of Business Administration (MBA) program that prepares students to have a comprehensive understanding of the organizational, financial, and operational management of companies and organizations. The curriculum focuses on providing students with this knowledge from a local, regional or global perspective.

Students that want to advance their career opportunities, whether in a small business or a large corporate organization, have the opportunity to prepare for leadership positions after graduating with an MBA in their choice of concentration. The school offers a concentration in business analytics, health care marketing, or in cybersecurity management. Students also have the option of completing the MBA in Tennessee program in an entirely online format, in the traditional on-campus format, or in an accelerated format.

School Overview

Tuition: est. $331.66 per credit hour
Accreditation: AACSB
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2

University of Tennessee Chattanooga

  • Chattanooga, Tennessee

Earn an MBA on-campus or online at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga, and pay the same tuition rate. The Gary W. Rollins College of Business at the university provides students with a variety of career-focused MBA program options. Students choose their preferred concentration in finance, healthcare administration or in business analytics.

All students engage in learning advanced business education skills, focusing on theories and strategies needed for success in today’s business world.

School Overview

Tuition: $469 per credit hour
Accreditation: AACSB
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3

King University

  • Bristol, Tennessee

King University, located in Bristol, offers an online MBA program, along with the on-campus program. The MBA degree is offered in an accelerated 12-month format, and consists of case analysis with individual preparations, and small group discussions. The program integrates theory and academic content, and includes an internship.

Students choose a concentration which includes marketing, project management, human resource management, or healthcare administration. Online students choose social entrepreneurship/small business management.

School Overview

Tuition: $495 per credit hour
Accreditation: SACSCOC
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4

Carson-Newman University

  • Jefferson City, Tennessee

Carson-Newman University, located in Jefferson City, Tennessee, offers students their choice of three pathways to earning an MBA degree. Choose the Traditional MBA program, consisting of 10 courses, the Non-Profit Leadership MBA, which consists of 10 courses, or the 12 course MBA with a specialization program. Students choose the Marketing specialization, the Leadership specialization, or a specialization in Sports Management or Operations Management.

Students gain a broad understanding of accounting, finance, marketing, entrepreneurship, and organizational behavior. Other skills that students learn or gain additional expertise in includes managerial economics, information systems, effective communication skills, and how to apply knowledge and skills learned in the program within business organizations.

School Overview

Tuition: $500 per credit hour
Accreditation: SACSCOC
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5

Tusculum University

  • Greeneville, Tennessee

Tusculum University, one of the oldest universities in the country, offers an MBA program that focuses on a deeper study of the core areas of business, with an emphasis on applying common business principles to the contemporary global business environment.

The employer focused curriculum consists of 30-credit hours of study, with the option to start in the fall or the spring semester.

School Overview

Tuition: $500 per credit hour
Accreditation: ACBSP
Visit School Website
6

Tennessee Tech University

  • Cookeville, Tennessee

Students enrolled in the Master’s of Business Administration program at Tennessee Tech University have the option of completing the program on a full-time or part-time basis. Students also have the option to complete courses in person or online.

Students gain a broad knowledge of business disciplines, to integrate knowledge of the core business disciplines, to demonstrate problem-solving and decision-making skills. Graduates have the skills to perform in a professional business environment, to consider ethics in decision-making, and to demonstrate leadership skills, including the ability to influence others.

Students have the option of studying abroad in France, Belgium or the Netherlands with other students from around the world.

School Overview

Tuition: $514
Accreditation: SACSCOC, AACSB
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7

Lincoln Memorial University

  • Harrogate, Tennessee

The School of Business at Lincoln Memorial University prepares graduates that have the expertise to acknowledge and address a variety of business issues on a global level. The online MBA consists of a long list of program concentration options. Some options include business analytics, operations management, nursing home administration, or sport management.

Gain an in-depth knowledge of business processes, data mining, quality improvement, business strategy and decision-making, along with other skills such as operations research and analysis.

School Overview

Tuition: $530 per credit hour
Accreditation: ACBSP
Visit School Website
8

Cumberland University

  • Lebanon, Tennessee

Earn your MBA from Cumberland University in an online format, in as little as 12 months. The school features six start dates per year, and classes in an accelerated eight-week format. The program is also offered on-campus. Students with a bachelor’s degree in any discipline may apply to the MBA program at the Lebanon, Tennessee university.

Students gain knowledge and skills in areas such as advanced decision-making, advanced business and economics knowledge, advanced competences in gathering and analyzing organizational information from both internal and external sources, along with a high level of ethical awareness.

School Overview

Tuition: $585 per credit hour
Accreditation: ACBSP
Visit School Website
9

Bryan College

  • Dayton, Tennessee

Bryan College, located in Dayton, Tennessee, offers several online MBA programs for busy professionals that want to advance their career and improve their earnings potential. The college offers five MBA program options, including the accelerated online MBA in Human Resources, and the accelerated online MBA in Healthcare Administration.

Gain advanced knowledge in leadership and management, enhanced decision-making skills, technology, and the intricacies of business.

School Overview

Tuition: $595 per credit hour
Accreditation: SACSCOC, IACBE
Visit School Website
10

University of Memphis

  • Memphis, Tennessee

Complete an MBA program online at the University of Memphis and enjoy the benefit of no required prerequisite courses. The online program consists of 36 total credit hours of study.

Students complete the program at their own pace, taking courses such as Business Analytics for Managers, Global Strategic Marketing, Global Operations Management, and Leadership and Negotiation.

School Overview

Tuition: $597 per credit hour
Accreditation: AACSB
Visit School Website
11

Union University

  • Jackson, Tennessee

Union University allows students that are enrolled in their MBA programs to complete their degree online, in the traditional campus setting at either Jackson or the Germantown/Memphis campus. Students that pursue an MBA at the school have the option of choosing from several MBA Programs of Study, including Leadership, Accounting, Marketing, or Human Resource Management.

The school also allows students the opportunity to earn dual degrees along with their MBA degree. Some students take this path, earning a dual MBA/MSN, the MBA/DNP, an MBA/MSW, or the PharmD/MBA degree.

Students engage in coursework and a variety of hands-on opportunities that allows them to enhance their career options, and to become an effective leader in today’s business world.

School Overview

Tuition: $635 per credit hour
Accreditation: AACSB
Visit School Website
12

Middle Tennessee State University

  • Murfreesboro, Tennessee

The Online Flex MBA program at Middle Tennessee State University delivers all of the benefits of a high-quality MBA education in an online format. The university recognizes the fact that holding an MBA degree is vital for current professionals that want to advance their career opportunities by becoming leaders in their chosen field. Gain a solid grounding in the principles of accounting, business analytics, management, finance, and other areas that are essential to success in making business decisions, maintaining efficient operations and up-to-date technologies.

School Overview

Tuition: $640 per credit hour
Accreditation: AACSB
Visit School Website
13

Lee University

  • Cleveland, Tennessee

The Lee University Master of Business Administration program utilizes experiential learning to provide students with the knowledge and skills to apply values-based theory to actual business problems in today’s fast-moving business world. The university explains that the experiential learning model is designed so that students can immediately apply newly-gained knowledge to their current job.

The program focuses more on engagement and interaction rather than lectures. The flexible, hybrid program also prepares students to put new theories into practice, whether at their current place of employment or in a leadership position in another organization.

Students take courses on topics that includes organizational theory, marketing, strategic management, and the legal environment of business.

School Overview

Tuition: $785 per credit hour
Accreditation: SACSCOC, ACBSP
Visit School Website
14

Lipscomb University

  • Nashville, Tennessee

Lipscomb University invites prospective students to enroll in the Professional MBA program, which they indicate is a top-ranked program at the Nashville school. Students learn to become leaders, work with integrity and to inspire others while gaining greater expertise in business management.

The curriculum of the part-time program guides students through the process of increasing their effectiveness in leadership, and making strategic business decisions. Students gain the quantitative and technology skills necessary to take on roles with increased leadership responsibilities.

School Overview

Tuition: $1,350 per credit hour
Accreditation: SACSCOC, Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
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15

University of Tennessee

  • Knoxville, Tennessee

Earn an MBA from Haslam College of Business at the University of Tennessee in as little as 16 months. The Full-Time MBA program also includes a summer internship, allowing you to have real-world experience and networking opportunities. The highly-ranked program minimizes lectures while favoring discussion exercises, case studies, and simulations.

School Overview

Tuition In-State: $39,875
Tuition Out-of-State: $70,574
Accreditation: AACSB
Visit School Website

MBA Programs in Tennessee Methodology 

We researched the top MBA programs in Tennessee, and narrowed the program list down to accredited programs. We then listed each on-campus or online program by tuition rate, in ascending order. 

The cost of tuition is for one credit hour of instruction. It does not include other costs, such as fees or materials unless listed in the information for a certain school.  

Do you need help finding the right college or university? We can help you with that task, based on the program that you select. 

Please contact us if you would like to update the information for your school, or if you would like to have your school included in our rankings. 

Find the program that’s right for you

Whether you’re trying to start your career or make a big change, we can help you find the perfect school to help you reach your goals.

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