The Best Entrepreneurship Programs in Tennessee for 2026
The best entrepreneurship programs in Tennessee are the accredited schools that graduate their students and charge honestly for it, not the ones with the biggest name. Hakia analyzed 7 business programs in Tennessee on graduation rate, selectivity, cost, and outcomes to rank where a bachelor's in entrepreneurship actually pays off. In-state tuition among the 7 ranked programs in Tennessee runs from $8,204 to $40,560 a year, a $32,356 spread for the same credential.
Lipscomb University tops the list with an 85.1 Hakia Score on a 72% graduation rate, at $37,460 a year in-state. Across all 7 ranked schools, the average graduation rate is 54%, ranging from 39% to 72%. The national median pay in the field is $123,835 a year per the BLS, the same benchmark every ranked school here feeds into regardless of tuition paid.
Below is the full ranked table, followed by a school-by-school look at every ranked program and what actually separates them: cost, completion, selectivity, and where the degree leads. Every figure is drawn from federal IPEDS and BLS data, and no school pays for placement.
Key Takeaways on the Best Entrepreneurship Bachelor's Programs in Tennessee
- Lipscomb University ranks first among Tennessee's business programs with an 85.1 Hakia Score and a 72% graduation rate.
- In-state tuition across the 7 ranked Tennessee programs spans $8,204 to $40,560 a year, a $32,356 gap for the same bachelor's in entrepreneurship.
- The 7 ranked Tennessee programs graduate 54% of students on average, from 39% to 72%.
- 2 of the 7 ranked schools are public, where the in-state rate drives the lowest cost for Tennessee residents.
- 1 of the 7 offers a confirmed online option for students who cannot relocate.
- National median pay in the field is $123,835 (BLS), the benchmark every ranked Tennessee program feeds into regardless of tuition.
Hakia analyzed 7 accredited programs in Tennessee reported to IPEDS, scoring each on graduation rate, selectivity, in-state cost, and outcomes. No school is rewarded for sticker price alone, and none pays for inclusion.
The 7 Best Entrepreneurship Bachelor's Programs in Tennessee, Ranked for 2026
| # | Program | Type | In-state tuition | Grad rate | Admit rate | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lipscomb UniversityNashville, TN | Nonprofit | $37,460 | 72% | 68% | 85.1 |
| 2 | Trevecca Nazarene UniversityNashville, TN | Nonprofit | $29,750 | 53% | 69% | 76.4 |
| 3 | Middle Tennessee State UniversityMurfreesboro, TN | Public | $8,204 | 54% | 69% | 73.1 |
| 4 | Belmont UniversityNashville, TN | Nonprofit | $40,560 | 71% | 95% | 72.2 |
| 5 | The University of Tennessee-ChattanoogaChattanooga, TN | Public | $8,458 | 50% | 81% | 69.5 |
| 6 | South CollegeKnoxville, TN · online option | For-profit | $16,450 | 42% | NR | 61.0 |
| 7 | American Baptist CollegeNashville, TN | Nonprofit | $12,000 | 39% | NR | 55.4 |
NR — not reported by the institution in the latest IPEDS collection.
The Top Entrepreneurship Bachelor's Programs in Tennessee at a Glance
Each program scores 0 to 100 on the Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. Longer bars rank higher.
Inside the Top Entrepreneurship Bachelor's Programs in Tennessee
Lipscomb University
Nashville, TN · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 72%
- Admit rate
- 68%
- In-state
- $37,460
- Out-of-state
- $37,460
Lipscomb University graduates 72% of its students, above the 54% average across this ranking, on an 85.1 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 85.1, #1 of 7
- 72% graduation rate
- $37,460 tuition
- Most selective program here
Lipscomb University is a private, nonprofit institution in Nashville, TN. Its Bachelor's in Entrepreneurship program ranks #1 of the 7 analyzed here with an 85.1 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That is the highest score in the ranking, well above the 70.4 group average. The program graduates 72% of its students, above the 54% average across the ranked schools. Lipscomb University admits 68% of applicants, more selective than the 76% average for the group. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 39% to 72%. The university enrolls 5,017 students overall.
On cost, Lipscomb University charges $37,460 a year in-state. Over four years that totals about $149,840 in tuition. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $8,204 at Middle Tennessee State University to $40,560 at Belmont University. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. Graduates step into a field with a $123,835 national median salary reported by the BLS. That median runs roughly 3x the program's annual in-state tuition. For prospective students, the draw here is above-average completion paired with genuine selectivity.
Trevecca Nazarene University
Nashville, TN · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 53%
- Admit rate
- 69%
- In-state
- $29,750
- Out-of-state
- $29,750
Trevecca Nazarene University ranks #2 of the 7 bachelor's in entrepreneurship programs in this analysis, with a 76.4 Hakia Score and a 53% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 76.4, #2 of 7
- 53% graduation rate
- $29,750 tuition
- Admits just 69% of applicants
Trevecca Nazarene University is a private, nonprofit institution in Nashville, TN. Its Bachelor's in Entrepreneurship program ranks #2 of the 7 analyzed here with a 76.4 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits above the 70.4 group average, in the top third of the 7 ranked programs. The program graduates 53% of its students, below the 54% average across the ranked schools. Trevecca Nazarene University admits 69% of applicants, more selective than the 76% average for the group. That is more open than the 68% rate at Lipscomb University, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 39% to 72%.
On cost, Trevecca Nazarene University charges $29,750 a year in-state. Over four years that totals about $119,000 in tuition. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $8,204 at Middle Tennessee State University to $40,560 at Belmont University. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. Graduates step into a field with a $123,835 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the main draw here is its genuine selectivity.
Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, TN · Public
- Grad rate
- 54%
- Admit rate
- 69%
- In-state
- $8,204
- Out-of-state
- $29,512
At $8,204 a year in-state, Middle Tennessee State University is among the more affordable bachelor's in entrepreneurship programs ranked here, holding a 73.1 Hakia Score on a 54% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 73.1, #3 of 7
- 54% graduation rate
- $8,204 in-state vs $29,512 out-of-state
- Lowest in-state tuition here
Based in Murfreesboro, TN, Middle Tennessee State University is a public institution. Its Bachelor's in Entrepreneurship program lands at #3 of the 7 ranked here, earning a 73.1 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits above the 70.4 group average, in the middle third of the 7 ranked programs. The program graduates 54% of its students, above the 54% average across the ranked schools. Middle Tennessee State University admits 69% of applicants, more selective than the 76% average for the group. That is more open than the 68% rate at Lipscomb University, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 39% to 72%.
On cost, Middle Tennessee State University charges $8,204 a year in-state, roughly 4x the $29,512 out-of-state rate. Over four years that is about $32,816 in tuition for residents, against $118,048 for non-residents. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $8,204 at Middle Tennessee State University to $40,560 at Belmont University. Graduates step into a field with a $123,835 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the draw here is low in-state cost paired with above-average completion.
Belmont University
Nashville, TN · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 71%
- Admit rate
- 95%
- In-state
- $40,560
- Out-of-state
- $40,560
Belmont University graduates 71% of its students, above the 54% average across this ranking, on a 72.2 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 72.2, #4 of 7
- 71% graduation rate
- $40,560 tuition
- Admits just 95% of applicants
Belmont University is a private, nonprofit institution in Nashville, TN. Its Bachelor's in Entrepreneurship program ranks #4 of the 7 analyzed here with a 72.2 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits above the 70.4 group average, in the middle third of the 7 ranked programs. The program graduates 71% of its students, above the 54% average across the ranked schools. Belmont University admits 95% of applicants, less selective than the 76% average for the group. That is more open than the 68% rate at Lipscomb University, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 39% to 72%. The university enrolls 8,803 students overall.
On cost, Belmont University charges $40,560 a year in-state. Over four years that totals about $162,240 in tuition. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $8,204 at Middle Tennessee State University to $40,560 at Belmont University. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. Graduates step into a field with a $123,835 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the main draw here is its above-average completion.
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga
Chattanooga, TN · Public
- Grad rate
- 50%
- Admit rate
- 81%
- In-state
- $8,458
- Out-of-state
- $16,522
At $8,458 a year in-state, The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga is among the more affordable bachelor's in entrepreneurship programs ranked here, holding a 69.5 Hakia Score on a 50% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 69.5, #5 of 7
- 50% graduation rate
- $8,458 in-state vs $16,522 out-of-state
- Admits just 81% of applicants
Based in Chattanooga, TN, The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga is a public institution. Its Bachelor's in Entrepreneurship program lands at #5 of the 7 ranked here, earning a 69.5 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 70.4 group average, in the lower third of the 7 ranked programs. The program graduates 50% of its students, below the 54% average across the ranked schools. The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga admits 81% of applicants, less selective than the 76% average for the group. That is more open than the 68% rate at Lipscomb University, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands toward the lower end in a group where graduation runs from 39% to 72%.
On cost, The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga charges $8,458 a year in-state, versus $16,522 for out-of-state students. Over four years that is about $33,832 in tuition for residents, against $66,088 for non-residents. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $8,204 at Middle Tennessee State University to $40,560 at Belmont University. Graduates step into a field with a $123,835 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the main draw here is its low in-state cost.
South College
Knoxville, TN · For-profit · online option
- Grad rate
- 42%
- Admit rate
- NR
- In-state
- $16,450
- Out-of-state
- $16,450
South College ranks #6 of the 7 bachelor's in entrepreneurship programs in this analysis, with a 61.0 Hakia Score and a 42% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 61.0, #6 of 7
- 42% graduation rate
- $16,450 tuition
- Online option available
Based in Knoxville, TN, South College is a private, for-profit institution. Its Bachelor's in Entrepreneurship program lands at #6 of the 7 ranked here, earning a 61.0 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 70.4 group average, in the lower third of the 7 ranked programs. The program graduates 42% of its students, below the 54% average across the ranked schools. Its completion rate lands toward the lower end in a group where graduation runs from 39% to 72%. The university enrolls 11,557 students overall. The degree is also offered online, which widens access for working students.
On cost, South College charges $16,450 a year in-state. Over four years that totals about $65,800 in tuition. That puts it mid-pack on price on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $8,204 at Middle Tennessee State University to $40,560 at Belmont University. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. Graduates step into a field with a $123,835 national median salary reported by the BLS. That median runs roughly 8x the program's annual in-state tuition. For prospective students, the main draw here is its an online option.
American Baptist College
Nashville, TN · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 39%
- Admit rate
- NR
- In-state
- $12,000
- Out-of-state
- $12,000
At $12,000 a year in-state, American Baptist College is among the more affordable bachelor's in entrepreneurship programs ranked here, holding a 55.4 Hakia Score on a 39% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 55.4, #7 of 7
- 39% graduation rate
- $12,000 tuition
- Smallest campus in this ranking
Based in Nashville, TN, American Baptist College is a private, nonprofit institution. Its Bachelor's in Entrepreneurship program lands at #7 of the 7 ranked here, earning a 55.4 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 70.4 group average, in the lower third of the 7 ranked programs. The program graduates 39% of its students, below the 54% average across the ranked schools. Its completion rate lands toward the lower end in a group where graduation runs from 39% to 72%. It is one of the smaller campuses here, with 46 students.
On cost, American Baptist College charges $12,000 a year in-state. Over four years that totals about $48,000 in tuition. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $8,204 at Middle Tennessee State University to $40,560 at Belmont University. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. Graduates step into a field with a $123,835 national median salary reported by the BLS. That median runs roughly 10x the program's annual in-state tuition. For prospective students, the main draw here is its low in-state cost.
What a Bachelor's in Entrepreneurship Costs in Tennessee
In-state tuition among the 7 ranked entrepreneurship programs in Tennessee runs from $8,204 to $40,560 a year. Middle Tennessee State University anchors the low end at $8,204, while Belmont University sits at the top at $40,560. At public schools that in-state figure is the resident rate; out-of-state students routinely pay two to three times as much, which can reorder this list entirely for anyone moving in from elsewhere.
Run the four-year math and the gap widens: about $32,816 in tuition at the low end against roughly $162,240 at the high end for the same bachelor's in entrepreneurship. Against the national median of $123,835 a year, the cheaper degree pays its tuition back far faster.
A higher price does not automatically buy a stronger degree. Weigh each school's graduation rate and net price, not just its sticker tuition, and use its net price calculator for your own situation before comparing.
Accreditation and Value: What to Check First
Every school ranked here is accredited and reports to the federal IPEDS system, so the Hakia Score never rewards an unaccredited program for being cheap or convenient. Accreditation is what makes an entrepreneurship degree count with employers, licensing boards, and other schools, so confirm it on the program's own page before enrolling, not after.
Low tuition only pays off when the degree finishes and counts. That is why this ranking weighs completion alongside cost: a cheap program that graduates a fraction of its students is not a bargain. Where a field carries programmatic accreditation on top of institutional accreditation, look for it too.
Online Entrepreneurship Options in Tennessee
1 of the 7 ranked Tennessee programs offers a confirmed online or distance-education option, which widens access for working students who cannot relocate. An accredited online entrepreneurship degree carries the same standing as its on-campus version, since accreditation attaches to the program and school, not the delivery format.
What changes online is flexibility, not the credential. Before committing, confirm whether courses are self-paced, whether any on-campus intensives are required, and whether the online section charges the in-state rate to every student, which can erase the residency discount that makes a nearby public so cheap.
Entrepreneurship Careers and Pay After a Tennessee Program
Every degree on this list points toward the same national labor market. The Bureau of Labor Statistics puts national median pay in the field at $123,835 a year, a figure that applies across the profession rather than to any single school here, and it holds whether a graduate paid $8,204 or $40,560 a year in tuition. That is the core tradeoff this ranking is built to expose: a higher price does not buy a higher starting salary in the federal wage data.
Full occupational detail, including job-growth projections and state-level wage breakdowns, is published by the BLS. Graduates of any ranked Tennessee program compete in that same national pay structure.
Entrepreneurship Bachelor's Programs in Tennessee: Your Questions, Answered
What is the best entrepreneurship bachelor's degree in Tennessee?
By Hakia Score, Lipscomb University ranks first among the 7 entrepreneurship programs in Tennessee we analyzed, with an 85.1 score and a 72% graduation rate. The score weighs graduation rate, selectivity, in-state cost, and outcomes, so the top school balances all four rather than winning on any one.
How much does an entrepreneurship bachelor's degree cost in Tennessee?
In-state tuition among the ranked Tennessee programs runs from $8,204 to $40,560 a year. These are resident rates at public schools; out-of-state students pay more, so confirm your residency status and check the out-of-state column before comparing.
Is an online entrepreneurship bachelor's degree respected by employers?
Yes, when the school is accredited. An accredited online degree lists the same on a transcript as the on-campus version, and accreditation, not delivery format, is what protects the credential. Every program ranked here is accredited and reporting to the federal IPEDS system.
What salary can graduates expect?
The BLS reports a national median of $123,835 a year for the field. That is a national benchmark, not an Tennessee-specific figure or a promised outcome for any single school, but it is the number every tuition dollar on this page should be measured against.
How the Entrepreneurship Bachelor's Programs in Tennessee Are Scored
Every program earns a Hakia Score from 0 to 100, built only from federal data (IPEDS, the U.S. Department of Education, and BLS) and scored against its true peers: programs in the same field at the same degree level. No reputation surveys, no pay-to-play. Here is how the score is weighted:
- Outcomes44%
Graduation rate (26%) and real per-school graduate earnings (18%). Does the program get students to the finish line, and where do they land?
- Selectivity & academics38%
Admissions selectivity (24%) and the academic profile of admitted students (14%).
- Scale & value18%
Enrollment (7%), cost-to-earnings value (6%), and the number of graduates a program produces (5%).
Weights renormalize over the data each program actually reports, so a school missing a metric (many open-access colleges do not publish entrance scores or earnings) is never penalized for it. Scores are percentiles within the peer group, curved to a 0-to-100 scale. What the score does not measure: individual instructor quality, specific course content, or campus culture. Verify those directly with the program.