The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, continues to rise as a national leader in innovation, earning top recognition in the latest U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings, published on Sept. 23. UT climbed an impressive 35 spots to rank 28th nationally and 14th among public universities in the innovation category, highlighting its transformative advancements in curriculum, technology, campus life and research.
“I’m proud of the significant jump in our innovation ranking, in part because it shows others are noticing our big ideas and creative solutions in every part of the university,” said Chancellor Donde Plowman. “We are doing things like launching the College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies, expanding access to education through our digital learning partnership with Arizona State University, and creating innovation districts to allow for more productive research partnerships with government and industry. All of this work is about creating opportunities for our students and for the people of Tennessee.”
In addition to its innovation accolades, UT achieved strong academic rankings across multiple disciplines. The Haslam College of Business’s supply chain management program ranks third nationally, while the College of Nursing remains in the top 20 among public universities. The Tickle College of Engineering also continues to excel, ranking 37th among public institutions.
“These rankings affirm the hard work of our faculty, staff and students and reflect the momentum we are building as a campus,” said Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor John Zomchick. “Our commitment to student success, academic excellence and the land-grant mission continues to strengthen UT’s reputation nationally and ensures that more students see the value of a UT education.”
In the overall national rankings, UT placed 49th among public universities and 102nd overall. As the university’s reputation for student success and groundbreaking initiatives grows, more students than ever are enrolling to benefit from its acclaimed academic programs and strategies for boosting retention and graduation rates.
Recognition for innovation, value and veteran support
The university’s innovation score reflects its growing reputation for transformative advancements. Evaluated by college presidents, provosts and admissions deans, the category highlights institutions making significant strides in areas such as curriculum development, faculty excellence, student engagement, campus life, technology integration and state-of-the-art facilities.
The university continued to improve its standing in the category of Best Value Schools, ranking 23rd among public institutions and rising six spots to 89th nationally. The best value ranking considers academic quality and cost after accounting for total expenses and financial aid.
UT ranks 48th among public institutions and 67th nationally in the Best Colleges for Veterans category. Earlier this year, Military Friendly awarded the university a Silver ranking as a Military Friendly School, honoring the university as one of the nation’s leading institutions for creating a supportive and inclusive environment for those who have served.
Nursing programs remain in nation’s Top 20
The College of Nursing ranks 18th among public universities and 28th nationally, showcasing its leadership in preparing the next generation of health care professionals. The college has strengthened its impact through an enhanced partnership with the University of Tennessee Medical Center, recently recognized in the naming of the new UT Medical Nursing Building.
Graduates of the program consistently achieve an impressive first-time pass rate of 96.7% on their licensure exam — exceeding both the national average of 91.9% and the Tennessee average of 94.8%.
“We are honored to be recognized as one of the top undergraduate nursing programs in Tennessee and among the top 20 public universities nationwide,” said Victoria Niederhauser, dean of the College of Nursing. “This achievement reflects the dedication of our faculty, staff and students. At a time when the need for highly skilled nurses has never been greater, this recognition highlights our commitment to advancing nursing education and strengthening the health care workforce.”
Supply chain program ranks third in the US
The supply chain management program in the Haslam College of Business continues to excel, ranking third nationally and among public institutions. This marks the sixth consecutive year the program has placed in the top five nationwide. Overall, the college ranks 25th among public universities and 37th nationally.
Other business disciplines demonstrated strong performance. Accounting climbed three spots to rank 15th among public institutions and 30th nationally, while economics — offered jointly with the College of Arts and Sciences — rose to 43rd among public institutions and 99th nationally.
“Haslam’s students benefit from the caliber of the faculty and staff who support them, as well as an outstanding undergraduate programs office, which offer our students challenging and enriching pursuits inside and outside the classroom,” said Stephen L. Mangum, dean and Stokely Foundation Leadership Chair of the college. “These rankings reflect the quality of preparation our graduates take into the workforce.”
The college has experienced unprecedented growth in recent years, with a total enrollment of more than 11,000 students in 2025. Construction is under way on a new business building across from the student union.
Tickle College of Engineering continues to rank among nation’s best
The Tickle College of Engineering remains a top school for a world-class engineering education. The college ranks 37th among public institutions and rose two spots to 64th nationally.
“We are very pleased to see our undergraduate ranking continue to climb, demonstrating that others across the country are recognizing the University of Tennessee and the Tickle College of Engineering as an institution on the rise,” said Matthew Mench, dean and Wayne T. Davis Dean’s Chair of the college. “With tremendous momentum and record rankings in our graduate programs, it is especially gratifying to see our undergraduate programs also advancing. This reflects that all of our students are experiencing the energy, opportunity and excellence that an engineering education from UT provides.”
Retention and graduation rates continue to rise
UT saw increases in first-to-second year retention and six-year graduation rates, which weigh heavily in the U.S. News rankings. The university’s rates rose from 91.9% to 92.4% for first-to-second-year retention and 74.5% for six-year graduation.
“At the University of Tennessee, we believe in the potential, strengths and power of every student and we are continuing to see returns on the investment we have made in their success,” said Amber Williams, vice provost for student success. “We are retaining more students and graduating more alumni more quickly than ever before. Perhaps most important, our students understand their unique strengths and are equipped to excel as resilient, capable leaders who will thrive long after they leave campus. Supported by strong leadership and collaboration among faculty and staff, UT students are continuing to reach new heights.”
In January, U.S. News & World Report named UT to its list of Best Online Education Programs, and the university consistently receives recognition as a top institution from Forbes and the Princeton Review.
About the Rankings
The information forming the basis for the 2026 U.S. News and World Report rankings was collected using a wide range of data sources. The rankings highlight colleges that excel in such areas as value, social mobility, teaching and meeting veterans’ needs.
U.S. News ranks nearly 1,500 U.S. four-year bachelor’s degree-granting institutions, grouped within 10 distinct overall rankings in which colleges and universities are compared with schools that share their academic mission. The full rankings list can be found on the U.S. News site.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Tyra Haag (865-974-5460, tyra.haag@tennessee.edu)
Stacy Estep (865-974-8304, sestep3@utk.edu)