The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has been named one of the best employers in Tennessee for 2026. The university ranked fifth out of 80 Tennessee companies on Forbes’ “America’s Best Employers by State” list, released Aug. 14 — placing higher than any other educational institution in the state. UT has appeared on the list every year since Forbes introduced the ranking in 2019.
“Receiving the Forbes acknowledgment as one of America’s best-in-state employers is meaningful because it reflects what our employees experience every day — a workplace where people are supported, heard and equipped to do their best work,” said Tarah Keeler, associate vice chancellor of human resources and chief human resources officer.
To create this year’s ranking, Forbes partnered with market research firm Statista to survey more than 245,000 workers at companies with at least 500 employees from across all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Respondents were asked how likely they were to recommend their employer and were asked to assess their workplace based on criteria such as wages and benefits, management style, company reputation, flexibility and career advancement opportunities.
Participants were also asked to evaluate their previous employers (within the past two years) and organizations they knew within their industry or through friends or family who work there. Responses were tallied and incorporated into a scoring system along with survey data from the past three years. Greater weight was given to more recent data and to responses from current employees within the state.
UT currently has 2,370 faculty and 6,206 staff employees. The university offers a comprehensive suite of benefits designed to promote well-being, professional development and overall job satisfaction. The package features competitive health insurance and retirement plans, generous paid leave and holidays, tuition waivers for employees, and tuition discounts for employees and their families.
“This recognition reinforces our commitment to strengthening how employees work together across campus and the state, investing in new ideas that improve the employee experience while continuing the legacy of excellence in quality service through collaboration and innovation,” Keeler said. “The Volunteer spirit is the foundation of UT’s culture that reaches every corner of Tennessee, and we want all faculty and staff members to feel a genuine sense of belonging and shared purpose.”
The new recognition is the latest in a string of accolades UT has received from Forbes. Within the past year, the publication has recognized the university as one of the nation’s best employers for new graduates, one of America’s best large employers and one of America’s Dream Employers.
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