Tennessee boasts quite a few public and private colleges that are well-known. Being centrally located in the Eastern US, they provide nearly every degree you could think of. Not only do they provide excellent public institutions, like the University of Tennessee and other associated colleges, but they also have some popular private universities. These include large private institutions like Vanderbilt or Lipscomb University, and also smaller institutions where you can depend on a fully academic atmosphere, like Maryville College and the American Baptist College. Finally, there are a few 2-year institutions, if you want to obtain an associate or a certification, including the National College of Business and Technology, and Remington college, with two campuses you can choose from.
What are the Most Popular Degrees Offered in Tennessee?
As you get ready to begin your college years, you may already have a degree or major in mind. Or, if you’re like the majority of high school seniors, you may not have any idea of what you want to do in your life. That’s okay. You can use your first semester or two to explore careers you may have considered. Take introductory courses in those majors. Once you know what career interests you, it’s time to declare your major.
The most common careers in a state are usually influenced by the largest economic sectors in said state. In Tennessee, some of the largest economic factors are automotive engineering, agriculture, and the healthcare industry. Their most popular bachelor degrees line up with some of those factors, but also include business, a popular degree everywhere in the United States, and Criminal Justice, a less common top degree for most regions of the US.
As of March 2018, unemployment fell “dramatically” in Tennessee. The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development made public county unemployment statistics, which showed that most of the 95 counties continued to put up record low unemployment rates (below 5%).
Another report states that Tennessee’s February 2018 unemployment rate ticked up only 0.1% from the 3.3% rate in January 2018.
Top Business Administration and Management Careers and Salaries
CAREER NAME
NUMBER OF JOBS
AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY
Financial Managers
16,810
$113,700
Training and Development Managers
1,100
$99,720
Construction Managers
5,670
$82,870
Medical and Health Services Managers
9,820
$102,070
Business Analyst
510
$59,300
Financial Managers:
Financial managers spend their time keeping an eye on the finances of a company. They might be responsible for making reports to upper management in the event that there are budgetary or other financial issues and they would also consult with management on investments to be made.
Training and Development Managers:
Training Managers deal with employee training and optimization. Any time new systems or processes are implemented, they are called on to increase employee effectiveness with the new systems.
Construction managers:
These professionals may work in an office, or on site. They lead a team of construction workers to maintain the timeline and budget for the work. It’s possible for them to work on one large project at a time, or earn a director position, where they manage all building projects for a large company.
Business Analyst:
Your job role is to closely inspect data and documents so you can make the best decisions for your employer. You will act as a facilitator as you get different departments to work with each other. Expect a fast-moving, high-stress environment.
Best Tennessee Schools for Business Degrees
Vanderbilt University
Rhodes College
Belmont University
University of Tennessee – Knoxville
Top Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration Careers and Salaries
CAREER NAME
NUMBER OF JOBS
AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY
Probation & Correctional Officers
1,980
$41,930
Police and Sheriff’s Officers
13,270
$45,370
Security Guards
23,990
$29,280
Detectives and Criminal Investigators
1,530
$71,090
Probation and Correctional Officers:
Correctional officers may spend their time watching over criminals in a jail or prison. Probation officers are often responsible for maintaining a relationship with criminals who have been released from jail, but are required to keep in touch with the law so that they do not return to criminal activity.
Police and Sheriff’s Officers:
Police exist to “Protect and Serve” their community. The expectation is that their presence will ward off criminal activity, and when it doesn’t they will be there to deal with it.
Security Guards:
Security guards provide protection for businesses or warehouses where inventory or important data is stored. They may only be expected to deal with low level concerns, such as unhappy ex-employees or rambunctious customers. However, with increases in gun violence over the last 50 years, this position holds more gravitas. If you are able to carry a firearm on the job, you stand to make a lot more money.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators:
Detectives interpret information gathered by police officers and their own interviews, create reports based on this information, and come to a final conclusion that they believe will hold up in a court case. They are often called into court to explain how they came to their conclusions.
Best Tennessee Schools for Criminal Justice
University of Memphis
Middle Tennessee State University
Bryan College – Dayton
University of Tennessee - Martin
Top Education Careers and Salaries
CAREER NAME
NUMBER OF JOBS
AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY
Special Education Teacher, Kindergarten/Elementary School
4,130
$53,880
High School Teacher
18,850
$48,800
Business Teachers - Postsecondary
2,530
$74,150
Biological Science Teacher - Postsecondary
1,090
$88,760
Special Education Teacher, Kindergarten/Elementary School:
Special education is an important part of the public-school system. Only with the help of these professionals can all children hope to continue moving through the school system at a similar pace. They provide effective one-on-one and small classroom experiences for children who need more help.
Education/Secondary School Teacher:
You will work in a high school, where you’ll teach a different group of students in each class period. No matter what subject you teach, you need to be able to demonstrate knowledge of the topic, as well as the ability to exert authority in your classroom. You may work with students who have special education needs or even behavioral issues.
Business Teachers-Postsecondary:
Business is a hugely popular degree. Without the academic professionals to teach in college classrooms all around the US, we would fall far short of the demand for business professionals.
Biological Science Teacher - Postsecondary:
Whether they are preparing students for future research or preparing them to lead their own classrooms, these professionals are always at the top of their game. They must maintain a working knowledge of the ever-changing world of science AND teaching.
Best Tennessee Schools for Education Degrees
Vanderbilt University
Lipscomb University
University of Tennessee
Union University
Top Nursing Careers and Salaries
CAREER NAME
NUMBER OF JOBS
AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY
Licensed Practical and Vocational Nurses
25,360
$41,270
Home Health Aides
27,380
$22,140
Registered Nurses
63,330
$62,570
Nurse Practitioners
7,850
$96,510
Licensed Practical and Vocational Nurses
These nurses are responsible for taking vitals from patients and maintaining and updating patient records. They may also collect samples from patients and label them accordingly.
Home Health Aides
Home health aides are becoming more common and necessary as the world’s population ages. They often assist patients around their home with tasks that they are no longer able to accomplish. This allows the patient to remain at home longer than would otherwise be necessary with their failing independence.
Registered Nurses
These nurses tend to have the most interaction with patients. They are responsible for general patient care on hospital floors, and can also assist in other medical facilities including other outpatient or long-term care facilities.
Nurse Practitioners
These specialists are able to perform many of the same functions as a general practitioner, but they work under the license of a doctor. This protects them from having to pay the higher insurance fees, but lets them provide a significant amount of aid in medical facilities.
Tennessee is one of the lucky states where students can attend a community college and complete great associate degrees, all for free. It doesn't matter if the associate degree is in engineering, computer science, accounting, or education. Tennessee residents need only enroll, work hard, and graduate debt-free. Graduates can then take their free associate degree and transfer to another excellent college in the state. Keep reading to learn about the best associate programs in Tennessee.
Tennessee students who are interested in finding the best bachelor's degrees available should continue reading the following list. There are many great colleges in Tennessee which have made this list and include both public and private institutions. Whether students are interested in a school like Vanderbilt, or a small liberal arts school in the mountains of Eastern Tennessee, you can find the best programs available here.
These days an advanced degree is nearly a requirement. While only a few professions actually require a master's degree, employers in nearly every field place a high value on a graduate diploma. The best master's degrees and doctorates in Tennessee are listed here. Every Tennessee professional who has aspirations of rising to the top if their field should consider these graduate programs and degrees.
