Christian colleges where the most freshmen return in Tennessee
Christian colleges ranked by first-year retention: the share of full-time freshmen who come back for a second year.
Christian colleges where the most freshmen return in Tennessee14 schools
14 schools qualify, ranked by first-year retention.
How this list is made
- Schools in Tennessee.
- Christian undergraduate colleges on the Compass. Seminaries and graduate-only schools are not counted.
- Faith grade B or better (Faith score 70 or higher). Cost and outcomes never change a grade.
- Has a first-year retention rate from federal data (College Scorecard).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by retention rate, highest first.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
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Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Union University | $27,171 | $20,714 | $53,990 | 66% |
| Belmont University | $33,147 | $20,500 | $55,930 | 71% |
| Freed-Hardeman University | $21,574 | $21,500 | $47,485 | 71% |
| Lipscomb University | $24,739 | $19,500 | $55,541 | 72% |
| Southern Adventist University | $24,345 | $24,500 | $53,723 | 49% |
| Lee University | $18,878 | $25,750 | $43,222 | 63% |
| Milligan University | $21,365 | $25,219 | $46,641 | 63% |
| Carson-Newman University | $20,251 | $21,500 | $48,382 | 53% |
| Trevecca Nazarene University | $16,813 | $18,744 | $49,378 | 53% |
| Bryan College-Dayton | $20,614 | $23,000 | $54,434 | 50% |
| Johnson University | $22,063 | $21,500 | $40,596 | 57% |
| Welch College | $25,263 | $19,500 | $42,198 | 53% |
| King University | $22,347 | $22,750 | $59,831 | 48% |
| Bethel University | $12,595 | $27,249 | $47,482 | 35% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.