Christian colleges with the strongest Christian community in Tennessee
Christian colleges ranked by the Christian community pillar: spiritual life staff, retreats, Bible studies and small groups, and faculty who share the college’s faith.
Christian colleges with the strongest Christian community in Tennessee10 schools
10 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.
How this list is made
- Schools in Tennessee.
- Christian undergraduate colleges on the Compass. Seminaries and graduate-only schools are not counted.
- Has a graded Christian community pillar and a complete Compass Score.
- Ordered by the Christian community pillar score alone, highest first. Schools with the same score share a rank.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
Southern Adventist University
Collegedale, TN · Private nonprofit- Christian community: grade A
- Many Bible studies and groups
- 2
Lee University
Cleveland, TN · Private nonprofit- Christian community: grade A
- Many Bible studies and groups
- 3
Belmont University
Nashville, TN · Private nonprofitHonor Roll- Christian community: grade A
- Many Bible studies and groups
- 4
Bethel University
McKenzie, TN · Private nonprofit- Christian community: grade A
- Many Bible studies and groups
- 5
Freed-Hardeman University
Henderson, TN · Private nonprofit- Christian community: grade A
- Many Bible studies and groups
- 6
Union University
Jackson, TN · Private nonprofit- Christian community: grade B
- Many Bible studies and groups
- 7
Milligan University
Milligan, TN · Private nonprofit- Christian community: grade B
- Many Bible studies and groups
- 8
Lipscomb University
Nashville, TN · Private nonprofit- Christian community: grade B
- Many Bible studies and groups
- 9
Welch College
Gallatin, TN · Private nonprofit- Christian community: grade B
- Some Bible studies and groups
- 10
Johnson University
Knoxville, TN · Private nonprofit- Christian community: grade B
- Many Bible studies and groups
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Adventist University | $24,345 | $24,500 | $53,723 | 49% |
| Lee University | $18,878 | $25,750 | $43,222 | 63% |
| Belmont University | $33,147 | $20,500 | $55,930 | 71% |
| Bethel University | $12,595 | $27,249 | $47,482 | 35% |
| Freed-Hardeman University | $21,574 | $21,500 | $47,485 | 71% |
| Union University | $27,171 | $20,714 | $53,990 | 66% |
| Milligan University | $21,365 | $25,219 | $46,641 | 63% |
| Lipscomb University | $24,739 | $19,500 | $55,541 | 72% |
| Welch College | $25,263 | $19,500 | $42,198 | 53% |
| Johnson University | $22,063 | $21,500 | $40,596 | 57% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.