Top Graphic Design Programs in Tennessee

Tennessee is home to 109 Title IV degree-granting institutions. Just a few of the top colleges here include Vanderbilt University, Sewanee: The University of the South, Rhodes College, Union University, and The University of Tennessee. These schools, along with the state’s other Title IVs, have met five requirements established by the U.S. Department of Education. They (1) offer a program of at least 300 clock hours in length, (2) have accreditation recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, (3) have been in business for at least 2 years, (4) have signed a participation agreement with the Department, and (5) grant an associate's degree or higher.

Once these requirements have been met, a Title IV school becomes eligible for federal financial aid programs. This means, even the finest and most expensive institutions are accessible to more than 14 million students with varying levels of financial need. Besides a variety of programs offered through the U.S. Department of Education, Title IVs are eligible military programs, education awards for serving with AmeriCorps, National Institutes of Health programs, and National Health Service Corps programs.

In addition to having Title IV status, Tennessee’s most popular schools are considered tops based on factors such as job placement services, number of programs, variety of clubs and organizations, class sizes, cost, and convenience. Continue reading to find out which Tennessee graphic design schools lead the pack and what they have to offer. Please note that the top graphic design schools listed below are in order by largest to smallest student population.

Top Graphic Design School Programs - Major Tennessee Cities

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Murfreesboro
Middle Tennessee State University
Student Population: 23,401
Backdrop: Urban, 800-acre campus, easy access to Nashville, Chattanooga
Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Graphic Design, B. S. Electronic Media Communication with Specialization in Digital Animation

Knoxville
University of Tennessee at Knoxville
Student Population: 21,214
Backdrop: Urban, 560-acre campus, easy access to Chattanooga, Jackson, Johnson City Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Graphic Design; M. F. A. Studio Art with Concentration in Graphic Design

Memphis
University of Memphis
Student Population: 17,510
Backdrop: Urban, 1,160-acre campus, easy access to Jackson
Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Art with Concentration in Graphic Design; M. F. A. Graphic Design

Johnson City  East Tennessee State University
Student Population: 12,539
Backdrop: City, 366-acre campus, easy access to Knoxville
Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Art with Specialization in Graphic Design, M. A. New Media Studio, M. F. A. with Specialization in Graphic Design, M. S. Technology with Digital Media Concentration

Chattanooga
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Student Population: 9,891
Backdrop: Urban, 120-acre campus, easy access to Knoxville
Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Studio Art with Graphic Design and Photography and Media Art Concentrations

Nashville
Tennessee State University
Student Population: 7,239
Backdrop: Urban, 500-acre campus, easy access to Murfreesboro
Degrees Offered: B. S. Studio Art with Concentration in Graphic Design

Jackson
Union University
Student Population: 2,875
Backdrop: Urban, 360-acre campus, easy access to Memphis, Nashville, Martin
Degrees Offered: B. A., B. S. Digital Media studies, B. A. Graphic Design

Nashville
Watkins College of Art, Design & Film
Student Population: 396
Backdrop: Urban, 13-acre campus, easy access to Murfreesboro
Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Graphic Design with Concentration in Illustration or Web Design, B. A. Art, B. F. A. Film, B. F. A. (Fine Arts)

Top Graphic Design School Programs - Other Tennessee Cities and Towns

Martin
University of Tennessee at Martin
Student Population: 7,500
Backdrop: Village, 930-acre campus, easy access to Jackson, Nashville
Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Studio Art Option with Graphic Design Emphasis

Greeneville
Tusculum College
Student Population: 2,600
Backdrop: Village, 142-acre campus, easy access to Knoxville
Degrees Offered: B. A. Art and Design with Graphic Design Concentration, Digital Arts

Jefferson City
Carson-Newman College
Student Population: 1,686
Backdrop: Rural, 90-acre campus, easy access to Knoxville, Chattanooga
Degrees Offered: B. A. Art with Emphasis in Graphic Design

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