School and Ranking Information
There are only about eight schools in Nashville with both school administration and teacher education programs. The best schools are Vanderbilt University, Lipscomb University, and Trevecca Nazarene University, based on their graduation rates and the U.S. News & World Report (USNWR) rankings from 2020. Lipscomb University and Trevecca Nazarene University offer state-approved school leadership programs for PreK-12, and all three schools have approved teacher education programs. Students who want to obtain an initial teaching license in Tennessee need to complete a bachelor's degree program and an approved teacher preparation program.
- Winner: Vanderbilt University was ranked as the 4th best school in the country for graduate education programs in 2022 by USNWR. Several of the school's teaching programs and school administration programs also ranked in the top 10 nationally. Vanderbilt was also named one of the top 20 national universities. It offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs in the field.
- Runner-Up #1: Lipscomb University was ranked at 212th best national universities. It offers bachelor's and master's degrees related to teaching and school administration.
- Runner-Up #2: Trevecca Nazarene University offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs in the field. Although it has a lower graduation rate than the first and second-place schools on this list, its rate is higher than that of other schools in the area. It awarded the second-most education degrees out of the three top schools.
School Comparison Chart
| Category | Vanderbilt University | Lipscomb University | Trevecca Nazarene University |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rankings (2022) | Ranked 5th in graduate education program named best in the country (2023)* Education administration and supervision program ranked #1 nationwide* Higher education administration ranked #8 nationally* Ranked 13th among national universities* Named 8th best value national university* | Named 212th best national university* | Voted #331-440 nationwide by high school counselors* |
| Location | Nashville, TN | Nashville, TN | Nashville, TN |
| School Type | 4-year, private not-for-profit | 4-year, private not-for-profit | 4-year, private not-for-profit |
| Tuition & Fees (2021-2022) | $56,966 (undergraduate), $51,600 (graduate)** | $35,752 (undergraduate), $17,100 (graduate)** | $26,898 (undergraduate), $11,235 (graduate)** |
| Education Degrees Offered | Bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees | Bachelor's and master's degrees | Bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees |
| Education Degrees Awarded (All Specializations and Levels) in 2020-2021 | 338** | 340** | 308** |
| Most Popular Education Program (2020-2021) | Master's Degree in Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services (42 awarded)** | Doctor Degree in Educational Leadership and Administration, General (48 awarded)** | Doctor in Educational Administration and Supervision, Other (157 awarded)** |
| Undergraduate Graduation Rate (in 150% of normal degree time) for 2015 Entering Class | 93%** | 71%** | 49%** |
| Noteworthy | Partners with one of China's best education schools to train school principals | Tennessee's commission on higher education named Lipscomb the best school in the state for teacher preparation | Offers an Exemplary Leader Residency Grant that helps teachers gain leadership skills |
Sources: *U.S. News & World Report rankings, **NCES College Navigator.
Winner: Vanderbilt University
- Education policy, elementary teacher education, special education, secondary teacher education, and curriculum and instruction programs all ranked in the top 20 nationwide in 2022 by USNWR
- 97% of full-time freshmen returned to the university for a second year in 2021, according to NCES
- Accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
- University classes had a student-faculty ratio of 8:1 in 2021, according to USNWR
- Member of the Association of Colleges and Schools of Education, the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, and the Association of Independent Liberal Arts Colleges for Teacher Education
- 100% of education program graduates passed the teacher certification exam in 2011-2012
Vanderbilt University offers undergraduate teaching programs and graduate programs in teaching and school administration. Undergraduates who want to become teachers can study early childhood education, elementary education, secondary education, and special education. All of the concentrations prepare students to earn a state teaching license. The master's programs in elementary education, secondary education, and special education also lead to state licensure. The master's programs related to administration and leadership include education policy, higher education administration, international education policy and management, and leadership and organizational performance. Doctoral candidates studying leadership and policy can focus on K-12, higher education, or international education. There are also several options for doctoral degrees related to special education and teaching diverse students. The school offers a doctor of education program in educational leadership and policy for K-12 or higher education.
Runner-Up #1: Lipscomb University
- 100% of full-time beginning undergraduates received financial aid in 2020-2021, according to NCES
- Accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
- Education was the fifth most popular major in 2021, according to USNWR
Lipscomb University is a Church of Christ school with undergraduate programs in teaching and graduate programs in teaching and administration. Undergraduates can take programs that lead to teaching licenses in early childhood education, elementary education, and secondary education. The master's programs that prepare students for a teaching license or endorsement include special education, math, ESL, and reading. There are also master's programs in teaching and leading, and in educational leadership. The educational leadership program can be completed in less than two years and prepares students to earn a state administrative endorsement. The education specialist degrees are in reading, ESL, and educational leadership. The reading and ESL programs lead to state teaching endorsements, and the educational leadership program prepares students for an administrative license.
Runner-Up #2: Trevecca Nazarene University
- Accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
- Education was the school's 10th most popular major in 2021, according to USNWR
- Member of the Association of Colleges and Schools of Education, the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, and the Association of Independent Liberal Arts Colleges for Teacher Education
Trevecca Nazarene University is a Nazarene school with undergraduate and graduate programs in teacher education, as well as graduate programs in administration. There are undergraduate programs that lead to a teaching license in early childhood education, elementary education, secondary education, physical education, and special education, among other options. These programs can also be done as license-only programs for those who already have a bachelor's degree. The master's in teaching program can be completed for elementary or secondary education. The school offers a 5-year urban teaching program that results in both a bachelor's degree and a master's degree, in addition to preparing students for a teaching license. The program requires one year of student teaching.
Other master's programs include curriculum and instruction, ESL, teacher leadership, and educational leadership. The educational leadership program is for teachers who want to become school or district administrators, and it requires a minimum of three years of teaching experience. The school also offers a 3-year doctoral program in leadership and professional practice.
