South College Recognized among the 2027 Best Colleges in Tennessee by Research.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 25, 2026

South College has been recognized among the best colleges in Tennessee 2027 ranking by Research.com. The institution was also a winner of the Best Public Health Programs in Tennessee Award.

South College was also recognized with awards in these categories:

Research.com is a leading university ranking platform dedicated to helping students make informed decisions about their education. This recognition is part of Research.com’s newly released best colleges ranking, which highlights America’s top colleges in terms of quality of education, popularity and affordability.

The 2027 rankings by Research.com were compiled through an extensive analysis of data points from multiple sources, including Peterson, IPEDS, and College ScoreCard. These rankings consider various degree types and regions, focusing on key factors such as overall quality, affordability, popularity, and the time required to earn a degree.

The recognition comes during a period of continued growth and expansion at South College. The institution reported surpassing 20,000 enrolled students in December 2025 across its physical campuses, online programs and Competency-Based Education offerings. South College subsequently opened a campus in the Columbus, Ohio, area in July 2026, bringing its national footprint to 11 physical campuses in 10 cities.

South College has also continued to expand flexible graduate education. Its Competency-Based Education initiative grew to more than 2,000 students by November 2025, less than a year after passing the 1,000-student mark. In August 2026, the institution announced three additional CBE master’s programs—in accounting, human resources, and instructional design and technology—broadening options for working professionals pursuing advanced credentials.

Investment has also continued at South College’s Tennessee campuses. In April 2026, the Nashville campus opened a 37,500-square-foot additional building with new classrooms, nursing and Doctor of Physical Therapy laboratories, student space and simulation facilities. An approximately 4,000-square-foot expansion of the campus Dental Clinic increased capacity for the dental hygiene program from 40 to 60 students per cohort while providing additional space for community dental services.

South College also celebrated 1,500 graduates at a Knoxville commencement in June 2026, the largest number of graduates the institution had recognized at a single commencement ceremony. The group included approximately 300 Knoxville-based students, about 1,000 online students and 200 graduates of Competency-Based Education programs. Together, these developments reflect broader efforts to expand access, add career-oriented academic pathways and support healthcare and other workforce needs in Tennessee and the communities South College serves.

South College is a private, for-profit four-year institution founded in Knoxville, Tennessee, in 1882. NCES identifies its main institution in Knoxville, where South College operates two instructional locations, while its broader footprint now spans multiple states as well as online and Competency-Based Education. The institution offers more than 150 academic programs and concentrations across certificate, associate, bachelor’s, master’s, educational specialist and doctoral levels. Fields include nursing and allied health, pharmacy, physical and occupational therapy, business, education, criminal justice, technology and legal studies, with many programs incorporating laboratories, clinical experiences, simulations or other forms of applied professional training.