The University of Tennessee Southern

Campus News

UT Southern Climbs in 2027 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Rankings

By Kyley Wolf | September 23, 2026

UT Southern students on Campus Green

PULASKI, Tenn. — The University of Tennessee Southern (UT Southern) has earned higher marks across the board in the 2027 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings, reflecting the university’s continued momentum as the University of Tennessee System’s newest campus.

UT Southern rose to No. 43 in the Regional Colleges South category, an 11-spot improvement from 2026’s No. 54 spot. Among the Top Public Schools in the Regional Colleges South category, the university climbed from No. 19 to No. 12, placing it among the leading public institutions in the region. UT Southern also improved its standing among Top Performers on Social Mobility in the Regional Colleges South category.

“These rankings are a reflection of the hard work and dedication of our faculty, staff and students, and they tell the story of an institution on the rise,” said Chancellor Melinda Arnold. “Moving up 11 places in our region and seven places among public colleges in the South is a meaningful signal that the investments we are making in academic quality and the student experience are paying off. UT Southern exists to open doors, especially for first-generation students and families in southern Middle Tennessee and we will keep working every day to make sure a UT Southern degree changes lives and strengthens our communities.”

The U.S. News Best Colleges rankings evaluate institutions on measures including graduation and retention rates, graduate outcomes, faculty resources, expert opinion and social mobility, which assesses how schools enroll and graduate students who receive federal Pell Grants.

Located in Pulaski, Tennessee, UT Southern joined the University of Tennessee System in 2021 and offers undergraduate and graduate programs rooted in a tradition of personalized education dating back to 1870.

For the complete rankings, visit usnews.com/best-colleges.

About the University of Tennessee Southern
The University of Tennessee Southern is a public university located in Pulaski, Tennessee, and a campus of the University of Tennessee System. UT Southern is committed to providing accessible, high-quality education that prepares students for meaningful careers and engaged citizenship. Learn more at utsouthern.edu.