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MTSU is Among America's Best!

University Rankings & Recognitions

University Rankings & Recognitions

As a respected institution of higher learning dedicated to academic excellence and student success, MTSU is proud to be nationally and internationally recognized for the quality of its academic programs.

Among America’s Best

  • MTSU was honored to be named to the Princeton Review’s prestigious “Best Colleges” for a seventh year in a row (2020–2026)!
  • Forbes’ America’s Top Colleges 2024–2025 and 2026
  • The Wall Street Journal recently recognized MTSU for the first time on its list of America’s Best Colleges 2025 and again in 2026!
  • U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges (2025 and 2026 Social Mobility)
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Aerospace

Biology/Forensic Science

Engineering Technology

Mathematics

Mechatronics Engineering

  • MTSU has the only Siemens Level 3 Certificate Program in the U.S. (MTSUNews.com, 2019)

Physics

Criminal Justice

Nursing

  • Ranked #1 nursing program in Tennessee and the only state program ranked in the Top 30 nationwide (NurseJournal.org, 2015) 
  • Ranked #15 in “America’s Best Nursing Schools” among schools of nursing in the eastern U.S.
  • Best Nursing Schools (Abound, 2024)
  • Best Master’s of Nursing (Abound, 2024)
  • Top Nursing Colleges of Distinction 2024-25 (Colleges of Distinction)

Psychology

Social Work

  • Ranked #2 for Most Affordable Master’s in Social Work Degrees in Tennessee (SocialWorkDegree.org, 2019)
  • Ranked #5 in Best Bachelor’s in Social Work Degrees in Tennessee (SocialWorkDegree.org, 2019)

Tourism and Hospitality Management

  • Earned A and A+ Ratings for Reading Preparation through the National Council on Teacher Quality Teacher Prep Review, recognizing strong preparation in the science of reading (National Council on Teacher Quality, 2026)
  • Earned an A+ Rating for Literacy Curriculum, placing MTSU among only 48 teacher preparation programs nationally and one of only two in Tennessee to receive the distinction (National Council on Teacher Quality, 2023)
  • Ranked #5 for Most Affordable Online Master’s in English Language Learning (College Choice, 2021)
  • In-the-field training offered through the undergraduate Elementary Teacher Preparation program was ranked among the nation’s best (USA Today, 2020)
  • Ranked #12 most affordable online Master of Library Science program in the country (College Choice, 2020)
  • Top Education Colleges of Distinction 2024-25 (Colleges of Distinction)

Liberal Arts

  • Ranked #1 in Tennessee for Best Schools for Liberal Arts Majors. #40 in the U.S (top 5%). (College Factual, 2025)
  • Ranked #10 Best Schools for Liberal Arts Master’s Degree in the country (College Factual, 2025)

Music

International Relations

Theatre and Dance

Media Arts

Recording Industry

MTSU Online

Integrated Studies

  • The Applied Leadership Program won the 2016 Credit Program Award from the Tennessee Alliance for Continuing Higher Education (TACHE) and the 2016 Leadership Development Excellence Corporate University Best-in Class (CUBIC) Award at Corporate Learning Week. (Tennessee Alliance for Continuing Higher Education, 2016)

Master of Professional Studies

  • #2 of the “Most Affordable Online Master’s Programs in Training and Development in the U.S” (Grad School Hub, 2019)
  • #2 in the list of “Best Online Master’s in Training and Development Degrees” (OnlineMasters.com, 2019)
  • Ranked #9 Best Online Master’s in Training and Development Programs (OnlineMasters.com, 2026)
  • Master of Professional Studies in Human Resources Leadership program ranked in top 25 nationally for great value (OnlineU, 2017)

  • Scientia et Humanitas: A Journal of Student Research – Awarded by the National Collegiate Honors Council
    • Awarded 1st place for Student Print Winners in the Journal category in 2024
  • Collage: A Journal of Creative Expression
    • Columbia Scholastic Press Association Awards
      • Gold Medalist Certificates in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2024;
      • Gold Crown Awards in 2012, 2013, and 2015; 
      • Silver Crown Awards in 2007, 2008, 2011, 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2025
    • National Collegiate Honors Council Publication Award
      • First Place Student Published Journal in 2025
  • Arete: Honors Magazine – Awarded by National Collegiate Honors Council
    • Awarded 1st place in Honors Council Newsletter Contest in 2012, 2014, 2016; 2nd place in 2007, 2008, 2010; 3rd place in 2018

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