Tennessee Colleges & Universities
Top college and university libraries in Tennessee
These college and university libraries stand out for their collections, special collections and archives. Public access varies, so each entry says how visitors can use the library.
Jean and Alexander Heard LibrariesVanderbilt University
Vanderbilt's Jean and Alexander Heard Library system includes the Central Library, the Divinity, Law, Music and Peabody libraries and Special Collections and University Archives. It also houses the Television News Archive, the world's most extensive and complete archive of television news from 1968 to the present day.
John C. Hodges LibraryUniversity of Tennessee, Knoxville
Opened in 1969, the John C. Hodges Library is the main library of the University of Tennessee and houses 3 million volumes. Its rare book collection numbers about 60,000 items, the oldest dating from 1481, and its special collections include the writings of James Agee and Alex Haley.
Jessie Ball duPont LibrarySewanee: The University of the South
The duPont Library first opened in 1965. It includes the Theology Library and the William Ralston Listening Library & Archive, with a listening space and over 15,000 compact discs, as well as the Cup and Gown Café.
John Hope and Aurelia E. Franklin LibraryFisk University
Completed in 1969 and opened in 1970, Fisk University's John Hope and Aurelia E. Franklin Library holds over 103,500 items. Its Special Collections, a nationally recognized resource for the study of the African American experience, are shared with scholars and the broader community.
The most beautiful college library in Tennessee
John C. Hodges LibraryUniversity of Tennessee, Knoxville
The John C. Hodges Library is named for John Cunyus Hodges, an English professor and benefactor of the university libraries who wrote the Harbrace Handbook. Its Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives hold materials that researchers request for viewing on site.
Last verified: November 2, 2026. Visitor rules, hours and borrowing policies change, so check the library's website before you go.
About colleges and universities in Tennessee
With seven state-run universities, including one large university system, and a plethora of private universities, the state of Tennessee is not short on options for higher education. Students who wish to study here can choose from universities and colleges of all shapes and sizes, from two-year community colleges to private liberal arts schools. In addition to the state-run universities, there are 13 community colleges, six two-year private institutions, seven private liberal arts colleges and nearly 50 private colleges and universities in the state of Tennessee.
The University of Tennessee System is one of the public university systems in the state. Its flagship campus is located in Knoxville, but there are also four other campuses across the state located in Chattanooga, Martin, Memphis and Tullahoma. The Knoxville campus is the largest public university in the state, with an enrollment of about 27,000 students. The school was founded in 1794 and is considered both a land-grant and a sun-grant institution. Some of its notable programs at the school include pharmacy, supply chain and management and veterinary medicine. Famous alumni from the University of Tennessee include author Kurt Vonnegut and Charles Scott Abbott, one of the creators of the popular board game Trivial Pursuit.
Probably the most well known private university in Tennessee is Vanderbilt University, which is a private research university located in Nashville. Vanderbilt University was established in 1873 after Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt donated more than $1 million to begin the school's endowment. Mr. Vanderbilt did this even though he had never visited the South, but his intention was that the donation to start the university would be a step in the right direction toward healing tensions after the Civil War ended. Vanderbilt has a unique campus because it is green and lush, but it is also located in an urban setting. Situated in downtown Nashville, almost all of Vanderbilt's facilities are located on the main campus. Vanderbilt is the most selective university in Tennessee, and often accepts just 12 percent of the applicants to the school. This makes it also one of the most elite schools in the country. Once enrolled, students have the opportunity to choose from 70 different major programs, including business programs, engineering programs and music programs. Former Vice President Al Gore attended Vanderbilt University for a while, but did not graduate from the school. Other important alumni include actress Molly Sims and performer Dierks Bentley.