What you’ll learn in this article…
- Tennessee offers 23 bachelor's in communication programs, with net prices ranging from roughly $8,000 to over $40,000 annually.
- Nashville's digital media employment surged 25% from 2018 to 2024, creating strong internship and entry-level pipelines for graduates.
- Specializations span public relations, journalism, mass communication, and strategic media across both public and private institutions statewide.
- Only one Tennessee program, the University of Memphis, currently offers a fully online communication degree option.
Nashville's digital media employment jumped 25% from 2018 to 2024, a wave that has lifted communication careers across Tennessee. Memphis sustains a robust advertising sector, while Knoxville's corporate communications jobs continue to grow. A communication degree earned in this state puts you at the center of that momentum.
With 23 ranked bachelor's programs, ranging from public universities to private colleges and including online and on-campus formats, students can match their training to specialties like journalism, public relations, or strategic communication. The real decision is not whether to study communication in Tennessee, but how to align a program's cost, internships, and career pathway with a market that rewards specialization.
Best Bachelor's in Communication Programs in Tennessee
Tennessee's communication programs range from a rhetoric and public discourse major at Vanderbilt to hands-on newsrooms and campus radio stations in the Tri-Cities. This list covers ten schools offering bachelor's degrees in communication studies, public relations, journalism, and related fields, along with what makes each one worth a look. Graduation rates shown alongside each entry describe the entire institution, not the communication major on its own.
How we ranked these
- On-time completion rates
- Earnings ten years after entry
- Program variety and concentrations
- Internship and industry connections
- Faculty and class size
- Original research on individual programs
- Federal institutional data (NCES-IPEDS) covering graduation rates, retention rates and student-faculty ratios — nces.ed.gov
- State cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities — bea.gov
- College Scorecard post-completion earnings data — collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Program-level records maintained in house
Vanderbilt University
#1Nashville, TN · ~$16,000/yr (est.)
Best for: Aspiring lawyers and policy communicators
Vanderbilt University tops this list with a Communication Studies major built around rhetoric, argumentation, and public discourse rather than media production. Undergraduates work through four areas that include argumentation and advocacy, public discourse and deliberation, and culture and critique, and the department is a steady pipeline into law school, policy work, and advocacy roles. Institution-wide, Vanderbilt reports the highest graduation rate of any school here, and its aid packages keep the effective cost well below the published sticker price for many families. Small classes and faculty advising are baked into the major, which also offers a minor.
- 30 credit hours for the major
- Four areas include argumentation, public discourse, and cultural critique
- Minor available with 18 credits
- Courses in rhetoric, persuasion, social media, and political communication
- Independent study options
- Prepares students for law, media, public relations, and advocacy
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
#2Knoxville, TN · ~$19,000/yr (est.)
Best for: In-state students wanting flagship resources
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville is the state's flagship and the only school here with a full slate of communication pathways: communication studies, public relations, journalism and media, and a joint audiology and speech pathology degree. In-state students pay public tuition rates, and the program leans on Knoxville-area agencies, sports organizations, and nonprofits for internships. Faculty mentorship and student organizations are emphasized, and an honors concentration gives research-minded students a track of their own. The audiology and speech pathology degree is a 3+1 arrangement with the UT Health Science Center, with the final year completed in Memphis.
- Covers communication theory, research methods, and organizational communication
- Small class sizes with award-winning faculty
- Honors concentration available for research-focused students
- Industry meet-and-greets and guest speaker events
- Communication Studies minor available
- Prepares for government, nonprofit, and business roles
- Small classes, under 25 students
- 20:1 student-to-faculty ratio
- Study abroad program in Italy
- One-on-one industry coaching
- Professional development office support
- Program reports entry-level salaries up to $50,000
- 120 to 122 credit hours
- 3.0 GPA minimum and a B in AUSP 300 to progress
- 3+1 joint degree with UT Health Science Center
- First three years in Knoxville, final year at UTHSC
- Transfer students need 30 credits at each campus
- ASHA accredited
- Prepares for graduate work in speech, language, and hearing
- Concentrations in creative media, news, and leadership and enterprise
- Program reports a 100% internship completion rate
- Seven on-campus media properties
- 18:1 student-to-faculty ratio
- Award-winning faculty mentorship
Belmont University
#3Nashville, TN · ~$33,000/yr (est.)
Best for: Nashville-bound creatives seeking agency experience
Belmont University sits minutes from Nashville's music, healthcare, and entertainment employers, and its communication offerings reflect that reach: communication studies, public relations, social media management, corporate communication, and journalism. A student-run agency, Tower Creative Communications, gives undergraduates real client work, and the PR program claims a 17-year run as a PRSSA Star Chapter. Several majors lead to a BA or BS and require 128 credit hours. Tuition is private, but the Nashville internship pipeline is the headline here, and alumni have moved into law, marketing, broadcast reporting, and agency work.
- 128 total credit hours
- Core courses in speaking, writing, teamwork, and critical thinking
- Electives across interpersonal, rhetorical, and organizational topics
- One-on-one faculty advisor
- Speech and Debate Team competition
- Student-run Tower Creative Communications agency
- 128 total credit hours with a required capstone
- 17 consecutive years as a PRSSA Star Chapter
- PR University World Cup winners in 2023
- Faculty hold APR credentials
- Internships across the Nashville market
- Program established in 2004
- 128 total credit hours
- Five core curriculum areas
- Internship experience included
- Offered by the Department of Public Relations
- BA or BS options
- Prepares for social media specialist roles
- BA or BS, 128 total credit hours
- 30 hours of major requirements plus 12 hours of electives
- Covers verbal, written, and visual communication
- Topics include crisis communication and reputation management
- Includes internship opportunities
- Interdisciplinary electives available
- 128 total credit hours, BA or BS options
- Associated Press partnership
- Student newsroom experience
- Documentary production opportunities
- Multimedia storytelling with ethics and law courses
Milligan University
#4Milligan, TN · ~$21,000/yr (est.)
Milligan University is a small Christian liberal arts school in Northeast Tennessee whose journalism program pairs multimedia production with an ethics-first curriculum. Students file stories for a student-run news service and work at the campus radio station, and a minimum 150-hour internship is required. Coverage leans toward local and Appalachian regional issues, which gives graduates a portfolio of real community reporting. As a private institution Milligan prices above the public options, though institutional aid is available and graduation rates are solid for the sector.
- Bachelor of Arts or Science options
- Minimum 150-hour internship
- Student-run news service, The Stampede
- Campus radio station WUMC
- Multimedia production training
- Christ-centered approach to ethical storytelling
- Hands-on learning from the first semester
Freed-Hardeman University
#5Henderson, TN · $22,000/yr (est. net price)
Freed-Hardeman University is a private Christian university in Henderson, in West Tennessee, offering communication degrees with public relations and speech communication concentrations. Students work at the campus radio station WFHU, complete internships, and build a digital portfolio that is required for graduation. Small classes and a capstone seminar anchor the experience, with ethics framed through a Christian-values lens. A separate communication sciences and disorders track prepares students for speech-language pathology and audiology work and includes an on-campus clinic serving the surrounding community.
- Capstone required
- Internships and hands-on projects
- Small class sizes with experienced faculty
- Access to campus radio station WFHU
- Digital portfolio required for graduation
- Careers include PR specialist and media relations manager
- Bachelor of Arts degree
- Focus on public speaking and interpersonal communication
- Communication theories and senior seminar included
- Digital portfolio requirement
- Field lab experience
- Internship opportunities
- Prepares students for the ASHA SLPA exam
- On-campus speech clinic
- Cultural competency and evidence-based practice coursework
- Four-year program with capstone
- Careers in speech-language pathology and audiology
Union University
#6Jackson, TN · ~$27,000/yr (est.)
Union University is a private Christian liberal arts university in Jackson whose journalism program leans hard on writing: news reporting, features, podcasting, and creative nonfiction across print, online, and magazine outlets. Students publish through award-winning campus publications and compete at journalism conferences, with full Adobe Creative Cloud access for the length of the degree. The program is campus-based and intentionally small, so faculty feedback on portfolios comes early and often. It fits students who want a writing-heavy path rather than a broad communication studies degree.
- News writing, feature reporting, and podcasting
- Creative nonfiction across print, online, and magazine outlets
- Award-winning campus publications
- Full Adobe Creative Cloud access
- Practical industry experience
- Recognition at journalism conferences
Middle Tennessee State University
#7Murfreesboro, TN · ~$13,000/yr (est.)
Middle Tennessee State University offers the widest menu of communication options in the state, with communication studies, organizational communication, advertising and public relations, journalism, and speech-language pathology all under one roof. The Murfreesboro campus sits about 30 miles from Nashville, and the department leans on that proximity for internships and client projects, including a student-powered branding agency, a social media insights lab, and coursework in crisis and entertainment communication. Communication and organizational communication are offered both on campus and online, which matters for working students outside the Nashville area. In-state tuition is among the lowest on this list.
- Bachelor of Arts or Science
- Available on campus or online
- Experiential learning projects with community partners
- Undergraduate research with faculty
- Internships with local and national employers
- Communication Studies Club and Debate Club
- Coursework in message design and audience analysis
- Available on campus and online
- Analyzes organizational communication dynamics
- Grant writing, training, and communication auditing projects
- Paid and unpaid internships for course credit
- Lambda Pi Eta honors society and Blue Raider Debate
- ACEJMC accredited
- Three concentration options
- Capstone with a real client project
- PRSSA student group on campus
- Student-powered agency Ever Blue Branding
- Social Media Insights Lab
- Courses in crisis communication and digital media
- Nashville proximity for internships
- Recording Industry specialty option
- Campus-based Bachelor of Science
- Courses in writing, digital media, and crisis communication
- Capstone campaigns with real clients
- Access to Nashville media professionals
- PRSSA and Ever Blue Branding involvement
- 100 clinical hours, including an on-campus clinic
- One of the few undergraduate community clinics
- Prepares for graduate study
- NSSLHA chapter and Student Ambassador Program
- Pathway to SLP-Assistant roles
- Accredited journalism program
- Concentrations in entertainment, environmental, and investigative journalism
- On-campus practicum and off-campus internships
- Training across multiple media platforms
- Faculty with professional newsroom backgrounds
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga
#8Chattanooga, TN · ~$14,000/yr (est.)
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga pairs a liberal arts foundation with hands-on media training in its B.S. in Communication, which requires an internship or directed project plus a senior seminar. Students build electives across journalism, public relations, film production, design, and storytelling, with courses in sports writing, podcasting, and screenwriting on the menu. The English department adds a rhetoric and professional writing track for students aiming at content, design, and public-facing writing roles. Chattanooga's mid-size market gives students access to local agencies, newsrooms, and production shops with less competition than Nashville.
- ACEJMC accredited
- Internship or directed project required
- Senior Seminar capstone
- Electives in sports writing, podcasting, and screenwriting
- Emphasis areas include journalism, PR, film, design, and storytelling
- Coursework in mass communication law and ethics
- Hands-on film and video production courses
- Internship program for juniors and seniors
- Award-winning student-edited print journal
- Courses in writing, design, and public rhetoric
- Alumni work at HarperCollins and Virginia Tech
- Real world writing and design training
East Tennessee State University
#9Johnson City, TN · ~$16,000/yr (est.)
East Tennessee State University in Johnson City offers media and communication degrees with a Radio-TV-Film concentration, plus a communication studies track and a mass communication journalism path. The 120-credit programs include a capstone and a required minor, and students get regular hands-on time at student-operated radio and television stations. Coursework covers media writing, audio production, and video and film technique alongside media history, law, and ethics. In-state tuition is low, and the media and communication major accepts up to 12 transfer credits.
- 120 total credit hours with a capstone
- 2.0 GPA minimum
- 39 credit hours in the concentration
- Hands-on work at student-run radio and television stations
- Covers media writing, audio production, and video and film technique
- Emphasis on media history, law, and ethics
- Up to 12 transfer credits accepted
- 120 total credits with 36 in the major
- 15 credit core plus 21 credit concentration
- Foreign language and minor requirements
- Prepares students for law school and professional roles
- Major field test included
- Department advising and transfer support
- 120 total credit hours
- 39 credits in the journalism concentration
- Multimedia skills and digital storytelling coursework
- Internship opportunity included
- Requires a minor in another discipline
- Technology-rich skills classes
Lee University
#10Cleveland, TN · ~$19,000/yr (est.)
Lee University is a private Christian university in Cleveland, Tennessee, offering public relations and digital media studies degrees through its Department of Communication Arts. PR students complete a 150-hour internship, take part in the PRSSA Bateman Case Study Competition, and run campaigns for nonprofits, many of them regional organizations. Journalism students in the digital media studies emphasis work across multiple platforms and typically intern with Tennessee outlets in the Chattanooga and Cleveland corridor. The program is campus-based and small, with coursework that threads a Christian worldview through professional practice.
- Required internship of 150 work hours
- PRSSA Bateman Case Study Competition
- Capstone integrating Christian worldview
- Courses in crisis communication and event management
- Media law and ethics coursework
- Campaigns for nonprofit organizations
- Campus-based journalism program
- Comprehensive digital media skills
- Training across multiple media platforms
- Practical internship experience
- Technical and storytelling focus
How Much Does a Communication Degree Cost in Tennessee?
Tuition sticker prices in Tennessee range widely, but what you actually pay after financial aid tells a more useful story. The net price figures below are institution-wide averages after grants and scholarships, not program-specific guarantees, so your individual cost may differ. Alongside tuition, pay close attention to the median graduate debt column: the difference between the lowest debt load ($14,000 at Vanderbilt) and the highest ($30,500 at Lane College) can translate to years of extra monthly payments after graduation.
| School | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Avg. Net Price After Aid | Median Graduate Debt | Median Earnings (10 Yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin Peay State University | $9,006 | $14,766 | $9,735 | $20,547 | $44,301 |
| UT Martin | $10,560 | $16,600 | $10,701 | $21,024 | $44,213 |
| Lane College | $11,790 | $11,790 | $10,904 | $30,500 | $31,670 |
| University of Memphis | $10,728 | $15,384 | $12,397 | $23,300 | $48,458 |
| Middle Tennessee State University | $10,266 | $31,574 | $13,359 | $20,000 | $48,541 |
| Tennessee Tech | $11,376 | $15,576 | $14,246 | $15,650 | $48,501 |
| UT Chattanooga | $10,448 | $18,512 | $14,265 | $19,500 | $51,151 |
| Tennessee Wesleyan University | $30,814 | $30,814 | $14,836 | $20,000 | $45,989 |
| Tennessee State University | $8,616 | $22,416 | $15,796 | $27,000 | $42,730 |
| Vanderbilt University | $67,498 | $67,498 | $15,846 | $14,000 | $91,565 |
| East Tennessee State University | $10,216 | $13,726 | $15,983 | $19,442 | $44,859 |
| Trevecca Nazarene University | $31,300 | $31,300 | $16,813 | $18,744 | $49,378 |
| Lee University | $23,790 | $23,790 | $18,878 | $25,750 | $43,222 |
| UT Knoxville | $13,812 | $33,256 | $18,976 | $20,500 | $60,249 |
| Carson-Newman University | $34,700 | $34,700 | $20,251 | $21,500 | $48,382 |
| Lincoln Memorial University | $26,938 | $26,938 | $20,406 | $20,000 | $49,956 |
| Bryan College | $19,800 | $19,800 | $20,614 | $23,000 | $54,434 |
| Milligan University | $40,450 | $40,450 | $21,365 | $25,219 | $46,641 |
| Freed-Hardeman University | $25,620 | $25,620 | $21,574 | $21,500 | $47,485 |
| Southern Adventist University | $27,300 | $27,300 | $24,345 | $24,500 | $53,723 |
| Lipscomb University | $40,572 | $40,572 | $24,739 | $19,500 | $55,541 |
| Union University | $40,025 | $40,025 | $27,171 | $20,714 | $53,990 |
| Belmont University | $42,540 | $42,540 | $33,147 | $20,500 | $55,930 |
Communication Degree Salary and Career Outcomes in Tennessee
The honest question is not what a communication degree pays in the abstract, but what it pays in Tennessee, in your chosen role, in the metro where you actually want to live. Wages in Nashville do not match wages in Knoxville, and a public relations title pays differently from a media production title even when the day-to-day work overlaps. Sorting that out before you graduate is more useful than chasing a single national average. For a broader look at how earnings vary by school and region, see this analysis of communication degree salary trends.
Where to Find Reliable Tennessee Wage Data
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) broken down by metro area, which is the single best starting point for state-specific numbers. Look up these Standard Occupational Classification codes:
- 27-3031 Public Relations Specialists: core PR, corporate communications, and agency roles.
- 27-3099 Media and Communication Workers, All Other: a catch-all for digital content, internal communications, and hybrid roles.
- 11-2011 Advertising and Promotions Managers: management-track positions, typically reached with several years of experience.
Pull the Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro-Franklin, Memphis, and Knoxville metro tables separately. The wage spread between the 25th and 75th percentile tells you more about realistic offers than the median alone.
Projecting Job Growth in the State
For forward-looking data, the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development publishes long-term occupational projections (typically a ten-year window) showing expected openings and growth rates by occupation. BLS also offers state-level projections that you can cross-reference. Communication occupations in Tennessee have generally tracked alongside national growth, with stronger demand concentrated in the Nashville corridor thanks to healthcare, music, hospitality, and corporate headquarters activity.
Local Sources That National Data Misses
Federal data lags by a year or two, and it does not capture the quirks of regional employers. Two underused sources can sharpen the picture:
- University career centers: programs at the University of Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Belmont, MTSU, and the University of Memphis publish first-destination reports or alumni outcome surveys. Ask the career office directly if the public report is thin. These numbers reflect actual graduate offers, not occupational averages.
- Professional associations: the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Tennessee chapter, the American Marketing Association Nashville chapter, and local chapters of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) periodically publish salary benchmarks and host networking events where current practitioners share candid compensation ranges.
Triangulating across BLS metro data, state projections, university outcomes, and association benchmarks will give you a far more accurate picture than any single source on its own. If you decide to pursue advanced study after your bachelor's, explore master's in communication in Tennessee programs for additional career leverage.
Questions to Ask Yourself
Are you drawn to storytelling and journalism, or do you prefer strategic messaging and brand management?
Your answer shapes which concentration fits best. Students passionate about breaking news and investigative work thrive in journalism tracks, while those energized by campaigns and audience analytics often gravitate toward public relations or advertising concentrations.
Do you need flexibility for work or family, making an online or hybrid format essential?
Tennessee schools offer formats ranging from fully online to traditional campus schedules. Identifying your constraints upfront helps you filter programs that accommodate evening classes, asynchronous coursework, or weekend intensives.
Is proximity to Nashville's media market or Memphis's corporate corridor important for your internship and networking goals?
Location matters for hands-on experience. Nashville anchors music, entertainment, and healthcare communications, while Memphis hosts logistics giants and regional advertising agencies. Choosing a program near your target industry can accelerate professional connections.
Do you want a broad communication foundation or deep specialization in one area?
Some programs emphasize versatility across writing, media production, and public speaking. Others let you focus heavily on sports communication, digital media, or organizational leadership. Clarifying this helps match curriculum depth to career ambitions.
Online vs. On-Campus Communication Degrees in Tennessee
Most of the programs below are campus-based. The University of Memphis public relations program and MTSU's communication degree both list online and on-ground delivery, so working professionals do have flexible paths. When a school offers both formats, ask whether online and on-campus students share the same courses, faculty, and internship requirements, and whether any labs or practicums require you to be on campus. The pros below describe online study; the cons describe what you give up compared with being on campus.
- You can keep your full-time job and earn the degree around work and family, without relocating to Memphis, Murfreesboro, or another campus town.
- Rural Tennesseans in the Cumberland Plateau, Upper East Tennessee, or West Tennessee farm country can reach programs they would otherwise have to move to attend.
- Your effective cost often falls because you avoid moving, housing, and commuting costs and keep earning while you study.
- Memphis's online-capable public relations degree covers agency, corporate, and nonprofit career tracks and includes coursework leading to multiple certifications, so online study does not limit your career direction.
- You lose easy access to the Nashville and Knoxville media markets, where Belmont, Lipscomb, Tennessee State, and UT Knoxville connect students directly with industry contacts.
- In-person networking is harder to replicate online, such as UT Knoxville's industry meet-and-greets or work inside Belmont's student-run Tower Creative Communications agency.
- Hands-on studio and lab work, such as ETSU's student-run stations, Lipscomb's award-winning TV and radio stations, or Freed-Hardeman's WFHU, happens on campus.
- Online options are limited, and South College's online program prepares students for speech-language pathology rather than media or strategic communication careers.
Specializations and Concentrations Available at Tennessee Schools
Choosing the right concentration is one of the most important decisions you will make as a communication major. Different specializations map to distinct career tracks: a public relations focus prepares you for agency or corporate communications work, a journalism or mass communication track targets newsrooms and content production, and a strategic communication concentration aligns with marketing, branding, and organizational leadership roles. Rarer offerings like health communication, intercultural communication, and radio/TV/film can set you apart in niche industries. Four Tennessee programs currently hold ACEJMC accreditation (University of Tennessee, Knoxville; Middle Tennessee State University; University of Memphis; and University of Tennessee at Chattanooga), according to the ACEJMC Accredited Programs list, a credential that signals rigorous industry standards and can carry extra weight with employers.
| School | ACEJMC Accredited | Public Relations | Journalism | Mass Communication | Strategic Communication | Digital / Broadcast Media | Other Notable Focus Areas |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Tennessee, Knoxville | Yes | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available | Honors concentration |
| Middle Tennessee State University | Yes | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available | Online option available |
| University of Memphis | Yes | Available (standalone major) | Available | Available | Available | Available | Multiple certifications offered |
| University of Tennessee at Chattanooga | Yes | Available | Available | Available | N/A | Available (Film, Video Production) | Visual storytelling, design |
| Vanderbilt University | No | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | Argumentation and advocacy, public discourse, culture and critique |
| Belmont University | No | Available | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | Student-run creative agency (Tower Creative Communications) |
| Lipscomb University | No | Available (PRSSA chapter) | Available (SPJ chapter) | N/A | Available (standalone major) | Available | Study abroad (London, Vienna, Chile) |
| East Tennessee State University | No | N/A | N/A | Available | N/A | Available (Radio, TV, Film concentration) | Media law and ethics emphasis |
| Austin Peay State University | No | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | Available (Broadcast Media concentration) | Three concentration options |
| Tennessee State University | No | N/A | N/A | Available (standalone concentration) | N/A | Available | HBCU; located in Nashville media market |
| University of Tennessee at Martin | No | N/A | Available (concentration) | Available | Available | Available (digital media production) | Mass media and strategic communication combined |
| Freed-Hardeman University | No | Available (concentration) | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | Faith-integrated, campus radio station access |
| Lee University | No | Available (standalone major) | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | Crisis communication, event management |
| Southern Adventist University | No | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | Intercultural communication, rhetoric |
| Bryan College | No | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | Available (digital media, film) | Corporate communication, media and culture |
| Carson-Newman University | No | Available | Available | N/A | N/A | Available (Digital Cafe lab) | National championship forensics team |
| Tennessee Tech | No | Available | N/A | N/A | Available (Communication Studies) | Available (broadcasting) | Advertising focus |
| Milligan University | No | N/A | Available (standalone major) | N/A | N/A | Available (multimedia, campus radio) | Christ-centered journalism, student-run news service |
| Union University | No | N/A | Available (standalone major) | N/A | N/A | N/A | Award-winning campus publications, Adobe Creative Cloud |
| Lane College | No | N/A | N/A | Available (General, Broadcasting) | N/A | Available (production studios) | HBCU; state-of-the-art production facilities |
| Trevecca Nazarene University | No | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | Customizable BA or BS, career internship included |
| Tennessee Wesleyan University | No | N/A | Available (concentration) | N/A | N/A | Available (digital communication) | Study abroad media trips |
Internship Opportunities and the Nashville Media Market
Tennessee's communication programs gain a significant edge from the state's vibrant media landscape, and Nashville sits at the center of it. As a hub for music, healthcare, and entertainment, the city generates a steady stream of internship opportunities that let students build portfolios and professional networks before graduation.
MP&F Strategic Communications, one of Nashville's most established firms, offers a fall internship running from August through November 2026 in its downtown Nashville office.1 The program requires 20 to 30 hours per week and targets college juniors, seniors, and recent graduates, recruiting actively from Belmont University, University of Tennessee Knoxville, Middle Tennessee State University, Vanderbilt University, and Lipscomb University.1 Major employers like HCA Healthcare also post communication, marketing, and digital/social media internships on a rolling basis.2
Beyond corporate settings, Tennessee's cultural institutions create unique opportunities. The Country Music Hall of Fame hires paid events interns, and the Academy of Country Music offers positions spanning communications, marketing, social media, and events.3 The Southern Hospitality Internship Program places students in guest relations, digital content, and promotions roles, blending hospitality with communication skills.3
Government agencies add another dimension. The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) runs spring, summer, and fall internship cohorts in 2026, paying $19 to $20 per hour for rising juniors, seniors, and graduate students.4 These positions develop skills in public affairs and stakeholder communication that translate directly to careers in crisis communication experts and public relations.
University career offices also play a major role in connecting students with employers. Middle Tennessee State University places interns with Nashville PR agencies, music and entertainment companies, and TV/radio stations.5 The University of Memphis channels students toward Memphis TV stations and healthcare systems, while UT Knoxville partners with Knoxville TV stations operated by Nexstar, Gray, and Tegna.5 Belmont University interns frequently land with PR/marketing agencies and healthcare corporate communications teams.6 These placement networks underscore why choosing a Tennessee program means more than classroom learning: it means access to a professional ecosystem that can launch your career.
Admission Requirements and Transfer Pathways
Tennessee's public universities have made entering a communication program more accessible than ever, with most schools now emphasizing holistic review over rigid test score cutoffs. Understanding what each institution expects, and how to leverage the state's robust transfer system, can save you time and money on your path to a bachelor's degree.
GPA Expectations and the Test-Optional Shift
Most Tennessee communication programs look for a high school GPA between 2.5 and 3.0 for guaranteed admission, though competitive applicants often present stronger records. The University of Tennessee-Knoxville, with an admission rate around 42 percent, tends to be more selective than regional institutions like Austin Peay State University, where the admission rate exceeds 96 percent. Middle Tennessee State University falls in the middle at roughly 69 percent.
A significant shift has occurred regarding standardized tests. Many Tennessee schools now operate under test-optional or test-flexible policies, meaning you can apply without submitting ACT or SAT scores. When scores are submitted, they become one factor among many rather than a determining threshold. This change benefits working professionals and nontraditional students who may have been away from standardized testing for years.
TN Promise and TN Reconnect as Entry Points
Two state programs create affordable pathways into communication degrees:
- TN Promise: Covers tuition and fees at community colleges for recent high school graduates, allowing students to complete foundational coursework before transferring.
- TN Reconnect: Provides tuition assistance for adults without a degree who want to return to college, making community college an economically practical starting point for career changers.
Both programs position community colleges as genuine first steps toward a bachelor's degree rather than alternatives to university enrollment.
Transfer Articulation Through the Tennessee Transfer Pathway
The Tennessee Transfer Pathway for Communication Studies, formerly called Speech Communication, establishes a clear framework for moving from a community college to a public university.1 Students complete 60 credits, including 41 general education credits and 19 major preparation or elective credits, that transfer seamlessly to receiving institutions.2
Several community colleges offer this pathway, including Nashville State Community College, Volunteer State Community College, Columbia State Community College, Walters State Community College, Northeast State Community College, and Roane State Community College. Each institution aligns its associate degree curriculum with what Tennessee's public universities require for communication majors.
Final admission to a university communication program depends on meeting the receiving school's specific criteria, which can include portfolio submissions or minimum grades in key courses.3 However, the transfer pathway ensures your credits apply directly toward your bachelor's degree rather than counting only as electives. For working professionals balancing education with existing responsibilities, this structured approach minimizes wasted coursework and accelerates degree completion.
Frequently Asked Questions About Communication Degrees in Tennessee
Choosing the right communication program means weighing cost, format, career payoff, and fit. Below, we answer the questions Tennessee students ask most, drawing on program data and salary figures covered earlier in this guide.
More Communication Programs in Tennessee Worth Considering
Beyond the top programs in our ranking, Tennessee offers a deep bench of communication degrees spread across all three grand divisions of the state. The schools below are grouped by region so you can weigh location, format, and specialization against your own career goals. Every entry is drawn from the same program data used throughout this guide.
West Tennessee
University of Memphis
The University of Tennessee-Martin
Lane College
Middle Tennessee
Trevecca Nazarene University
Austin Peay State University
Tennessee State University
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