Tennessee Higher Education Fact Book
The Division of Policy, Planning, and Research has assembled the Tennessee Higher
Education Fact Book which is a compilation of statistical information pertaining
to higher education in Tennessee. The Fact Book contains tables and charts with
data relevant to enrollment, persistence, graduation, tuition, financial aid,
lottery scholarships, etc. The Fact Book is a resource for various stakeholders
in higher education such as administrators, researchers, and legislators. Please
click the link below to access a PDF version of the Fact Book. Any questions
should be directed to the Division of Policy, Planning, and Research.
Statewide Master Plan
The Master Planning cycle has traditionally followed a five-year timeframe, with
the most recent iteration spanning 2000-05. Following this five-year reference
point, the new planning document will run from 2005-10. The following provides
an overview of THEC master planning activity since the adoption of the 2000-05
Master Plan for Higher Education in Tennessee.
Master Plans by State
Articulation and Transfer Reports
The General Assembly determined that a higher education system that failed to
allow the transfer of seemingly identical or similar courses increased the time
to degree and cost to the student and the state. It was also the perception of
the General Assembly that public higher education was not taking adequate steps
to remedy the problem.
Therefore, the legislature passed Public Chapter
795, Acts of 2000. Public Chapter 795 requires the Tennessee Higher Education
Commission to work with the University of Tennessee and Tennessee Board of
Regents to:
• Create and have in place by the 2001 fall semester, a university track program
within UT and TBR consisting of sixty (60) semester hours of instruction within
each major discipline that can be transferred and applied toward the
requirements for a bachelor’s degree, thus allowing a student who has
successfully completed the track to enter the receiving institution as a junior.
• Create an atmosphere that is conducive to transferability of credits among
Tennessee’s public colleges and universities.
• Report to the Joint Education Oversight Committee and the chairs of the House
and Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committees on the progress made toward full
articulation on October 1 of each year.
Office Campus Reports
Off-campus locations play a significant role within Tennessee’s higher education
system. They meet the needs of many citizens who are unable to take advantage of
the services provided at main campus locations and, in turn, serve the needs of
the institution by making education available to more students. It is the
responsibility of the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, under the purview
of the State, to review and approve any new locations. The off campus locations
report provides information on the location of off-campus higher education
facilities throughout the state.
Profiles and Trends
T.C.A. ยง49-7-202 (c) (7) requires the Tennessee Higher Education Commission to
“submit a biennial report to the governor and the general assembly, commenting
upon major developments, trends, new policies, budgets and financial
considerations which in the judgment of the commission will be useful to the
governor and to the general assembly in planning for the sound and adequate
development of the state's program of public higher education.”
The purpose of this report, Tennessee Higher Education Profiles and Trends, is
to provide state policymakers with a brief overview of Tennessee higher
education within a regional and national context. This report presents data and
analyses on seven policy issues important to the state: 1) State Economy and
Higher Education, 2) Student Preparation, 3) Student Participation, 4) Student
Retention and Completion, 5) Finance, 6) Tuition and Financial Aid, and 7)
Student Satisfaction.
ACT Search
Below is a searchable list of ACT Feedback Reports that profile the performance of Tennessee high school graduates in postsecondary education. Each academic year represents the first year collegiate performance of the previous year's ACT tested high school graduates. Reports are available for each high school, school district, public college or university, and higher education system.