Tennessee Board of Regents

The Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) is the state's largest public higher education system. Established in 1972 by the Tennessee General Assembly, it governs 36 institutions that collectively educate nearly 140,000 students a year and provide workforce development, technical training and degree pathways across Tennessee.

The system comprises 13 community colleges and 23 Colleges of Applied Technology (TCATs). Community colleges offer degree and transfer pathways aligned with industry needs, while the TCATs deliver specialised technical education and short-term credentials that can be completed in as little as 12 months. Between them, the institutions offer more than 400 programs of study, including stackable short-term credentials designed for quick workforce readiness alongside comprehensive transfer options.

TBR operates as a unified system, coordinating policy, programs and partnerships to maintain consistent quality across its institutions. Its stated commitments include expanding educational access, supporting student success and workforce readiness, and serving every Tennessee community with equitable opportunity. The organisation works across public higher education, workforce development, technical and vocational training, and economic development.

Further information is available at tbr.edu.