Higher Education

Volunteer State Community College

Volunteer State Community College is a public, comprehensive community college offering associate degrees, certificates, continuing education, and service to northern Middle Tennessee. The College’s main campus is in Gallatin, and there are three other satellite campuses within the eleven-county footprint. More than 9,000 students are enrolled in 90+ programs of study, including some 1,600 high school dual enrollment students. Significantly, Volunteer State annually provides 200,000+ hours of workforce development training.

The College is committed to providing quality innovative educational programs; strengthening community and workforce partnerships; promoting diversity, and cultural and economic development; inspiring lifelong learning; and preparing students for successful careers, university transfer, and meaningful civic participation in a global society.

Union University

Union University’s  Hendersonville campus offers associate, bachelor, and graduate degrees. The degree programs are accelerated, with both online and on-campus options, and offer career-related concentrations to complement adults professional goals. Degree offerings include nursing, education, organizational leadership, professional studies and Christian studies.

The University is nationally recognized for integrating top-tier academics and Christian faith in every program of study. The University’s Christ-centered instruction brings a richness to the fabric and culture of Sumner County and offers its residents an opportunity to be educated to the highest levels of their ambition in their home county.

TCAT – Portland

The College of Applied Technology in Portland is a satellite campus of TCAT-Nashville. The technical colleges are an integral part of the workforce development services in Sumner County. The technical colleges fulfill their mission by providing competency based training, training and retraining employed workers, ensuring accessibility and building relationships with local business and industry in partnership with the local economic and workforce development officials. A very special and unique feature of  TCAT-Portland is the Middle College Technical High School that is located on site in the college. The Technical High School offers the students the opportunity to graduate high school and technical college with industry certifications for an employable trade. The placement rate in the field of training is over 80%.

TCAT-Hartsville is located 15 fifteen miles east of Sumner county with a student body made up of 40% Sumner County residents. The TCATs have 27 campuses throughout the State and 54 locations.

Welch College

Welch College offers associates, bachelors and master’s degrees while offering students over 40 programs of study. Welch is Sumner County’s only residential college and provides both online and on campus instruction options. The college works closely with public and private schools and home school groups to provide dual enrollment instruction at the secondary level. Adult and non-degree student programs and industry specific instruction are available. 

Founded in 1942 to serve the Free Will Baptist denomination, the Christian college moved to Gallatin in 2017 from Nashville. Welch is listed as 16th among all regional colleges in the South by the US News and World report.  Students enjoy a distinctly Christian education with a strong core of biblical and theological studies that are relevant, affordable, and accessible.

2022 Sumner County Higher Education Profile