The CPA Class of 2026 is going in many different directions and pursuing various opportunities next year. Teachers, faculty, and staff congratulate their hard work, integrity, and accomplishments and pray for their path forward. 

We’re excited to share where they’re headed next. Please enjoy this year-end snapshot provided by the College Counseling team of Amy Calhoun, Elizabeth Belville, and Catherine Sawyer. 
 
APPLICATIONS
This year, 125 members of the class of 2026:

• submitted 588 applications (~4.7 per applicant) 
• to 143 unique institutions 
• in 31 states, the District of Columbia, and 2 other countries. 

APPLICATIONS BY STUDENT

• 20 students submitted 1 application
• 12 students submitted 10+ applications
• One student submitted a class high of 17 applications

APPLICATIONS BY COLLEGE

• 72 colleges received an application from only one CPA student
• UTK had (by far) the most applications from seniors with 75
• Four schools had 30+ CPA applications: UTK (75), Auburn (48), Samford (36), University of Mississippi (33)

OFFERS OF ADMISSION

• At least one student was admitted to 116 of the 143 applied-to institutions
• 81% of applications received some form of acceptance (outright admission, guaranteed transfer, beginning abroad, spring or summer enrollment, etc.). 
• Fifty-four students (43%) received an offer of waitlist or deny. Rejection is not easy. We are proud of these students for risking disappointment and processing through it.

DESTINATION OVERVIEW
As of today, students will go in 46 different directions next year. 

• 1 student will pursue a music production career in Nashville 
• 1 student will take a gap year while pursuing coursework online
• 1 is enlisting in the United States Navy
• 1 is enlisting in the United States Air Force
• 2 are attending a 2-year college in Alabama
• 120 are attending 4-year colleges
  • 41 individual colleges in:
    • 15 states
    • Washington, DC
    • Scotland

DESTINATION SPECIFICS

• 34% of the class will remain in TN
  • 8 schools
• 66% leaving TN
  • 27% in Alabama
    • 5 schools
  • 9% in Mississippi
    • 2 schools
  • 7% in Kentucky
    • 3 schools

The schools getting the biggest group of CPA graduates from this year are:
University of Tennessee, Knoxville (23)
Auburn University (17)
Samford University (10)
University of Mississippi (10)
Belmont (9)

Each remaining institution has four or fewer matriculants.

LONE-RANGERS & TRAILBLAZERS

• Thirty-one students will be the only members of the Class of 2026 to attend their chosen institution/pursue their chosen program (lone-rangers). 
• Sixteen students are going to a school where no CPA alum is currently enrolled (trail-blazers). They are headed to:
  • Appalachian State University (NC)
  • Boston University (MA)
  • University of Cincinnati (OH)
  • The Citadel (SC)
  • Drexel University (PA)
  • Eckerd College (FL)
  • The University of Edinburgh (Scotland)
  • George Washington University (DC)
  • Georgia Southern University
  • Jacksonville State University (FL)
  • Kansas State University
  • Lindsey Wilson College (KY)
  • Oklahoma State University
  • University of South Alabama
  • Texas A&M University, Galveston
  • Virginia Military Institute 

It is a distinct privilege to walk with students as they discern what is the next best step after CPA.

As our students head out in so many directions next year, we give thanks for the many influential mentors—teachers, coaches, directors, parents, family, friends, and others—who have nurtured and championed these young men and women as they prepare to leave this place. Thank you for your investment in the CPA Class of 2026.