Knoxville, TN (WOKI) – Forbes has named the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, one of America’s best large employers. The 2026 list was announced Feb. 10.
“Being acknowledged by Forbes as one of America’s Best Large Employers is a powerful affirmation of who we strive to be as a higher education institution,” said Tarah Keeler, associate vice chancellor of human resources and chief human resources officer. “The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, takes pride in being known as the everything school — leading not only in academics, athletics and research but also in our dedication to the people who make our achievements possible. This honor highlights our efforts to ensure employees feel supported, empowered to grow, and prepared to serve our community locally and across the state. This recognition reflects our commitment to fostering a workplace where employees feel valued and inspired by the impact they make every day.”
Now in its eleventh year, the America’s Best Employers ranking celebrates organizations across the nation that have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to fostering environments where employees can thrive.
The ranking, presented by Forbes in collaboration with market research company Statista, is based on independent survey responses from over 217,000 U.S. employees working at companies with a national workforce of at least 1,000 people. The survey evaluates employees’ personal and public assessments in key categories including atmosphere and development, salaries and wages, company image, culture and workplace environment.
The university currently has 2,324 faculty and 6,179 staff employees. It offers a comprehensive suite of benefits, including generous health and retirement plans, paid parental leave, employee tuition waivers, and discounted tuition for qualifying employees and family members at state colleges and universities.
In 2025, Forbes honored UT as a Dream Employer, one of Tennessee’s Top Employers and a Best Employer for New Graduates. Earlier this year, the university was recognized as a Best Place for Working Parents.
Forbes has ranked UT a best employer for five years in a row. See Forbes’ full list of America’s Best Large Employers for 2026.
Story from https://news.utk.edu/
