Best Nursing Schools in Tennessee for 2023

Nursing Degrees & Schools / Best Schools Tennessee

Tennessee, the state of country music and whiskey, is also where nursing opportunities come knocking. There are several well-ranked colleges, and the state offers a special program in which nurses can get 85% of their remaining loans paid in exchange for two years of service at a public hospital or mental health facility.

In addition to competitive salary, becoming a nurse in this state also gives you access to high-quality graduate programs and study abroad opportunities. Take your first step by learning about the best nursing schools in Tennessee.

Tennessee’s top nursing programs:

1. University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center
2. Tennessee Tech University
3. University of Tennessee, Knoxville
4. Union University
5. University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
6. University of Memphis
7. Middle Tennessee State University
8. Austin Peay State University
9. Belmont University
10. East Tennessee State University

1. University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center — Score 72

NCLEX pass rate: 88%

In-state annual tuition: $12,705

Out-of-state annual tuition: $36,930

The University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center was named one of the best nursing schools for DNP programs by U.S. News & World Report. It also has important partnerships, such as the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) training and certification, with Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) funding.

Online classes: yes

The CCNE-accredited programs for nursing students are:

• BSN
• DNP

Graduation rate: 92%

Programs offered:

• RN to BSN
• ABSN
• BSN
• DNP
• Nursing Practice Certificate

2. Tennessee Tech University — Score 67

NCLEX pass rate: 94%

In-state annual tuition: $10,522

Out-of-state annual tuition: $14,722

Tennessee Tech University is ranked one of the top public schools by U.S. News & World Report. It offers an accelerated BSN program and different study abroad options, with volunteer programs and virtual programs.

Online classes: yes

The CCNE-accredited programs for nursing students are:

• BSN
• MSN
• DNP

Graduation rate: 58%

Programs offered:

• BSN
• DNP
• MSN
• RN to BSN

3. University of Tennessee, Knoxville — Score 64

NCLEX pass rate: 93%

In-state annual tuition: $13,244

Out-of-state annual tuition: $31,664

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville College of Nursing offers the Nursing Honors Program, an opportunity for students to network with nurse scientists and leaders. In addition, it has various research groups with an interdisciplinary approach, like The Gerontology Research and Scholarship and the Substance Misuse Community of Scholars.

Online classes: yes 

The CCNE-accredited programs for nursing students are:

• BSN
• DNP
• PGC APRN

Graduation rate: 71%

Programs offered:

• BSN
• ABSN
• RN to BSN
• Nursing Honors Program

4. Union University — Score 59

NCLEX pass rate: 93%

In-state annual tuition: $35,500

Out-of-state annual tuition: $35,500

The Union University was ranked No. 1 among the best colleges for nursing in Tennessee. Its BSN program offers the chance to study two minors, Nursing Across Cultures and Nursing and Languages. This nursing school also has a pharmacy simulation lab, and its employment rate is 100%. 

Online classes: yes 

The CCNE-accredited programs for nursing students are:

• BSN
• MSN
• DNP
• PGC APRN

Graduation rate: 67%

Programs offered:

• BSN
• ABSN
• RN to BSN
• MSN
• DNP

5. University of Tennessee at Chattanooga — Score 57

NCLEX pass rate: 96%

In-state annual tuition: $25,966

Out-of-state annual tuition: $25,966

Located in the beautiful mountains of the state, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga offers five nursing programs. One is a DNP nurse anesthesia program, which is used in hospitals where nurse students experience challenging clinical cases without sharing the opportunities with medical students. Its NP program is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).

Online classes: yes 

The CCNE-accredited programs for nursing students are:

• BSN
• MSN
• DNP
• PGC APRN

The ACEN accredited program for nursing students is ADN.

Graduation rate: 49%

Programs offered:

• BSN
• RN to BSN
• Nurse Practitioner
• DNP
• Nurse Anesthesia

6. University of Memphis — Score 54

NCLEX pass rate: 86%

In-state annual tuition: $14,610

Out-of-state annual tuition: $19,650

According to the University of Memphis Loewenberg College of Nursing’s statement, this school has less theory and more practice, with many opportunities to create and research. It has an Office of Institutional Equity (OIE), which is committed to monitoring the university’s policy on Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity. Its master’s program has been ranked among the best by U.S. News & World Report, and its BSN retention rate is 94%. The university has a bridge program, known as the Summer Bridge Program.

Online classes: yes 

The CCNE-accredited programs for nursing students are:

• BSN
• MSN
• PGC APRN

Graduation rate: 50%

Programs offered:

• BSN
• ABSN
• RN to BSN
• MSN
• Post MSN
• PhD

7. Middle Tennessee State University — Score 48

NCLEX pass rate: 92%

In-state annual tuition: $9,472

Out-of-state annual tuition: $29,144

With a focus on care for the community and hands-on experience, almost 90% of APN graduates at Middle Tennessee State University successfully passed the nurse practitioner certification exam on their first try. The nursing school has partnerships with many institutions, such as Sigma Theta Tau International and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

Online classes: yes 

The CCNE-accredited programs for nursing students are:

• BSN
• MSN
• PGC APRN

Graduation rate: 49%

Programs offered:

• BSN
• MSN

8. Austin Peay State University — Score 48

NCLEX pass rate: 89%

In-state annual tuition: $7,146

Out-of-state annual tuition: $12,690

Austin Peay State University is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC). It offers a bridge program that helps international students explore American culture while teaching domestic students about the culture and history of their countries.

Online classes: yes

The CCNE-accredited programs for nursing students are:

• BSN
• MSN
• PGC APRN

Graduation rate: 42%

Programs offered:

• BSN
• RN to BSN
• MSN

9. Belmont University — Score 44

NCLEX pass rate: 84%

In-state annual tuition: $39,850

Out-of-state annual tuition: $39,850

Belmont University’s  Gordon E. Inman College of Health Sciences & Nursing provides interprofessional experiences through various initiatives, such as an event in the first year of studies where nurse, pharmacy and physiotherapy students work together on a case. In addition, its simulation center is accredited by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare and is recognized by the International Nursing Association of Clinical Simulation and Learning for its excellence in simulation. Its MSN and DNP programs are ranked among the best by U.S. News & World Report.

Online classes: yes 

The CCNE-accredited programs for nursing students are:

• BSN
• MSN
• DNP
• PGC APRN

Graduation rate: 72%

Job placement: 96% of BSN students and 93.3% of DNP graduate students.

Programs offered:

• BSN
• ABSN
• MSN
• DNP

10. East Tennessee State University — Score 37

NCLEX pass rate: 84%

In-state annual tuition: $19,348

Out-of-state annual tuition: $20,968

East Tennessee State University is accredited by the SACS. Its online/hybrid MSN program was ranked No. 3 by Nurse Practitioner Online in 2021. The institution offers a Substance Abuse Nurse Practitioner Residency, and its undergraduate nursing students receive free tutoring.

Online classes: yes

The CCNE-accredited programs for nursing students are:

• BSN
• MSN
• DNP
• PGC APRN

Graduation rate: 51%

Programs offered:

• BSN
• DNP
• MSN

Table

How to choose the right nursing program

Choosing the right program requires an analysis of important factors, such as location, costs and NCLEX pass rates. Check them out.

Location

In an ideal scenario, the most suitable nursing school for you is the closest to where you live. But it’s not always possible, so you can look for other options, such as schools with many locations throughout the state or online programs.

Tuition

The best nursing schools in Tennessee may charge an annual in-state tuition of $7,146 to $19,348, as you have read. But no matter where you decide to study, the government can help you through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which enables you to get federal loans for college.

NCLEX pass rate

The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) exam is an obligatory test for nursing graduates to be licensed as a registered nurse. It’s advisable to look for schools that have at least a 90% pass rate and that provide top-notch resources to prepare you for the assessment.

Programs offered

Another sign that you will make a great choice is how the program offered matches your needs. Search all the program options the school offers and read the courses included. 

Graduation rate

The graduation rate is based on the proportion of undergraduates who complete their program in six to eight years. If a school has a graduation rate above 90%, it may indicate a lot of benefits of studying there, such as academic support or faculty support.

Next steps

Choosing the right nursing program, whether it is an undergraduate degree or a PhD program, is not difficult. You already know the essential factors to make the best decision: school location, fees, ratings and programs offered.

To continue succeeding in your nursing career, read our resources!

To help you apply for licensure, we’ve written a guide about the NCLEX exam, the application fee, the temporary license and the certification in Tennessee. 

Incredible Health can also help you earn continuing education unit (CEU) credits. Access our free Tennessee CEU courses to continue your studies after graduation. 

If you still have questions, ask experienced nurses and learn from those who are already active in the labor market.

Methodology

In order to determine the best nursing schools in a state, Incredible Health compared the top schools among five categories: graduation rate, tuition, NCLEX pass rate, accreditation, and the number of nursing programs offered.

Each metric was scored on a 100-point scale with 100 representing the highest total for that category. Then we compiled the individual scores to get an overall score.

We used data from: 

• University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center
• Tennessee Tech University
• University of Tennessee, Knoxville
• Union University
• University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
• University of Memphis
• Middle Tennessee State University
• Austin Peay State University
• Belmont University
• East Tennessee State University
• Tennessee Board of Nursing
• U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard
• American Association of Colleges of Nursing
• Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
• U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Rankings