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Tennessee Nursing Colleges

47 Colleges
6,018 Yearly Graduations
$61,278 Avg 4-Year Tuition (In-State)
$26,298 Avg 4-Year Student Loan

In 2021, 6,018 students received a nursing degree from a college in Tennessee, making it rank #21 in terms of graduations. Tennessee colleges offer students average in-student tuition of $15,319 per year, while students attending fron out-of-state may pay something more like $21,058 per year.

About 46% of students who go to college in this state take out loans, with the average yearly loan amount being $6,575 per year.

Learn more about the most popular schools below:

#1

East Tennessee State University

Johnson City, Tennessee
Public Public vs. Private
737 Yearly Degrees
$9,438 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

There are 10,705 undergraduates at ETSU, of which 8,812 are full-time, and there are 13,713 students altogether. The average graduation time for an undergraduate student at ETSU is 4.5 years.

About 78% of students who apply get accepted. Around 36% of accepted students are men, and 64% are women.

47% of ETSU students take out loans to afford college costs. The average amount of student loans is $7,735 a year. ETSU has a 7.5% student default rate. This is excellent when you compare it to the national rate of 10.8%.

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $33,204 during the early-career years.

#2

Lincoln Memorial University

Harrogate, Tennessee
Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private
426 Yearly Degrees
$24,210 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

The total student population at Lincoln Memorial University is 4,885, of which 1,817 students are undergraduates and of those, 1,305 are full-time. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 13 to 1.

The school doesn’t accept everyone who applies - it has an acceptance rate of 69%. Around 29% of accepted students are men, and 71% are women.

Roughly 38% of students at LMU take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of student loans is $6,817 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 3.7% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from LMU is $39,368.

#3

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee
Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private
424 Yearly Degrees
$56,966 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

The total student population at Vanderbilt University is 13,537, of which 7,057 students are undergraduates and of those, 6,983 are full-time. The freshman retention rate at Vanderbilt is 96%, which is great when compared to the national average of 68%.

Only 12% of students who apply get accepted. Of the accepted students, 49% are men and 51% are women.

Roughly 12% of students at Vanderbilt take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of student loans is $7,422 a year. Vanderbilt has a 0.9% student default rate. This is excellent when you compare it to the national rate of 10.8%.

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from Vanderbilt is $65,261.

#4

University of Memphis

Memphis, Tennessee
Public Public vs. Private
407 Yearly Degrees
$10,056 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

There are 17,383 undergraduates at UofM, of which 12,063 are full-time, and there are 22,205 students altogether. It takes the average UofM undergraduate about 4.6 years to complete their degree.

Around 85% of students who apply get accepted. Around 37% of accepted students are men, and 63% are women.

Roughly 53% of students at UofM take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of student loans is $5,571 a year. This school’s student loan default rate of 9.3% is close to the national average of 10.8%.

Students who graduate from UofM with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $36,243 during the early years of their career after graduation.

Public Public vs. Private
320 Yearly Degrees
$13,244 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

There are 24,254 undergraduates at UT Knoxville, of which 22,914 are full-time, and there are 30,559 students altogether. The freshman retention rate at UT Knoxville is 89%, which is great when compared to the national average of 68%.

The school doesn’t accept everyone who applies - it has an acceptance rate of 78%. Around 40% of accepted students are men, and 60% are women.

39% of UT Knoxville students take out loans to afford college costs. The average amount of student loans is $8,369 a year. The student loan default rate of 3.1% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from UT Knoxville is $44,048.

#6

South College

Knoxville, Tennessee
Private for-profit Public vs. Private
305 Yearly Degrees
$17,335 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

The total student population at South College is 5,171, of which 4,175 students are undergraduates and of those, 2,563 are full-time. The average graduation time for an undergraduate student at South College is 4.0 years.

Roughly 41% of students at South College take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of student loans is $7,850 a year. Students should know that the student default rate at this school is 12.1% which is higher than the national average of 10.8%.

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from South College is $30,707.

#7

Union University

Jackson, Tennessee
Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private
235 Yearly Degrees
$16,520 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

The total student population at Union University is 3,071, of which 2,096 students are undergraduates and of those, 1,711 are full-time. It takes the average Union undergraduate about 4.1 years to complete their degree.

About 58% of students who apply get accepted. Of the accepted students, 28% are men and 72% are women.

Roughly 66% of students at Union take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of student loans is $6,883 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 4.3% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $41,818 during the early-career years.

#8

Southern Adventist University

Collegedale, Tennessee
Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private
229 Yearly Degrees
$23,210 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

There are 2,730 students at Southern Adventist in total, 2,384 of which are undergraduates, and of those, 2,103 are full-time. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 13 to 1.

About 74% of students who apply get accepted. Around 40% of accepted students are men, and 60% are women.

Approximately 53% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The average amount of student loans is $8,898 a year. The student loan default rate of 4.5% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from Southern Adventist is $38,310.

#9

Belmont University

Nashville, Tennessee
Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private
215 Yearly Degrees
$38,430 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

There are 6,631 undergraduates at Belmont, of which 6,330 are full-time, and there are 8,204 students altogether. For undergraduates at Belmont, the average graduation time is 4.2 years.

About 83% of students who apply get accepted. Around 30% of accepted students are men, and 70% are women.

Approximately 42% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The typical student loan amount is $8,350 a year. The student loan default rate of 2.5% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $42,954 during the early-career years.

#10

Austin Peay State University

Clarksville, Tennessee
Public Public vs. Private
199 Yearly Degrees
$8,431 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

There are 9,087 undergraduates at Austin Peay State University, of which 6,161 are full-time, and there are 10,272 students altogether. For undergraduates at Austin Peay State University, the average graduation time is 4.5 years.

Around 91% of students who apply get accepted. Around 34% of accepted students are men, and 66% are women.

50% of Austin Peay State University students take out loans to afford college costs. The typical student loan amount is $6,028 a year. The student loan default rate of 10.4% is very similar to the national average of 10.8%.

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from Austin Peay State University is $34,105.

#11

King University

Bristol, Tennessee
Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private
192 Yearly Degrees
$32,838 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

There are 1,435 undergraduates at King, of which 1,252 are full-time, and there are 1,746 students altogether. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 11 to 1.

The school doesn’t accept everyone who applies - it has an acceptance rate of 60%. Of the accepted students, 42% are men and 58% are women.

Approximately 70% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The typical student loan amount is $6,842 a year. King has a 4.7% student default rate. This is excellent when you compare it to the national rate of 10.8%.

Students who graduate from King with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $45,227 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#12

Tennessee Technological University

Cookeville, Tennessee
Public Public vs. Private
185 Yearly Degrees
$9,802 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

There are 8,778 undergraduates at Tennessee Tech University, of which 7,834 are full-time, and there are 10,177 students altogether. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 18 to 1.

The school doesn’t accept everyone who applies - it has an acceptance rate of 80%. Of the accepted students, 50% are men and 50% are women.

Approximately 48% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The average amount of student loans is $6,143 a year. The student loan default rate of 4.1% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $37,658 during the early-career years.

#13

The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga

Chattanooga, Tennessee
Public Public vs. Private
171 Yearly Degrees
$9,848 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

There are 11,728 students at UT Chattanooga in total, 10,341 of which are undergraduates, and of those, 9,234 are full-time. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 18 to 1.

About 83% of students who apply get accepted. Of the accepted students, 37% are men and 63% are women.

Roughly 48% of students at UT Chattanooga take out loans to pay for college. The typical student loan amount is $6,011 a year. The student loan default rate of 5.7% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $37,613 during the early-career years.

#14

Middle Tennessee State University

Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Public Public vs. Private
130 Yearly Degrees
$9,232 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

There are 22,080 students at Middle Tennessee State University in total, 19,188 of which are undergraduates, and of those, 15,520 are full-time. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 17 to 1.

Around 94% of students who apply get accepted. Around 45% of accepted students are men, and 55% are women.

46% of Middle Tennessee State University students take out loans to afford college costs. The average amount of student loans is $6,139 a year. Middle Tennessee State University has a 7.6% student default rate. This is excellent when you compare it to the national rate of 10.8%.

Students who graduate from Middle Tennessee State University with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $36,660 during the early years of their career after graduation.

Public Public vs. Private
130 Yearly Degrees
$10,634 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

There are 3,181 students at UTHSC in total, 218 of which are undergraduates, and of those, 204 are full-time. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1.

The school reports a student loan default rate of 3.1% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from UTHSC is $56,870.

#16

Dyersburg State Community College

Dyersburg, Tennessee
Public Public vs. Private
112 Yearly Degrees
$4,410 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

There are 2,650 students at DSCC in total, 1,129 are full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 20 to 1.

Roughly 7% of students at DSCC take out loans to pay for college. The typical student loan amount is $3,033 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 8.5% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from DSCC is $26,497.

#17

Walters State Community College

Morristown, Tennessee
Public Public vs. Private
104 Yearly Degrees
$4,399 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

The total student population at Walters State Community College is 5,742, which includes 2,883 full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 17 to 1.

WSCC has a 2.6% student default rate. This is excellent when you compare it to the national rate of 10.8%.

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $28,776 during the early-career years.

Public Public vs. Private
102 Yearly Degrees
$4,430 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

There are 7,371 students at Southwest in total, 3,243 are full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 17 to 1.

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $24,906 during the early-career years.

#19

Chattanooga State Community College

Chattanooga, Tennessee
Public Public vs. Private
101 Yearly Degrees
$4,430 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

The total student population at Chattanooga State Community College is 7,452, which includes 3,404 full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 14 to 1.

Roughly 15% of students at Chattanooga State Community College take out loans to pay for college. The typical student loan amount is $4,509 a year. Students should know that the student default rate at this school is 13.3% which is higher than the national average of 10.8%.

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from Chattanooga State Community College is $29,450.

#20

Tennessee Wesleyan University

Athens, Tennessee
Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private
97 Yearly Degrees
$26,590 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

There are 990 undergraduates at TWU, of which 948 are full-time, and there are 1,116 students altogether. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 11 to 1.

About 61% of students who apply get accepted. Of the accepted students, 34% are men and 66% are women.

57% of TWU students take out loans to afford college costs. The average amount of student loans is $6,032 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 7.7% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from TWU is $37,056.

Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private
94 Yearly Degrees

#22

Columbia State Community College

Columbia, Tennessee
Public Public vs. Private
87 Yearly Degrees
$4,666 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

There are 5,931 students at Columbia State Community College in total, 3,047 are full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 20 to 1.

Roughly 5% of students at Columbia State Community College take out loans to pay for college. The typical student loan amount is $4,330 a year. This school’s student loan default rate of 9.8% is close to the national average of 10.8%.

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $31,597 during the early-career years.

#23

Pellissippi State Community College

Knoxville, Tennessee
Public Public vs. Private
84 Yearly Degrees
$4,456 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

There are 9,334 students at Pellissippi State Community College in total, 4,348 are full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 20 to 1.

Roughly 6% of students at Pellissippi State Community College take out loans to pay for college. The typical student loan amount is $5,420 a year. The student loan default rate of 10.0% is very similar to the national average of 10.8%.

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from Pellissippi State Community College is $29,170.

#24

Lee University

Cleveland, Tennessee
Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private
78 Yearly Degrees
$20,500 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

There are 5,204 students at Lee University in total, 4,670 of which are undergraduates, and of those, 3,459 are full-time. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 15 to 1.

The school doesn’t accept everyone who applies - it has an acceptance rate of 83%. Of the accepted students, 29% are men and 71% are women.

Roughly 89% of students at Lee University take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of student loans is $6,710 a year. Lee University has a 4.5% student default rate. This is excellent when you compare it to the national rate of 10.8%.

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from Lee University is $32,702.

#25

Northeast State Community College

Blountville, Tennessee
Public Public vs. Private
73 Yearly Degrees
$4,422 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

The total student population at Northeast State Community College is 5,397, which includes 2,843 full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 19 to 1.

Roughly 1% of students at Northeast State Technical Community College take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of student loans is $5,650 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 8.0% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from Northeast State Technical Community College is $26,356.

Other Tennessee Colleges

Rank School Yearly Graduations
26 Baptist Memorial College of Health Sciences 69
27 Carson - Newman University 68
28 Roane State Community College 66
29 Jackson State Community College 62
30 Motlow State Community College 60
31 Freed-Hardeman University 54
32 Cumberland University 49
33 Cleveland State Community College 47
34 Tennessee State University 45
35 The University of Tennessee - Martin 42
36 Lipscomb University 40
36 Nashville State Community College 40
38 Tusculum University 30
39 Fortis Institute - Nashville 26
40 Milligan University 20
41 Martin Methodist College 15
42 Remington College - Memphis Campus 14
43 Trevecca Nazarene University 11
44 Bethel University 10
44 Concorde Career College - Memphis 10
46 Christian Brothers University 3
47 Strayer University - Tennessee 0

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