Find Nursing Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Tennessee Colleges

Find Schools Near

Tennessee Nursing Colleges

47 Colleges
$63,697 Avg 4-Year Tuition (In-State)
$25,502 Avg 4-Year Student Loan

In terms of yearly nursing graduations, Tennessee is ranked #21 in the country with 6,018 degrees handed out in 2021. Students who live in the state can take advantage of in-state tuition averaging $15,924 a year, while students from out-of-state may pay a higher average tuition of $21,632 a year.

About 43% of students who go to college in this state take out loans, with the average yearly loan amount being $6,376 per year.

Learn more about the most popular schools below:

#1

East Tennessee State University

Johnson City, Tennessee
Public Public vs. Private
$9,438 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
36% Freshmen Loans

There are 13,713 students at ETSU in total, 10,705 of which are undergraduates, and of those, 8,812 are full-time. For undergraduates at ETSU, the average graduation time is 4.5 years.

Around 87% of students who apply get accepted. Of the accepted students, 33% are men and 67% are women.

36% of ETSU students take out loans to afford college costs. The typical student loan amount is $7,702 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 2.5% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $35,345 during the early-career years.

#2

Lincoln Memorial University

Harrogate, Tennessee
Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private
$25,180 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
35% Freshmen Loans

There are 1,817 undergraduates at LMU, of which 1,305 are full-time, and there are 4,885 students altogether. The average graduation time for an undergraduate student at LMU is 4.2 years.

The school doesn’t accept everyone who applies - it has an acceptance rate of 70%. Around 31% of accepted students are men, and 69% are women.

Approximately 35% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The average amount of student loans is $6,684 a year. The student loan default rate of 0.8% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from LMU is $43,038.

#3

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee
Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private
$60,348 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
10% Freshmen Loans

There are 13,537 students at Vanderbilt in total, 7,057 of which are undergraduates, and of those, 6,983 are full-time. The average graduation time for an undergraduate student at Vanderbilt is 4.1 years.

Only 7% of students who apply get accepted. Of the accepted students, 48% are men and 52% are women.

10% of Vanderbilt students take out loans to afford college costs. The average amount of student loans is $9,084 a year. The student loan default rate of 0.5% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

Students who graduate from Vanderbilt with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $74,018 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#4

University of Memphis

Memphis, Tennessee
Public Public vs. Private
$10,056 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
43% Freshmen Loans

There are 22,205 students at UofM in total, 17,383 of which are undergraduates, and of those, 12,063 are full-time. For undergraduates at UofM, the average graduation time is 4.6 years.

Around 95% of students who apply get accepted. Of the accepted students, 36% are men and 64% are women.

Roughly 43% of students at UofM take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of student loans is $5,530 a year. UofM has a 3.5% 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 UofM is $37,875.

Public Public vs. Private
$13,244 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
32% Freshmen Loans

The total student population at The University of Tennessee - Knoxville is 30,559, of which 24,254 students are undergraduates and of those, 22,914 are full-time. The freshman retention rate at UT Knoxville is 88%, which is great when compared to the national average of 68%.

About 75% of students who apply get accepted. Of the accepted students, 36% are men and 64% are women.

Roughly 32% of students at UT Knoxville take out loans to pay for college. The typical student loan amount is $9,233 a year. UT Knoxville has a 1.1% 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 $46,273 during the early-career years.

#6

South College

Knoxville, Tennessee
Private for-profit Public vs. Private
$17,335 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
43% Freshmen Loans

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 school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 20 to 1.

Approximately 43% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The typical student loan amount is $8,236 a year. The student loan default rate of 2.2% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $32,789 during the early-career years.

#7

Union University

Jackson, Tennessee
Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private
$19,363 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
48% Freshmen Loans

There are 3,071 students at Union in total, 2,096 of which are undergraduates, and of those, 1,711 are full-time. The freshman retention rate at Union is 87%, which is great when compared to the national average of 68%.

About 53% of students who apply get accepted. Around 32% of accepted students are men, and 68% are women.

Roughly 48% of students at Union take out loans to pay for college. The typical student loan amount is $6,491 a year. The student loan default rate of 1.1% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from Union is $43,332.

#8

Southern Adventist University

Collegedale, Tennessee
Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private
$23,870 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
44% Freshmen Loans

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 41% of accepted students are men, and 59% are women.

44% of Southern Adventist students take out loans to afford college costs. The typical student loan amount is $7,730 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 1.2% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $39,960 during the early-career years.

#9

Belmont University

Nashville, Tennessee
Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private
$39,850 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
38% Freshmen Loans

The total student population at Belmont University is 8,204, of which 6,631 students are undergraduates and of those, 6,330 are full-time. The average graduation time for an undergraduate student at Belmont is 4.2 years.

Around 88% of students who apply get accepted. Around 29% of accepted students are men, and 71% are women.

Roughly 38% of students at Belmont take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of student loans is $8,889 a year. Belmont has a 0.6% student default rate. This is excellent when you compare it to the national rate of 10.8%.

Students who graduate from Belmont with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $44,400 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#10

Austin Peay State University

Clarksville, Tennessee
Public Public vs. Private
$8,431 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
47% Freshmen Loans

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

Around 93% of students who apply get accepted. Of the accepted students, 36% are men and 64% are women.

47% of Austin Peay State University students take out loans to afford college costs. The average amount of student loans is $5,875 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 3.4% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

Students who graduate from Austin Peay State University with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $36,253 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#11

King University

Bristol, Tennessee
Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private
$33,784 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
75% Freshmen Loans

The total student population at King University is 1,746, of which 1,435 students are undergraduates and of those, 1,252 are full-time. The average graduation time for an undergraduate student at King is 4.2 years.

The school doesn’t accept everyone who applies - it has an acceptance rate of 66%. Of the accepted students, 47% are men and 53% are women.

Roughly 75% of students at King take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of student loans is $7,234 a year. The student loan default rate of 2.1% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from King is $48,373.

#12

Tennessee Technological University

Cookeville, Tennessee
Public Public vs. Private
$9,802 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
44% Freshmen Loans

The total student population at Tennessee Technological University is 10,177, of which 8,778 students are undergraduates and of those, 7,834 are full-time. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 18 to 1.

About 79% of students who apply get accepted. Around 51% of accepted students are men, and 49% are women.

Approximately 44% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The average amount of student loans is $6,259 a year. Tennessee Tech University has a 1.2% 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 Tennessee Tech University is $40,421.

#13

The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga

Chattanooga, Tennessee
Public Public vs. Private
$9,848 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
45% Freshmen Loans

There are 10,341 undergraduates at UT Chattanooga, of which 9,234 are full-time, and there are 11,728 students altogether. It takes the average UT Chattanooga undergraduate about 4.5 years to complete their degree.

Around 86% of students who apply get accepted. Of the accepted students, 34% are men and 66% are women.

Roughly 45% of students at UT Chattanooga take out loans to pay for college. The typical student loan amount is $5,833 a year. UT Chattanooga has a 1.5% student default rate. This is excellent when you compare it to the national rate of 10.8%.

Students who graduate from UT Chattanooga with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $39,937 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#14

Middle Tennessee State University

Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Public Public vs. Private
$9,232 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
36% Freshmen Loans

The total student population at Middle Tennessee State University is 22,080, of which 19,188 students are undergraduates and of those, 15,520 are full-time. For undergraduates at Middle Tennessee State University, the average graduation time is 4.6 years.

About 68% of students who apply get accepted. Around 44% of accepted students are men, and 56% are women.

Roughly 36% of students at Middle Tennessee State University take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of student loans is $5,776 a year. Middle Tennessee State University has a 2.3% 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 Middle Tennessee State University is $38,300.

Public Public vs. Private
$11,153 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

There are 218 undergraduates at UTHSC, of which 204 are full-time, and there are 3,181 students altogether. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1.

The school reports a student loan default rate of 1.1% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

Students who graduate from UTHSC with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $57,443 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#16

Dyersburg State Community College

Dyersburg, Tennessee
Public Public vs. Private
$4,410 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
6% Freshmen Loans

The total student population at Dyersburg State Community College is 2,650, which includes 1,129 full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 20 to 1.

Approximately 6% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The average amount of student loans is $3,050 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 3.6% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from DSCC is $27,867.

#17

Walters State Community College

Morristown, Tennessee
Public Public vs. Private
$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 18 to 1.

WSCC has a 6.6% 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 $29,631 during the early-career years.

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

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

Students who graduate from Southwest with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $27,216 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#19

Chattanooga State Community College

Chattanooga, Tennessee
Public Public vs. Private
$4,430 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
11% Freshmen Loans

There are 3,404 full-time undergraduates at Chattanooga State Community College, and 7,452 students altogether. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 14 to 1.

Roughly 11% of students at Chattanooga State Community College take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of student loans is $4,807 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 2.8% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

Students who graduate from Chattanooga State Community College with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $31,692 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#20

Tennessee Wesleyan University

Athens, Tennessee
Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private
$27,350 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
62% Freshmen Loans

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 10 to 1.

The school doesn’t accept everyone who applies - it has an acceptance rate of 60%. Of the accepted students, 29% are men and 71% are women.

62% of TWU students take out loans to afford college costs. The average amount of student loans is $5,490 a year. The student loan default rate of 2.5% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

Students who graduate from TWU with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $39,702 during the early years of their career after graduation.

Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private

#22

Columbia State Community College

Columbia, Tennessee
Public Public vs. Private
$4,480 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
2% Freshmen Loans

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 19 to 1.

2% of Columbia State Community College students take out loans to afford college costs. The typical student loan amount is $4,406 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 2.8% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from Columbia State Community College is $32,618.

#23

Pellissippi State Community College

Knoxville, Tennessee
Public Public vs. Private
$4,456 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
5% Freshmen Loans

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 18 to 1.

5% of Pellissippi State Community College students take out loans to afford college costs. The average amount of student loans is $5,891 a year. The student loan default rate of 2.8% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from Pellissippi State Community College is $30,896.

#24

Lee University

Cleveland, Tennessee
Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private
$21,730 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
57% Freshmen Loans

There are 4,670 undergraduates at Lee University, of which 3,459 are full-time, and there are 5,204 students altogether. For undergraduates at Lee University, the average graduation time is 4.3 years.

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

Roughly 57% of students at Lee University take out loans to pay for college. The typical student loan amount is $6,913 a year. The student loan default rate of 1.2% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $35,687 during the early-career years.

#25

Northeast State Community College

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

There are 2,843 full-time undergraduates at Northeast State Technical Community College, and 5,397 students altogether. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 20 to 1.

Northeast State Technical Community College has a 6.8% 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 Northeast State Technical Community College is $28,400.

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

References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Featured Schools

Find Nursing Schools Near You

Our free school finder matches students with accredited nursing schools across the U.S.