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Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee

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2023 Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee

16 Schools Ranked
$7,294 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$22,061 Avg Student Debt

It's not easy to decide which nursing program to enroll in when you have so many options available. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent. Also there are many trade schools and bpptcamp that offer short-term programs that open up more career options.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Nursing Degree Search has developed this Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee ranking. Our analysis looked at 16 schools in Tennessee to see which associate degree programs offered the best educational experiences for nursing students. The factors used to develop this ranking include those related to how in-demand the school us, the overall quality of the school, and post-graduation wages, and more.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

$4,430 Average Tuition & Fees
$17,440 Avg Student Debt

Our 2023 rankings named Southwest Tennessee Community College the best school in Tennessee for nursing students working on their associate degree.

Students from Tennessee who attend Southwest full time pay an average of $4,430 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $17,246. On average, associate degree students take out $17,440 in loans while pursuing their degree.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Southwest. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 78% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

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#2

Jackson State Community College

Jackson, Tennessee
$4,618 Average Tuition & Fees
$10,619 Avg Student Debt

The excellent associate degree programs at Jackson State Community College helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in Tennessee.

Full-time students from Tennessee pay an average of $4,618 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend JSCC. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $18,076. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,619 in student loans.

JSCC does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In fact, around 81% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

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#3

Southern Adventist University

Collegedale, Tennessee
$23,210 Average Tuition & Fees
$24,595 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Southern Adventist University is a great place for nursing students working on their associate degree.

The average tuition and fees at Southern Adventist is $23,210. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,595 in student loans.

One thing to take note of is that Southern Adventist does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 39% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Southern Adventist University

#4

Lincoln Memorial University

Harrogate, Tennessee
$24,210 Average Tuition & Fees
$24,167 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Lincoln Memorial University. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee list.

LMU does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $24,210. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,167 in student loans.

One thing to take note of is that LMU does offer online classes in some areas. In 2019-2020 about 6% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

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#5

Dyersburg State Community College

Dyersburg, Tennessee
$4,410 Average Tuition & Fees
$12,229 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Dyersburg State Community College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee list.

In-state students pay an average of $4,410 in tuition and fees if they attend DSCC full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $17,226. Associate Degree recipients from DSCC accumulate an average of $12,229 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

DSCC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 55% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Dyersburg State Community College

#6

Motlow State Community College

Tullahoma, Tennessee
$4,416 Average Tuition & Fees
$9,423 Avg Student Debt

Motlow State Community College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee list.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Motlow is $4,416. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $17,232. On average, associate degree students take out $9,423 in loans while pursuing their degree.

One thing to take note of is that Motlow does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 78% took at least some of their classes online.

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$24,535 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #7, Remington College - Memphis Campus did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree.

By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,535 in student loans.

Since Remington College - Memphis Campus is primarily an online school, it is an excellent choice for undergraduate students who need more flexibility than what is offered at some other schools.

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#8

Northeast State Community College

Blountville, Tennessee
$4,422 Average Tuition & Fees
$10,550 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #8, Northeast State Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree.

Full-time students from Tennessee pay an average of $4,422 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Northeast State Technical Community College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $17,238. Associate Degree recipients from Northeast State Technical Community College accumulate an average of $10,550 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Northeast State Technical Community College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In 2019-2020 about 83% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Northeast State Community College

#9

Columbia State Community College

Columbia, Tennessee
$4,666 Average Tuition & Fees
$17,719 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #9, Columbia State Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree.

In-state students pay an average of $4,666 in tuition and fees if they attend Columbia State Community College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $18,124. On average, associate degree students take out $17,719 in loans while pursuing their degree.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Columbia State Community College. In 2019-2020 about 99% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Columbia State Community College

#10

Chattanooga State Community College

Chattanooga, Tennessee
$4,430 Average Tuition & Fees
$18,949 Avg Student Debt

Chattanooga State Community College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee ranking.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Chattanooga State Community College is $4,430. Out-of-state students pay an average of $16,934. On average, associate degree students take out $18,949 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Chattanooga State Community College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 95% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full Chattanooga State Community College Report

#11

Walters State Community College

Morristown, Tennessee
$4,399 Average Tuition & Fees
$10,502 Avg Student Debt

Walters State Community College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee list.

Students from Tennessee who attend WSCC full time pay an average of $4,399 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $17,215. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,502 in student loans.

WSCC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 61% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full Walters State Community College Report

#12

Pellissippi State Community College

Knoxville, Tennessee
$4,456 Average Tuition & Fees
$13,973 Avg Student Debt

Pellissippi State Community College landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Pellissippi State Community College is $4,456. Out-of-state students pay an average of $17,272. Associate Degree recipients from Pellissippi State Community College accumulate an average of $13,973 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Pellissippi State Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2019-2020 about 95% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

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#13

Roane State Community College

Harriman, Tennessee
$4,636 Average Tuition & Fees
$14,273 Avg Student Debt

Roane State Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #13 on the list.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Roane State Community College is $4,636. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $17,540. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,273 in student loans.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Roane State Community College. During the 2019-2020 year, about 52% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Roane State Community College Report

#14

Tennessee State University

Nashville, Tennessee
$8,336 Average Tuition & Fees
$24,463 Avg Student Debt

Tennessee State University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee ranking.

In-state students pay an average of $8,336 in tuition and fees if they attend Tennessee State University full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $21,692. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,463 in student loans.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Tennessee State University. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 55% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full Tennessee State University Report

#15

Nashville State Community College

Nashville, Tennessee
$4,372 Average Tuition & Fees
$21,667 Avg Student Debt

Nashville State Community College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee list.

Full-time students from Tennessee pay an average of $4,372 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Nashville State Community College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $17,188. Associate Degree recipients from Nashville State Community College accumulate an average of $21,667 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Nashville State Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 63% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Nashville State Community College Report

#16

Cleveland State Community College

Cleveland, Tennessee
$4,400 Average Tuition & Fees
$16,157 Avg Student Debt

Cleveland State Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #16 on the list.

Students from Tennessee who attend Cleveland State Community College full time pay an average of $4,400 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $17,216. Associate Degree recipients from Cleveland State Community College accumulate an average of $16,157 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Online courses are available at Cleveland State Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 53% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Cleveland State Community College

View Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools Nationwide >

Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 16 schools only.

References

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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