2023 Best Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in Tennessee
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 assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Nursing Degree Search has created its Best Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in Tennessee ranking. Our analysis looked at 25 schools in Tennessee to see which bachelor's 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.
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Top Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in Tennessee
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found The University of Tennessee - Knoxville to be the best school for nursing students who want to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Tennessee.
In-state students pay an average of $13,244 in tuition and fees if they attend UT Knoxville full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $31,664. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $22,232 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at UT Knoxville. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 42% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Belmont University is a great place for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $38,430 to cover tuition and fees at Belmont. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Belmont accumulate an average of $22,196 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Belmont. During the 2019-2020 year, about 68% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Out of the 25 schools in Tennessee that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Memphis landed the # 3 spot on the list.
Students from Tennessee who attend UofM full time pay an average of $10,056 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $14,088. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $28,159 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at UofM. In 2019-2020 about 53% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend King University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Tennessee list.
The average tuition and fees at King is $32,838. 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 bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $29,347 in student loans.
Online courses are available at King, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2019-2020 year, about 83% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Lipscomb University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Tennessee list.
The average tuition and fees at Lipscomb is $35,752. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $27,667 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Lipscomb 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 52% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Union University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Tennessee ranking.
The average tuition and fees at Union is $16,520. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Union accumulate an average of $32,879 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 Union does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 34% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree nursing programs.
Students from Tennessee who attend UT Chattanooga full time pay an average of $9,848 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $25,966. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from UT Chattanooga accumulate an average of $25,246 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at UT Chattanooga. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 32% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Tennessee Technological University landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree nursing programs.
Full-time students from Tennessee pay an average of $9,802 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Tennessee Tech University. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $19,834. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $19,943 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Tennessee Tech University 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. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 79% took at least some of their classes online.
Freed-Hardeman University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Tennessee ranking.
On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $22,617 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since FHU does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 16% took at least some of their classes online.
Trevecca Nazarene University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #10 on the list.
If you want to attend TNU, expect to pay an average of $26,898 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from TNU accumulate an average of $26,746 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at TNU. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 54% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Christian Brothers University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Tennessee ranking.
By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $34,104 in student loans.
Online courses are available at Christian Brothers, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 88% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Southern Adventist University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #12 on the list.
If you want to attend Southern Adventist, expect to pay an average of $23,210 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Southern Adventist does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2019-2020 year, about 39% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #13, Middle Tennessee State University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree.
Students from Tennessee who attend Middle Tennessee State University full time pay an average of $9,232 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $28,264. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $24,342 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Middle Tennessee State University does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 55% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Cumberland University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #14 on the list.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $25,412 to cover tuition and fees at CU. The school does not offer an in-state discount. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,030 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at CU. During the 2019-2020 year, about 0% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Milligan University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Tennessee list.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $36,140 to cover tuition and fees at Milligan. The school does not offer an in-state discount. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $23,548 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Milligan 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. During the 2019-2020 year, about 43% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
The University of Tennessee - Martin ranked #16 on this year’s Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Tennessee list.
Full-time students from Tennessee pay an average of $9,912 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend UT Martin. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $15,952. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from UT Martin accumulate an average of $24,559 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at UT Martin. In fact, around 87% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #17, Lee University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree.
The average tuition and fees at Lee University is $20,500. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $26,373 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Lee University does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 17% took at least some of their classes online.
East Tennessee State University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Tennessee ranking.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at ETSU is $9,438. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $12,740. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $23,047 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at ETSU, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 63% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Lincoln Memorial University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Tennessee ranking.
If you want to attend LMU, expect to pay an average of $24,210 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from LMU accumulate an average of $23,788 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
LMU 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. During the 2019-2020 year, about 6% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #20, Carson - Newman University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $31,320 to cover tuition and fees at Carson - Newman. The school does not offer an in-state discount. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,992 in student loans.
Carson - Newman does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 41% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Bethel University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Tennessee ranking.
Bethel does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $13,981. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $33,108 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Bethel. During the 2019-2020 year, about 38% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #22, Austin Peay State University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Austin Peay State University is $8,431. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $13,975. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $27,484 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at Austin Peay State University, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. 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.
Tusculum University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Tennessee ranking.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $26,510 to cover tuition and fees at Tusculum. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Tusculum accumulate an average of $28,705 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Tusculum. In fact, around 80% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Martin Methodist College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #24 on the list.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $10,200 to cover tuition and fees at Martin Methodist. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Martin Methodist accumulate an average of $25,702 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Martin Methodist does offer online classes in some areas. In 2019-2020 about 58% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Tennessee State University landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree nursing programs.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Tennessee State University is $8,336. Out-of-state students pay an average of $21,692. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Tennessee State University accumulate an average of $31,462 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 Tennessee State University does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2019-2020 year, about 55% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Best Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 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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