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.
Featured schools near , edit
Top Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in Tennessee
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named The University of Tennessee - Knoxville the best school in Tennessee for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. UT Knoxville is a large public school situated in Knoxville, Tennessee. It awarded 5,533 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at UT Knoxville is $13,244. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $31,664. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $20,621 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at UT Knoxville, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2020-2021 about 49% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Out of the 25 schools in Tennessee that were part of this year’s ranking, Belmont University landed the # 2 spot on the list. Belmont University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in Nashville, Tennessee that handed out 1,664 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Belmont does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $39,850. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,915 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Belmont. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 45% took at least some of their classes online.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Memphis. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Tennessee list. UofM is located in Memphis, Tennessee and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 3,132 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at UofM is $10,056. Out-of-state students pay an average of $14,280. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,091 in student loans.
UofM 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 2020-2021 about 57% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Out of the 25 schools in Tennessee that were part of this year’s ranking, King University landed the # 4 spot on the list. King is a private not-for-profit institution located in Bristol, Tennessee. The school has a small population, and it awarded 469 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $33,784 to cover tuition and fees at King. The school does not offer an in-state discount. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $24,442 in loans while pursuing their degree.
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. In fact, around 70% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Out of the 25 schools in Tennessee that were part of this year’s ranking, Lipscomb University landed the # 5 spot on the list. Lipscomb is a private not-for-profit institution located in Nashville, Tennessee. The school has a small population, and it awarded 711 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Lipscomb does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $37,152. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Lipscomb accumulate an average of $22,293 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at Lipscomb, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2020-2021 about 49% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #6, Union University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in Jackson, Tennessee, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 540 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend Union, expect to pay an average of $19,363 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $23,725 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Union does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 29% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga 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 #7 on the list. UT Chattanooga is a public institution located in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2,039 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $9,848 in tuition and fees if they attend UT Chattanooga full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $25,966. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $21,129 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at UT Chattanooga, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2020-2021 year, about 69% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Tennessee Technological 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 #8 on the list. Tennessee Tech University is a medium-sized public school situated in Cookeville, Tennessee. It awarded 1,970 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Tennessee Tech University is $9,802. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $19,834. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $16,987 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at Tennessee Tech University, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2020-2021 year, about 78% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Freed-Hardeman 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 #9 on the list. Located in Henderson, Tennessee, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 317 bachelor’s degree awards in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,316 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at FHU. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 26% 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. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 419 bachelor’s degree awards in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend TNU, expect to pay an average of $28,500 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,112 in student loans.
Online courses are available at TNU, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 22% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Christian Brothers 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 #11 on the list. Located in Memphis, Tennessee, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 411 bachelor’s degree awards in 2021-2022.
Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Christian Brothers accumulate an average of $20,515 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Christian Brothers 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 61% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Southern Adventist University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Tennessee ranking. Collegedale, Tennessee is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 385 students in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $23,870 to cover tuition and fees at Southern Adventist. The school does not offer an in-state discount. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $25,204 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Southern Adventist. In fact, around 39% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Middle Tennessee State University landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree nursing programs. Located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, the large public school awarded 3,709 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $9,232 in tuition and fees if they attend Middle Tennessee State University full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $28,264. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,226 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Middle Tennessee State University. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 44% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Cumberland University landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree nursing programs. Lebanon, Tennessee is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 279 students in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend CU, expect to pay an average of $26,400 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from CU accumulate an average of $18,893 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at CU. In fact, around 0% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Milligan University landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree nursing programs. Located in Milligan, Tennessee, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 197 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $37,550 to cover tuition and fees at Milligan. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Milligan accumulate an average of $21,005 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Milligan. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 56% took at least some of their classes online.
The University of Tennessee - Martin came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Tennessee ranking. Located in Martin, Tennessee, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,059 bachelor’s degree awards in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Tennessee pay an average of $9,912 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend UT Martin. Out-of-state students pay an average of $15,952. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from UT Martin accumulate an average of $21,338 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 UT Martin does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 35% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Lee University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Tennessee list. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Cleveland, Tennessee, and it awarded 933 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend Lee University, expect to pay an average of $21,730 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Lee University accumulate an average of $25,797 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at Lee University, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 20% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #18, East Tennessee State University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. ETSU is located in Johnson City, Tennessee and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,519 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.
In-state students pay an average of $9,438 in tuition and fees if they attend ETSU full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $12,740. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,906 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at ETSU. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 64% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Lincoln Memorial 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 #19 on the list. LMU is located in Harrogate, Tennessee and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 330 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees at LMU is $25,180. 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 $19,729 in student loans.
LMU does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2020-2021 year, about 62% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Carson - Newman University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Tennessee list. Carson - Newman is located in Jefferson City, Tennessee and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 386 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $33,000 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 $21,276 in student loans.
Carson - Newman 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, 47% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #21, Bethel University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in McKenzie, Tennessee, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 411 bachelor’s degree awards in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $16,871 to cover tuition and fees at Bethel. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Bethel accumulate an average of $28,676 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Bethel does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 59% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
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. Located in Clarksville, Tennessee, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,568 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Austin Peay State University is $8,431. Out-of-state students pay an average of $13,975. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $22,984 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Austin Peay State University does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 59% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Tusculum University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Tennessee list. Tusculum is located in Greeneville, Tennessee and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 228 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $27,208 to cover tuition and fees at Tusculum. 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 $23,925 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Tusculum. In fact, around 83% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Martin Methodist College ranked #24 on this year’s Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Tennessee list. Located in Pulaski, Tennessee, the very small public school handed out 127 bachelor’s degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at Martin Methodist is $10,200. 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 $22,796 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at Martin Methodist, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 37% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Tennessee State University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Tennessee list. Nashville, Tennessee is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 795 students in 2021-2022.
Students from Tennessee who attend Tennessee State University full time pay an average of $8,336 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $21,692. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Tennessee State University accumulate an average of $26,816 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. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 48% took at least some of their classes online.
Best Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region
View Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools Nationwide >
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.
NursingDegreeSearch.com provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© NursingDegreeSearch.com – All Rights Reserved.