2023 Best Nursing 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 Schools in Tennessee ranking. This report analyzed 39 schools in Tennessee to see which ones offered the best programs for nursing students.
View our full ranking methodology.
Top Nursing Schools in Tennessee
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Vanderbilt University to be the best school for nursing students in Tennessee. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, the fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 5,142 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $47,515 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $760. During the early years of their career, Vanderbilt graduates make an average of $66,962 annually.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend The University of Tennessee - Knoxville. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Tennessee list. UT Knoxville is a public institution located in Knoxville, Tennessee. The school has a large population, and it awarded 8,049 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from UT Knoxville accumulate an average of $30,221 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $410 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UT Knoxville graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $44,189 during the early year of their career.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Belmont University. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Tennessee list. Belmont is located in Nashville, Tennessee and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,279 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from Belmont accumulate an average of $50,796 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $990 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Belmont, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,927 during the early years of their career.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Nursing Schools in Tennessee list. Located in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the fairly large public school handed out 2,551 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,637 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $195 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UT Chattanooga, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $46,162 during the early years of their career.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means King University is a great place for nursing students. King is a private not-for-profit institution located in Bristol, Tennessee. The school has a small population, and it awarded 633 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from King accumulate an average of $29,024 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $252 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, King graduates make an average of $40,581 annually.
With a ranking of #6, University of Memphis did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working. Located in Memphis, Tennessee, the large public school handed out 4,862 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $33,433 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $194. During the early years of their career, UofM graduates make an average of $41,884 annually.
Southwest Tennessee Community College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Located in Memphis, Tennessee, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,106 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, Southwest graduates make an average of $34,164 annually.
Lipscomb University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #8 on the list. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Nashville, Tennessee, and it awarded 1,532 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $40,849 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $333 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Lipscomb graduates make an average of $47,759 annually.
Jackson State Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #9 on the list. Jackson State Community College is a small public school located in Jackson, Tennessee that handed out 665 degrees in 2021-2022.
Once they receive their degree, JSCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,689 during the early year of their career.
Tennessee Technological University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #10 on the list. Tennessee Technological University is a medium-sized public school located in Cookeville, Tennessee that handed out 2,502 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $20,083 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $173 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Tennessee Tech University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,563 during the early years of their career.
Union University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #11 on the list. Located in Jackson, Tennessee, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 982 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $56,377 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $464.After graduating from Union, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $57,821 during the early years of their career.
Freed-Hardeman University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #12 on the list. FHU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Henderson, Tennessee. The school has a small population, and it awarded 532 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $30,769 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, FHU graduates make an average of $33,293 annually.
Trevecca Nazarene University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Tennessee list. TNU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Nashville, Tennessee. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1,179 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $37,500 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, TNU graduates make an average of $46,373 annually.
With a ranking of #14, Christian Brothers University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working. Christian Brothers is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Memphis, Tennessee. It awarded 664 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $23,164 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Christian Brothers graduates make an average of $53,446 annually.
Southern Adventist University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Tennessee ranking. Southern Adventist University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Collegedale, Tennessee that handed out 660 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Southern Adventist accumulate an average of $34,935 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $383 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Southern Adventist graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $50,680 during the early year of their career.
Middle Tennessee State University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Tennessee ranking. Murfreesboro, Tennessee is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 4,677 students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $23,974 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $169. Once they receive their degree, Middle Tennessee State University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,675 during the early year of their career.
Lincoln Memorial University landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Harrogate, Tennessee is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 1,407 students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $72,477 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $109, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, LMU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $53,647 during the early year of their career.
With a ranking of #18, Dyersburg State Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working. Located in Dyersburg, Tennessee, the small public school awarded 883 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $7,185 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, DSCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $41,344 during the early year of their career.
Cumberland University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Tennessee list. CU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Lebanon, Tennessee. The school has a small population, and it awarded 657 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from CU accumulate an average of $22,332 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, CU graduates make an average of $41,113 annually.
With a ranking of #20, Milligan University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working. Milligan is located in Milligan, Tennessee and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 339 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $51,677 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Milligan graduates make an average of $44,692 annually.
The University of Tennessee - Martin landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. The University of Tennessee - Martin is a medium-sized public school located in Martin, Tennessee that handed out 1,374 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,967 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $192 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UT Martin graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,647 during the early year of their career.
Lee University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Tennessee ranking. Lee University is located in Cleveland, Tennessee and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,133 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $30,902 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $327 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Lee University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $32,791 during the early years of their career.
With a ranking of #23, Motlow State Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working. Located in Tullahoma, Tennessee, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,071 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $3,554 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Motlow graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $42,022 during the early year of their career.
Remington College - Memphis Campus came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Tennessee ranking. Remington College - Memphis Campus is located in Memphis, Tennessee and has a very small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 204 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $14,350 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $74, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Remington College - Memphis Campus graduates make an average of $25,245 annually.
East Tennessee State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #25 on the list. Johnson City, Tennessee is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 3,604 students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $36,943 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $202. Once they receive their degree, ETSU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,858 during the early year of their career.
Best Nursing 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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