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2023 Best Nursing Schools in Tennessee

39 Schools Ranked
$39,202 Average Earnings
$23,028 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 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:

#1

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee
$66,962 Average Earnings
$14,392 Avg Student Debt

Our 2023 rankings named Vanderbilt University the best school in Tennessee for nursing students working on their degree.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,392 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $644, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Vanderbilt graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $66,962 during the early year of their career.

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$44,189 Average Earnings
$22,232 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The University of Tennessee - Knoxville. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Nursing Schools in Tennessee list.

Degree recipients from UT Knoxville accumulate an average of $22,232 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 $325 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UT Knoxville graduates make an average of $44,189 annually.

Full The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Report

#3

Belmont University

Nashville, Tennessee
$43,927 Average Earnings
$22,196 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Belmont University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Nursing Schools in Tennessee list.

Degree recipients from Belmont accumulate an average of $22,196 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 $824 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Belmont graduates make an average of $43,927 annually.

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$46,162 Average Earnings
$25,246 Avg Student Debt

The excellent programs at The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in Tennessee.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,246 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $162.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.

Full The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga Report

#5

King University

Bristol, Tennessee
$40,581 Average Earnings
$29,018 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 39 schools in Tennessee that were part of this year’s ranking, King University landed the # 5 spot on the list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $29,018 in student loans. During the early years of their career, King graduates make an average of $40,581 annually.

Read full report on King University

#6

University of Memphis

Memphis, Tennessee
$41,884 Average Earnings
$28,159 Avg Student Debt

University of Memphis ranked #6 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Tennessee list.

Degree recipients from UofM accumulate an average of $28,159 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $147, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UofM graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $41,884 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on University of Memphis

$34,164 Average Earnings
$16,818 Avg Student Debt

Southwest Tennessee Community College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs.

On average, students take out $16,818 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Southwest graduates make an average of $34,164 annually.

Read full report on Southwest Tennessee Community College

#8

Lipscomb University

Nashville, Tennessee
$47,759 Average Earnings
$26,213 Avg Student Debt

Lipscomb University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Tennessee ranking.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,213 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $216 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Lipscomb graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $47,759 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Lipscomb University

#9

Jackson State Community College

Jackson, Tennessee
$40,689 Average Earnings
$10,729 Avg Student Debt

Jackson State Community College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Tennessee list.

Degree recipients from JSCC accumulate an average of $10,729 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, JSCC graduates make an average of $40,689 annually.

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#10

Tennessee Technological University

Cookeville, Tennessee
$40,563 Average Earnings
$19,943 Avg Student Debt

Tennessee Technological University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Tennessee list.

On average, students take out $19,943 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $103, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Tennessee Tech University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,563 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Tennessee Technological University

#11

Union University

Jackson, Tennessee
$57,821 Average Earnings
$32,879 Avg Student Debt

Union University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Tennessee ranking.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $32,879 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $477 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Union graduates make an average of $57,821 annually.

Read full report on Union University

#12

Freed-Hardeman University

Henderson, Tennessee
$33,293 Average Earnings
$22,617 Avg Student Debt

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.

Degree recipients from FHU accumulate an average of $22,617 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, FHU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $33,293 during the early year of their career.

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#13

Trevecca Nazarene University

Nashville, Tennessee
$46,373 Average Earnings
$26,746 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #13, Trevecca Nazarene University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working.

Degree recipients from TNU accumulate an average of $26,746 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from TNU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $46,373 during the early years of their career.

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#14

Christian Brothers University

Memphis, Tennessee
$53,446 Average Earnings
$34,104 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #14, Christian Brothers University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $34,104 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $199, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Christian Brothers, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $53,446 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Christian Brothers University

#15

Southern Adventist University

Collegedale, Tennessee
$50,680 Average Earnings
$24,595 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #15, Southern Adventist University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,595 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $375, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Southern Adventist, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $50,680 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Southern Adventist University

#16

Middle Tennessee State University

Murfreesboro, Tennessee
$38,675 Average Earnings
$24,342 Avg Student Debt

Middle Tennessee State University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Tennessee list.

On average, students take out $24,342 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $144.After graduating from Middle Tennessee State University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $38,675 during the early years of their career.

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#17

Lincoln Memorial University

Harrogate, Tennessee
$53,647 Average Earnings
$23,978 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #17, Lincoln Memorial University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,978 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $97. Once they receive their degree, LMU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $53,647 during the early year of their career.

Full Lincoln Memorial University Report

#18

Dyersburg State Community College

Dyersburg, Tennessee
$41,344 Average Earnings
$12,229 Avg Student Debt

Dyersburg State Community College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Tennessee ranking.

On average, students take out $12,229 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, DSCC graduates make an average of $41,344 annually.

Full Dyersburg State Community College Report

#19

Cumberland University

Lebanon, Tennessee
$41,113 Average Earnings
$19,639 Avg Student Debt

Cumberland University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Tennessee ranking.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,639 in student loans.After graduating from CU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $41,113 during the early years of their career.

Full Cumberland University Report

#20

Milligan University

Milligan College, Tennessee
$44,692 Average Earnings
$23,548 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #20, Milligan University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,548 in student loans.After graduating from Milligan, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $44,692 during the early years of their career.

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$35,647 Average Earnings
$24,559 Avg Student Debt

The University of Tennessee - Martin did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #21 on the list.

Degree recipients from UT Martin accumulate an average of $24,559 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 $149 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UT Martin, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $35,647 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on The University of Tennessee - Martin

#22

Lee University

Cleveland, Tennessee
$32,791 Average Earnings
$26,373 Avg Student Debt

Lee University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Tennessee list.

Degree recipients from Lee University accumulate an average of $26,373 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $260. Once they receive their degree, Lee University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $32,791 during the early year of their career.

Full Lee University Report

#23

Motlow State Community College

Tullahoma, Tennessee
$42,022 Average Earnings
$9,423 Avg Student Debt

Motlow State Community College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Tennessee ranking.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $9,423 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.

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#24

Remington College - Memphis Campus

Memphis, Tennessee
$25,245 Average Earnings
$19,660 Avg Student Debt

Remington College - Memphis Campus ranked #24 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Tennessee list.

Degree recipients from Remington College - Memphis Campus accumulate an average of $19,660 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $66, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Remington College - Memphis Campus graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $25,245 during the early year of their career.

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#25

East Tennessee State University

Johnson City, Tennessee
$38,858 Average Earnings
$23,047 Avg Student Debt

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.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,047 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $212. During the early years of their career, ETSU graduates make an average of $38,858 annually.

Full East Tennessee State University Report

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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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