2026 Best Nursing Schools in Tennessee
Looking for the best Nursing degree programs in Tennessee? Our ranking highlights 143 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To arm you with the information you need, Nursing Degree Search reviewed 95 schools to produce this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Nursing Degree Schools in Tennessee
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Leading the list is Vanderbilt University, our #1 Nursing school in Tennessee. Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit school based in Nashville, TN. Vanderbilt University posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete their Nursing program here. Get the full Vanderbilt University report
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You'll be in good company at The University Of Tennessee, which ranked #2 this year. This public school is set in Knoxville, TN. The University Of Tennessee posts a six-year graduation rate of 74%. In-state tuition and fees average $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. The median Nursing program debt is $22,859. Read more about The University Of Tennessee
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Out of the 95 schools in Tennessee in this year's ranking, Belmont University landed the #3 spot. This private not-for-profit school is set in Nashville, TN. Belmont University posts a six-year graduation rate of 70%. In-state tuition and fees run about $42,540. Graduates carry a median of $23,447 in student loans. Read the full report on Belmont University
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The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga came in at #4 on this year's Nursing ranking in Tennessee. This public school is set in Chattanooga, TN. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga graduates 50% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $10,448 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,512. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga Nursing students take on a median of $23,324 in debt. Read the full report on The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga
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The strong Nursing programs at King College earned it the #5 place in Tennessee. This private not-for-profit school is set in Bristol, TN. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,397. King College Nursing students take on a median of $25,579 in debt. See the full King College profile
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University Of Memphis came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Located in Memphis, TN, University Of Memphis is a public institution. University Of Memphis posts a six-year graduation rate of 51%. Students from in state pay about $10,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $26,315 in student loans. Read more about University Of Memphis
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Southwest Tennessee Community College placed #7 among Nursing schools in Tennessee. Based in Memphis, TN, Southwest Tennessee Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,766 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,750 for out-of-state students. The median Nursing program debt is $11,406. Read the full report on Southwest Tennessee Community College
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Lipscomb University came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Located in Nashville, TN, Lipscomb University is a private not-for-profit institution. Lipscomb University graduates 72% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,572. Graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. Read more about Lipscomb University
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Jackson State Community College came in at #9 in this year's ranking. Based in Jackson, TN, Jackson State Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,740, with out-of-state students paying around $17,724. The median Nursing program debt is $8,553. More on Jackson State Community College
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Tennessee Technological University came in at #10 in this year's ranking. Located in Cookeville, TN, Tennessee Technological University is a public institution. Tennessee Technological University graduates 58% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,376, with out-of-state students paying around $15,576. Typical Nursing student debt is $17,580. Get the full Tennessee Technological University report
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Union University placed #11 among Nursing schools in Tennessee. Set in Jackson, TN, Union University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 66% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $37,398 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $28,605 in student loans. Get the full Union University report
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Freed Hardeman University landed the #12 spot in Tennessee this year. Located in Henderson, TN, Freed Hardeman University is a private not-for-profit institution. Freed Hardeman University graduates 69% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $25,620 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $24,479 in student loans. See the full Freed Hardeman University profile
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Trevecca Nazarene University came in at #13 in this year's ranking. Based in Nashville, TN, Trevecca Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit institution. Trevecca Nazarene University graduates 53% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $31,300. Graduates carry a median of $24,962 in student loans. More on Trevecca Nazarene University
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Christian Brothers University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Located in Memphis, TN, Christian Brothers University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,420. Graduates carry a median of $32,416 in student loans. See the full Christian Brothers University profile
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Southern Adventist University came in at #15 in this year's ranking. Located in Collegedale, TN, Southern Adventist University is a private not-for-profit institution. Southern Adventist University posts a six-year graduation rate of 55%. Students from in state pay about $27,300 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,498 to complete their Nursing program here. Read the full report on Southern Adventist University
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Middle Tennessee State University placed #16 among Nursing schools in Tennessee. This public school is set in Murfreesboro, TN. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. In-state tuition and fees average $10,266, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $22,754 in student loans. See the full Middle Tennessee State University profile
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Lincoln Memorial University placed #17 among Nursing schools in Tennessee. Lincoln Memorial University is a private not-for-profit school based in Harrogate, TN. Lincoln Memorial University posts a six-year graduation rate of 47%. Students from in state pay about $26,938 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $20,693 in student loans. More on Lincoln Memorial University
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Dyersburg State Community College landed the #18 spot in Tennessee this year. Dyersburg State Community College is a public school based in Dyersburg, TN. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,758, while out-of-state students pay about $18,060. Students borrow a median of $10,611 to complete their Nursing program here. Read more about Dyersburg State Community College
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Cumberland University landed the #19 spot in Tennessee this year. Located in Lebanon, TN, Cumberland University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 42% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,840. Students borrow a median of $21,902 to complete their Nursing program here. Get the full Cumberland University report
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Milligan College landed the #20 spot in Tennessee this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Milligan, TN. Milligan College graduates 63% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $40,450. The median Nursing program debt is $26,150. See the full Milligan College profile
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The University Of Tennessee Martin came in at #21 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Martin, TN. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. Students from in state pay about $10,560 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,600. Students borrow a median of $23,770 to complete their Nursing program here. Get the full The University Of Tennessee Martin report
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Lee University landed the #22 spot in Tennessee this year. Lee University is a private not-for-profit school based in Cleveland, TN. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $23,790. The median Nursing program debt is $26,422. Get the full Lee University report
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Motlow State Community College did well this year, earning the #23 position. Located in Tullahoma, TN, Motlow State Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,738 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,722 for out-of-state students. Motlow State Community College Nursing students take on a median of $6,470 in debt. Get the full Motlow State Community College report
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Remington College Memphis Campus landed the #24 spot in Tennessee this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Memphis, TN. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,083. Graduates carry a median of $18,178 in student loans. More on Remington College Memphis Campus
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East Tennessee State University landed the #25 spot in Tennessee this year. Located in Johnson City, TN, East Tennessee State University is a public institution. East Tennessee State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 53%. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,216, compared with $13,726 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $21,301 in student loans. Read the full report on East Tennessee State University
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These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Carson Newman College ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Set in Jefferson City, TN, Carson Newman College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. In-state tuition and fees average $34,700. Graduates carry a median of $22,843 in student loans. Get the full Carson Newman College report
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Northeast State Community College landed the #27 spot in Tennessee this year. Set in Blountville, TN, Northeast State Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,782, while out-of-state students pay about $17,766. The median Nursing program debt is $6,404. Read more about Northeast State Community College
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Bethel University Tennessee did well this year, earning the #28 position. Located in McKenzie, TN, Bethel University Tennessee is a private not-for-profit institution. Bethel University Tennessee graduates 17% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,712. Typical Nursing student debt is $28,583. Read more about Bethel University Tennessee
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Columbia State Community College did well this year, earning the #29 position. Based in Columbia, TN, Columbia State Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,948, with out-of-state students paying around $17,772. Typical Nursing student debt is $12,674. Read more about Columbia State Community College
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Chattanooga State Community College did well this year, earning the #30 position. This public school is set in Chattanooga, TN. In-state tuition and fees average $4,772, with out-of-state students paying around $17,756. Graduates carry a median of $12,079 in student loans. Read more about Chattanooga State Community College
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Walters State Community College landed the #31 spot in Tennessee this year. This public school is set in Morristown, TN. In-state tuition and fees average $4,752, compared with $17,736 for out-of-state students. Walters State Community College Nursing students take on a median of $10,210 in debt. See the full Walters State Community College profile
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Austin Peay State University came in at #32 in this year's ranking. Located in Clarksville, TN, Austin Peay State University is a public institution. About 39% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $9,006 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,766. Typical Nursing student debt is $24,530. Read more about Austin Peay State University
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Tennessee State University placed #33 among Nursing schools in Tennessee. Tennessee State University is a public school based in Nashville, TN. The six-year graduation rate is 35%. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $22,416. Students borrow a median of $29,489 to complete their Nursing program here. See the full Tennessee State University profile
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Pellissippi State Community College came in at #34 in this year's ranking. Set in Knoxville, TN, Pellissippi State Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,786, while out-of-state students pay about $17,770. The median Nursing program debt is $8,951. Get the full Pellissippi State Community College report
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Roane State Community College ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. This public school is set in Harriman, TN. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,998, while out-of-state students pay about $18,630. Roane State Community College Nursing students take on a median of $9,408 in debt. Read the full report on Roane State Community College
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Nashville State Community College came in at #36 in this year's ranking. Set in Nashville, TN, Nashville State Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,730 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,714. Typical Nursing student debt is $16,745. Read more about Nashville State Community College
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Tusculum College ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Set in Greeneville, TN, Tusculum College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 26% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $29,250. The median Nursing program debt is $25,278. See the full Tusculum College profile
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Martin Methodist College placed #38 among Nursing schools in Tennessee. Set in Pulaski, TN, Martin Methodist College is a public institution. About 35% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,924. The median Nursing program debt is $23,308. More on Martin Methodist College
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Cleveland State Community College placed #39 among Nursing schools in Tennessee. Located in Cleveland, TN, Cleveland State Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,762, while out-of-state students pay about $17,746. The median Nursing program debt is $8,742. Read more about Cleveland State Community College
Request InformationTennessee College Of Applied Technology Pulaski came in at #40 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Pulaski
Request InformationLe Moyne Owen College did well this year, earning the #41 position. Read the full report on Le Moyne Owen College
Request InformationMiddle Tennessee School Of Anesthesia Inc ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. More on Middle Tennessee School Of Anesthesia Inc
Request InformationWilliamson Christian College ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Read more about Williamson Christian College
Request InformationNorth Central Institute came in at #44 in this year's ranking. More on North Central Institute
Request InformationChattanooga College Medical Dental And Technical Careers did well this year, earning the #45 position. See the full Chattanooga College Medical Dental And Technical Careers profile
Request InformationConcorde Career College Memphis came in at #46 in this year's ranking. More on Concorde Career College Memphis
Request InformationTennessee College Of Applied Technology Jacksboro ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. More on Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Jacksboro
Request InformationAustins Beauty College Inc placed #48 among Nursing schools in Tennessee. Read more about Austins Beauty College Inc
Request InformationMaryville College placed #49 among Nursing schools in Tennessee. Get the full Maryville College report
Request InformationTennessee College Of Applied Technology Livingston landed the #50 spot in Tennessee this year. More on Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Livingston
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Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Nursing Degree Search (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: State · 95 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 143 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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