2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in Tennessee
Identifying High-Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing
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. Or you may find the programs at a trade school or bootcamp to be a better alternative for you.
The Best Value Nursing Schools in Tennessee ranking is one of many tools that Nursing Degree Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. This report analyzed 39 schools in Tennessee to see which ones offered the best value programs for nursing students. The goal was to highlight schools with more affordable prices than others offering similar quality experiences.
Our ranking of value is based on the quality of a program as defined in our per sticker price dollar. More specifically, we discount our quality score by the published tuition and fees charged by a school. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The value is determined by how much quality your dollar buys.
In our regional and nationwide rankings, out-of-state tution and fees are used in our calculations. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.
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Top Value Nursing Schools in Tennessee
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Southwest Tennessee Community College to be the best value school for nursing students in Tennessee. Southwest is a medium-sized public school situated in Memphis, Tennessee. It awarded 102 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Southwest are $17,246 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $16,818 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Southwest graduates make an average of $34,164 annually.
Southwest also claimed a spot on our Best Nursing Schools in Tennessee list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category.
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Jackson State Community College is a great place for nursing students who want to get the most value for their educational dollar. Jackson, Tennessee is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 62 students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at JSCC are $18,076 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,729 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, JSCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,689 during the early year of their career.
Out of the 39 schools in Tennessee that were part of this year’s ranking, Dyersburg State Community College landed the # 3 spot on the list. Dyersburg State Community College is a small public school located in Dyersburg, Tennessee that handed out 112 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at DSCC are $17,226 a year. 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.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Motlow State Community College. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in Tennessee list. Motlow State Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Tullahoma, Tennessee that handed out 60 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Motlow are $17,232 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $9,423 in student loans.After graduating from Motlow, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $42,022 during the early years of their career.
The excellent programs at Northeast State Community College helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best value nursing schools in Tennessee. Northeast State Technical Community College is a public institution located in Blountville, Tennessee. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 73 degrees in 2020-2021.
Northeast State Technical Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $17,238 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $10,950 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Northeast State Technical Community College graduates make an average of $38,005 annually.
Chattanooga State Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students. It came in at #6 on the list. Located in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the medium-sized public school awarded 101 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Chattanooga State Community College are $16,934 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $16,563 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Chattanooga State Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $32,219 during the early year of their career.
Walters State Community College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value nursing programs. Morristown, Tennessee is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 104 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at WSCC are $17,215 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $11,896 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, WSCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $34,080 during the early year of their career.
Columbia State Community College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in Tennessee list. Columbia, Tennessee is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 87 students in 2020-2021.
Columbia State Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $18,124 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,909 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Columbia State Community College graduates make an average of $35,550 annually.
Pellissippi State Community College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in Tennessee ranking. Located in Knoxville, Tennessee, the medium-sized public school awarded 84 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Pellissippi State Community College are $17,272 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,016 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Pellissippi State Community College graduates make an average of $31,307 annually.
Nashville State Community College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value nursing programs. Nashville State Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Nashville, Tennessee. It awarded 40 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Nashville State Community College are $17,188 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $19,851 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Nashville State Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $34,207 during the early years of their career.
Roane State Community College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in Tennessee ranking. This small public school is located in Harriman, Tennessee, and it awarded 66 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Roane State Community College are $17,540 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,041 in student loans.After graduating from Roane State Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $35,143 during the early years of their career.
Cleveland State Community College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in Tennessee list. Cleveland State Community College is a small public school located in Cleveland, Tennessee that handed out 47 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Cleveland State Community College are $17,216 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,700 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Cleveland State Community College graduates make an average of $32,755 annually.
The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value nursing programs. The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga is a fairly large public school located in Chattanooga, Tennessee that handed out 171 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at UT Chattanooga are $25,966 a year. On average, students take out $25,246 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $162, assuming you 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.
UT Chattanooga not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #4 on our Best Nursing Schools in Tennessee list.
University of Memphis came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in Tennessee ranking. UofM is a large public school situated in Memphis, Tennessee. It awarded 407 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at UofM are $14,088 a year. On average, students take out $28,159 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $147.After graduating from UofM, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $41,884 during the early years of their career.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, UofM also is in the top 15% of our Best Nursing Schools in Tennessee ranking.
Tennessee Technological University landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value nursing programs. Cookeville, Tennessee is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 185 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Tennessee Tech University are $19,834 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,943 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $103 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Tennessee Tech University graduates make an average of $40,563 annually.
The University of Tennessee - Knoxville did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students. It came in at #16 on the list. Located in Knoxville, Tennessee, the large public school awarded 320 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UT Knoxville are $31,664 per year. On average, students take out $22,232 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $325.After graduating from UT Knoxville, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $44,189 during the early years of their career.
UT Knoxville not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #2 on our Best Nursing Schools in Tennessee list.
Middle Tennessee State University landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value nursing programs. Located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, the large public school awarded 130 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Middle Tennessee State University are $28,264 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,342 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $144 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Middle Tennessee State University graduates make an average of $38,675 annually.
The University of Tennessee - Martin landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value nursing programs. Located in Martin, Tennessee, the medium-sized public school handed out 42 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UT Martin are $15,952 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,559 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $149, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UT Martin graduates make an average of $35,647 annually.
East Tennessee State University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in Tennessee ranking. ETSU is a fairly large public school situated in Johnson City, Tennessee. It awarded 737 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at ETSU are $12,740 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,047 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $212, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from ETSU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $38,858 during the early years of their career.
Austin Peay State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students. It came in at #20 on the list. Austin Peay State University is located in Clarksville, Tennessee and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 199 degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Austin Peay State University are $13,975 per year. On average, students take out $27,168 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $159 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Austin Peay State University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,908 during the early year of their career.
Tennessee State University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in Tennessee list. Tennessee State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Nashville, Tennessee. It awarded 45 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Tennessee State University are $21,692 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $30,529 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $203, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Tennessee State University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $41,944 during the early years of their career.
Union University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students. It came in at #22 on the list. Union is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Jackson, Tennessee. It awarded 235 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Union are $16,520 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $32,879 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 $477 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Union graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $57,821 during the early year of their career.
Martin Methodist College landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value nursing programs. Located in Pulaski, Tennessee, the very small private not-for-profit school handed out 15 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Martin Methodist are $10,200 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,702 in student loans.After graduating from Martin Methodist, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $32,070 during the early years of their career.
Bethel University landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value nursing programs. Located in McKenzie, Tennessee, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 10 degrees in 2020-2021.
Bethel undergraduate students pay an average of $13,981 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $33,108 in student loans.After graduating from Bethel, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $57,444 during the early years of their career.
Cumberland University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in Tennessee ranking. CU is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Lebanon, Tennessee. It awarded 49 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at CU are $25,412 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $19,639 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from CU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $41,113 during the early years of their career.
Best Value Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- 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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