2026 Best Value Nursing Schools in Tennessee
Looking for the best-value Nursing degree programs in Tennessee? Our ranking highlights 143 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To arm you with the information you need, Nursing Degree Search reviewed 39 schools to produce this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Nursing Degree Schools in Tennessee
Explore the best-value schools below:
Southwest Tennessee Community College tops our 2026 ranking of the best-value Nursing degree 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $34,071 ten years after entry. Set against $11,406 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Southwest Tennessee Community College
You'll get strong value at Jackson State Community College, which ranked #2 this year. 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. Jackson State Community College alumni report median earnings of $35,224 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on Jackson State Community College
Dyersburg State Community College came in at #3 on this year's best-value Nursing ranking in Tennessee. 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. Dyersburg State Community College alumni report median earnings of $36,132 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $10,611 median debt. Read more about Dyersburg State Community College
A rank of #4 makes Motlow State Community College one of the best values in Tennessee. 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. Motlow State Community College alumni report median earnings of $40,397 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Motlow State Community College report
You'll get strong value at Northeast State Community College, which ranked #5 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. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $34,553. Set against $6,404 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Northeast State Community College
Chattanooga State Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #6 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,598. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Chattanooga State Community College
Walters State Community College landed the #7 spot for value 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,085. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Walters State Community College profile
Columbia State Community College landed the #8 spot for value in Tennessee this year. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,256 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Columbia State Community College
Pellissippi State Community College placed #9 among the best-value Nursing schools in Tennessee. 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. Median earnings reach $38,440 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $8,951 median debt. Get the full Pellissippi State Community College report
Nashville State Community College came in at #10 in this year's value 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. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $38,519. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Nashville State Community College
Roane State Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. 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. Median earnings reach $39,407 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Roane State Community College
Cleveland State Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $36,671 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $8,742 median debt. Read more about Cleveland State Community College
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga offered strong value this year, earning the #13 position. This public school is set in Chattanooga, TN. 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. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $51,151. Set against $23,324 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga has an acceptance rate of 81%. Read the full report on The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga
University Of Memphis offered strong value this year, earning the #14 position. Located in Memphis, TN, University Of Memphis is a public institution. 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $48,458. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants. Read more about University Of Memphis
Tennessee Technological University landed the #15 spot for value in Tennessee this year. Located in Cookeville, TN, Tennessee Technological University is a public institution. 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. Median earnings reach $48,501 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Tennessee Technological University admits about 76% of applicants. Get the full Tennessee Technological University report
The University Of Tennessee placed #16 among the best-value Nursing schools in Tennessee. This public school is set in Knoxville, TN. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $60,249 ten years after entry. Set against $22,859 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 42% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about The University Of Tennessee
Middle Tennessee State University landed the #17 spot for value in Tennessee this year. This public school is set in Murfreesboro, TN. 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. Middle Tennessee State University alumni report median earnings of $48,541 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Middle Tennessee State University has an acceptance rate of 69%. See the full Middle Tennessee State University profile
The University Of Tennessee Martin placed #18 among the best-value Nursing schools in Tennessee. This public school is set in Martin, TN. 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. Median earnings reach $44,213 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $23,770 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%. Get the full The University Of Tennessee Martin report
East Tennessee State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nursing schools. Located in Johnson City, TN, East Tennessee State University is a public institution. 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. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $44,859. That is a strong return on a $21,301 median debt. East Tennessee State University admits about 86% of applicants. Read the full report on East Tennessee State University
Austin Peay State University came in at #20 in this year's value ranking. Located in Clarksville, TN, Austin Peay State University is a public institution. 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. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $44,301. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Austin Peay State University has an acceptance rate of 96%. Read more about Austin Peay State University
Tennessee State University offered strong value this year, earning the #21 position. Tennessee State University is a public school based in Nashville, TN. 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. Median earnings reach $42,730 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Tennessee State University admits about 70% of applicants. See the full Tennessee State University profile
Union University landed the #22 spot for value in Tennessee this year. Set in Jackson, TN, Union University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,398 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $28,605 in student loans. Median earnings reach $53,990 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $28,605 median debt. Union University has an acceptance rate of 60%. Get the full Union University report
Martin Methodist College placed #23 among the best-value Nursing schools in Tennessee. Set in Pulaski, TN, Martin Methodist College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,924. The median Nursing program debt is $23,308. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,924 ten years after entry. Set against $23,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 87% of those who apply are admitted. More on Martin Methodist College
Bethel University Tennessee offered strong value this year, earning the #24 position. Located in McKenzie, TN, Bethel University Tennessee is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,712. Typical Nursing student debt is $28,583. Bethel University Tennessee alumni report median earnings of $47,482 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Bethel University Tennessee
Cumberland University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nursing schools. Located in Lebanon, TN, Cumberland University is a private not-for-profit institution. 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. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $57,687. That is a strong return on a $21,902 median debt. About 67% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Cumberland University report
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Nursing Degree Schools in Tennessee
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:
King College placed #26 among the best-value Nursing schools in Tennessee. This private not-for-profit school is set in Bristol, TN. 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. King College alumni report median earnings of $59,831 a decade after entry. Set against $25,579 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. King College admits about 100% of applicants. See the full King College profile
Southern Adventist University came in at #27 in this year's value ranking. Located in Collegedale, TN, Southern Adventist University is a private not-for-profit institution. 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. Median earnings reach $53,723 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $25,498 median debt. About 66% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Southern Adventist University
Remington College Memphis Campus came in at #28 in this year's value ranking. 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. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $31,349. That is a strong return on a $18,178 median debt. More on Remington College Memphis Campus
Tusculum College placed #29 among the best-value Nursing schools in Tennessee. Set in Greeneville, TN, Tusculum College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $29,250. The median Nursing program debt is $25,278. Tusculum College alumni report median earnings of $44,367 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Tusculum College has an acceptance rate of 72%. See the full Tusculum College profile
Freed Hardeman University came in at #30 in this year's value ranking. Located in Henderson, TN, Freed Hardeman University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $25,620 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $24,479 in student loans. Median earnings reach $47,485 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Freed Hardeman University has an acceptance rate of 60%. See the full Freed Hardeman University profile
Carson Newman College ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nursing schools. Set in Jefferson City, TN, Carson Newman College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,700. Graduates carry a median of $22,843 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $48,382. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Carson Newman College report
Lee University came in at #32 in this year's value ranking. Lee University is a private not-for-profit school based in Cleveland, TN. In-state tuition and fees run about $23,790. The median Nursing program debt is $26,422. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,222 ten years after entry. Set against $26,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 70% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Lee University report
Lincoln Memorial University placed #33 among the best-value Nursing schools in Tennessee. Lincoln Memorial University is a private not-for-profit school based in Harrogate, TN. Students from in state pay about $26,938 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $20,693 in student loans. Median earnings reach $49,956 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $20,693 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted. More on Lincoln Memorial University
Vanderbilt University placed #34 among the best-value Nursing schools in Tennessee. Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit school based in Nashville, TN. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete their Nursing program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $91,565. That is a strong return on a $13,975 median debt. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants. Get the full Vanderbilt University report
Trevecca Nazarene University offered strong value this year, earning the #35 position. Based in Nashville, TN, Trevecca Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $31,300. Graduates carry a median of $24,962 in student loans. Median earnings reach $49,378 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $24,962 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%. More on Trevecca Nazarene University
Belmont University placed #36 among the best-value Nursing schools in Tennessee. This private not-for-profit school is set in Nashville, TN. In-state tuition and fees run about $42,540. Graduates carry a median of $23,447 in student loans. Belmont University alumni report median earnings of $55,930 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Belmont University admits about 95% of applicants. Read the full report on Belmont University
Lipscomb University came in at #37 in this year's value ranking. Located in Nashville, TN, Lipscomb University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,572. Graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $55,541. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Lipscomb University
Christian Brothers University landed the #38 spot for value in Tennessee this year. Located in Memphis, TN, Christian Brothers University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,420. Graduates carry a median of $32,416 in student loans. Median earnings reach $57,478 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $32,416 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%. See the full Christian Brothers University profile
Milligan College came in at #39 in this year's value ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Milligan, TN. In-state tuition and fees run about $40,450. The median Nursing program debt is $26,150. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $46,641. Set against $26,150 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Milligan College has an acceptance rate of 72%. See the full Milligan College profile
Goulds Academy Bartlett landed the #40 spot for value in Tennessee this year. Read more about Goulds Academy Bartlett
Tennessee Board Of Regents offered strong value this year, earning the #41 position. More on Tennessee Board Of Regents
Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Jackson placed #42 among the best-value Nursing schools in Tennessee. Get the full Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Jackson report
Paul Mitchell The School Memphis landed the #43 spot for value in Tennessee this year. Read the full report on Paul Mitchell The School Memphis
Studio 75 Hair Academy landed the #44 spot for value in Tennessee this year. Get the full Studio 75 Hair Academy report
Elite College Of Cosmetology placed #45 among the best-value Nursing schools in Tennessee. More on Elite College Of Cosmetology
Fayetteville College Of Cosmetology Arts And Sciences came in at #46 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Fayetteville College Of Cosmetology Arts And Sciences
Paul Mitchell The School Murfreesboro Nashville offered strong value this year, earning the #47 position. Read the full report on Paul Mitchell The School Murfreesboro Nashville
Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Harriman ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nursing schools. See the full Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Harriman profile
Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Hohenwald came in at #49 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Hohenwald
Visible Music College came in at #50 in this year's value ranking. See the full Visible Music College profile
More Nursing Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Nursing Degree Search (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 39 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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