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Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee

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2023 Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee

20 Schools Ranked
$9,659 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$22,061 Avg Student Debt

When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for nursing students. 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.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Nursing Degree Search has created its Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee ranking. This report analyzed 20 schools in Tennessee to see which ones were the most popular associate degree programs for nursing students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.

Learn more about these popular schools below:

#1

Lincoln Memorial University

Harrogate, Tennessee
171 Total Awards
$24,210 Average Tuition & Fees
$24,167 Avg Student Debt

Our analysis found Lincoln Memorial University to be the most popular school for nursing students who want to pursue a associate degree in Tennessee. Located in Harrogate, Tennessee, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 171 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.

LMU does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $24,210. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from LMU accumulate an average of $24,167 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 92% were women.

LMU does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. During the 2019-2020 year, about 6% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#2

Dyersburg State Community College

Dyersburg, Tennessee
112 Total Awards
$4,410 Average Tuition & Fees
$12,229 Avg Student Debt

The excellent associate degree programs at Dyersburg State Community College helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular nursing schools in Tennessee. DSCC is located in Dyersburg, Tennessee and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 112 associate degrees to qualified students.

Full-time students from Tennessee pay an average of $4,410 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend DSCC. Out-of-state students pay an average of $17,226. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,229 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 76% were women.

Online courses are available at DSCC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 55% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Dyersburg State Community College Report

#3

Walters State Community College

Morristown, Tennessee
104 Total Awards
$4,399 Average Tuition & Fees
$10,502 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Walters State Community College is a great place for nursing students working on their associate degree. WSCC is a medium-sized public school situated in Morristown, Tennessee. It awarded 104 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Full-time students from Tennessee pay an average of $4,399 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend WSCC. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $17,215. Associate Degree recipients from WSCC accumulate an average of $10,502 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 83% of those degree recipients were women.

WSCC does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 61% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Walters State Community College

102 Total Awards
$4,430 Average Tuition & Fees
$17,440 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 20 schools in Tennessee that were part of this year’s ranking, Southwest Tennessee Community College landed the # 4 spot on the list. Located in Memphis, Tennessee, the medium-sized public school handed out 102 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.

Students from Tennessee who attend Southwest full time pay an average of $4,430 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $17,246. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,440 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 83% were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Southwest. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 78% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Southwest Tennessee Community College Report

#5

Chattanooga State Community College

Chattanooga, Tennessee
101 Total Awards
$4,430 Average Tuition & Fees
$18,949 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Chattanooga State Community College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee list. Chattanooga State Community College is a public institution located in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 101 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Chattanooga State Community College is $4,430. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $16,934. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,949 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 78% were women.

Online courses are available at Chattanooga State Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2019-2020 year, about 95% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Chattanooga State Community College Report

#6

Columbia State Community College

Columbia, Tennessee
87 Total Awards
$4,666 Average Tuition & Fees
$17,719 Avg Student Debt

Columbia State Community College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee ranking. Located in Columbia, Tennessee, the medium-sized public school handed out 87 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.

Students from Tennessee who attend Columbia State Community College full time pay an average of $4,666 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $18,124. Associate Degree recipients from Columbia State Community College accumulate an average of $17,719 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 87% of those degree recipients were women.

Columbia State Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 99% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Columbia State Community College Report

#7

Southern Adventist University

Collegedale, Tennessee
86 Total Awards
$23,210 Average Tuition & Fees
$24,595 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #7, Southern Adventist University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Collegedale, Tennessee, and it awarded 86 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $23,210 to cover tuition and fees at Southern Adventist. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Associate Degree recipients from Southern Adventist accumulate an average of $24,595 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 73% of those degree recipients were women.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Southern Adventist. In 2019-2020 about 39% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Southern Adventist University Report

#8

Pellissippi State Community College

Knoxville, Tennessee
84 Total Awards
$4,456 Average Tuition & Fees
$13,973 Avg Student Debt

Pellissippi State Community College landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree nursing programs. Pellissippi State Community College is located in Knoxville, Tennessee and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 84 associate degrees to qualified students.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Pellissippi State Community College is $4,456. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $17,272. On average, associate degree students take out $13,973 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 82% of those degree recipients were women.

One thing to take note of is that Pellissippi State Community College does offer online classes in some areas. In 2019-2020 about 95% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Pellissippi State Community College

#9

Northeast State Community College

Blountville, Tennessee
73 Total Awards
$4,422 Average Tuition & Fees
$10,550 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #9, Northeast State Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Located in Blountville, Tennessee, the medium-sized public school awarded 73 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.

Full-time students from Tennessee pay an average of $4,422 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Northeast State Technical Community College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $17,238. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,550 in student loans. Around 90% of those degree recipients were women.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Northeast State Technical Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2019-2020 year, about 83% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#10

Roane State Community College

Harriman, Tennessee
66 Total Awards
$4,636 Average Tuition & Fees
$14,273 Avg Student Debt

Roane State Community College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree nursing programs. Harriman, Tennessee is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 66 students in 2020-2021.

Full-time students from Tennessee pay an average of $4,636 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Roane State Community College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $17,540. On average, associate degree students take out $14,273 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 85% of those degree recipients were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Roane State Community College. During the 2019-2020 year, about 52% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Roane State Community College

#11

Jackson State Community College

Jackson, Tennessee
62 Total Awards
$4,618 Average Tuition & Fees
$10,619 Avg Student Debt

Jackson State Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #11 on the list. JSCC is a public institution located in Jackson, Tennessee. The school has a small population, and it awarded 62 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

In-state students pay an average of $4,618 in tuition and fees if they attend JSCC full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $18,076. On average, associate degree students take out $10,619 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 94% were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at JSCC. In fact, around 81% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#12

Motlow State Community College

Tullahoma, Tennessee
60 Total Awards
$4,416 Average Tuition & Fees
$9,423 Avg Student Debt

Motlow State Community College landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree nursing programs. Located in Tullahoma, Tennessee, the medium-sized public school awarded 60 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.

In-state students pay an average of $4,416 in tuition and fees if they attend Motlow full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $17,232. Associate Degree recipients from Motlow accumulate an average of $9,423 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 88% were women.

One thing to take note of is that Motlow does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 78% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#13

Cleveland State Community College

Cleveland, Tennessee
47 Total Awards
$4,400 Average Tuition & Fees
$16,157 Avg Student Debt

Cleveland State Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #13 on the list. Cleveland State Community College is a small public school situated in Cleveland, Tennessee. It awarded 47 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

In-state students pay an average of $4,400 in tuition and fees if they attend Cleveland State Community College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $17,216. On average, associate degree students take out $16,157 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 96% of those degree recipients were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Cleveland State Community College. In fact, around 53% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#14

Nashville State Community College

Nashville, Tennessee
40 Total Awards
$4,372 Average Tuition & Fees
$21,667 Avg Student Debt

Nashville State Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #14 on the list. Nashville State Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Nashville, Tennessee. It awarded 40 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Students from Tennessee who attend Nashville State Community College full time pay an average of $4,372 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $17,188. On average, associate degree students take out $21,667 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 83% were women.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Nashville State Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 63% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full Nashville State Community College Report

#15

Fortis Institute - Nashville

Nashville, Tennessee
26 Total Awards
$15,804 Average Tuition & Fees
$33,687 Avg Student Debt

Fortis Institute - Nashville landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree nursing programs. Fortis Institute - Nashville is a very small private for-profit school situated in Nashville, Tennessee. It awarded 26 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $15,804 to cover tuition and fees at Fortis Institute - Nashville. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Associate Degree recipients from Fortis Institute - Nashville accumulate an average of $33,687 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 92% were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Fortis Institute - Nashville. In fact, around 71% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#16

Remington College - Memphis Campus

Memphis, Tennessee
14 Total Awards
$24,535 Avg Student Debt

Remington College - Memphis Campus landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree nursing programs. Remington College - Memphis Campus is a very small private not-for-profit school situated in Memphis, Tennessee. It awarded 14 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Associate Degree recipients from Remington College - Memphis Campus accumulate an average of $24,535 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 93% of those degree recipients were women.

Remington College - Memphis Campus is primarily an online school, so it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.

Read More…

#17

Concorde Career College - Memphis

Memphis, Tennessee
10 Total Awards
$29,249 Avg Student Debt

Concorde Career College - Memphis landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree nursing programs. Concorde Career College - Memphis is a small private for-profit school located in Memphis, Tennessee that handed out 10 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Associate Degree recipients from Concorde Career College - Memphis accumulate an average of $29,249 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 70% of those degree recipients were women.

One thing to take note of is that Concorde Career College - Memphis does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 14% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#18

Tennessee State University

Nashville, Tennessee
4 Total Awards
$8,336 Average Tuition & Fees
$24,463 Avg Student Debt

Tennessee State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #18 on the list. This medium-sized public school is located in Nashville, Tennessee, and it awarded 4 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Full-time students from Tennessee pay an average of $8,336 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Tennessee State University. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $21,692. Associate Degree recipients from Tennessee State University accumulate an average of $24,463 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 75% of those degree recipients were women.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Tennessee State University. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 55% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Tennessee State University

#19

South College

Knoxville, Tennessee
$17,335 Average Tuition & Fees
$28,086 Avg Student Debt

South College landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree nursing programs.

If you want to attend South College, expect to pay an average of $17,335 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,086 in student loans.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since South College does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 89% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on South College

#19

Carson - Newman University

Jefferson City, Tennessee
$31,320 Average Tuition & Fees

Carson - Newman University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee ranking.

Carson - Newman does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $31,320. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid.

Carson - Newman does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In 2019-2020 about 41% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Carson - Newman University

View Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools Nationwide >

Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 20 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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