Tennessee Nursing Schools And Programs

Tennessee pays nurses less than most states, but no state income tax and a low cost of living narrow the gap, and demand is strong. This guide covers the state's nursing programs for RNs and APRNs, salary and job outlook, and the steps to licensure.

The Best Nursing Schools in Tennessee

Tennessee has a deep mix of public and private nursing programs, from the University of Tennessee system to private and faith-based universities. Here are the standouts.

Vanderbilt University (Nashville) runs graduate-only nursing programs leading to an MSN, DNP, PhD in nursing science, or post-master's certificate. Specializations include midwifery, nursing and healthcare leadership, and nursing informatics, plus nurse practitioner tracks in adult-gerontology, emergency, family, neonatal, and pediatrics.

• Program(s): MSN, DNP, PhD, post-master's certificate
• Campus: Nashville, Tennessee
• Type: Private
• Accreditation(s): Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Tuition: $1,793 per credit hour (MSN, DNP, post-master's certificate), $2,150 (PhD)
• Admission Requirements: Bachelor's degree in nursing, MSN, or RN license (depending on program); minimum 3.0-3.5 GPA; prerequisite coursework; advanced practice certification for DNP
• Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes

Belmont University (Nashville) admits high school graduates, registered nurses, and degree-holders. The BSN runs traditional and accelerated tracks, the MSN focuses on family nurse practice, and DNP entry points exist for BSN and MSN holders.

• Program(s): BSN, MSN, DNP
• Campus: Nashville, Tennessee
• Type: Private
• Accreditation(s): Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Tuition: $1,430 per credit hour (undergraduate), $1,500-$1,600 per credit hour (graduate)
• Admission Requirements: High school diploma, nursing degree, RN license, or advanced practice certification (depending on program); ACT or SAT scores for BSN; minimum 3.0-3.5 GPA
• Minimum Time Commitment: 16 months
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes
• School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 76% first-time pass rate
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $55,026 for bachelor's graduates and $84,653 for master's graduates, according to College Scorecard

Freed-Hardeman University (Henderson) is a Christian institution with a 126-credit BSN built around arts, sciences, and Bible-based general education. The program adds clinical experiences, simulation and skills labs, community and patient-population practicums, and a nursing capstone.

• Program(s): BSN
• Campus: Henderson, Tennessee
• Type: Private
• Accreditation(s): Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Tuition: $24,300 per year
• Admission Requirements: Minimum 2.8 cumulative GPA, minimum 2.5 science GPA, at least a 52.1% TEAS score, fewer than 12 general education classes remaining
• Minimum Time Commitment: 48 months
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes
• School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 100% first-time pass rate
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $55,061 for bachelor's graduates, according to College Scorecard

University of Tennessee, Knoxville centers its programs on education, practice, research, and technology. Recent high school graduates and RNs can pursue a BSN, and graduate programs lead to a DNP, PhD, nurse practitioner degree, or a nonclinical graduate certificate.

• Program(s): BSN, DNP, PhD, post-master's and postdoctoral certificates
• Campus: Knoxville, Tennessee
• Type: Public
• Accreditation(s): Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Tuition: $13,244 per year (in-state undergraduate), $31,664 per year (out-of-state undergraduate), $13,380 per year (in-state graduate), $31,798 per year (out-of-state graduate)
• Admission Requirements: ACT or SAT for BSN program, prerequisite coursework, 2.7-3.3 GPA, BSN for graduate programs
• Minimum Time Commitment: 12 months
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes
• School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 98% first-time pass rate
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $52,584 for bachelor's graduates and $91,502 for master's graduates, according to College Scorecard

Tennessee Technological University (Cookeville) offers doctoral, master's, and bachelor's degrees. RNs and second-bachelor's students can enter the BSN, and the online MSN and RN-to-MSN tracks include family nurse practitioner, psychiatric mental health, nursing administration, and nursing education.

• Program(s): BSN, MSN, doctor of nursing practice (DNP)
• Campus: Cookeville, Tennessee
• Type: Public
• Accreditation(s): Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Tuition: $325 per credit hour (in-state undergraduate), $573 per credit hour (out-of-state undergraduate), $524 per credit hour (in-state graduate), $772-$879 per credit hour (out-of-state graduate)
• Admission Requirements: HESI A2 pre-nursing exam for traditional BSN; prerequisites in chemistry, anatomy, physiology, and microbiology for second bachelor's BSN; associate degree in nursing for RN-to-BSN; RN license, 3.0 GPA, and ADN, BSN, MSN, or advanced practice certification (depending on program) for MSN and DNP
• Minimum Time Commitment: 3 semesters
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes (some programs available fully online)
• School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 99% first-time pass rate
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $51,907 for bachelor's graduates and $84,284 for master's graduates, according to College Scorecard

Union University (Jackson) is a Christian institution serving undergraduate and graduate learners. The BSN comes in traditional and accelerated formats, RNs can take the RN-to-BSN, and graduate options include an online MSN, a DNP, and postgraduate and endorsement specialty tracks.

• Program(s): BSN, MSN, DNP, postgraduate certificate, nursing endorsement
• Campus: Jackson, Tennessee
• Type: Private
• Accreditation(s): Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Tuition: $1,150 per credit hour (undergraduate), $660 per credit hour (accelerated BSN), $505 per credit hour (RN-to-BSN), $665 per credit hour (MSN), $995 per credit hour (DNP)
• Admission Requirements: Two of the following for traditional BSN: 22 ACT, 1100 SAT, or 72 Classic Learning Test scores, minimum 2.5 GPA, or top 50% class rank; minimum 3.0 GPA and TEAS exam scores for accelerated BSN; RN license and nursing degree for RN-to-BSN and graduate programs
• Minimum Time Commitment: 15 months
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes (some programs available fully online)
• School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 96% first-time pass rate
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $58,673 for bachelor's graduates and $90,412 for master's graduates, according to College Scorecard

Milligan University (Elizabethton) is Christian-affiliated and awards a BSN plus an online RN-to-BSN. BSN students complete liberal arts courses before moving into nursing classes and clinicals.

• Program(s): BSN
• Campus: Elizabethton, Tennessee
• Type: Private
• Accreditation(s): Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Tuition: $1,123 per credit hour (full-time undergraduate), $335 per credit hour (RN-to-BSN)
• Admission Requirements: Prerequisites; 2.0-2.5 GPA; Tennessee RN license, RN employment, and nursing diploma or associate degree for RN-to-BSN
• Minimum Time Commitment: 5 semesters
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes

Lincoln Memorial University (Harrogate) confers associate, bachelor's, and doctoral nursing degrees and serves recent high school graduates, LPNs, and RNs. MSN and DNP students can specialize in family or psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, nursing administration, or nurse anesthesia.

• Program(s): ASN, BSN, MSN, DNP
• Campus: Harrogate, Tennessee
• Type: Private
• Accreditation(s): Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
• Tuition: $1,030 per credit hour (undergraduate), $720 per credit hour (MSN in nurse practitioner), $10,950 per semester (MSN in nurse anesthesia), $550 per credit hour (MSN in nursing administration), $735 per credit hour (DNP)
• Admission Requirements: LMU admission, official transcripts, prerequisite coursework, nursing degree or RN license (some tracks)
• Minimum Time Commitment: 3 semesters
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes (some programs available fully online)
• School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 100% first-time pass rate
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $51,077 for associate graduates, $47,863 for bachelor's graduates, and $98,403 for master's graduates, according to College Scorecard

Southern Adventist University (Collegedale) offers associate and bachelor's nursing degrees plus an MSN, an RN-to-MSN, an MSN/MBA dual degree, a post-master's certificate, and a DNP with bachelor's and master's entry points.

• Program(s): BSN, MSN, post-master's certificate, DNP
• Campus: Collegedale, Tennessee
• Type: Private
• Accreditation(s): Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
• Tuition: $735-$960 per credit hour (undergraduate), $660 per credit hour (master's), $875 per credit hour (doctorate)
• Admission Requirements: High school diploma or GED certificate and TEAS exam scores for AS and BSN; RN license for RN-to-BSN; minimum 3.0 GPA, college statistics, BSN, RN license for graduate study (plus two years of nursing with critical care experience for some tracks)
• Minimum Time Commitment: Two semesters
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes (some programs available fully online)
• School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 90% first-time pass rate
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $53,579 for bachelor's graduates and $92,277 for master's graduates, according to College Scorecard

Carson-Newman University (Jefferson City) is a Christian institution offering a BSN, MSN, DNP, and a post-master's family nurse practitioner certificate, with MSN and certificate study available on campus or online.

• Program(s): BSN, MSN, DNP, post-master's certificate
• Campus: Jefferson City, Tennessee
• Type: Private
• Accreditation(s): Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Tuition: $15,650 per semester (full-time undergraduate), $650 per credit hour (MSN and certificate), $850 per credit hour (DNP)
• Admission Requirements: High school diploma, ACT or SAT scores, nursing degree or advanced practice certification (depending on degree level), 3.0 GPA, RN license for graduate study
• Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes (some programs available fully online)
• School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 93% first-time pass rate
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $50,499 for bachelor's graduates and $85,760 for master's graduates, according to College Scorecard

How to Choose a Nursing Program in Tennessee

The right program depends on your career goals, finances, and life situation. You may need online classes to work around a job or family, plus the option to do clinical rotations at a local hospital.

Compare graduation and NCLEX pass rates. Higher rates point to a program that supports students through to completion and prepares them for practice.

Weigh tuition against financial aid. Tennessee runs several aid programs, including the Graduate Nursing Loan Forgiveness Program for RNs who teach at Tennessee nursing programs.

Confirm accreditation. License applicants need a degree from a program accredited by ACEN or CCNE or approved by the Tennessee Board of Nursing. Without it, you may struggle to get financial aid, qualify for a license, find work, or enter a graduate program.

Salary and Job Outlook for Nurses in Tennessee

Nurses in Tennessee earn a median of $62,220, against $75,330 nationwide, which ranks the state 47th. No state income tax and one of the lowest costs of living in the country close much of that gap, with housing, groceries, transportation, and utilities cheaper than almost every other state.

Demand is high regardless. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 12.3% RN growth between 2018 and 2028, above the national rate. NP demand runs slightly under the national average of 34.7% but still ranks among the top 10 states.

Memphis tops the metro pay list, helped by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Top Paying Metropolitan Areas	Median Salary for RNs
Memphis	$66,660
Nashville-Davidson, Murfreesboro, Franklin	$65,300
Clarksville	$65,200
Johnson City	$61,710
Chattanooga	$59,680

Source: BLS

Steps to Becoming a Nurse in Tennessee

Licensure runs through the Tennessee Board of Nursing, which, unlike most states, charges no fee for the initial license.

RN Requirements

Complete an ADN or BSN and pass the NCLEX. The Tennessee Board of Nursing requires an application and a criminal background check before you register for the NCLEX, and your school must send transcripts directly to the board. Reviews take up to six weeks.

APRN Requirements

You need an MSN or DNP, a valid nursing license, and proof of certification in your practice area, plus the mandatory Practitioner Profile Questionnaire. The application is fully online, and reviews take up to six weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions About Nursing in Tennessee

Is Tennessee a good state for nurses?

No income tax, a low cost of living, and access to hospitals like Vanderbilt University Medical Center and St. Jude offset below-average pay. Demand is projected to stay high.

Is there a nursing shortage in Tennessee?

Yes. The COVID-19 pandemic worsened existing staffing shortages, so openings are plentiful and many hospitals offer signon bonuses and education assistance.

What do nurses earn in Nashville?

PayScale reports a median starting RN salary of $64,430 in Nashville and a median NP starting salary of about $91,690.

Can I practice in Tennessee with an out-of-state license?

Tennessee is a Nurse Licensure Compact state, so a multistate license from another compact state lets you practice in more than 40 states and territories. Move here from a compact state and your license stays valid, but to make Tennessee your residence you apply for licensure by endorsement to get a new multistate license. From a non-compact state, you apply for licensure by endorsement to practice.