2025 Best Nursing Schools in Tennessee
40
Colleges in Tennessee
6,214
Nursing Degrees Awarded
$84,107
Avg Early-Career Salary
Ranked #3 in popularity,
nursing is one of the most sought-after degree programs in the nation. This means there are lots of options to choose from when you decide to get your degree.
College Factual looked at 40 colleges and universities when compiling its 2025 Best Nursing Schools in Tennessee ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 6,214 degrees in nursing during the 2021-2022 academic year.
What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings
Choosing a Great Nursing School
The nursing program you select can have a big impact on your future. That's why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Nursing rankings. In order to come up with a best overall ranking for nursing schools, we combine our degree-level rankings, weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Nursing Rankings by Degree Level
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we've developed the Best Nursing Schools in Tennessee ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
If you'd like to restrict your choices to just one part of the country, you can filter this list by location.
In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat.
Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.
If you want to learn more about how we derive our rankings, see College Factual's Methodology.
Best Schools for Nursing in Tennessee
Although we recommend filtering by degree level first, you can view the list below to see which schools give the educational experience for the nursing degree levels they offer.
10 Top Tennessee Schools in Nursing
The University of Tennessee - Health Science Center is a great decision for students interested in a degree in nursing. Located in the large city of Memphis, UTHSC is a public university with a small student population.
There were roughly 194 nursing students who graduated with this degree at UTHSC in the most recent year we have data available. Nursing degree recipients from The University of Tennessee - Health Science Center earn a boost of approximately $15,304 over the typical earnings of nursing majors.
More information about a degree in nursing from The University of Tennessee - Health Science Center
Union University is a wonderful option for students interested in a degree in nursing. Located in the city of Jackson, Union is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. A Best Colleges rank of #538 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Union is a great university overall.
There were approximately 233 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Union in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the nursing program state that they receive average early career wages of $83,821.
More information about a degree in nursing from Union University
Bachelors
Degree Type
BS in Nursing - RN to BSN
Program Name
With the affordable and transfer-friendly online RN to BSN program at Southern New Hampshire University, you can build upon your prior educational journey and enhance your professional experience in a program designed to fit around your schedule.
More information about a degree in BS in Nursing - RN to BSN from Southern New Hampshire UniversityRelated Programs
Southern Adventist University is a good choice for students interested in a degree in nursing. Located in the suburb of Collegedale, Southern Adventist is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. A Best Colleges rank of #244 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Southern Adventist is a great university overall.
There were about 225 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Southern Adventist in the most recent data year. After graduation, nursing degree recipients typically earn an average of $82,602 in their early careers.
More information about a degree in nursing from Southern Adventist University
East Tennessee State University is one of the finest schools in the United States for getting a degree in nursing. ETSU is a fairly large public university located in the city of Johnson City. A Best Colleges rank of #802 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means ETSU is a great university overall.
There were approximately 638 nursing students who graduated with this degree at ETSU in the most recent year we have data available. Students who receive their degree from the nursing program earn an average of $76,204 in their early career salary.
More information about a degree in nursing from East Tennessee State University
UT Knoxville is a fairly large public university located in the midsize city of Knoxville. A Best Colleges rank of #226 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means UT Knoxville is a great university overall.
There were about 314 nursing students who graduated with this degree at UT Knoxville in the most recent year we have data available. Nursing degree recipients from The University of Tennessee - Knoxville receive an earnings boost of around $3,237 over the typical income of nursing graduates.
More information about a degree in nursing from The University of Tennessee - Knoxville
Located in the large city of Nashville, Belmont is a private not-for-profit university with a moderately-sized student population. A Best Colleges rank of #237 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Belmont is a great university overall.
There were about 212 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Belmont in the most recent year we have data available. Graduates who receive their degree from the nursing program earn an average of $70,260 in the first couple years of their career.
More information about a degree in nursing from Belmont University
Located in the large city of Memphis, UofM is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #807 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UofM is a great university overall.
There were approximately 391 nursing students who graduated with this degree at UofM in the most recent year we have data available. Students who receive their degree from the nursing program earn about $79,269 for their early career.
More information about a degree in nursing from University of Memphis
Bachelors
Degree Type
BS in Nursing - RN to BSN - Accelerated RN to MSN
Program Name
At Southern New Hampshire University, we understand the demands placed on today's nursing professionals. When it comes to your education, consider saving money and time by electing the RN to MSN pathway. Eligible students will complete graduate courses within their undergraduate program. This pathway allows you to gain a BSN along the way and ultimately shorten your time within the MSN Nursing Education or Population Healthcare tracks.
More information about a degree in BS in Nursing - RN to BSN - Accelerated RN to MSN from Southern New Hampshire UniversityRelated Programs
Located in the town of Harrogate, LMU is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population. A Best Colleges rank of #618 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means LMU is a great university overall.
There were about 332 nursing students who graduated with this degree at LMU in the most recent data year. Soon after graduating, nursing degree recipients generally make an average of $68,909 in their early careers.
More information about a degree in nursing from Lincoln Memorial University
JSCC is a small public college located in the city of Jackson. A Best Colleges rank of #799 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means JSCC is a great college overall.
There were about 66 nursing students who graduated with this degree at JSCC in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the nursing program report average early career earnings of $66,385.
More information about a degree in nursing from Jackson State Community College
UT Chattanooga is a fairly large public university located in the midsize city of Chattanooga. This university ranks 16th out of 41 schools for overall quality in the state of Tennessee.
There were roughly 188 nursing students who graduated with this degree at UT Chattanooga in the most recent data year. Graduates who receive their degree from the nursing program earn an average of $85,120 in the first couple years of working.
More information about a degree in nursing from The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga
