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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. Combined, these schools handed out 6,214 degrees in nursing to qualified students.

What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Nursing School

Best Nursing Schools in Tennessee 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

Associate Degrees in Nursing
Bachelor's Degrees in Nursing
Master's Degrees in Nursing
Doctor's Degrees in Nursing

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

1
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
194 Nursing Degrees Awarded
33.0% Growth in Graduates

The University of Tennessee - Health Science Center is a good decision for students pursuing a degree in nursing. Located in the large city of Memphis, UTHSC is a public university with a small student population.

There were approximately 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 get an earnings boost of approximately $15,304 over the average earnings of nursing majors.

More information about a degree in nursing from The University of Tennessee - Health Science Center

2
Union crest
Union University
Jackson, TN
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
233 Nursing Degrees Awarded
$83,821 Median Starting Salary

Union University is a great option for students pursuing 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 colleges nationwide means Union is a great university overall.

There were about 233 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Union in the most recent year we have data available. 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

Sponsored
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 University

Related Programs

3
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
225 Nursing Degrees Awarded
$82,602 Median Starting Salary

Southern Adventist University is a wonderful option 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 approximately 225 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Southern Adventist in the most recent data year. Soon after graduating, nursing degree recipients generally earn about $82,602 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a degree in nursing from Southern Adventist University

4
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
638 Nursing Degrees Awarded
$76,204 Median Starting Salary

East Tennessee State University is one of the best 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 about 638 nursing students who graduated with this degree at ETSU in the most recent year we have data available. Graduates who receive their degree from the nursing program earn about $76,204 in their early career salary.

More information about a degree in nursing from East Tennessee State University

5
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
314 Nursing Degrees Awarded
$87,344 Median Starting Salary

UT Knoxville is a very large public university located in the medium-sized city of Knoxville. A Best Colleges rank of #226 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UT Knoxville is a great university overall.

There were roughly 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 earn a boost of approximately $3,237 above the average earnings of nursing graduates.

More information about a degree in nursing from The University of Tennessee - Knoxville

6
Belmont crest
Belmont University
Nashville, TN
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
212 Nursing Degrees Awarded
$70,260 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Nashville, Belmont is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population. A Best Colleges rank of #237 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Belmont is a great university overall.

There were approximately 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 make about $70,260 in their early career salary.

More information about a degree in nursing from Belmont University

7
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
391 Nursing Degrees Awarded
$79,269 Median Starting Salary

Located in the large city of Memphis, UofM is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #807 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UofM is a great university overall.

There were roughly 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 make an average of $79,269 for their early career.

More information about a degree in nursing from University of Memphis

Sponsored
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 University

Related Programs

8
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
332 Nursing Degrees Awarded
$68,909 Median Starting Salary

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 approximately 332 nursing students who graduated with this degree at LMU in the most recent year we have data available. Soon after graduating, nursing degree recipients generally make around $68,909 in their early careers.

More information about a degree in nursing from Lincoln Memorial University

9
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
66 Nursing Degrees Awarded
6.1% Growth in Graduates

JSCC is a small public college located in the small city of Jackson. A Best Colleges rank of #799 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means JSCC is a great college overall.

There were roughly 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

10
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
188 Nursing Degrees Awarded
9.0% Growth in Graduates

UT Chattanooga is a fairly large public university located in the 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 make an average of $85,120 for their early career.

More information about a degree in nursing from The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga

Best Nursing Colleges in the Southeast Region

Explore all the Best Nursing Schools in the Southeast Area or other specific states within that region.

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Georgia 287 7,016
Florida 282 21,034
North Carolina 279 7,329
Virginia 274 6,630
South Carolina 248 3,276
Kentucky 244 6,143
Louisiana 242 3,416
Mississippi 234 2,801
Arkansas 234 2,878
Alabama 233 7,210
West Virginia 207 1,768

View All Rankings >

One of 34 majors within the Health Professions area of study, Nursing has other similar majors worth exploring.

Nursing Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
Registered Nursing 5,020
Family Practice Nurse/Nursing 384
Nursing Practice 237
Nurse Anesthetist 118
Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing 93
School Nursing 77
Critical Care Nursing 69
Nursing Administration 37
Maternal/Child Health and Neonatal Nurse/Nursing 34
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing 33

View All Nursing Focus Areas >

Majors Similar to Nursing

Related Major Annual Graduates
Allied Health Professions 2,831
Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services 1,707
Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants 1,563
Health & Medical Administrative Services 1,012
Dental Support Services 861
Health/Medical Prep Programs 819
Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Sciences 728
Medicine 678
Rehabilitation & Therapeutic Professions 646
Communication Sciences 466

View All Nursing Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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