by our College Data Analytics Team
Out of the majors we analyze each year, nursing was the most popular one in Tennessee. In total, 87,561 people earned their bachelor's degree in the field from a school in Tennessee. This means that colleges and universities in the state were responsible for awarding 1.6% of all the nursing bachelor's degrees in the country.
For this year's Best Value Bachelor's Degree Colleges for Nursing in Tennessee ranking, we looked at 25 colleges that offer a bachelor's in nursing. To us, 'best value' doesn't just mean the school with the lowest overall costs. We are more focused on nursing schools that offer a high quality education at a price lower that other schools of similar academic excellence.
To determine the average cost, we look at total expenses - such as tuition, fees, room and board, books, and other related expenses - and then subtract the average financial award a student receives. Knowing this amount can help you determine how much you may have to borrow in loans or take out of savings. Depending on your income and other factors, the cost for you to attend a particular school may be more or less.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we've developed a number of rankings, including this Best Value Nursing Schools list, to help you choose the best school for you.
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.
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
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.
BS in Nursing - RN to BSN - Accelerated RN to MSN
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.
The colleges and universities below are the best for the money for nursing majors.
The University of Tennessee - Health Science Center earned the #1 spot in our 2024 rankings. Located in the city of Memphis, UTHSC is a public school with a small student population. UTHSC also made our Best Nursing Schools in Tennessee list, coming in at #3.
East Tennessee State University landed the #2 spot in our 2024 rankings for best value nursing schools. Located in the small city of Johnson City, ETSU is a public school with a fairly large student population. As a testament to the quality of education offered at ETSU, the school also landed the #7 rank in our Best Nursing Schools in Tennessee ranking.
The average amount of time it takes for a student to receive their degree at ETSU is 4.5 years, and the yearly average cost to attend the school is $28,279. Putting this cost and the average time to graduate together, we find that the average amount you’ll pay to get a bachelor’s degree from ETSU is $126,973. When you graduate sooner, you can save a lot of money.
Our rankings recognize Baptist Memorial College of Health Sciences as the #3 school in this year's rankings. Located in the city of Memphis, Baptist College of Health Sciences is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.
The average student at Baptist College of Health Sciences graduates in less than 4.6 years, and the estimated yearly cost for the school is $14,087. When we combine these numbers, we estimate that the cost to get a bachelor’s degree from Baptist College of Health Sciences is $64,659. When students graduate in a lesser amount of time, they can save thousands of dollars.
Full Nursing at Baptist Memorial College of Health Sciences Report
The University of Tennessee - Knoxville earned the #4 spot in our 2024 rankings. UT Knoxville is a very large public school located in the midsize city of Knoxville. UT Knoxville also made our Best Nursing Schools in Tennessee list, coming in at #6.
At UT Knoxville, the average time it takes a student to graduate is 4.3 years, and it costs about $36,128 per year to attend the school. When we combine these numbers, we estimate that the cost to get a bachelor’s degree from UT Knoxville is $155,712. When you graduate sooner, you can save a lot of money.
Full Nursing at The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Report
Our rankings recognize University of Memphis as the #5 school in this year's rankings. Located in the large city of Memphis, UofM is a public school with a very large student population.
At UofM, the average time it takes a student to graduate is 4.6 years, and the yearly average cost to attend the school is $21,589. This means that the average student pays around $98,662 to get a bachelor’s degree from UofM. If you can shave even one term off your degree, you can save a substantial amount of money.
The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga comes in at #6 in this year's ranking. UT Chattanooga is a large public school located in the medium-sized city of Chattanooga.
The average student at UT Chattanooga graduates in less than 4.5 years, and on average, the annual cost to attend the school is $28,068. This means that the average student pays around $126,025 to get a bachelor’s degree from UT Chattanooga. When students graduate in a lesser amount of time, they can save thousands of dollars.
Tennessee Technological University comes in at #7 in this year's ranking. Tennessee Tech University is a moderately-sized public school located in the remote town of Cookeville.
At Tennessee Tech University, the average time it takes a student to graduate is 4.5 years, and on average, the annual cost to attend the school is $23,927. This means that the average student pays around $107,672 to get a bachelor’s degree from Tennessee Tech University. If you can shave even one term off your degree, you can save a substantial amount of money.
Union University landed the #8 spot in our 2024 rankings for best value nursing schools. Union is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Jackson. Union also took the #5 spot in our Best Nursing Schools in Tennessee rankings.
It takes about 4.1 years for the average student at Union to complete their degree, and it costs about $23,791 per year to attend the school. Looking at these numbers together, we estimate that the average cost of a bachelor’s degree from Union is about $97,781. If you can shave even one term off your degree, you can save a substantial amount of money.
Southern Adventist University earned the #9 spot in our 2024 rankings. Southern Adventist is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of Collegedale. In addition to being on our best value list, Southern Adventist has also earned the #4 rank in our Best Nursing Schools in Tennessee ranking.
The average amount of time it takes for a student to receive their degree at Southern Adventist is 4.7 years, and on average, the annual cost to attend the school is $25,552. Putting this cost and the average time to graduate together, we find that the average amount you’ll pay to get a bachelor’s degree from Southern Adventist is $119,072. Graduating sooner can prevent you from having to pay more money out of pocket.
Middle Tennessee State University earned the #10 spot in our 2024 rankings. Middle Tennessee State University is a fairly large public school located in the medium-sized city of Murfreesboro.
At Middle Tennessee State University, the average time it takes a student to graduate is 4.6 years, and the yearly average cost to attend the school is $29,168. Looking at these numbers together, we estimate that the average cost of a bachelor’s degree from Middle Tennessee State University is about $132,714. The sooner a student graduates, the more money they can save.
Learn about other programs related to Nursing that might interest you.
MS in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner
Break into one of the most high-demand occupations in the nation with your online MSN Family Nurse Practitioner track from Southern New Hampshire University.
MS in Nursing - Nursing Education
Position the next generation of nurses for success with your online MSN in Nursing Education from Southern New Hampshire University.
MS in Nursing - Healthcare Quality & Safety
Ensure a safer future for healthcare with your online MSN in Healthcare Quality & Safety from Southern New Hampshire University.
Explore all the Best Nursing Colleges in the Southeast Area or other specific states within that region.
| State | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| Florida | 9,015 |
| Georgia | 3,954 |
| North Carolina | 3,488 |
| Virginia | 3,096 |
| South Carolina | 1,605 |
| Kentucky | 2,530 |
| Alabama | 2,607 |
| Louisiana | 1,963 |
| Mississippi | 1,307 |
| Arkansas | 1,371 |
| West Virginia | 774 |
One of 34 majors within the Health Professions area of study, Nursing has other similar majors worth exploring.
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
