Compare costs, NCLEX pass rates, and outcomes for Nashville-area BSN programs side by side.
HCA Healthcare, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and Ascension Saint Thomas are among the largest employers in the Nashville area, providing thousands of bedside nursing positions that increasingly require a BSN.
Nashville's nursing schools span public and private options with traditional, accelerated, and bridge formats. Cost, clinical access, and NCLEX first-time pass rates vary significantly across programs.
With local schools posting first-time NCLEX rates above 97%, graduates enter a metro market where the median RN wage is $84,040, reflecting strong alignment between training quality and workforce needs.
Our ranking of Nashville-area BSN programs weighs net price, graduation rates, and program quality to help you find the right fit. Schools with strong local clinical partnerships and proven NCLEX outcomes received special consideration for readers targeting nursing careers in the Nashville metro. All graduation rates reflect institution-wide data reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Belmont University | Nashville, TN | $33,000/yr | Nashville-based direct-admit BSN seekers | |
Belmont University's BSN program, located in the heart of Nashville, offers direct freshman admission and nursing coursework from the first semester. With a 100% first-time NCLEX pass rate, small class sizes, and priority admission to Belmont's DNP program, graduates are well-prepared for local healthcare roles. The school maintains robust clinical partnerships with Nashville-area hospitals and community health organizations, providing immersive hands-on training.
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| #2 | Lipscomb University | Nashville, TN | $25,000/yr | Faith-oriented nursing students in Nashville | |
Lipscomb University's nursing programs are known for their Christian community focus and extensive clinical placements in Nashville's top healthcare systems. Students choose between a traditional BSN or a 16-month accelerated BSN for degree holders, both featuring small class sizes and a 100% NCLEX pass rate. The school's on-campus simulation lab and one-on-one faculty mentorship ensure graduates are practice-ready and connected to the local job market.
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| #3 | Middle Tennessee State University | Murfreesboro, TN | $13,000/yr | Middle Tennessee value-focused BSN candidates | |
Middle Tennessee State University, just outside Nashville in Murfreesboro, provides a Bachelor of Science in Nursing grounded in over 500 clinical hours across Middle Tennessee facilities. The program blends critical thinking with hands-on experience, achieving strong NCLEX outcomes and feeding graduates directly into Nashville-area hospitals. With low in-state tuition and CCNE accreditation, MTSU is a practical choice for students targeting nursing careers in the region.
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| #4 | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville | Knoxville, TN | ~$19,000/yr (est.) | ||
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville's BSN is a flagship program with a competitive admission process and a focus on holistic, technology-enhanced education. Students train in state-of-the-art simulation labs and complete clinical rotations throughout Tennessee, preparing for diverse nursing roles. Though not Nashville-specific, its high NCLEX pass rates and strong alumni outcomes make it a compelling statewide option.
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| #5 | Freed-Hardeman University | Henderson, TN | $22,000/yr (net price) | ||
Freed-Hardeman University's BSN program emphasizes faith-based nursing education with small student-to-teacher ratios and 650 clinical hours. The curriculum integrates Christian values and leadership training, preparing nurses for service in West and Middle Tennessee communities. Admission requires a TEAS score and a GPA of 2.8, and graduates benefit from affordable net price and solid earnings potential.
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| #6 | Tennessee Tech | Cookeville, TN | $10,000 – $15,000/yr | ||
Tennessee Tech's BSN, housed in the Whitson-Hester School of Nursing, delivers a four-year program with a competitive upper-division clinical sequence. Students benefit from clinical placements across Middle and East Tennessee, with first-time NCLEX pass rates exceeding 95%. The school's affordable net price and strong return on investment appeal to budget-conscious future nurses.
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| #7 | Union University | Jackson, TN | ~$27,000/yr (est.) | ||
Union University offers a traditional BSN in Jackson along with an accelerated BSN and an online RN-BSN, all grounded in a Christian liberal arts perspective. The traditional track features small class sizes and a focus on holistic care, while the accelerated option completes in 15 months for those with a prior degree. Graduates see competitive earnings and manageable debt, with clinical placements reaching into Middle Tennessee.
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| #8 | East Tennessee State University | Johnson City, TN | ~$16,000/yr (est.) | ||
East Tennessee State University's campus-based BSN emphasizes critical thinking and interprofessional care, with a 93% NCLEX pass rate. Students gain hands-on experience in advanced simulation facilities and through clinical rotations with major East Tennessee providers. The program's affordable net price and articulation pathways make it accessible, though its primary service area lies outside Nashville.
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| #9 | Lee University | Cleveland, TN | $19,000/yr | ||
Lee University's BSN track in Cleveland, TN, offers a competitive nursing program with no prerequisites for incoming freshmen and a fall semester start. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on learning within a Christian environment, preparing graduates for statewide licensure. While not Nashville-focused, its modest net price and solid graduation rate appeal to students seeking a private, faith-based education.
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| #10 | The University of Tennessee-Martin | Martin, TN | $11,000/yr (net price) | ||
The University of Tennessee-Martin's pre-licensure BSN is designed for students in West Tennessee, with a minimum GPA of 2.75 and an ACT score of 21 required. The program boasts high NCLEX pass rates and hands-on clinical experiences, emphasizing evidence-based practice and patient-centered care. It offers the lowest net price in this ranking, making it an extremely affordable route to nursing.
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Nashville's BSN programs present a cost spectrum from under $10,300 per year at public Middle Tennessee State University to over $31,000 at private Trevecca Nazarene. NCLEX first-time pass rates show strong outcomes at MTSU (97.6%) and Lipscomb (97.1%), while accelerated tracks at Galen, Herzing, and Lipscomb offer faster paths to RN licensure, though Herzing's 77.78% pass rate warrants careful consideration.
| School | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Net Price | Program Format | NCLEX First-Time Pass Rate | Program Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Middle Tennessee State University | $10,266 | $31,574 | $13,359 | Traditional | 97.6% (2024) | 48 months |
| Lipscomb University | N/A | N/A | N/A | Traditional, Accelerated | 97.1% (2024-2025) | Traditional: 48 mos; Accelerated: 16 mos |
| Galen College of Nursing Nashville | N/A | N/A | N/A | Accelerated | 95.00% (2024) | 36 months |
| Trevecca Nazarene University | $31,300 | $31,300 | $16,813 | Traditional | N/A | 48 months |
| Herzing University Nashville | N/A | N/A | N/A | Traditional, Accelerated | 77.78% (2025) | Traditional: 36-48 mos; Accelerated: 20-24 mos |
After grants and scholarships, the typical net price at public BSN programs averages $11,798 per year, while private schools average $10,533. Median federal loan debt for recent BSN graduates ranges from $20,000 to $29,500, which translates to a monthly payment of $200-$300 on a 10-year standard repayment plan. These figures are institution-wide averages and may differ from actual nursing program costs.
A four-year BSN builds a broad foundation with two years of general education before nursing courses, while an accelerated BSN crams core nursing classes into roughly a year for career-switchers who already hold a bachelor’s degree.
Most Nashville nursing programs offer a prelicensure BSN designed for incoming freshmen or transfer students without a prior degree. This pathway typically requires four academic years and includes general-education requirements, nursing prerequisites, and clinical rotations. Program graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN and begin their nursing career paths.
Accelerated BSN (ABSN) or second-degree BSN tracks in the Nashville area let students with a bachelor’s degree in another field earn a nursing degree in roughly 12 to 24 months, depending on the program. These intensive plans assume you have already completed non-nursing prerequisites like anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and chemistry. Schools offering an accelerated option include:
Licensed practical nurses in Nashville can advance through LPN-to-BSN bridge programs. These bridges grant credit for prior nursing education and experience, shortening the path to a BSN to roughly two to three years. While not every Nashville school offers a standalone LPN-to-BSN track, many BSN programs have articulation options for LPNs. Reach out to individual nursing departments for transfer and advanced-standing policies.
Clinical rotations are a hallmark of local BSN programs, and Nashville’s concentration of major health systems provides rich training ground. Hospitals frequently used for clinical placements include Ascension Saint Thomas, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and HCA TriStar facilities. For instance, Marian University’s ABSN officially partners with Ascension Saint Thomas to deliver hands-on clinical experiences.1 Other schools, such as Galen College (a subsidiary of HCA Healthcare), often arrange clinicals within the HCA TriStar network.
BSN programs in Nashville require a set of completed prerequisites, a minimum GPA, and often a standardized entrance exam. While specific criteria vary by school, most expect strong foundations in science and math before you apply.
The minimum cumulative GPA for Nashville BSN programs typically falls between 2.5 and 3.0. Tennessee State University accepts a 2.5 for fall 20261, while Middle Tennessee State University asks for a 2.752, and Trevecca Nazarene University requires a 3.0 for its accelerated pathway3. Keep in mind that these are bare minimums: competitive applicants often present GPAs of 3.3 or higher, especially at more selective institutions like Vanderbilt or Belmont.
Entrance exam requirements differ. MTSU mandates the HESI A2 with a score of 75 or above in both Math and Anatomy & Physiology2. Many other schools, including Belmont and Lipscomb, use the TEAS exam, though minimum score thresholds can vary. Always verify whether your target program requires TEAS or HESI, as preparation courses are exam-specific.
Nearly all Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs in the Nashville area require the same science core: - Anatomy & Physiology I and II (often with labs) - Microbiology (with lab) - Chemistry (general or organic) - Statistics - Human Growth & Development or Lifespan Psychology
Schools like Trevecca may also require an Associate of Science in Health Sciences or a related pre-nursing degree3. MTSU specifies a B or better in A&P I, A&P II, and Microbiology2. Always check each school's catalog for exact course numbers and grade minimums.
Most Nashville BSN programs operate on a cohort model with a single fall start each year. Tennessee State University's deadline for fall 2026 is March 15, 20264. Middle Tennessee State University's is February 15, 20262. Missing a deadline means waiting a full year, so early planning is essential. Rolling admissions are uncommon, though a few private schools may offer spring starts for select tracks. Always confirm with the nursing department directly.
What can I earn as a registered nurse in Nashville? In the Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro-Franklin metro area, registered nurses earn a median annual wage of $84,040.1 That trails the national median of $93,6002, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, but Nashville’s lower cost of living and absence of a state income tax help stretch those dollars further. Top earners (90th percentile) bring in over $112,000 per year, while entry-level roles (10th percentile) start around $69,480.1
Nashville’s healthcare industry is a major economic engine. With HCA Healthcare’s corporate headquarters in the city and more than 20 hospitals in the metro area, demand for skilled nurses remains robust. National projections indicate 5% job growth for RNs through 2034, adding roughly 189,000 openings each year2, and Nashville’s concentration of healthcare employers translates into steady local hiring.
For prospective BSN students, the return on investment looks compelling. College Scorecard data shows median earnings for nursing graduates from Nashville institutions like Belmont University and Lipscomb University surpass $55,000 a decade after enrolling. Even when factoring in average debt loads, this earnings path signals a strong financial payoff within a few years of entering the field. As the region continues to expand its healthcare infrastructure, Nashville nurses can expect both competitive pay and plentiful career options.
Still have questions about nursing education in Nashville? We've gathered clear, concise answers to common queries about BSN programs, costs, timelines, and outcomes. Explore the comparison tables above for deeper data on specific schools.
Beyond the Nashville area, Tennessee is home to many additional nursing schools offering BSN and ADN programs. The following directory spans the state, from Memphis to the Tri-Cities, with on-campus, hybrid, and online options to fit your schedule and budget. For a complete comparison, explore the full rankings at topnursing.org/schools/tn/.
