Compare tuition, NCLEX pass rates, program length, and admissions for Knoxville-area practical nursing schools.
Knoxville’s healthcare employers, from the University of Tennessee Medical Center to long-term care facilities, are hiring LPNs at a steady clip, driven by an aging population and the region’s growing network of clinics. Seven accredited practical nursing programs serve the Knoxville area, ranging from public Tennessee College of Applied Technology campuses to private institutions like South College. Choosing among them means weighing trade-offs between low public tuition and the accelerated schedules of private options: trade-offs that directly affect your debt level, clinical training hours, and NCLEX-PN preparation.
Knoxville and its surrounding region offer several practical nursing programs to help you become an LPN in about 12 months. From the stacked nursing pathways at South College’s Knoxville campus to the affordable public TCAT options scattered across Tennessee, each school brings distinct strengths in cost, flexibility, and support. The following ranking highlights the top programs based on key quality and value metrics to guide your decision.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
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| #1 | South College | Knoxville, TN | $18,000/yr (net price) | Knoxville locals pursuing a direct RN bridge | |
South College offers a Certificate in Licensed Practical Nursing at its Knoxville campus, part of a comprehensive nursing pipeline that allows LPNs to seamlessly transition into ASN or BSN programs without leaving the city. The program emphasizes hands-on training through simulation labs and clinicals, and the college is ranked #1 in Tennessee for nursing by Niche. With a 12-18 month full-time schedule, it prepares students for NCLEX-PN and provides a strong foundation for long-term career growth in the Knoxville healthcare market.
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| #2 | Fortis Institute-Cookeville | Cookeville, TN | $20,000 – $25,000/yr | ||
Fortis Institute in Cookeville, about an hour west of Knoxville, provides a campus-based Practical Nursing diploma designed for entry-level nursing careers. The program focuses on patient care, pharmacology, and emergency nursing, with clinical experiences that prepare students for the NCLEX-PN. While it carries a higher net price than public options, its small campus environment may appeal to those seeking a more personalized learning experience.
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| #3 | Chattanooga State Community College | Chattanooga, TN | $5,000/yr (net price) | Tennessee residents maximizing state-funded free tuition | |
Chattanooga State Community College offers a full-time, three-semester Practical Nursing diploma with a strong track record: a 95% job placement rate and median earnings of $41,920 per year. The program limits cohorts to 24 students, ensuring personalized instruction, and its total in-state tuition of $4,772 makes it one of the most affordable paths to LPN licensure in Tennessee. Eligible students can also take advantage of TN Promise and TN Reconnect to cover tuition costs entirely.
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| #4 | Galen Health Institutes-Nashville Campus | Nashville, TN | $27,000/yr | ||
Galen Health Institutes’ Nashville campus provides a Practical/Vocational Nursing program with unusual flexibility: four start dates per year and the option to complete in as little as 12 months full-time or 21 months part-time. The curriculum combines modern clinical learning labs with local Nashville-area rotations, preparing students for the NCLEX-PN and Tennessee licensure. While tuition and net price are higher than public colleges, the accelerated schedule and multiple start points can be ideal for career changers.
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| #5 | Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Crump | Crump, TN | |||
TCAT Crump’s Practical Nursing program stands out for its extremely low net price (in fact, the average net cost after aid is below zero, meaning many students receive more aid than they pay) and its flexible delivery options. Students can choose a traditional full-time 12-month format, a part-time hybrid, or a full-time hybrid at the nearby Parsons campus. The program’s 1,296 clock hours are aligned with Tennessee Board of Nursing standards, and the HESI exam is required for admission.
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| #6 | Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Jacksboro | Jacksboro, TN | ~$13,000/yr (est.) | ||
TCAT Jacksboro offers a straightforward 12-month, full-time Practical Nursing diploma in a rural East Tennessee setting. With a total tuition of $4,620 and a strong graduation rate (84%), it is one of the most affordable and efficient LPN programs in the region. Like other TCAT schools, it qualifies for Tennessee Promise and Reconnect, and its small class sizes promise close interaction with instructors.
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| #7 | Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Oneida-Huntsville | Huntsville, TN | $16,000/yr | ||
TCAT Oneida-Huntsville provides a comprehensive 12-month Practical Nursing diploma with both day and night class options, accommodating working adults. The program covers a broad curriculum including maternity, pediatrics, mental health, and medication administration, and graduates are NCLEX-PN eligible. As a public TCAT, it charges low tuition ($4,620) and participates in state free-tuition initiatives for qualified residents.
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Our rankings weigh factors that matter most to nursing students: net price, graduation rates, program completions, and earnings after school. All figures come from public data published by the U.S. Department of Education through College Scorecard, so nothing is hidden. The goal is to spotlight schools where students tend to finish, pay manageable amounts, and earn enough to recoup their investment quickly.
Net price provides a realistic cost estimate after grants and scholarships. Graduation rate reflects the full institution, not just the LPN program, but it signals whether a school generally supports students to completion. Program completions show how many practical nursing awards the school confers, indicating the program's size and stability. Post-graduation earnings, pulled from Scorecard's median earnings metric, offer a glimpse of the financial payoff. Because these data are institution-wide, we consider them alongside other signals to form a balanced picture.
Tennessee requires all LPN programs to be approved by the Tennessee Board of Nursing; without it, graduates cannot sit for the NCLEX-PN. Accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) is voluntary and reflects a program's commitment to meeting national quality standards. While not required for licensure, ACEN accreditation can smooth the path if you plan to transfer credits or pursue further education.
NCLEX-PN pass rates are drawn directly from state board disclosures and offer a clear measure of how well a program prepares students for the licensing exam. We factor those rates into our editorial assessment, favoring schools where a high proportion of test-takers pass on the first attempt.
The net price, what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, varies widely among LPN programs near Knoxville. Chattanooga State Community College offers the most affordable option at $5,283 per year, while Galen Health Institutes-Nashville Campus reaches $27,267. Keep in mind that these figures are institution-wide averages and individual costs may differ based on your financial situation.
What first-time NCLEX-PN pass rates do Knoxville-area LPN programs report, and why should that matter when choosing a school?
According to the Tennessee Board of Nursing’s 2024 report, LPN programs serving the Knoxville region consistently post strong first-time pass rates. Here is how schools performed on the most recent exam cycle:
These numbers cover programs within a reasonable commute of Knoxville. TCAT Knoxville and South College led the group, both with pass rates well above the national average for practical nursing programs.
The NCLEX-PN is the licensing exam all LPN candidates must pass to practice. A high first-time pass rate signals that a program effectively prepares students for the test’s content and format. It also reflects strong clinical instruction, academic support, and a curriculum aligned with current nursing standards. While pass rates are not the only measure of quality, they give you a clear, outcome-based way to compare programs. Employers and clinical sites often prefer graduates from programs with a proven history of exam success, and a solid pass rate can boost your confidence as you approach test day. Looking at multiple years of data is even more telling, but even a single year offers a valuable snapshot of how a school is performing right now.
Balancing a practical nursing education with work and family obligations is often the biggest hurdle for aspiring LPNs. The right program length and schedule can make the difference between completing your training and putting it off. Here’s what to expect from LPN programs in the Knoxville area.
Most practical nursing programs in Tennessee take between 12 and 18 months to complete, leading to a diploma or certificate. South College’s Knoxville campus, for instance, offers a Practical Nursing Certificate that can be finished in as little as 12 months for full-time students, while the Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) at Pulaski structures its program over 16 months. No formal accelerated tracks are widely advertised in the Knoxville area, but students who can dedicate themselves full-time during the day will finish faster. Part-time and evening options extend the timeline, often to 18 months or more, but they allow you to keep earning an income while you train.
Two schools stand out for offering evening or after-hours schedules near Knoxville. TCAT Knoxville runs its practical nursing program Monday through Thursday from 2:00 pm to 10:00 pm, enabling students to work morning shifts or manage daytime responsibilities. South College also provides an evening option for its practical nursing certificate, giving you the flexibility to study after a standard workday. Neither program currently advertises a purely weekend track, so if you need Saturday or Sunday classes, you may want to explore schools just outside the city.
Admission to an LPN program typically requires a high school diploma or GED, completion of an entrance exam, and several health-related steps. TCAT Knoxville, for example, uses the HESI exam with minimum scores of 60 in math and 70 in reading comprehension. You’ll also need current BLS for Healthcare Providers (CPR) certification and proof of immunizations including MMR, varicella, hepatitis B, and Tdap. A background check and drug screening are standard across Tennessee programs. Some schools, like TCAT Shelbyville, may require prerequisite courses such as Anatomy & Physiology with a minimum grade of 80%, so double-check each program’s specific prerequisites.
In Tennessee, all practical nursing programs must be approved by the Tennessee Board of Nursing, that’s your assurance that the curriculum meets state standards. Beyond approval, some programs seek voluntary accreditation through the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). ACEN accreditation is not mandatory, but it can simplify transferring credits if you later pursue an RN bridge program. After graduation, you’ll sit for the NCLEX-PN and apply for licensure through the Tennessee Board. Because Tennessee is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, your Tennessee LPN license will be valid in over 40 member states, offering significant career mobility.
National median LPN wages paint one picture, but Knoxville’s local job market tells its own story. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national median annual wage for licensed practical nurses reached $62,340 in 2024.1 By comparison, Tennessee’s median LPN wage was $42,330 in 2020,2 reflecting regional cost-of-living differences and varied employer mixes.
While the BLS does not publish metro-level wage data specifically for the Knoxville area, surrounding healthcare systems often set the local pay scale. Early-career earnings for LPN program graduates in Knoxville are not yet reported through the College Scorecard, so prospective students should ask schools directly about graduate employment rates and starting salaries.
Local employers such as UT Medical Center, Covenant Health, and Tennova Healthcare employ many LPNs in hospitals and outpatient clinics. Long-term care and rehabilitation facilities also provide a steady source of openings, often offering flexible shifts and sign-on incentives.
Nationally, LPN employment is projected to grow 3 percent from 2024 to 2034,1 slower than the average for all occupations. Knoxville’s healthcare sector, however, continues to expand, with new clinics, senior living communities, and specialty practices driving consistent demand for practical nurses. This localized growth can create more opportunities than the national rate suggests, particularly for graduates of accredited Knoxville-area programs.
Whether you are just starting your nursing career or looking for a career change, finding clear answers to common questions helps you make an informed choice. Below, we address key FAQs about LPN programs in Knoxville, including program length, cost, NCLEX performance, scheduling, and licensure portability.
