Compare tuition, NCLEX outcomes, and program formats for every BSN option near Clarksville.
Can you find a BSN program in Clarksville that delivers strong NCLEX results without a 40-mile drive to Nashville? The city’s position next to Fort Campbell and its rapid population growth have pushed local healthcare demand well past what its two nursing programs can absorb.
Austin Peay State University’s traditional BSN and Herzing University’s accelerated option anchor the city, but many students expand their search to nearby schools in Nashville, Cookeville, and Hopkinsville. That radius matters, because net price and first-time NCLEX pass rates swing sharply between public and private pathways.
In a metro where RNs earn a median $57,730, far less than Nashville’s $76,300, the math forces a hard choice: pay more for a faster degree or borrow less for a longer timeline.
Clarksville residents have access to several high-quality nursing programs within Tennessee, offering a range of tuition levels, delivery formats, and expected earnings. The schools below are ranked based on net price, graduation rates, and post-graduation outcomes to give a clear picture of return on investment.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville | Knoxville, TN | ~$19,000/yr (est.) | In-state students seeking top graduate earnings | |
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville offers a comprehensive Bachelor of Science in Nursing that combines rigorous academics with extensive clinical experiences. With direct freshman admission available and a competitive 3.2 GPA requirement, the program emphasizes critical thinking and leadership. Graduates benefit from strong earnings potential, with a median of $60,249 ten years post-enrollment.
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| #2 | Lipscomb University | Nashville, TN | $25,000/yr | Second-career seekers needing an accelerated path | |
Lipscomb University's BSN program integrates faith and nursing education, offering both traditional and accelerated tracks. Located in Nashville, it provides extensive clinical placements and boasts a 100% NCLEX pass rate and job placement record. The accelerated option can be completed in 16 months, appealing to career changers.
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| #3 | Freed-Hardeman University | Henderson, TN | $22,000/yr (net price) | Hands-on learners seeking small faith-based classes | |
Freed-Hardeman University offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing grounded in Christian values and hands-on learning. The program features small student-to-teacher ratios and 650 hours of clinical experience, emphasizing critical-care training. Admission requires a 2.8 cumulative GPA and a proficient TEAS score.
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| #4 | Tennessee Tech | Cookeville, TN | $10,000 – $15,000/yr | ||
Tennessee Tech's BSN program, offered through the Whitson-Hester School of Nursing, delivers a 4-year curriculum with a 5-semester clinical sequence. The program boasts a first-time NCLEX pass rate exceeding 95%, with clinical placements across Middle and East Tennessee. Competitive admission requires prerequisite coursework completion.
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| #5 | Union University | Jackson, TN | ~$27,000/yr (est.) | ||
Union University provides a traditional campus-based BSN, an accelerated BSN for degree-holders, and an online RN-to-BSN program. The traditional track integrates Christian liberal arts, requiring a 3.0 GPA for progression. The 15-month accelerated option and flexible online completion cater to diverse student needs.
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| #6 | Middle Tennessee State University | Murfreesboro, TN | $13,000/yr | ||
Middle Tennessee State University's BSN program, located in nearby Murfreesboro, offers a CCNE-accredited curriculum with over 500 clinical hours. The four-year program emphasizes critical thinking and leadership, preparing students for the NCLEX-RN. Its relatively low net price makes it an affordable option for Tennessee residents.
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| #7 | Belmont University | Nashville, TN | $33,000/yr | ||
Belmont University's BSN program provides direct admission as freshmen and boasts a 100% first-time NCLEX pass rate for recent graduates. Small class sizes and a 98% employment rate within six months distinguish the program. The Community College Bridge Program offers a seamless transfer path for associate degree holders.
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| #8 | East Tennessee State University | Johnson City, TN | ~$16,000/yr (est.) | ||
East Tennessee State University offers a campus-based BSN with a 93% NCLEX pass rate and state-of-the-art simulation facilities. The program focuses on critical thinking and clinical reasoning, preparing students for registered nurse licensure. Partnerships with leading healthcare providers provide extensive clinical training opportunities.
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| #9 | Lee University | Cleveland, TN | $19,000/yr | ||
Lee University's BSN traditional track accepts first-time freshmen without nursing prerequisites, starting each fall. The Christian university emphasizes hands-on learning and competitive admission, with a student-faculty ratio of 13:1. Its affordable net price attracts Pell-eligible students across Tennessee.
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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 program requires a 2.75 GPA and ACT 21 for admission, with clinical experiences at top healthcare facilities. The program boasts high NCLEX pass rates and ACEN accreditation. Its low net price makes it one of the most affordable options in the state.
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Herzing University Clarksville's BSN can be completed in as few as 3 years of year-round study, while Austin Peay State University's traditional BSN follows a standard 4-year fall/spring schedule. This structural difference influences aspects from tuition costs to clinical scheduling.
Austin Peay maintains long-standing partnerships with local providers including Tennova Healthcare and Blanchfield Army Community Hospital, offering students exposure to military and civilian patient populations. Herzing Clarksville primarily coordinates clinical rotations through area long-term care facilities, clinics, and hospital networks, with placement staff dedicated to securing sites within 50 miles.
Recent Tennessee Board of Nursing data show both programs producing graduates ready for licensure. Austin Peay's first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates have hovered in the high 80s to low 90s range over the past three years, while Herzing Clarksville's BSN graduates have achieved rates in the mid-80s. Both schools integrate NCLEX-style exams and provide end-of-program review courses to support testing success.
The sticker price of a BSN can vary dramatically between public and private schools. However, net price after grants and scholarships often narrows the gap. Keep in mind these figures are institution-wide averages; your actual cost depends on your financial aid package.
NCLEX first-time pass rates offer a clear picture of how well a nursing program prepares graduates for licensure. For May 2026 applicants, these numbers should weigh heavily in your school decision.
According to 2024 figures from the Tennessee Board of Nursing, Austin Peay State University nursing students achieved a first-time NCLEX pass rate of 91%.1 This means nine out of ten APSU graduates passed the licensure exam on their first attempt. Data for Herzing University's Clarksville campus was not publicly reported in the same state dataset, making a direct head-to-head comparison difficult. Prospective students are encouraged to contact Herzing's admissions office directly for their most recent NCLEX outcomes.
At 91%, Austin Peay's result sits just below the national average of 91.16% for BSN programs and more notably below Tennessee's statewide average of 94.89%.1 While the difference is modest, it signals that the program's curriculum could benefit from closer alignment with NCLEX test plans. Programs that consistently perform below state averages may face heightened scrutiny from accrediting bodies.
Successful first-time NCLEX passage is often a prerequisite for hospital job offers, because employers want nurses who can start without lengthy retesting delays. A single NCLEX retake can delay your entry into the workforce by weeks or months, affecting your income and career momentum. Programs with pass rates below 80% for consecutive years risk losing accreditation or being placed on warning status with the state board. The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) both monitor pass rates as part of their review cycles; a sustained dip can trigger a site visit or require a program improvement plan.
Beyond the exam, detailed employment and earnings data for Clarksville nursing graduates is not yet available through federal sources, but strong NCLEX performance is a reliable proxy for graduate readiness in the local job market. For the most current NCLEX and job placement statistics, always verify directly with the nursing program.
The push for flexible nursing education has brought a wave of online BSN programs, but few are fully remote for pre-licensure students. Clarksville residents can tap into these options, though they must navigate the reality that hands-on clinical hours still require in-person attendance.
Most BSN programs advertise online coursework but cannot eliminate the clinical component. Even "online" pre-licensure tracks partner with local hospitals and clinics to arrange in-person rotations. For Clarksville students, this often means commuting to sites in the Nashville metro or accepting a hybrid structure where lectures are remote but labs and clinicals are on campus.
If you already hold an RN license, the landscape flips. RN-to-BSN programs are widely available fully online because the required clinical hours were already completed during the initial associate degree. Many Tennessee public universities, including those near Clarksville, offer these accelerated online tracks. They often feature flexible start dates and can be finished in as little as 12 months.
A handful of schools in Tennessee and neighboring states provide pre-licensure BSN programs with online didactic portions, but they typically require on-campus intensives for skills check-offs and extensive clinical placements. Clarksville residents should verify that a program’s clinical partners are within a reasonable driving distance before enrolling. The top-ranked BSN programs on this page are primarily campus-based; however, exploring online options from larger state universities may reveal hybrid alternatives that balance flexibility with local clinical access.
Registered nurses in the Clarksville TN-KY metropolitan area earned a median annual wage of $57,730 in 2024.1 This is below the Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro MSA median ($76,300) and the Tennessee statewide median ($79,030).1 The national median RN wage for the same period was $93,600,2 so Clarksville salaries reflect a local market that is competitive relative to Tennessee's cost of living.
The region's largest healthcare employers provide steady opportunities. Tennova Healthcare Clarksville operates a full-service hospital and multiple specialty clinics, while Blanchfield Army Community Hospital at Fort Campbell serves military personnel and their families. Both institutions, along with smaller physician networks and long-term care facilities, create a steady demand for new BSN graduates from top BSN programs in Tennessee.
Nationally, the BLS projects 5% growth in RN employment from 2024 to 2034, with about 189,100 job openings each year.2 In the Clarksville area, demand is reinforced by the presence of Fort Campbell and by the rapid expansion of healthcare services along the Nashville corridor. As facilities add capacity and population growth continues, local RNs can expect a favorable job market with a range of practice settings.
Clarksville presents aspiring nurses with a clear choice: Austin Peay's public, four-year BSN provides in-state affordability and traditional clinical rotations, while Herzing's private, year-round format compresses the timeline to about three years. Neither is universally better. If minimizing debt is your priority, APSU's net price after aid is hard to beat. If a faster track or evening flexibility is essential, Herzing's schedule may be the better fit. Weigh NCLEX pass rates, clinical site locations, and your budget carefully. The right program is the one that aligns with your life and career timeline.
