Compare accredited BSN programs by cost, NCLEX pass rates, and career outcomes. Find your ideal nursing school in Tennessee.
Nursing education in Tennessee is evolving as employers increasingly prefer BSN-prepared nurses, and the state’s Nurse Licensure Compact status allows multi-state practice without extra paperwork. Tennessee expects to add over 3,400 RN positions annually through 2030, with hospital expansions in Nashville and Memphis. Prospective students can choose from four-year university BSNs, two-year community college ADN-to-BSN bridges, and 12-month accelerated tracks for career changers. In-state public tuition starts below $6,000.
With first-year RN salaries averaging around $52,000 and program net prices spanning a $30,000 range, the financial equation demands careful consideration of graduation rates and NCLEX performance, not just the school’s name.
Tennessee combines a lower-than-average cost of living with a surging demand for nurses, creating a uniquely favorable environment for both nursing students and working RNs.
Stretching a nursing salary starts with where you live. Tennessee's overall cost of living runs below the national average, with housing, transportation, and daily expenses all leaning more affordable in much of the state. That means a new RN salary goes further: you can afford a comfortable lifestyle, pay down student loans faster, or build savings sooner than in many higher-cost regions.
Tennessee's need for registered nurses is projected to grow by 18.9 percent through 2026, significantly outpacing many other states. Major health systems fuel this demand. Vanderbilt Health, headquartered in Nashville, leads a network that includes the region's only Level 1 trauma center and a nationally ranked children's hospital. HCA Healthcare, one of the largest hospital operators in the country, runs multiple facilities across the state, while Ballad Health serves a broad swath of Appalachia. These organizations offer new graduates thousands of job openings each year, from urban academic medical centers to community hospitals.
Tennessee is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, which lets RNs practice in person or via telehealth across more than three dozen participating states without obtaining additional licenses. That portability opens doors for travel nursing assignments, remote roles, or a simple relocation without licensing delays, making a Tennessee nursing license especially versatile.
Nursing schools across the state have responded to growing demand with a wide range of formats. Traditional campus BSN programs remain common, but many schools now offer online RN-to-BSN bridges for working ADN holders, accelerated second-degree options for career changers, and hybrid models that blend digital coursework with local clinical rotations. That breadth means you can find a pathway that fits your schedule, location, and career timeline.
Tennessee offers a strong mix of public flagship universities, private Christian colleges, and regional state schools with BSN programs tailored to the state's urban and rural healthcare needs. The programs below were selected based on a blend of institutional quality, NCLEX performance, clinical partnerships, and value. Use this list to compare top options and find a nursing school that fits your goals and budget.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
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| #1 | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville | Knoxville, TN | ~$19,000/yr (est.) | Flagship education with East Tennessee clinical ties | |
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville delivers a rigorous BSN with direct freshman admission, state-of-the-art simulation labs, and extensive hands-on clinical experiences. As Tennessee's flagship public university, it leverages deep partnerships with UT Medical Center and East Tennessee health systems, while its BSN Scholars Program and strong alumni outcomes reinforce its top ranking.
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| #2 | Lipscomb University | Nashville, TN | $25,000/yr | Christian nursing program with perfect placement | |
Lipscomb University's BSN program combines a Christian community focus with one-on-one faculty mentorship and a state-of-the-art Health Simulation Laboratory. Students complete hundreds of clinical hours in Nashville-area health systems, and the program reports a 100% NCLEX pass rate and job placement. An accelerated hybrid BSN option serves career-changers, with a focus on rural Tennessee through the TN R-WIN initiative.
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| #3 | Freed-Hardeman University | Henderson, TN | $22,000/yr (net price) | Rural West Tennessee nursing pipeline | |
Freed-Hardeman University's BSN program focuses on hands-on critical-care experience with small student-to-teacher ratios and 650 clinical hours. Located in rural West Tennessee, it integrates Christian values and prepares students for NCLEX-RN success. The program emphasizes leadership and additional certifications, meeting regional workforce needs.
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| #4 | Tennessee Tech | Cookeville, TN | $10,000 – $15,000/yr | ||
Tennessee Tech's BSN program, housed in the Whitson-Hester School of Nursing, delivers a four-year curriculum with a five-semester clinical component. Its NCLEX first-time pass rate exceeds 95%, and clinical placements span Middle and East Tennessee, including rural and underserved areas. Competitive admission and affordable in-state tuition make it a strong public option.
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| #5 | Union University | Jackson, TN | ~$27,000/yr (est.) | ||
Union University's Traditional BSN blends a Christian liberal arts education with state-of-the-art technology and clinical experiences across multiple Tennessee campuses. The program requires a 3.0 GPA and ACT score, and also offers an accelerated BSN for second-degree students and an online RN-BSN for working nurses, addressing workforce needs statewide.
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| #6 | Middle Tennessee State University | Murfreesboro, TN | $13,000/yr | ||
Middle Tennessee State University's BSN program is a CCNE-accredited, four-year degree offering over 500 clinical hours in diverse healthcare settings. With affordable in-state tuition and a location in fast-growing Murfreesboro, it prepares graduates for NCLEX-RN and emphasizes critical thinking and compassionate care for Middle Tennessee communities.
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| #7 | Belmont University | Nashville, TN | $33,000/yr | ||
Belmont University's BSN program provides direct admission for freshmen and transfers, with a 100% NCLEX pass rate for recent graduates. Students train in a state-of-the-art Simulation Center, benefit from small class sizes, and achieve a 98% employment rate within six months. The Community College Bridge Program offers a seamless transfer path for Tennessee ADN graduates.
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| #8 | East Tennessee State University | Johnson City, TN | ~$16,000/yr (est.) | ||
East Tennessee State University's BSN program focuses on rural and Appalachian health, with a 93% NCLEX pass rate and hands-on training in nurse-managed clinics. As a public regional university, it offers in-state tuition and strong partnerships with regional health systems, preparing graduates for the unique challenges of East Tennessee communities.
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| #9 | Lee University | Cleveland, TN | $19,000/yr | ||
Lee University's BSN program, located in Cleveland, provides a faith-based education with a fall semester start for freshmen and transfers. No prerequisites are required for freshmen, and competitive admission ensures small cohorts. Clinical placements in Southeast Tennessee hospitals support hands-on learning and regional workforce development.
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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 is an affordable public option serving Northwest Tennessee. With a 2.75 GPA and ACT 21 admissions requirement, it emphasizes patient-centered care and real-world training in rural settings. ACEN accreditation and high NCLEX pass rates support strong licensure outcomes.
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Rankings like this one are built by comparing nursing programs across several practical measures that reflect cost, completion, and career outcomes. We focus on metrics that are publicly reported, verifiable, and directly relevant to prospective students.
Nursing programs also report NCLEX pass rates to state boards of nursing, and those are a crucial indicator of program quality. Since that data comes directly from Tennessee's board and not from the federal sources we use here, we cover NCLEX rates in a separate section dedicated to licensure exam performance.
The numbers behind these rankings are drawn from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and the College Scorecard, supplemented with program-specific details gathered through additional research. Whenever possible, we verify figures against official institutional disclosures.
Tennessee nursing programs span a wide cost range, with in-state tuition starting at $4,762 at Cleveland State Community College and reaching $38,420 at Christian Brothers University. Public community colleges offer the most affordable paths, while net price after aid can dramatically reduce costs; for instance, Christian Brothers' sticker price drops to a net price just under $10,000. Net price is an institution-wide average and individual aid packages vary, so prospective students should check their specific financial aid offers.
| School | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Net Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland State Community College | $4,762 | $17,746 | $6,384 |
| Northeast State Community College | $4,782 | $17,766 | $6,864 |
| Roane State Community College | $4,998 | $18,630 | $4,270 |
| Austin Peay State University | $9,006 | $14,766 | $9,735 |
| East Tennessee State University | $10,216 | $13,726 | $15,983 |
| Middle Tennessee State University | $10,266 | $31,574 | $13,359 |
| The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga | $10,448 | $18,512 | $14,265 |
| The University of Tennessee-Martin | $10,560 | $16,600 | $10,701 |
| University of Memphis | $10,728 | $15,384 | $12,397 |
| The University of Tennessee Southern | $10,924 | $10,924 | $12,798 |
| Tennessee Tech | $11,376 | $15,576 | $14,246 |
| Baptist Health Sciences University | $13,796 | $13,796 | $11,212 |
| Tennessee Wesleyan University | $30,814 | $30,814 | $14,836 |
| Trevecca Nazarene University | $31,300 | $31,300 | $16,813 |
| Christian Brothers University | $38,420 | $38,420 | $9,854 |
Putting too much weight on a school’s NCLEX pass rate can blind you to other important factors, yet ignoring the numbers altogether means missing a clear signal of program effectiveness. A balanced view uses pass rates as one datapoint among several when comparing nursing schools.
Tennessee nursing programs consistently outperform the national average. In 2024, the state’s overall first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate was 94.89% across all program types (associate, bachelor’s, and diploma), exceeding the national figure of 91.16%. The trend held in 2025, with Tennessee posting 90.94% compared to 86.71% nationally. That gap remained even as pass rates dipped nationwide following the NCLEX’s updated test plan. For aspiring nurses, this means Tennessee schools are delivering preparation that stands up to the licensing exam’s demands.
Within the state, bachelor’s-level programs posted even stronger results. In 2024, first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates for Tennessee BSN graduates ranged from 96.8% to 98.1%. Middle Tennessee State University exemplifies this high performance: its BSN graduates achieved a 97.6% first-time pass rate in 2024 and a perfect 100% in 2025. Union University’s BSN program reported a 98.3% pass rate for the 2023–2024 cycle. These figures place Tennessee’s top BSN programs well above state and national benchmarks, indicating deep alignment with NCLEX content and critical-thinking expectations.
NCLEX pass rates offer a window into how well a program prepares students for licensure. A high, sustained pass rate suggests a curriculum that reinforces clinical reasoning, test-taking skills, and nursing knowledge under pressure. Programs with low or erratic pass rates may struggle with instruction, student support, or admissions standards. However, pass rates alone don’t tell the whole story. A school’s culture, clinical placement variety, faculty mentorship, and graduate employment outcomes all shape your education and career. Some programs admit smaller cohorts and invest in intensive NCLEX prep, which can inflate pass rates without reflecting a broader quality advantage. Use pass rates as a gauge, but also consider cost, location, and specializations when choosing where to enroll.
Getting accepted into a nursing program in Tennessee requires careful planning and a clear picture of what schools expect. While each institution sets its own standards, most follow a similar pattern. Start early, meet or exceed the minimums, and be prepared for a competitive pool of applicants.
A strong foundation in science and general education courses is non-negotiable for BSN admission. Most programs expect you to complete the following prerequisites with a grade of C or better before applying.1 - Anatomy & Physiology I and II - Microbiology - Chemistry - English Composition - Developmental Psychology - Statistics - Nutrition
These courses build the baseline knowledge you will rely on in clinical rotations. Some schools also require sociology or lifespan development. Check specific program sheets, because missing a single course can delay your application by a full semester.
Admissions committees look for a competitive academic profile that goes beyond simple minimums. The stated minimum GPA for Tennessee BSN programs typically falls between 2.5 and 3.01, but a GPA of 3.0 or higher gives you a realistic shot at a seat. Many schools publish a recommended or competitive minimum, often 3.0, because admitted cohorts routinely average well above the bare floor. If your GPA sits at the bottom of the range, a standout TEAS score can tip the scales.
Regarding the Test of Essential Academic Skills, nearly every nursing school in Tennessee requires it. Scores in the mid-60s may satisfy a few programs, but a 70 or above is a safer target.1 Competitive programs look for scores in the high 70s to low 80s. Since TEAS retake policies vary, aim to hit your target on the first attempt after a focused study plan.
Beyond transcripts and test scores, your application must include several administrative items. All accredited schools require a criminal background check and drug screening, typically after provisional acceptance.1 Immunization records are also mandatory, including proof of COVID-19 vaccination at many institutions, so keep your titer tests and vaccination documents organized.
Some programs expect a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) credential or direct patient care experience. While not universal, having that certification can strengthen an application and may be required for certain community college-based BSN tracks. Check each program’s clinical readiness checklist early.
Second-degree accelerated BSN programs cater to career changers who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field. These fast-track programs, often 12 to 18 months long2, maintain tighter admission standards. You must graduate from a regionally accredited institution with your prior degree, and the prerequisite GPA floor usually sits higher, frequently a 3.0 or above. Because seats are limited and the pace is intense, accelerated programs may also require a dedicated personal statement and an interview. Treat the prerequisites list the same way, but plan to finish all science courses within a certain recency window, typically five years.
By tackling prerequisites early, aiming above published minimums, and lining up your documentation, you position yourself as a strong candidate across Tennessee’s nursing landscape.
Several Tennessee nursing schools offer accelerated BSN tracks that can be completed in as few as 12 months, making them a fast option for career changers who hold a bachelor’s degree in another field. These programs pack intensive coursework and clinical rotations into a condensed schedule, typically requiring full-time study with no breaks.
Accelerated BSN programs in Tennessee are designed for students who already have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. They build on existing credits and focus solely on nursing coursework, letting you earn a BSN in 12 to 18 months. Here is a snapshot of some programs:
Most programs admit students once or twice a year and use a cohort model, so you progress with the same group of peers. Admissions are competitive, and prerequisites like anatomy, physiology, and microbiology are typically required.
For licensed RNs looking to advance their education, many Tennessee nursing schools offer online or hybrid RN-to-BSN completion programs. These are tailored for working nurses, with asynchronous coursework and flexible scheduling. While specific offerings vary, programs from schools like the University of Memphis and East Tennessee State University can often be completed in as little as 12 months of part-time study. Because RN-to-BSN programs build on your existing nursing knowledge, clinical requirements are usually focused on community health or leadership projects, reducing the need for repeated bedside rotations.
Clinical experience is a crucial part of any nursing program, and Tennessee nursing schools have strong ties to regional healthcare systems. Hybrid and on-campus accelerated programs arrange clinical rotations at partner hospitals and clinics across the state. For example, Marian University’s ABSN students train at Ascension Saint Thomas in Nashville. Other schools maintain partnerships with HCA Healthcare’s TriStar division, Erlanger Health System, and numerous community hospitals, ensuring students gain diverse hands-on experience in settings from large urban medical centers to rural clinics. Even in online RN-to-BSN programs, students often complete a capstone project or community health rotation at a site near their home, coordinated by the school.
Tennessee is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state, so an RN license issued here lets you practice in over 30 other states without additional applications. Most graduates move from BSN completion to their first nursing job within 3-6 months.
Navigating nursing school options can be overwhelming. Below we answer the most common questions about BSN programs, costs, and licensure in Tennessee to help you make an informed decision.
Beyond the top-ranked programs, Tennessee is home to many other quality nursing schools. Request information from several to compare financial aid offers and total out-of-pocket costs, net price can vary significantly even among schools with similar tuition.
