Compare costs, NCLEX pass rates, and outcomes for Nashville's practical nursing schools
With HCA Healthcare and Vanderbilt University Medical Center driving demand, Nashville’s healthcare sector accounts for more than one in six jobs in the metro area, and LPN positions are projected to grow faster than the state average.
Choosing an LPN program in Tennessee means weighing cost, location, and clinical placement quality, especially at private schools where tuition can exceed $20,000 versus under $5,000 at public technical colleges.
Tennessee credentials practical nurses as licensed practical nurses (LPNs), not LVNs. This distinction matters for out-of-state applicants who may encounter the LVN term in other regions.
Programs with consistently high NCLEX-PN pass rates and transparent outcome data give applicants the clearest path to licensure in a market where employers track those numbers.
The Nashville area offers a range of LPN programs, from accelerated campus certificates to flexible hybrid options. Below, we rank the top practical nursing programs accessible to Nashville residents, based on cost, outcomes, and clinical opportunities. Each program is detailed with key features to help you choose the best fit for your career goals.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Galen Health Institutes-Nashville Campus | Nashville, TN | $27,000/yr | Nashville locals seeking employer-linked training | |
Galen Health Institutes-Nashville Campus offers a 12-month full-time or 21-month part-time Practical/Vocational Nursing certificate directly in Nashville. The program emphasizes hands-on clinical training in modern labs and does not require an entrance exam. Graduates can seamlessly transition to the college's LPN-to-ADN bridge program on the same campus, strengthening local employment pathways.
| |||||
| #2 | South College | Knoxville, TN | $18,000/yr (net price) | Tennessee residents seeking LPN-to-RN bridge | |
South College's ACEN-accredited Certificate in Licensed Practical Nursing spans 12-18 months and covers a broad nursing curriculum. Available at multiple campus locations, the program emphasizes hands-on simulation and clinical training. Students can benefit from Tennessee state scholarships like TN Promise, and graduates can advance through the college's own LPN-to-ASN bridge.
| |||||
| #3 | Fortis Institute-Cookeville | Cookeville, TN | $20,000 – $25,000/yr | Middle Tennessee learners craving hands-on practice | |
Fortis Institute-Cookeville delivers a campus-based Practical Nursing program that combines classroom instruction with clinical experiences. The curriculum addresses patient care, pharmacology, and emergency care, preparing students for the NCLEX-PN. Located in Middle Tennessee, it is within commuting distance of Nashville for students seeking a smaller-town setting.
| |||||
| #4 | Chattanooga State Community College | Chattanooga, TN | $5,000/yr (net price) | ||
Chattanooga State's Practical Nursing diploma is a low-cost, three-semester program with a total tuition around $7,105 for Tennessee residents. Small cohort sizes ensure personalized instruction and strong clinical preparation. Graduates benefit from a high job placement rate and a clear LPN-to-RN transition pathway, making it an affordable statewide option.
| |||||
| #5 | Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Crump | Crump, TN | |||
TCAT-Crump offers a 12-month Practical Nursing diploma with both campus and hybrid delivery, making it flexible for students across Tennessee. The program requires 1,296 clock hours and includes clinical rotations in area facilities. As part of the TCAT system, it features very low tuition and eligibility for state aid programs like TN Promise.
| |||||
| #6 | Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Jacksboro | Jacksboro, TN | ~$13,000/yr (est.) | ||
TCAT-Jacksboro's Practical Nursing diploma is a 12-month, full-time program with 1,296 clock hours. The campus-based curriculum covers nursing fundamentals, anatomy, pharmacology, and includes clinical experiences. With a tuition of $4,620, it provides a cost-effective path to LPN licensure for Tennessee residents.
| |||||
| #7 | Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Oneida-Huntsville | Huntsville, TN | $16,000/yr | ||
TCAT-Oneida-Huntsville's Practical Nursing program spans 12 months and offers both day and evening classes. The curriculum includes anatomy, pharmacology, and maternity/pediatrics, with clinical experience across multiple settings. With a total cost of $9,244, it remains an affordable option within the TCAT system.
| |||||
Costs for LPN programs in the Nashville area vary significantly between public and private institutions. Public community and technical colleges often offer the lowest net price after financial aid, while private schools may have higher tuition but provide accelerated formats and strong earnings outcomes. The table below compares key cost metrics to help you evaluate affordability and potential debt.
| School | Type | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Net Price (Effective) | Median Graduate Debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga State Community College | Public | $4,772 | $17,756 | $5,283 | $10,419 |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Jacksboro | Public | N/A | N/A | $12,746 | N/A |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Oneida-Huntsville | Public | N/A | N/A | $15,875 | N/A |
| South College | Private | $18,535 | $18,535 | $17,858 | $18,668 |
| Fortis Institute-Cookeville | Private | $15,120 | $15,120 | $23,582 | $13,000 |
| Galen Health Institutes-Nashville Campus | Private | $17,048 | $17,048 | $27,267 | $24,166 |
As nursing education continues to evolve, NCLEX-PN pass rates remain the single most transparent indicator of a program’s ability to prepare students for licensure. In Nashville, the latest numbers from the Tennessee Board of Nursing reveal a sharp contrast between the city’s top LPN programs and the broader state performance.
For context, the statewide Tennessee average for first-time NCLEX-PN test-takers in 2024 was 88.51%.1 Both Nashville programs sat well above that mark, signaling strong curriculum alignment with the exam.
A pass rate above 90% is generally considered strong, but comparing a school’s figure to the state average adds valuable perspective. When a program consistently outperforms the state benchmark by several percentage points, as TCAT Nashville and South College Nashville have done, it suggests graduates are entering the workforce with solid foundations. The national average for PN programs typically hovers in the mid-80s, though the state average already provides a meaningful yardstick for local applicants.
While a high pass rate is reassuring, it shouldn’t be the only factor in your decision. A school with a slightly lower rate might offer better clinical placement diversity, a shorter commute, or a more supportive learning environment. Look at cost, program length, and student outcomes beyond the exam. Pass rates tell you about test readiness; they don’t measure bedside manner, critical thinking in real time, or job satisfaction. Weigh them alongside other program features to find the best fit for your goals.
Most Nashville LPN programs share a core set of admissions steps: a high school diploma or GED, a minimum GPA, and a passing score on an entrance exam. Herzing University Nashville requires a 2.0 GPA and a composite score of 48 on its entrance test. Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) locations often use the HESI exam; TCAT Knoxville sets a math minimum of 60 and a reading minimum of 70. Fortis Institute Nashville uses its own placement testing. Galen College of Nursing in Nashville stands out by not requiring prerequisite college courses, which can lower the entry barrier for students without prior college credits.
Nearly every program mandates a background check and current immunizations, including MMR, varicella, hepatitis B, Tdap, TB screening, and CPR certification. TCAT Nashville has announced a prerequisite course for the 2026-2027 year, so always confirm the latest requirements directly with each school.
Nashville-area programs typically admit for fall and spring cohorts. Deadlines often fall four to six months before classes begin, apply by March or April for August starts, and by September for January starts. Some schools offer rolling admissions, but seats fill quickly. Contact the admissions office for exact dates and to verify document submission windows.
Formats vary from fully on-campus to hybrid. Fortis Institute Nashville offers a hybrid track with less than half of coursework online, while Herzing University combines on-campus instruction with some online general education courses. TCAT Nashville and Galen College both hold all classes on campus. Regardless of format, every student must complete in-person clinical rotations. The Tennessee Board of Nursing sets minimum clock-hour requirements; as an example, TCAT programs total 1,296 hours, with the majority spent in clinicals. Before enrolling, ensure the schedule and clinical site locations, often hospitals and long-term care facilities in the Nashville area, fit your availability.
Licensed practical nurses in the Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro-Franklin MSA earn wages slightly above the Tennessee median, but near or slightly below the national median. Major healthcare employers in the region include HCA Healthcare, Vanderbilt University Medical Center affiliates, and Ascension Saint Thomas.
Nashville’s LPN-to-RN bridge programs offer licensed practical nurses a direct path to becoming registered nurses, often cutting months off the traditional ADN or BSN timeline. Finding the right program means going directly to school websites and verifying details with admissions counselors, because entry points, prerequisites, and curriculum structures vary widely.
Start with the Tennessee Board of Nursing website, which lists approved RN programs in the state. Filter for schools within commuting distance of Nashville. Galen College of Nursing, Volunteer State Community College, and Nashville State Community College are known for offering bridge pathways, but program availability and admission cycles shift. Always confirm with the school’s nursing department.
Each bridge program sets its own prerequisites, commonly including active LPN licensure, a minimum number of practice hours, and general education coursework. Completion time ranges from one year for an ADN to two or more for a BSN. Request a current curriculum plan from the school to see how many of your LPN credits will apply toward the RN.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS.gov) provides national and regional RN wage estimates. Reviewing these figures can help you weigh the financial return of a bridge program against its cost. Keep in mind that BLS data reflects broad occupational categories; for precise local salary trends, consult employer job postings or state workforce reports.
Confirm that the program holds accreditation from the ACEN or CCNE, as this affects your eligibility for licensure and future academic transfers. Some LPN-to-ADN programs in the Nashville area have articulation agreements with four-year universities, so you can continue seamlessly into a BSN. Ask the school about any formal partnerships before committing.
Prospective nursing students often have questions about Nashville's LPN programs. Below we answer the most common ones, from program length and cost to salary expectations and licensure details.
