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Best Nursing Schools in Tennessee (2026)

Tennessee has 178 nursing programs across 43 cities. 64 programs report NCLEX pass rates, averaging 95%. Below are the top-ranked programs based on NCLEX performance, tuition, and program type.

Search all Tennessee programsAll states
Updated Reviewed by NurseWay Editorial Team
178
Total programs
6
Program types
95%
Avg NCLEX rate
64
With NCLEX data

Top BSN Programs in Tennessee by NCLEX Pass Rate

Ranked by most recent NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate. Data sourced from state boards of nursing.

1
Herzing University — BSN Program
BSN•Nashville, TN•-
2
3
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5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
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14
15
16
17
18
19
20

Top ADN, ABSN, MSN & DNP Programs in Tennessee by NCLEX Pass Rate

Non-BSN programs ranked by most recent NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate.

1
2
Belmont University — Accelerated BSN
ABSN•Nashville, TN•$43,750
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Union University — Accelerated BSN
ABSN•Jackson, TN•$38,450
10
11
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville — Accelerated BSN
ABSN•Knoxville, TN•$13,484 in / $31,974 out
12
Tennessee Technological University — Accelerated BSN
ABSN•Cookeville, TN•$10,084 in / $20,116 out
13
South College — Accelerated BSN
ABSN•Knoxville, TN•$17,935
14
15
16
17
18
19
20

Nursing Programs in Tennessee by Type

ADN
26 programs
Avg NCLEX: 93%
View ADN in Tennessee→All states
BSN
34 programs
Avg NCLEX: 96%
View BSN in Tennessee→All states
ABSN
8 programs
Avg NCLEX: 95%
View ABSN in Tennessee→All states
RN to BSN
21 programs
View RN to BSN in Tennessee→All states
MSN
22 programs
Avg NCLEX: 95%
View MSN in Tennessee→All states
DNP
39 programs
Avg NCLEX: 95%
View DNP in Tennessee→All states

Nursing Programs in Tennessee by City

Drill into city-level rankings. Showing cities with at least 3 programs.

Memphis (24)Nashville (24)Knoxville (18)Chattanooga (15)Jackson (8)Bristol (6)Cookeville (6)Harrogate (6)Johnson City (6)Collegedale (5)Murfreesboro (5)Clarksville (4)Greeneville (4)Jefferson City (4)McKenzie (4)Cleveland (3)Lebanon (3)Madison (3)

Most Affordable Nursing Schools in Tennessee

Sorted by lowest available tuition figure (total program or annual in-state).

Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Elizabethton
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. • CERT
$3,936
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Henry/Carroll
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. • CERT
$4,008
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Jackson
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. • CERT
$4,008
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Oneida-Huntsville
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. • CERT
$4,070
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Pulaski
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. • CERT
$4,308
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Jacksboro
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. • CERT
$4,419
TCAT Athens
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. • CERT
$4,419
Tennessee College of Applied Technology Northwest
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. • CERT
$4,419
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Morristown
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. • CERT
$4,419
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Dickson
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. • CERT
$4,419

Frequently Asked Questions

How many nursing schools are in Tennessee?

There are 178 nursing programs in Tennessee, spanning 26 ADN, 34 BSN, 8 ABSN, 21 RN to BSN, 22 MSN, 39 DNP programs.

What is the average NCLEX pass rate in Tennessee?

Based on 64 programs with reported data, the average NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate in Tennessee is 95%. The highest rate is 100% at Jackson State Community College.

What is the cheapest nursing school in Tennessee?

The most affordable option is Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Elizabethton (CERT) at $3,936.

Compare Tennessee with Nearby States

Considering programs across state lines? Browse nursing schools in neighboring states.

Nursing schools in AlabamaNursing schools in KentuckyNursing schools in MississippiNursing schools in CaliforniaNursing schools in TexasNursing schools in FloridaNursing schools in New YorkNursing schools in Pennsylvania

Helpful Guides for Tennessee Applicants

Background reading on admissions, program length, and costs.

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) GuideOnline ADN ProgramsBest Online BSN ProgramsEasiest Nursing Schools to Get IntoTop Online RN-to-BSN ProgramsCheap and Fast Online RN-to-BSN Programs
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