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Explore and compare 48 top-ranked, accredited schools in Tennessee. Our directory combines verified NCLEX-RN pass rates, IPEDS tuition data, and CCNE/ACEN accreditation status with authentic insights from our allnurses community members. Rankings are based on our Ranking Methodology — a 100-point composite score across 6 weighted categories.
Last updated: May 16, 2026
Sources:
IPEDS /
College Scorecard / Editorial Team
Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee is a private nonprofit institution with a 93% graduation rate and over 13,575 students. Annual in-state tuition is $67,498.
BSN-DNP, DNP, DNP-FNP, DNP-NE, DNP-NL, MSN, MSN-CNS, MSN-FNP, MSN-NL, MSN-PMHNP, PhD, Post-MSN-Cert
Strayer University-Tennessee is a smaller private for-profit institution in Memphis, Tennessee with about 1,965 students. Annual in-state tuition is $13,920.
Offering BSN Program
One of the larger institutions in the state, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville is a public school in Knoxville, Tennessee with over 38,728 students. The school reports a 73% graduation rate.
ABSN, BSN, BSN-DNP, DNP, DNP-FNP, MSN, MSN-CNS, MSN-FNP, PhD, Post-MSN-Cert
Baptist Health Sciences University is a smaller private nonprofit institution in Memphis, Tennessee with about 891 students. Annual in-state tuition is $13,796.
BSN, Direct-Entry-MSN, DNP, DNP-FNP, PhD
Cumberland University is a private nonprofit school in Lebanon, Tennessee offering nursing education. The acceptance rate is 67%.
BSN, MSN, MSN-FNP, MSN-NL
Based in Harrogate, Tennessee, Lincoln Memorial University is a private nonprofit institution. The school reports a 52% graduation rate.
ABSN, ADN, BSN, BSN-DNP, DNP, DNP-FNP, MSN, MSN-FNP, MSN-NE, MSN-NL, PhD, RN-BSN
Based in Jackson, Tennessee, Union University is a private nonprofit institution. Graduates earn a median of $53,990 within ten years.
ABSN, BSN, MSN, MSN-FNP, MSN-NE, MSN-NL, PhD, Post-MSN-Cert
Based in Collegedale, Tennessee, Southern Adventist University is a private nonprofit institution. It offers 12 nursing programs across various degree levels.
ABSN, ADN, BSN, Direct-Entry-MSN, DNP, DNP-FNP, MSN, MSN-FNP, MSN-NE, MSN-NL, Post-MSN-Cert, RN-BSN
Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee is a public institution with a 92% graduation rate and over 10,439 students. Annual in-state tuition is $9,006.
ABSN, BSN, MSN, MSN-FNP, MSN-NL, MSN-PMHNP, Post-MSN-Cert
Tennessee Technological University is a public school in Cookeville, Tennessee offering nursing education. It offers 8 nursing programs across various degree levels.
ABSN, BSN, MSN, MSN-FNP, MSN-NL, MSN-PMHNP, PhD, Post-MSN-Cert
A public institution, University of Memphis serves students in Memphis, Tennessee. Annual in-state tuition is $10,728.
ABSN, BSN, MSN, MSN-CNS, MSN-FNP, MSN-PMHNP, Post-MSN-Cert
Based in Henderson, Tennessee, Freed-Hardeman University is a private nonprofit institution. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Offering BSN Program
Middle Tennessee State University provides nursing education from its campus in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The acceptance rate is 69%.
BSN, MSN, MSN-AGNP, MSN-CNS, MSN-FNP, Post-MSN-Cert
A private nonprofit institution, Lipscomb University serves students in Nashville, Tennessee. Annual in-state tuition is $40,572.
Offering BSN Program
A public institution, The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga serves students in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Annual in-state tuition is $10,448.
ABSN, BSN, BSN-DNP, DNP, DNP-FNP, DNP-PMHNP, MSN, MSN-CNS, MSN-FNP, MSN-PMHNP, PhD, Post-MSN-Cert
Lee University is a private nonprofit institution in Cleveland, Tennessee. Annual in-state tuition is $23,790.
BSN, Direct-Entry-MSN, DNP, DNP-FNP
Belmont University provides nursing education from its campus in Nashville, Tennessee. Total enrollment is about 8,803 students.
ABSN, BSN, BSN-DNP, Direct-Entry-MSN, DNP, DNP-AGNP, DNP-FNP, MSN, MSN-CNS, MSN-FNP, PhD
East Tennessee State University is a public institution in Johnson City, Tennessee. The school reports a 52% graduation rate.
BSN, MSN, MSN-AGNP, MSN-FNP, MSN-NE, MSN-NL, PhD, Post-MSN-Cert
Bethel University is a private nonprofit institution in McKenzie, Tennessee. Graduates earn a median of $47,482 within ten years.
ADN, BSN, MSN, MSN-FNP
A private nonprofit institution, Trevecca Nazarene University serves students in Nashville, Tennessee. The school reports a 58% graduation rate.
Offering BSN Program
Christian Brothers University is a smaller private nonprofit institution in Memphis, Tennessee with about 1,772 students. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Offering BSN Program
Milligan University is a smaller private nonprofit institution in Milligan, Tennessee with about 1,240 students. Annual in-state tuition is $40,450.
Offering BSN Program
Tennessee Wesleyan University is a smaller private nonprofit institution in Athens, Tennessee with about 1,198 students. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Offering BSN Program
The University of Tennessee-Martin is a public institution in Martin, Tennessee. Graduates earn a median of $44,213 within ten years.
Offering BSN Program
Based in Jefferson City, Tennessee, Carson-Newman University is a private nonprofit institution. The acceptance rate is 90%.
ABSN, ADN, BSN, MSN, MSN-FNP, MSN-NE, Post-MSN-Cert
| # | School Name | Location | In-State | Completion Rate | Programs | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vanderbilt University | Nashville, TN | $67,498 | 92.7% | 12 | |
| 2 | Strayer University-Tennessee | Memphis, TN | $13,920 | 83.3% | 1 | |
| 3 | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville | Knoxville, TN | $13,812 | 73% | 10 | |
| 4 | Baptist Health Sciences University | Memphis, TN | $13,796 | 55.9% | 5 | |
| 5 | Cumberland University | Lebanon, TN | $27,840 | 76.7% | 4 | |
| 6 | Lincoln Memorial University | Harrogate, TN | $26,938 | 52.4% | 12 | |
| 7 | Union University | Jackson, TN | $40,025 | 68.8% | 8 | |
| 8 | Southern Adventist University | Collegedale, TN | $27,300 | 51.6% | 12 | |
| 9 | Austin Peay State University | Clarksville, TN | $9,006 | 92.4% | 7 | |
| 10 | Tennessee Technological University | Cookeville, TN | $11,376 | 57% | 8 | |
| 11 | University of Memphis | Memphis, TN | $10,728 | 48.8% | 7 | |
| 12 | Freed-Hardeman University | Henderson, TN | $25,620 | 69.1% | 1 | |
| 13 | Middle Tennessee State University | Murfreesboro, TN | $10,266 | 54.3% | 6 | |
| 14 | Lipscomb University | Nashville, TN | $40,572 | 69.1% | 1 | |
| 15 | The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga | Chattanooga, TN | $10,448 | 52.7% | 12 | |
| 16 | Lee University | Cleveland, TN | $23,790 | 61.8% | 4 | |
| 17 | Belmont University | Nashville, TN | $42,540 | 72.1% | 11 | |
| 18 | East Tennessee State University | Johnson City, TN | $10,472 | 52.4% | 8 | |
| 19 | Bethel University | McKenzie, TN | $18,712 | 39.3% | 4 | |
| 20 | Trevecca Nazarene University | Nashville, TN | $31,300 | 58% | 1 | |
| 21 | Christian Brothers University | Memphis, TN | $38,420 | 57.8% | 1 | |
| 22 | Milligan University | Milligan, TN | $40,450 | 61.8% | 1 | |
| 23 | Tennessee Wesleyan University | Athens, TN | $30,814 | 46.7% | 1 | |
| 24 | The University of Tennessee-Martin | Martin, TN | $10,560 | 53.8% | 1 | |
| 25 | Carson-Newman University | Jefferson City, TN | $34,700 | 52% | 7 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard
Data is sourced from the College Scorecard API and may not reflect the most current information. Please verify details with the school directly.
