A two-year associate degree gets you to the NCLEX-RN sooner and for less money, while a four-year BSN costs more and takes longer but carries more weight with hospital recruiters. Either way, graduates sit the same exam and apply for the same Tennessee RN license.
The drive matters too if you live in Germantown, Collierville, Bartlett, Southaven, Olive Branch, or West Memphis. Classes and clinical rotations can mean several trips a week across the metro.
Memphis hospitals hire from both pathways. The degree mostly decides how far you can advance later.
Where Memphis Nurses Work and What the Metro Pays RNs
New graduates in the Memphis area are hired by Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, Baptist Memorial Health Care, Regional One Health, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Saint Francis Hospital in Memphis and the Memphis VA Medical Center. Each runs a named new-graduate nurse residency program (at the VA, the Registered Nurse Transition-to-Practice program), so confirm current cohort dates and eligibility with each employer. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates for May 2025 show a Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro RN median of $81,500 a year ($39.18 an hour), below the national RN median of $97,550. The metro stretches into Mississippi and Arkansas, so some commuters will work across state lines.
| Occupation (Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro, May 2025) | Estimated jobs | 25th percentile annual wage | Median annual wage | Mean annual wage | 75th percentile annual wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurses | 13,760 | $78,900 | $81,500 | $87,370 | $95,780 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | 2,980 | $50,130 | $59,140 | $56,750 | $63,450 |
Memphis Nursing Schools Ranked by NCLEX-RN First-Time Pass Rates
Below are the nursing programs serving Memphis students, ranked by NCLEX-RN first-time pass rates, with accreditation and completion outcomes separating schools that post similar results. The order reflects how each school's first-time candidates have performed on the licensing exam across the latest three reporting years.
How we ranked these
- Institution-wide graduation and completion rates
- NCLEX-RN first-time pass rates
- Program accreditation status
- Tuition and average net price
- Cohort size, weighted lightly
- Original research on individual programs
- NCES-IPEDS federal institutional data — nces.ed.gov
- Program-level NCLEX pass rates from the state boards of nursing — ncsbn.org
- College Scorecard post-completion earnings data — collegescorecard.ed.gov
- In-house program catalog data
Northwest Mississippi Community College
#1Senatobia, MS · ~$8,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 98.6% (3-yr weighted avg)
Best for: Mississippi commuters eyeing an ADN
Northwest Mississippi Community College sits a short drive south of Memphis in Senatobia and runs an ACEN-accredited ADN on a four-semester calendar with fall and spring starts, plus an LPN-to-RN track that finishes in two semesters. First-time candidates have passed the NCLEX-RN at 98.6% across the latest three reporting years, and in-state tuition and fees run about $3,740 a year. Classes are daytime only, so plan a commute that fits a standard school day.
- ACEN accredited; four consecutive semesters
- Traditional track starts fall or spring, three start dates a year
- Tracks: LPN-RN Transition (summer start, two semesters)
- TEAS entrance exam and ACT composite of 18 or higher
- 2.0 GPA minimum plus prerequisite courses
- Senatobia campus, daytime courses only
- Student Navigator support and simulation skills labs
- Nursing scholarships and NCLEX review available
The University of Tennessee Health Science Center
#2Memphis, TN · NCLEX-RN pass rate 94.2% (3-yr weighted avg)
Best for: Second-degree students who want an accelerated BSN
The University of Tennessee Health Science Center is the academic medical center campus in the Memphis medical district. Its CCNE-accredited BSN comes as a traditional four-semester track or a 12-month accelerated option for second-degree students. First-time candidates passed the NCLEX-RN at 94.2% across the latest three reporting years, on a cohort of 274. In-state tuition is about $9,800 a year before fees, and clinical sites sit minutes from campus.
- CCNE accredited and Tennessee Board of Nursing approved
- Traditional four-semester track plus an accelerated 12-month option
- Spring and fall starts; prerequisite courses required
- Concept-based curriculum with clinical practice across the lifespan
- Leadership and management internship built into the program
- UT Promise scholarship for eligible traditional students
Baptist Health Sciences University
#3Memphis, TN · ~$11,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 90.5% (3-yr weighted avg)
Best for: Faith-based learners wanting an integrated health system
Baptist Health Sciences University is the CCNE-accredited BSN of the Baptist Memorial Health Care system: a four-year, 122-credit program with clinical placements inside the system's Memphis hospitals. First-time candidates passed the NCLEX-RN at 90.5% across the latest three reporting years. Tuition and fees run about $13,800 a year, the average net price after aid is near $11,200, and the school's overall graduation rate is 39.8%. The Midtown campus keeps classwork and clinical rotations on one short drive.
- CCNE accredited and approved by the Tennessee Board of Nursing
- Four-year, 122-credit on-campus BSN
- Clinical placements inside the Baptist Memorial Health Care system
- One-on-one faculty instruction plus mentoring and tutoring
- Program reports a 92% job placement rate
- Program advertises a guaranteed job offer at graduation
University of Memphis
#4Memphis, TN · $10,000 – $15,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 84% (3-yr weighted avg)
The University of Memphis runs a CCNE-accredited pre-licensure BSN through the Loewenberg College of Nursing, admitting in fall and spring and asking for a 3.0 GPA plus prerequisite sciences. First-time candidates passed the NCLEX-RN at 84% across the latest three reporting years, on a cohort of 819, the largest on this list. In-state tuition and fees are about $10,700 a year, and the school's overall graduation rate is 50.9%.
- CCNE accredited and meets Tennessee Board of Nursing standards
- Fall and spring admission; 3.0 GPA minimum
- Prerequisite science courses required, valid for five years
- Clinical rotations in maternity, pediatrics, adult, and mental health
- Application includes resume, letter of interest, and reference
Southwest Tennessee Community College
#5Memphis, TN · $4,800 – $18,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 79.1% (3-yr weighted avg)
Southwest Tennessee Community College offers an ACEN-accredited Associate of Applied Science in Nursing with the most flexible scheduling here: day classes starting each fall, an evening and weekend cohort each spring, and LPN and paramedic mobility tracks each summer. First-time candidates passed the NCLEX-RN at 79.1% across the latest three reporting years. In-state tuition and fees are about $4,780 a year, and the Union Avenue campus sits between downtown and midtown.
- ACEN accredited Associate of Applied Science in Nursing
- Generic day track starts fall; evening and weekend cohort starts spring
- LPN Mobility and Paramedic Mobility tracks start each summer
- Guaranteed admission to the UTHSC BSN through a partnership agreement
- Union Avenue Campus, close to downtown and midtown
- Program reports a 90% job placement rate
Concorde Career College-Memphis
#6Memphis, TN · ~$25,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 70.4% (2-yr weighted avg)
Concorde Career College's Memphis campus runs a 20-month Associate of Applied Science in Nursing Practice in a blended format: online theory, on-campus labs, and 670 clinical hours at area hospitals, hospice, and surgical centers. First-time candidates passed the NCLEX-RN at 70.4% across the latest three reporting years, on a cohort of 56. The program holds initial approval from the Tennessee Board of Nursing, and the Poplar Avenue campus is a central commute from most of the city.
- 20-month program, 77 total credit hours
- 670 clinical hours across hospitals, hospice, and surgical centers
- Blended format: online coursework, on-campus labs, clinical rotations
- Initial approval from the Tennessee Board of Nursing
- Memphis campus on Poplar Avenue
- 17-month, 60-credit online RN to BSN
- Fully online with no clinical hours required
- 17 courses delivered across 10-week terms
- Take one to three courses per term
- Built around leadership and critical thinking for practicing RNs
Christian Brothers University
#7Memphis, TN · ~$10,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 63.8% (3-yr weighted avg)
Christian Brothers University is a CCNE-accredited traditional BSN built on two years of prerequisites followed by four semesters of upper-division nursing, with 792 clinical hours and a capstone in the final term. First-time candidates passed the NCLEX-RN at 63.8% across the latest three reporting years, on a cohort of 123. Sticker tuition is about $38,400 a year, though the average net price after aid is near $9,900, and the school's overall graduation rate is 54.7%.
- CCNE accredited traditional BSN
- 120 total credit hours and 792 clinical hours
- Two years of prerequisites, then four semesters of nursing coursework
- Capstone course in the final semester
- Grounded in AACN Essentials and the COPA model
- Lasallian values of faith, service, and community
ADN or BSN in Memphis: Commute, Cost, and Time to an RN License
In Memphis, the quickest and least expensive way to an RN license is a community college ADN, while the BSN pays off later in hiring and graduate school options. Both paths end at the same exam, the NCLEX-RN, so the choice comes down to time, money, and where you want your career to go.
How the Two Paths Compare
- Where it's offered: ADN programs run at community colleges such as Southwest Tennessee Community College in Memphis and Northwest Mississippi Community College in Senatobia, MS. BSN programs sit at universities, including the University of Memphis Loewenberg College of Nursing.
- Cost: Community college tuition is typically a fraction of university tuition, and eligible Tennessee residents may qualify for state programs such as Tennessee Promise or Tennessee Reconnect. The cost table below shows current figures.
- Hiring: Magnet-designated hospitals and large systems often prefer or require a BSN for some roles, so ADN graduates may be expected to finish one within a set time after hire.
- Continuing on: BSN holders can apply directly to MSN and nurse practitioner programs. ADN holders need an RN-to-BSN first.
How Long Does It Take to Become an RN in Memphis?
An ADN usually takes 2 to 3 years: one or two semesters of prerequisites, then about four semesters of nursing coursework. A traditional BSN takes about four years. At the University of Memphis, students typically enter the nursing major in the first semester of junior year, and freshmen pre-admitted to the BSN who stay in good standing and meet all admission criteria are guaranteed a seat.
The Community College to University Route
Many Memphis nurses earn the ADN, pass the NCLEX, start working, then complete an RN-to-BSN part time. The University of Memphis requires an ADN or nursing diploma from an ACEN-accredited institution for its RN-to-BSN, and most general education courses from an associate degree usually transfer, though the university still evaluates every transcript. No guaranteed-admission agreement between area community colleges and BSN programs is confirmed here, so ask both schools' advisors which courses transfer before you enroll.
Rule of thumb: choose the ADN for speed and cost, the BSN for long-term leadership and graduate options.
Lowest-Cost Routes to an RN License in Memphis
The schools below have the lowest average net price after grants and scholarships in federal data, and because that figure is an average, your own aid package can push your cost up or down; the Pell share and median federal debt describe each school's full student body, not its nursing graduates. No program here is free outright, but Tennessee Promise (for recent high school graduates) and Tennessee Reconnect (for qualifying adults, such as those 23 or older with no prior degree and at least a year of Tennessee residency) are last-dollar grants that can cover remaining tuition and mandatory fees at Southwest Tennessee Community College, where fall 2026 tuition is $197 per credit plus a $25 per credit nursing and allied health fee. Reconnect pays health-sciences students only after admission to the nursing program itself, and textbooks are excluded; uniforms, testing and clinical costs may not be covered either, so confirm each charge with the college, and ask any Memphis hospital employer directly about tuition assistance or loan repayment.
| School | Location | Credential | Average net price after aid (per year) | Published in-state tuition and fees (per year) | Pell grant share (school-wide) | Median federal debt (school-wide) | NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southwest Tennessee Community College | Memphis, TN | ADN (A.A.S. in Nursing) | $4,754 | $4,778 | N/A | N/A | 79.1% |
| Northwest Mississippi Community College | Senatobia, MS | ADN | $7,911 | $3,740 (Mississippi residents) | 87.2% | $6,500 | 98.6% |
| Christian Brothers University | Memphis, TN | BSN | $9,854 | $38,420 | 65.5% | $27,000 | 63.8% |
| Baptist Health Sciences University | Memphis, TN | BSN | $11,212 | $13,796 | 63.3% | $29,500 | 90.5% |
| University of Memphis | Memphis, TN | BSN | $12,397 | $10,728 | 71.9% | $23,300 | 84% |
What Memphis Nursing Schools Expect From Applicants
Requirements vary by school and by degree type, so treat this as a working checklist. The University of Memphis Loewenberg College of Nursing details are drawn from its 2026 admissions materials. Confirm everything else in each school's current catalog.
- Prerequisite coursesLoewenberg's traditional BSN requires chemistry with lab, anatomy and physiology I and II with labs, microbiology with lab, statistics, nutrition, and lifespan development. Its FAQ also lists general psychology. ADN programs usually center on A&P and microbiology but may require fewer courses overall.
- Minimum GPA and creditsLoewenberg sets a 3.0 cumulative college GPA and a 3.0 nursing-prerequisite GPA, plus at least 60 completed credits before entry. Seats are competitive, so meeting the minimum alone may not be enough.
- Entrance examLoewenberg's freshman route requires an ACT composite of 23 with at least 21 in every area, plus high school Algebra I and II, Geometry, Biology, and Chemistry. Many ADN programs use the ATI TEAS or HESI A2 instead, so check which exam and score each school accepts.
- Background check and drug screenThese are typically required before clinical placements at partner hospitals.
- Immunizations and CPRExpect proof of required vaccines, TB screening, and current healthcare-provider CPR certification before clinicals begin.
- Application windowsLoewenberg deadlines are January 1 for freshman admission, February 15 for fall, and September 1 for spring. Applications open September 15 for freshman and fall entry and March 15 for spring. Cohorts fill and dates shift, so verify every deadline directly with each school.
Tennessee RN Licensure at a Glance
LPN to RN Programs Near Memphis
If you already hold an LPN license, a mobility track lets you build on that credential instead of starting an ADN from scratch, and in most cases it trims the time to an RN license. Scheduling varies: one option here runs a summer transition course before two final ADN semesters, while the other admits a daytime cohort each summer. Plan on an entrance exam, prerequisite coursework and a current license as part of the application.
- LPN-RN Transition Program
- LPN Mobility Track
Second-Degree Students: Accelerated BSN and Entry-Level MSN Options in Memphis
Accelerated BSN: Yes, and Here Is What Exists
Accelerated BSN study is available in Memphis for people who already hold a non-nursing bachelor's degree.
The University of Tennessee Health Science Center runs a 12-month accelerated second-degree BSN for applicants who hold a non-nursing bachelor's. The 2026 cycle opened May 15, 2026, with a July 1 priority deadline and a September 15 final deadline, filed through NursingCAS for a Spring 2027 start. That cycle has closed; UTHSC lists the next round opening August 15, 2026, with a December 1 priority and March 1, 2027 final deadline.
The University of Memphis admits its accelerated BSN for fall only. Applications open September 15 and close February 15, 2027 for the next fall cohort.1 Both sit in Memphis, so commute distance is rarely the deciding factor. Your calendar is.
Entry-level MSN study works differently. The Memphis MSN tracks, including the University of Memphis RN-to-MSN, require an unrestricted RN license. They serve working nurses who hold a non-nursing bachelor's, not career changers starting without a license. For a first RN license, the accelerated BSN is the route.
Budget for Twelve Months Without a Paycheck
Accelerated cohorts stack lecture, lab, and clinical hours into a compressed calendar, and most students find outside employment unrealistic. Plan living costs before you apply rather than after.
UTHSC's Baptist Scholars award can cover in-state tuition and fees in exchange for a one-year employment commitment with Baptist after graduation. Placements are limited to Baptist-Memphis, Baptist-Collierville, and Baptist-DeSoto; ICU and Labor and Delivery positions are excluded.
The listing below covers the full set of options near Memphis.
Accelerated BSN and Entry-Level MSN Programs Near Memphis
If you already hold a bachelor's degree in another field, an accelerated BSN lets you move into nursing without repeating general education coursework. The programs below are second-degree, campus-based routes that prepare you to sit for the NCLEX and apply for Tennessee licensure.
- Accelerated 2nd-Degree BSN Program
- Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Early-Career Pay for Memphis-Area Nursing Graduates
Among the Memphis programs in the federal earnings data, associate degree graduates from one career college post the highest first-year median.
RN to BSN/MSN Programs in Memphis, TN
If you already hold an RN license, this list is your shortest route to a BSN. Every entry below is a completion program built for nurses who enter with an associate degree or diploma, and the site's Tennessee RN to BSN, MSN and nurse practitioner program pages carry the next steps once the bachelor's is in hand.
- Nursing, Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), RN-BSN
- RN to BSN
- RN to BSN Online
APRN & Nurse Practitioner Programs in Memphis, TN
BSN-prepared RNs who want prescriptive authority or another advanced practice role can choose between a master's degree and a doctoral pathway in Memphis. The options below pair online coursework with on-campus intensives and clinical practicums arranged close to home. Each entry lists the degree level, the concentrations reported by the school, the format, and graduate tuition.
- Master of Science in Nursing (Nursing Education)
- Master of Science in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner
- Master of Science in Nursing (Adult Gerontology-Acute Care Nurse Practitioner)
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Doctor of Nursing Practice
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (Nurse Executive)
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Doctor of Nursing Practice Nurse-Midwifery
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner)
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (Nurse Midwifery)
- Dual Concentration: Psychiatric-Mental Health/Family Nurse Practitioner
Comprehensive List of Nursing Schools Near Memphis, TN
7 schools within 40 miles, grouped by city. Select a program to see its highlights, and use the Website link for the school's own program page.
Senatobia, MS
Northwest Mississippi Community College
Associate - Associate Degree Nursing
- ACEN accredited
- 2 concentration options
- Entrance exam required
- Exams: TEAS
- 4-Semester program
- Complete in four consecutive semesters
- Apply by 2026-10-01
- 3 start dates per year
On-Campus · WebsiteAssociate - Associate Degree Nursing
- ACEN accredited
- 2 concentration options
- Entrance exam required
- Exams: TEAS
- Apply by 2027-03-01
- Starts summer
- Scholarships available
- For LPNs with current license
Concentration: LPN-RN Transition · On-Campus · Website
Memphis, TN
Baptist Health Sciences University
Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- CCNE accredited
- 4-Year program
- 122 total credit hours
- 97% licensure pass rate
- 92% job placement rate
- $86,070 median earnings
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN
- One-on-one instruction from faculty
On-Campus · Website
Christian Brothers University
Bachelor's - Traditional BSN Nursing Program
- CCNE accredited
- 120 total credit hours
- 792 clinical hours
- Prerequisite courses required
- Capstone required
- Prepares for NCLEX
- Rooted in AACN Essentials and COPA Model
- Prepares for RN licensure
On-Campus · Website
Concorde Career College-Memphis
Associate - Nursing Practice (Associate of Applied Science)
- 20-Month program
- 77 total credit hours
- 670 clinical hours
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN
- Financial aid available
- Scholarships available
- Careers: hospitals, hospice, surgical centers
- Blended online and on-campus format
Hybrid · WebsiteBachelor's - RN to BSN
- 17-Month program
- 60 total credit hours
- 17 total courses
- Fully online option available
- 0 clinical hours
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN
- Financial aid available
- Scholarships available
Online · Website
Southwest Tennessee Community College
Associate - Nursing, A.A.S.
- ACEN accredited
- 3 concentration options
- 80% licensure pass rate
- 90% job placement rate
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN
- Financial aid available
- Eligible to take NCLEX-RN
- Blends classroom and hands-on clinical experience
On-Campus · Website
The University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- CCNE accredited
- 2 start dates per year
- Starts spring/fall
- Prerequisite courses required
- Prepares for NCLEX
- Financial aid available
- Scholarships available
- Top 4% of BSN programs nationwide
On-Campus · Website
University of Memphis
Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- CCNE accredited
- 2 start dates per year
- Starts fall/spring
- 3.0 GPA minimum
- 1 letters of recommendation (minimum)
- Prerequisite courses required
- Prepares for NCLEX
- Covers maternity, pediatrics, adult, mental health
On-Campus · Website
Program data from the schools and the National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS).