A well-known name and a strong licensing record are not always the same thing, and Tennessee applicants weighing a community college ADN against a university BSN feel that gap quickly. The clearest signal of which programs actually get graduates licensed is the first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate, because every graduate sits the same exam regardless of degree.
The ranking below weights those results most heavily and covers both 2-year RN (ADN) and BSN programs, so community college and university applicants can use it side by side.
One reality shapes every shortlist: Tennessee's larger hospital systems increasingly prefer BSN-prepared nurses, yet an ADN still reaches the same license faster and at lower cost, with many later advancing through online RN to BSN programs in Tennessee.
Top NCLEX-RN Outcomes: 10 Tennessee Nursing Schools Ranked for 2027
Schools rise on this list when their graduates clear the NCLEX-RN on the first attempt, year after year, not when a single class posts a strong number. Tennessee's standout programs pair that consistency with accreditation, healthy completion rates, and enough seats to actually admit students. The ten schools below produced the strongest recent first-time NCLEX-RN results in the state.
How we ranked these
- Institutional graduation and retention rates
- Program completion and persistence
- First-time NCLEX-RN pass rates
- Accreditation status and approvals
- In-state tuition and net price
- Clinical placement breadth
- 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
The University of Tennessee Southern
#1Pulaski, TN · ~$13,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 100% (3-yr weighted avg)
Best for: Rural students wanting small nursing cohorts
The University of Tennessee Southern in Pulaski keeps cohorts small and faculty access high through its Jeanette M. Travis School of Nursing. The four-year BSN reports a 100% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate across 26 test takers in three reporting years, and the school says every graduate is placed. Many Tennessee residents qualify for institutional aid that covers tuition.
- CCNE accredited with full Tennessee Board of Nursing approval
- Four-year, 120-credit campus BSN
- Fall start; separate nursing program application by July 18, 2026
- Prerequisite coursework required before nursing major entry
- Simulation labs plus hands-on clinical experiences
- Prepares graduates to sit for the NCLEX-RN
- Health Sciences Association student club on campus
Lee University
#2Cleveland, TN · ~$19,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 99.1% (3-yr weighted avg)
Best for: Faith-based learners wanting a campus BSN
Lee University's campus-based BSN in Cleveland admits first-time freshmen, current Lee students, and transfers through one competitive process, with all nursing majors starting in the fall after prerequisites. Recent cohorts posted a 99.1% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate across 208 test takers in three reporting years, one of the strongest results in the state.
- CCNE accredited campus BSN; all nursing majors start in fall
- Three admission groups: freshmen, current Lee students, transfers
- Students enter as pre-nursing and complete prerequisites first
- Competitive admission with limited seats each cohort
- University acceptance required before the nursing application
- Scholarships available for nursing students
Vanderbilt University
#3Nashville, TN · ~$16,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 97.1% (3-yr weighted avg)
Best for: Career changers seeking an entry-level MSN
Vanderbilt University School of Nursing in Nashville offers an entry-level MSN for graduates of other fields, and its test-taking group is among the largest in Tennessee. First-time NCLEX-RN results show 97.1% across 455 test takers in three reporting years. A 2026 agreement with Maryville College creates a direct pathway for graduates who complete prerequisites with at least a 3.6 GPA.
- Board-approved entry-level MSN program
- Entry-level pathway for graduates of other fields
- Direct pathway for Maryville College graduates with a 3.6 GPA
- Prerequisite coursework required for the pathway
Galen Health Institutes-Nashville Campus
#4Nashville, TN · ~$27,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 97.5% (2-yr weighted avg)
Galen's Nashville campus runs year-round BSN and ADN tracks with four start dates a year and no prerequisites required to apply. The three-year BSN and two-year ADN both rely on simulation labs and clinical placements, and the ADN includes an LPN to ADN bridge. Nashville candidates posted a 97.5% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate across 137 test takers in two reporting years.
- Three-year BSN runs year-round with four start dates annually
- No prerequisites to apply; TEAS entrance assessment required
- No essays and a $0 application fee
- Modern simulation labs and clinical experiences included
- Prepares graduates for registered nurse (RN) licensure
- Next term begins January 4, 2027
- Two-year associate degree path to RN licensure
- Four start dates per year with TEAS entrance exam
- LPN to ADN bridge option for licensed practical nurses
- Pathway into the campus three-year BSN
- Virtual or on-campus admissions appointments
- Quicker route than a four-year nursing degree
Cumberland University
#5Lebanon, TN · ~$19,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 98.5% (3-yr weighted avg)
Cumberland University in Lebanon builds its BSN around 1,080 clinical hours, human patient simulation, and an 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio, with transcultural trips and Middle Tennessee health fairs adding clinical variety. Recent results show a 98.5% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate across 186 test takers in three reporting years, and the school reports 100% job placement.
- 1,080 clinical hours built into the BSN
- CCNE accredited campus program in Lebanon
- 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio
- State-of-the-art human patient simulators
- Transcultural nursing trips abroad
- Community health fairs across Middle Tennessee
- Employee tuition reimbursement supported by area health systems
- Multiple endowed nursing scholarships available
Jackson State Community College
#6Jackson, TN · ~$6,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 98.8% (3-yr weighted avg)
Jackson State Community College offers an ACEN-accredited associate degree in nursing in Jackson, with spring and fall starts, point-based admission, and hospital clinical placements. An LPN to RN bridge gives licensed practical nurses a shorter route to the RN credential. First-time NCLEX-RN results show 98.8% across 207 test takers in three reporting years.
- ACEN accredited two-year associate degree in nursing
- Starts in fall and spring each year
- ACT entrance exam required with a 2.5 GPA minimum
- Competitive point-based admission
- Clinical placements at affiliate hospitals
- LPN-RN career pathway for licensed practical nurses
- Prerequisite general education courses required
Pellissippi State Community College
#7Knoxville, TN · ~$5,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 98.1% (3-yr weighted avg)
Pellissippi State Community College's 67-credit ADN in Knoxville pairs a traditional track with a hybrid LPN/Paramedic to RN bridge that finishes in three semesters. Instruction runs at the Blount County, Magnolia, and Strawberry Plains campuses, with Knoxville-area clinical placements. First-time NCLEX-RN results show 98.1% across 264 test takers in three reporting years.
- 67-credit hour program; ACEN accredited
- Traditional track plus LPN/Paramedic to R.N. bridge
- LPN/Paramedic bridge is hybrid and spans three semesters
- Offered at Blount County, Magnolia, and Strawberry Plains
- Fall and spring start terms
- C or better required in prerequisite courses
- Clinical experiences in partner healthcare settings
Tennessee Tech
#8Cookeville, TN · $10,000 – $15,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 97% (3-yr weighted avg)
Tennessee Tech's Whitson-Hester School of Nursing in Cookeville pairs foundational coursework with a five-semester clinical sequence, including weekly rotations in medical-surgical, pediatric, and mental health nursing across Middle and East Tennessee. Prerequisites can be taken at community colleges, and upper-division admission is competitive. The program reports a first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate above 95%, including 97% for its 2024 cohort.
- Five-semester clinical sequence in the upper division
- Clinical rotations in med-surg, pediatrics, and mental health
- Placements across Middle and East Tennessee
- Competitive upper-division admission to the clinical portion
- CCNE accredited; graduates sit for the NCLEX-RN
- Prerequisites can be completed at community colleges
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga
#9Chattanooga, TN · ~$14,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 97.2% (3-yr weighted avg)
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga offers a CCNE-accredited four-year BSN with small clinical groups and close faculty mentoring across a range of care settings, positioning graduates for graduate study as well as practice. The program cites a 98% licensure pass rate, and state first-time NCLEX-RN results show 97.2% across 226 test takers over three reporting years.
- CCNE accredited four-year BSN
- Small clinical groups with individualized faculty attention
- Clinical experience across a variety of care settings
- Program reports a 98% licensure pass rate
- Prepares students for graduate nursing study
- Emphasis on critical thinking and evidence-based practice
The University of Tennessee-Martin
#10Martin, TN · $11,000/yr (est. net price) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 97% (3-yr weighted avg)
The University of Tennessee at Martin offers a pre-licensure BSN on the Martin campus and at the Parsons Center, with TEAS entrance requirements, a 2.8 GPA minimum, and small classes. Clinical rotations run through Baptist Memorial Hospitals and West Tennessee Healthcare, supported by simulation and off-campus sites. First-time NCLEX-RN results show 97% across 117 test takers in three reporting years, alongside about 90% job placement.
- Pre-licensure BSN at the Martin campus and Parsons Center
- TEAS entrance exam required with a 2.8 GPA minimum
- Clinical rotations at Baptist Memorial and West Tennessee Healthcare
- Simulation lab plus off-campus clinical experiences
- Small class sizes and a low student-to-faculty ratio
- ACEN accredited; 90% job placement reported
What Drives Our Tennessee Nursing School Scores
Reputation-based lists like Niche or EduRank lean on name recognition and campus appeal. This ranking leans on the one thing a nursing program exists to do: get its graduates licensed. A school can be well known and still send too many students back to retake the NCLEX-RN.
How the Score Is Built
First-time NCLEX-RN pass rate carries roughly three-quarters of the score. The ranking averages three years of results and weights them by test-taker volume, so one small cohort cannot move a school's score in a single year. The rest comes from ACEN or CCNE accreditation, plus a small completion and retention component.
Paused and Closed Programs
Programs that are on hold, closed, or not admitting students were flagged or excluded. Tennessee State University's online RN-to-BSN is on hold and not admitting students, and its online MSN-Education track is on hold as well. TSU's other nursing programs are listed as Tennessee Board of Nursing-approved and ACEN-accredited, but the published sources do not confirm which cohorts are admitting for fall 2026, so check with the department directly.
The state's approved-program list sorts schools as Full approval, Conditional Approval, or Withdrawn, as explained in Navigating Nursing Approval and Accreditation in Tennessee. It is revised quarterly, and the most recent version available to us is dated November 2025, so statuses can change.
A Note on Cost and Graduation Figures
Net price and graduation rate describe the whole institution, not the nursing program. Use them as context for how to afford nursing school, and ask the nursing department for program-specific costs.
Quick Answers for Tennessee Nursing School Applicants
Choosing a nursing program in Tennessee raises the same handful of questions for almost every applicant. These short answers cover pass rates, timelines, cost, admissions, and licensure so you can focus your research where it matters most.
Which Tennessee nursing program posts the strongest first-time NCLEX-RN results?
Can I become an RN in about two years in Tennessee?
Where is nursing school most affordable in Tennessee?
Which Tennessee universities run accelerated BSN tracks for career changers?
What do Tennessee nursing programs look for in applicants?
Does a Tennessee RN license let me work in other states?
ADN, LPN-to-RN, Diploma, or BSN: Tennessee's Routes to an RN License Compared
ADN programs in Tennessee are the fastest, lowest-cost route to an RN license, and LPN-to-RN bridges shorten that path further for nurses who already hold a practical-nurse license. ADN and BSN graduates sit the same NCLEX-RN, but many hospital systems, especially Magnet facilities, prefer or require a BSN. Plan for an RN-to-BSN later if you start with an associate degree.
| Pathway | Typical length | Where offered in Tennessee | Credential earned | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional ADN/AAS (2-year RN) | About two years of intensive study at Roane State; 15 to 36 months at Jersey College | Community colleges such as Roane State; private colleges such as Jersey College and South College | Associate of Applied Science or Associate of Science in Nursing | Career starters who want the quickest, most affordable path to NCLEX-RN eligibility |
| LPN-to-RN bridge (community college) | Usually three semesters (Columbia State, Jackson State, Northeast State); four semesters in Roane State's LPN mobility program | Columbia State, Jackson State, Nashville State (White Bridge, Dickson), Northeast State (Blountville), Volunteer State (Gallatin, Livingston, Springfield), Roane State (Oak Ridge, evenings and weekends) | Associate degree in nursing (AAS at Columbia State, Volunteer State, Roane State) | Licensed LPNs; Jackson State requires 20 prerequisite hours and Nashville State requires 27 |
| LPN-to-RN bridge (private or hospital-affiliated) | Three semesters (Southern Adventist, Lincoln Memorial); four semesters (Baptist Health); 15 to 24 months (Jersey College); 21 months (South College) | Baptist Health System School of Health Professions, Jersey College, South College, Southern Adventist (Collegedale), Lincoln Memorial (Harrogate) | AAS in Nursing (Baptist Health, Jersey College); ASN (South College) | LPNs wanting part-time study (Southern Adventist) or full-time, in-person study; Lincoln Memorial expects a year of LPN experience |
| Paramedic-to-RN transition | Three continuous semesters starting in summer at Columbia State | Columbia State; Roane State's evening and weekend RN Bridge | Associate of Applied Science in Nursing | Licensed paramedics moving into nursing while working |
| Hospital-based diploma | No current program identified | Our research did not identify an active diploma RN program in Tennessee; Baptist Health's school awards an associate degree | Diploma (where still offered elsewhere) | Check the Tennessee Board of Nursing's approved-program list before assuming this option exists |
| Traditional BSN | Typically four years | Public and private universities statewide | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | First-time students aiming for Magnet hospitals, leadership, or graduate study |
| RN-to-BSN | Varies by school; built for working RNs | Universities, often with flexible formats | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | ADN-prepared RNs who need a BSN for hiring, promotion, or advanced practice |
Tennessee by City
Explore other Tennessee related topics
Fast-Track Options: Accelerated BSN Programs in Tennessee
If you already hold a bachelor's degree in another field, an accelerated BSN can get you to the NCLEX-RN far faster than starting over, but expect a full-time, intense pace that leaves little or no room for outside work. Seats are limited and admission windows fill early, so check deadlines and finish prerequisites 9 to 12 months before your target start. Start terms and some program lengths are not published in the sources we reviewed, so confirm current details with each school's nursing admissions office before you apply.
| School | City | Program Length | Start Term(s) | Key Admission Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) | Memphis | 12 months | N/A | Non-nursing bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university; cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, or at least 3.2 in the most recent degree; science prerequisite GPA of 2.67 or better; Anatomy and Physiology I and II and Microbiology with a C or better, generally within 5 years of entry |
| University of Memphis | Memphis | N/A | N/A | Prerequisites typically include Chemistry, Anatomy and Physiology I and II, Microbiology, Statistics, Nutrition, Lifespan Development, and General Psychology; science courses must be taken within the last 5 years to count toward the BSN |
| Union University | Jackson | N/A | N/A | Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and science GPA of 3.0 (Anatomy and Physiology I and II, Microbiology, Chemistry, Pathophysiology); C or higher in all natural science, social science, math, and English courses; Anatomy and Physiology I and II and Pathophysiology within 5 years of starting nursing courses |
| East Tennessee State University (ETSU) | Johnson City | N/A | N/A | Minimum ETSU GPA of 3.25 |
Nursing Schools in Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, and Chattanooga
Where you live in Tennessee shapes your realistic shortlist more than almost any other factor, because clinical rotations are assigned locally and attendance is non-negotiable.
West Tennessee and the Memphis Search
Searches for nursing schools in Memphis, TN are heavy, but the strongest NCLEX performers in West Tennessee sit outside the city. Jackson State Community College runs a two-year ADN in Jackson with clinical placements at affiliate hospitals, and the University of Tennessee-Martin offers a pre-licensure BSN with clinical sites at Baptist Memorial Hospitals plus a program option at its Parsons Center. Memphis-area applicants should price out both the commute and relocation before committing.
Nashville and Middle Tennessee
Nashville holds the densest cluster: Vanderbilt University's entry-level master's route for degree holders, one of many MSN Programs in Tennessee, and Galen College of Nursing's three-year BSN with four start dates a year. Within driving range sit Cumberland University in Lebanon, Tennessee Tech in Cookeville, and the University of Tennessee Southern in Pulaski, which carries free tuition for qualifying Tennessee residents.
East Tennessee and Chattanooga
Pellissippi State Community College anchors Knoxville, teaching its nursing A.A.S. across Blount County, Magnolia, and Strawberry Plains sites, and its LPN/paramedic-to-RN pathway runs in a hybrid format that reduces seat time for licensed staff working while in nursing school. Chattanooga students have the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga BSN, with Lee University in nearby Cleveland as a private alternative.
Weigh the Clinical Commute
Most of these programs are campus-based, so ask admissions where rotations occur, how far students typically commute to clinical nursing school, and whether night or weekend shifts are assigned before you enroll.
Tennessee Board of Nursing and Multistate Licensure
Registered Nurse Pay Across Tennessee Metro Areas
Separate wage figures for Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga, the Tri-Cities, and Clarksville are not available in the latest federal release, so the table below shows statewide pay from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (2025). These figures cover every working nurse in each occupation, from new hires to veterans, so they are not comparable to the first-year graduate earnings shown earlier. Demand should stay firm: the Tennessee Hospital Association projects a shortfall of 8,500 RNs by 2035, expected to hit rural areas hardest, and a 2026 national workforce benchmark gives Tennessee a medium shortage designation as the state's population is projected to grow 9.7% over the same period.
| Occupation | Area | Employment | Mean Annual Wage | 25th Percentile | Median Annual Wage | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurses | Tennessee (statewide) | 72,200 | $85,390 | $75,460 | $81,500 | $95,250 |
| Nurse Practitioners | Tennessee (statewide) | 12,150 | $115,510 | $102,640 | $117,590 | $130,330 |
| Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary | Tennessee (statewide) | 1,150 | $82,240 | $65,480 | $80,050 | $98,160 |
Statewide RN Salary Snapshot
Here is what registered nurses earn across Tennessee as a whole, plus the job outlook for new graduates.
More Tennessee Nursing Programs Worth a Look
The programs ranked above sit at the top of our Tennessee list. The directory below covers additional schools across the state, grouped by region, with city, degree level, format, and the average net price each program reports. Treat it as a starting point and confirm current deadlines and prerequisites with each school directly.
Middle Tennessee
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Associate of Applied Science degree in Nursing
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN)
- Nursing, B.S.N.
- Nursing, B.S.N. (Community College Bridge Program)
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Traditional B.S.N. Program
- Associate Degree in Nursing
East Tennessee
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- Nursing RN Program
- Nursing RN Program - Transition (LPN/Paramedic Transition)
- Nursing
- Accelerated and Traditional BSN Program
West Tennessee
- Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Traditional BSN
- Accelerated BSN
- RN-BSN