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2022 Best Value Colleges for Nursing (Income $0-$30k) in Tennessee

43 Ranked Colleges
5,948 Degrees Awarded
$7,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Nursing Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Nursing Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2019-2020, 313,362 nursing students received their degree, making the major the 3rd most popular in the country. In 2017-2018, nursing graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $67,065 and had an average of $26,282 in loans still to pay off.

Across Tennessee, there were 5,948 nursing graduates with average earnings and debt of $65,772 and $31,354 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Nursing Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 43 colleges that offered a degree in nursing. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great nursing programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the nursing program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Nursing Schools

The nursing school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Nursing Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k”.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Nursing Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for tennessee nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Nursing (Income $0-$30k) in Tennessee

#1

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Vanderbilt University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. Vanderbilt University is a fairly large school located in Nashville, Tennessee that handed out 447 ’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Vanderbilt also took the #2 spot in our “Best Nursing Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Vanderbilt is $3,156 for Tennessee Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low student loan default rate of 1.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about Nursing at Vanderbilt University

Out of the 43 schools in the Best Value Nursing Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Southwest Tennessee Community College landed the #2 spot on the list. Southwest Tennessee Community College is a public institution located in Memphis, Tennessee. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 94 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our tennessee nursing students whose families make $0-$30k list, Southwest has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Nursing Schools in Tennessee” ranking. It costs about $4,721 for Tennessee Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Southwest Tennessee Community College.

Full Southwest Tennessee Community College Nursing Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Baptist Memorial College of Health Sciences. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. Baptist Memorial College of Health Sciences is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Memphis, Tennessee. It awarded 136 ’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Baptist College of Health Sciences, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Nursing Schools in Tennessee” ranking. It costs about $5,611 for Tennessee Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Baptist Memorial College of Health Sciences.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Nursing at Baptist Memorial College of Health Sciences

#4

Dyersburg State Community College

Dyersburg, Tennessee

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Dyersburg State Community College. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Nursing Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k. Dyersburg State Community College is located in Dyersburg, Tennessee and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 121 ’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

DSCC also took the #14 spot in our “Best Nursing Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for DSCC is $5,881 for Tennessee Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Nursing at DSCC

#5

Walters State Community College

Morristown, Tennessee

Out of the 43 schools in the Best Value Nursing Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Walters State Community College landed the #5 spot on the list. WSCC is located in Morristown, Tennessee and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 110 ’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for WSCC is $2,897 for tennessee nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Nursing at WSCC

#6

Chattanooga State Community College

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Chattanooga State Community College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and it awarded 167 ’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Chattanooga State Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Nursing Schools in Tennessee” list. The estimated yearly cost for Chattanooga State Community College is $5,986 for Tennessee Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Nursing at Chattanooga State Community College

#7

Roane State Community College

Harriman, Tennessee

Roane State Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. Harriman, Tennessee is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s nursing degrees to 80 students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $3,322 for tennessee nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Roane State Community College.

Full Roane State Community College Nursing Report

Pellissippi State Community College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. Pellissippi State Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Knoxville, Tennessee. It awarded 76 ’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Pellissippi State Community College is $4,880 for Tennessee Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Pellissippi State Community College Nursing Report

#9

Columbia State Community College

Columbia, Tennessee

Columbia State Community College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. Columbia, Tennessee is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s nursing degrees to 77 students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Columbia State Community College is $5,816 for Tennessee Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Nursing at Columbia State Community College

The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga is a public institution located in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 179 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Chattanooga also took the #8 spot in our “Best Nursing Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga is $8,108 for tennessee nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Nursing at The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga

#11

Jackson State Community College

Jackson, Tennessee

Jackson State Community College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. Jackson State Community College is a public institution located in Jackson, Tennessee. The school has a small population, and it awarded 79 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our tennessee nursing students whose families make $0-$30k list, JSCC has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Nursing Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend JSCC is $7,421 for tennessee nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Nursing at Jackson State Community College

#12

Motlow State Community College

Tullahoma, Tennessee

Motlow State Community College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Motlow is a medium-sized public school situated in Tullahoma, Tennessee. It awarded 61 ’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Motlow is $6,004 for tennessee nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Nursing at Motlow

#13

Northeast State Community College

Blountville, Tennessee

Northeast State Community College landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Northeast State Technical Community College is a medium-sized school located in Blountville, Tennessee that handed out 46 ’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Northeast State Technical Community College is $5,680 for Tennessee Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Nursing at Northeast State Community College

The University of Tennessee - Knoxville did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. Knoxville, Tennessee is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s nursing degrees to 298 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UT Knoxville, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Nursing Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for The University of Tennessee - Knoxville is $10,224 for Tennessee Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Read more about Nursing at The University of Tennessee - Knoxville

#15

Tennessee Wesleyan University

Athens, Tennessee

Tennessee Wesleyan University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. TWU is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Athens, Tennessee. It awarded 76 ’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Tennessee Wesleyan University is $10,002 for tennessee nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Nursing at TWU

#16

Middle Tennessee State University

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Middle Tennessee State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. Murfreesboro, Tennessee is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s nursing degrees to 150 students in 2019-2020.

Middle Tennessee State University also took the #19 spot in our “Best Nursing Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Middle Tennessee State University is $8,919 for tennessee nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Middle Tennessee State University Nursing Report

#17

Nashville State Community College

Nashville, Tennessee

Nashville State Community College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. Nashville State Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Nashville, Tennessee. It awarded 34 ’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $7,139 for tennessee nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Nashville State Community College.

Full Nashville State Community College Nursing Report

#18

Christian Brothers University

Memphis, Tennessee

With a ranking of #18, Christian Brothers University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Memphis, Tennessee, and it awarded 4 ’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Christian Brothers also made our “Best Nursing Schools in Tennessee” list, coming in at #16. The yearly cost to attend Christian Brothers University is $9,496 for Tennessee Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Nursing at Christian Brothers University

#19

Lincoln Memorial University

Harrogate, Tennessee

Lincoln Memorial University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. LMU is a small school located in Harrogate, Tennessee that handed out 424 ’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at LMU, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Nursing Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Lincoln Memorial University is $9,736 for Tennessee Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full LMU Nursing Report

With a ranking of #20, The University of Tennessee - Martin did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. UT Martin is a public institution located in Martin, Tennessee. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 59 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $7,524 for tennessee nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UT Martin.

Full UT Martin Nursing Report

#21

East Tennessee State University

Johnson City, Tennessee

East Tennessee State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #21. Located in Johnson City, Tennessee, this fairly large public school awarded 628 degrees to qualified ’s nursing students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at ETSU, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Nursing Schools in Tennessee” ranking. It costs about $10,632 for tennessee nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend East Tennessee State University.

Read full report on Nursing at ETSU

#22

Tennessee Technological University

Cookeville, Tennessee

Tennessee Technological University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. Tennessee Tech University is a fairly large public school situated in Cookeville, Tennessee. It awarded 148 ’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our tennessee nursing students whose families make $0-$30k list, Tennessee Tech University has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Nursing Schools in Tennessee” ranking. It costs about $11,641 for tennessee nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Tennessee Technological University.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Tennessee Technological University Nursing Report

#23

Cleveland State Community College

Cleveland, Tennessee

Cleveland State Community College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Cleveland State Community College is a public institution located in Cleveland, Tennessee. The school has a small population, and it awarded 27 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Cleveland State Community College is $4,278 for tennessee nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Nursing at Cleveland State Community College

#24

University of Memphis

Memphis, Tennessee

University of Memphis landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UofM is a public institution located in Memphis, Tennessee. The school has a large population, and it awarded 340 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UofM did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Nursing Schools in Tennessee” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Memphis is $10,256 for Tennessee Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Nursing at UofM

#25

Freed-Hardeman University

Henderson, Tennessee

Freed-Hardeman University landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Henderson, Tennessee, and it awarded 50 ’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

FHU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Nursing Schools in Tennessee” list. It costs about $13,512 for tennessee nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend FHU.

Read full report on Nursing at FHU

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Notes and References

References

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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