by our College Data Analytics Team
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 16 schools to find where nursing graduates earn the most.
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If you want to know which schools send nursing graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga the top school for nursing graduate earnings in Tennessee. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a public school located in the city of Chattanooga. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga typically earn about $163,373 annually.
Union University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Jackson, Union University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career nursing graduates from Union University make a median of around $113,834 per year.
Vanderbilt University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $123,921.
The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center produces some of the highest-paid graduates in nursing, landing the #4 spot this year. The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center is a public school located in the city of Memphis. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $136,674.
Students chasing top earnings in nursing will find them at Southern Adventist University, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Collegedale, Southern Adventist University is a private not-for-profit institution. Nursing graduates of Southern Adventist University earn a median of about $123,806 a year early in their careers.
University Of Memphis came in at #6 for nursing graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a public institution. Early-career nursing graduates from University Of Memphis make a median of around $121,773 per year.
Lincoln Memorial University earned the #7 position for nursing graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Harrogate, Lincoln Memorial University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career nursing graduates from Lincoln Memorial University make a median of around $119,668 per year.
Austin Peay State University landed the #8 spot for nursing salaries this year. Set in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a public institution. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $107,487.
East Tennessee State University came in at #9 for nursing graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a public institution. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from East Tennessee State University typically earn about $110,245 annually.
Tennessee State University placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for nursing. Tennessee State University is a public school located in the city of Nashville. Nursing graduates of Tennessee State University earn a median of about $106,173 a year early in their careers.
Carson Newman College placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for nursing. Located in the suburb of Jefferson City, Carson Newman College is a private not-for-profit institution. Nursing graduates of Carson Newman College earn a median of about $110,714 a year early in their careers.
Belmont University placed #12 among the highest-paying schools for nursing. Set in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career nursing graduates from Belmont University make a median of around $102,708 per year.
Middle Tennessee State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a public institution. Early-career nursing graduates from Middle Tennessee State University make a median of around $104,156 per year.
Tennessee Technological University landed the #14 spot for nursing salaries this year. Located in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a public institution. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from Tennessee Technological University typically earn about $100,700 annually.
King College earned the #15 position for nursing graduate earnings this year. King College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bristol. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $102,592.
South College placed #16 among the highest-paying schools for nursing. Located in the city of Knoxville, South College is a private for-profit institution. Nursing graduates of South College earn a median of about $88,631 a year early in their careers.
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their nursing graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 16 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.