2027 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Tennessee
[Registered Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/registered-nursing/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong registered nursing education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 44 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value registered nursing schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Tennessee
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the registered nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
For return on investment in registered nursing, no school beat Dyersburg State Community College this year. Located in the town of Dyersburg, Dyersburg State Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,758, compared with $18,060 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $13,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Dyersburg State Community College generally make around $74,386. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in registered nursing will find it at Roane State Community College, which ranked #2. Roane State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Harriman. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,998, compared with $18,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,518 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Roane State Community College generally make around $56,446. That is a strong return on a $11,518 median debt.
Southwest Tennessee Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Memphis, Southwest Tennessee Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,766, while out-of-state students pay about $17,750. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $16,593. Registered Nursing graduates of Southwest Tennessee Community College earn a median of $72,913 early in their careers. Set against $16,593 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbia State Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Columbia State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Columbia. Students from in state pay about $4,948 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,772 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $18,841. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Columbia State Community College generally make around $65,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in registered nursing will find it at Chattanooga State Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Chattanooga, Chattanooga State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,772, compared with $17,756 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,253 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Chattanooga State Community College generally make around $64,950. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pellissippi State Community College landed the #6 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the suburb of Knoxville, Pellissippi State Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,786, while out-of-state students pay about $17,770. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,000 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $55,217. Set against $16,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Walters State Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Walters State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Morristown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,752, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $8,429. Registered Nursing graduates of Walters State Community College earn a median of $57,329 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,429 median debt.
Jackson State Community College landed the #8 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the city of Jackson, Jackson State Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,740, while out-of-state students pay about $17,724. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $8,450. Registered Nursing graduates of Jackson State Community College earn a median of $66,385 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cleveland State Community College landed the #9 spot for registered nursing value this year. Cleveland State Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Cleveland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,762, while out-of-state students pay about $17,746. Students borrow a median of $8,742 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Cleveland State Community College generally make around $69,229. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeast State Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the rural area of Blountville, Northeast State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,782, compared with $17,766 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $6,511 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $65,160. That is a strong return on a $6,511 median debt.
Volunteer State Community College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Volunteer State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Gallatin. Students from in state pay about $4,756 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,740. Students borrow a median of $12,462 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $40,137. Set against $12,462 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Christian Brothers University placed #12 among the best values for registered nursing. Christian Brothers University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Memphis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,420. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $32,416. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $51,040. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Nashville State Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Nashville State Community College is a large public school located in the city of Nashville. In-state tuition and fees average $4,730, while out-of-state students pay about $17,714. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $25,500. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $63,235. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Austin Peay State University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,006, with out-of-state students paying around $14,766. Students borrow a median of $27,576 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Austin Peay State University earn a median of $82,509 early in their careers. Set against $27,576 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The University Of Tennessee Martin placed #15 among the best values for registered nursing. The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Martin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,560, compared with $16,600 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,231 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of The University Of Tennessee Martin earn a median of $71,727 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,231 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Memphis earned the #16 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,728, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,168 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $86,186 early in their careers. Set against $27,168 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Baptist Memorial College Of Health Sciences came in at #17 for value in registered nursing this year. Baptist Memorial College Of Health Sciences is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Memphis. In-state tuition and fees average $13,796. Students borrow a median of $47,500 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $74,962. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Baptist Memorial College Of Health Sciences admits about 82% of applicants.
Tennessee Technological University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,376, with out-of-state students paying around $15,576. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $18,349. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Tennessee Technological University generally make around $77,364. That is a strong return on a $18,349 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Vanderbilt University landed the #19 spot for registered nursing value this year. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,498. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $13,975. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $125,565. That is a strong return on a $13,975 median debt. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.
Middle Tennessee State University placed #20 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,266, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Students borrow a median of $27,884 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $79,030. Set against $27,884 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga came in at #21 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,448, compared with $18,512 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $23,558. Registered Nursing graduates of The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earn a median of $108,081 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga admits about 81% of applicants.
Martin Methodist College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the town of Pulaski, Martin Methodist College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $10,924 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,683 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $67,349. Set against $25,683 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Motlow State Community College placed #23 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the rural area of Tullahoma, Motlow State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,738, compared with $17,722 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,086 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $66,609. That is a strong return on a $7,086 median debt.
East Tennessee State University earned the #24 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,216, with out-of-state students paying around $13,726. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $25,091. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $89,640. That is a strong return on a $25,091 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Tennessee Wesleyan College placed #25 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the town of Athens, Tennessee Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $30,814. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $29,750. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $58,859. That is a strong return on a $29,750 median debt. Tennessee Wesleyan College admits about 69% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 44 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for registered nursing this year:
More Registered Nursing Rankings
View All Registered Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 44 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 44 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
