2026 Best Registered Nursing Schools in Tennessee
Registered Nursing degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their registered nursing programs.
College Factual analyzed 50 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best registered nursing schools.
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Best Schools for Registered Nursing in Tennessee
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall registered nursing education in Tennessee.
Top Schools in Registered Nursing
Our analysis ranked Vanderbilt University the best school in the country for a degree in registered nursing. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Vanderbilt University awarded about 30 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Vanderbilt University earn around $125,565 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Vanderbilt University
The University Of Tennessee is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in registered nursing, ranking #2. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. About 74% of students finish within six years. The University Of Tennessee awarded about 256 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $97,755 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,292 to complete this degree.
See the full registered nursing program report for The University Of Tennessee
A rank of #3 makes The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center one of the top schools for registered nursing. Set in the city of Memphis, The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center is a mid-sized public institution. The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center awarded about 98 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center earn around $96,631 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $29,537 to complete this degree.
Read more about the registered nursing program at The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center
Students looking for a strong registered nursing program will find one at Dyersburg State Community College, which ranked #4. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Dyersburg. There were roughly 106 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Dyersburg State Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Dyersburg State Community College earn around $74,386 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,500.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Dyersburg State Community College
Belmont University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 190 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Belmont University in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Belmont University earn around $80,864 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,625 to complete this degree.
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Christian Brothers University landed the #6 spot for registered nursing this year. Christian Brothers University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Memphis. About 55% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 45 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Christian Brothers University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Christian Brothers University earn around $51,040 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $32,416.
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East Tennessee State University earned the #7 position for registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. East Tennessee State University awarded about 518 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of East Tennessee State University earn a median of $89,640 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,091.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from East Tennessee State University
Union University came in at #8 for registered nursing this year. Union University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Jackson. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 120 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Union University in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Union University earn a median of $118,489 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $29,127 to complete this degree.
See the full registered nursing program report for Union University
Motlow State Community College landed the #9 spot for registered nursing this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the rural area of Tullahoma. There were roughly 60 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Motlow State Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $66,609 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $7,086 to complete this degree.
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Tennessee Technological University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Located in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public university. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. Tennessee Technological University awarded about 184 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Tennessee Technological University earn around $77,364 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,349.
See the full registered nursing program report for Tennessee Technological University
University Of Memphis placed #11 among the best registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public university. About 51% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 381 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Memphis in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $86,186 in their early career. University Of Memphis graduates carry a median of $27,168 in student loans.
See the full registered nursing program report for University Of Memphis
Jackson State Community College came in at #12 for registered nursing this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Jackson. There were roughly 66 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Jackson State Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Jackson State Community College generally make around $66,385. Students borrow a median of $8,450 to complete this degree.
See the full registered nursing program report for Jackson State Community College
Volunteer State Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Gallatin. Volunteer State Community College awarded about 47 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Volunteer State Community College earn a median of $40,137 early in their careers. Volunteer State Community College graduates carry a median of $12,462 in student loans.
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The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga landed the #14 spot for registered nursing this year. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public school located in the city of Chattanooga. About 50% of students finish within six years. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga awarded about 120 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earn around $108,081 in the first couple years of their career. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga graduates carry a median of $23,558 in student loans.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga
Lipscomb University placed #15 among the best registered nursing schools. Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. About 70 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Lipscomb University in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Lipscomb University earn around $64,954 in the first couple years of their career. Lipscomb University graduates carry a median of $26,623 in student loans.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Lipscomb University
Southwest Tennessee Community College landed the #16 spot for registered nursing this year. Southwest Tennessee Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Memphis. Southwest Tennessee Community College awarded about 80 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Southwest Tennessee Community College earn around $72,913 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,593.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Southwest Tennessee Community College
Walters State Community College came in at #17 for registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Morristown, Walters State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 109 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Walters State Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $57,329 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,429.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Walters State Community College
The University Of Tennessee Martin earned the #18 position for registered nursing this year. Set in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public institution. About 52% of students finish within six years. About 46 registered nursing degrees were awarded at The University Of Tennessee Martin in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee Martin generally make around $71,727. Typical student debt for the program is $25,231.
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Chattanooga State Community College placed #19 among the best registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Chattanooga, Chattanooga State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 85 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Chattanooga State Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Chattanooga State Community College earn around $64,950 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,253.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Chattanooga State Community College
Lee University placed #20 among the best registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Cleveland, Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Lee University graduates 63% of students within six years. Lee University awarded about 54 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $67,930 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,300.
See the full registered nursing program report for Lee University
Middle Tennessee State University came in at #21 for registered nursing this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Murfreesboro. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. There were roughly 128 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Middle Tennessee State University in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $79,030 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,884.
See the full registered nursing program report for Middle Tennessee State University
Roane State Community College landed the #22 spot for registered nursing this year. Located in the town of Harriman, Roane State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 60 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Roane State Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Roane State Community College generally make around $56,446. Students borrow a median of $11,518 to complete this degree.
See the full registered nursing program report for Roane State Community College
King College came in at #23 for registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Bristol, King College is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 53 registered nursing degrees were awarded at King College in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of King College earn a median of $77,837 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
See the full registered nursing program report for King College
Carson Newman College placed #24 among the best registered nursing schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Jefferson City. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. Carson Newman College awarded about 36 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $74,145 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Carson Newman College
Cumberland University came in at #25 for registered nursing this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Lebanon. The six-year graduation rate is 42%. There were roughly 65 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Cumberland University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $67,094 in their early career. Cumberland University graduates carry a median of $29,250 in student loans.
See the full registered nursing program report for Cumberland University
Rest of the Top 44 Registered Nursing Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong registered nursing education:
More Registered Nursing Rankings
View All Registered Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 50 schools evaluated.
- 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.
