2027 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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 45 schools to find the best for registered nursing students.
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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
Vanderbilt University tops our 2027 ranking of the best registered nursing schools. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Vanderbilt University graduates 94% of students within six years. About 29 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Vanderbilt University in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $125,565 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Vanderbilt University
A rank of #2 makes The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center one of the top schools for registered nursing. Located in the city of Memphis, The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center is a mid-sized public university. The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center awarded about 138 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center generally make around $96,631. The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center graduates carry a median of $29,537 in student loans.
See the full registered nursing program report for The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center
The University Of Tennessee is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in registered nursing, ranking #3. This very large public university is located in the city of Knoxville. The University Of Tennessee graduates 74% of students within six years. There were roughly 333 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Tennessee 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.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from The University Of Tennessee
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 107 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. Students borrow a median of $13,500 to complete this degree.
See the full registered nursing program report for Dyersburg State Community College
Belmont University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. About 136 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Belmont University in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of Belmont University earn a median of $80,864 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,625.
See the full registered nursing program report for Belmont University
East Tennessee State University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public university. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 397 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at East Tennessee State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from East Tennessee State University generally make around $89,640. East Tennessee State University graduates carry a median of $25,091 in student loans.
See the full registered nursing program report for East Tennessee State University
Union University landed the #7 spot for registered nursing this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Jackson. About 66% of students finish within six years. Union University awarded about 90 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Union University earn around $118,489 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $29,127 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Union University
Tennessee Technological University came in at #8 for registered nursing this year. Tennessee Technological University is a large public school located in the town of Cookeville. About 58% of students finish within six years. Tennessee Technological University awarded about 165 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Tennessee Technological University earn a median of $77,364 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,349 to complete this degree.
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Trevecca Nazarene University placed #9 among the best registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Nashville, Trevecca Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. Trevecca Nazarene University awarded about 13 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Trevecca Nazarene University earn a median of $69,533 early in their careers. Trevecca Nazarene University graduates carry a median of $24,962 in student loans.
See the full registered nursing program report for Trevecca Nazarene University
Christian Brothers University landed the #10 spot for registered nursing this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Memphis. Christian Brothers University graduates 55% of students within six years. There were roughly 35 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Christian Brothers University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $51,040 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $32,416.
See the full registered nursing program report for Christian Brothers University
University Of Memphis landed the #11 spot for registered nursing this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Memphis. About 51% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 360 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Memphis in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $86,186. Typical student debt for the program is $27,168.
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Chattanooga State Community College placed #12 among the best registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Chattanooga, Chattanooga State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Chattanooga State Community College awarded about 173 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Chattanooga State Community College earn a median of $64,950 early in their careers. Chattanooga State Community College graduates carry a median of $16,253 in student loans.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Chattanooga State Community College
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earned the #13 position for registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. There were roughly 154 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $108,081 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,558.
Read more about the registered nursing program at The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga
Walters State Community College landed the #14 spot for registered nursing this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Morristown. About 120 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Walters State Community College in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of Walters State Community College earn a median of $57,329 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $8,429 to complete this degree.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Walters State Community College
Southwest Tennessee Community College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. Southwest Tennessee Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Memphis. Southwest Tennessee Community College awarded about 83 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Southwest Tennessee Community College earn a median of $72,913 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,593 to complete this degree.
See the full registered nursing program report for Southwest Tennessee Community College
Jackson State Community College placed #16 among the best registered nursing schools. Jackson State Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Jackson. Jackson State Community College awarded about 74 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $66,385 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,450.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Jackson State Community College
Volunteer State Community College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Gallatin, Volunteer State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 55 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Volunteer State Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Volunteer State Community College earn around $40,137 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,462.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Volunteer State Community College
Lipscomb University earned the #18 position for registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Lipscomb University graduates 72% of students within six years. About 69 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Lipscomb University in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of Lipscomb University earn a median of $64,954 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,623 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Lipscomb University
Roane State Community College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. Located in the town of Harriman, Roane State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Roane State Community College awarded about 83 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Roane State Community College earn around $56,446 in the first couple years of their career. Roane State Community College graduates carry a median of $11,518 in student loans.
See the full registered nursing program report for Roane State Community College
The University Of Tennessee Martin ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Martin. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. The University Of Tennessee Martin awarded about 47 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of The University Of Tennessee Martin earn a median of $71,727 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,231.
See the full registered nursing program report for The University Of Tennessee Martin
Motlow State Community College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. Set in the rural area of Tullahoma, Motlow State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 40 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Motlow State Community College in the most recent 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.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Motlow State Community College
Lincoln Memorial University earned the #22 position for registered nursing this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Harrogate. The six-year graduation rate is 47%. There were roughly 171 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Lincoln Memorial University in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Lincoln Memorial University earn a median of $70,403 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,375 to complete this degree.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Lincoln Memorial University
Carson Newman College landed the #23 spot for registered nursing this year. 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 20 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.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Carson Newman College
Northeast State Community College earned the #24 position for registered nursing this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the rural area of Blountville. Northeast State Community College awarded about 69 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Northeast State Community College earn a median of $65,160 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $6,511 to complete this degree.
See the full registered nursing program report for Northeast State Community College
Cleveland State Community College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State Community College is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 56 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Cleveland State Community College in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Cleveland State Community College earn a median of $69,229 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $8,742.
Get the full registered nursing details for Cleveland State Community College
Rest of the Top 45 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
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 45 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.
