Top 10 Best Nursing Schools in Tennessee

Based in Chattanooga and just a short drive from Georgia is the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. With nearly 10,000 full-time students, nursing students who choose UTC get to enjoy an urban campus and the benefits of a large school. While the School of Nursing isn't the largest in the state, students can complete nearly any degree through UTC.

Available programs include a traditional BSN, an online RN-BSN, two master's of science in nursing (MSN) programs, and a doctor of nursing practice (DNP). First-time NCLEX pass rates are impressive; every student who completed the BSN eventually passed the NCLEX. 

Based in Cookeville, Tennessee, Technological University structures its curriculum and programs to maximize students' chances of finding a job after graduation. Students who earn a nursing degree through the Whitson-Hester School of Nursing graduate ready to enter a high-demand field. Recent NCLEX pass rates for the traditional BSN are impressive, and Tennessee Tech offers an affordable in-state tuition rate to Tennessee residents. Current RNs can take advantage of an RN-BSN or RN-MSN, both of which can boost your income. 

With just over 2,000 students, Union University offers a small, private university experience. Union's main campus is based in Jackson, though it has additional Hendersonville, Germantown, and Memphis campuses. While earning a BSN from Union, students will first complete 65 credit hours of core courses, followed by 64 nursing credit hours. This is generally split evenly over the four-year degree, so students take most of their nursing courses during their junior and senior years. Upon graduation, nurses either enter the workforce or continue their education and earn an MSN or DNP.

The University of Tennessee Knoxville is one of the oldest universities in the nation, founded over 200 years ago. Since its establishment, UT Knoxville -- often referred to as "Tennessee" -- has grown into the flagship university in the University of Tennessee System and one of the top universities in the nation.

The College of Nursing matches the academic excellence of UT Knoxville, and undergraduate students can choose from the traditional BSN, an online RN-BSN, an accelerated BSN, or the Honors Program. UT Knoxville is highly competitive despite admitting 100 BSN students annually.

Middle Tennessee State University is a large, public research school based in Murfreesboro. MTSU has a reputation for being an affordable, quality school for Tennessee residents, though students from out-of-state can take advantage of its excellent programs. The School of Nursing offers two programs: a traditional, four-year BSN and an MSN with a concentration in family nurse practitioner (FNP). The MSN leads to a high-paying and high-demand field, so current or future nurses looking to specialize in their practice may be interested in the program. 

Founded based on President Abraham Lincoln's vision to create a great university in the Cumberland Gap, Lincoln Memorial University brings quality education to the region. Based in the Appalachian city of Harrogate, LMU students study at one of the most scenic campuses in the area and benefit from a tight-knit community.

Students of the Caylor School of Nursing can choose a traditional or accelerated 17-month BSN and have the option to study at LMU's extended campus in Tampa, Florida. Keep in mind that studying in Florida meets Florida's nursing requirements and may not meet Tennessee's. 

Belmont University is a private Christian school that prides itself on innovation. With over 8,400 students, Belmont is a decently sized private school, though students still enjoy a 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio and the chance to study in Nashville.

Belmont's innovation extends to the BSN program, where students can choose a traditional four-year degree or one of two accelerated formats (a 16-month or 21-month BSN). Also offered are an MSN and a DNP with a focus on an FNP.  Belmont University's Partners in Nursing program provides a specialized transfer opportunity for students on track to complete an Associate of Science degree at several local community colleges. 

Another private Christian school, Bethel University, is based in McKenzie. Bethel emphasizes community, and while the school is religious, students from all backgrounds enjoy their time at Bethel.

Additionally, the undergraduate nursing program doesn't mix religious values and medicine, instead focusing on tried-and-true nursing practices. The result is one of the only nursing schools in the nation to achieve a 100% NCLEX pass rate for grads, and graduates over the past four years have averaged over a 95% pass rate.

Lipscomb University is a private school based in the bustling city of Nashville. Consistently ranked among the best Christian schools in the US, Lipscomb forgoes a large student body in favor of a lower student-to-faculty ratio. The benefits of a small school are clear to nursing students who receive a more personalized education when they have fewer students to compete with. In the past four years, Lipscomb has lowered its admitted students from roughly 65 per year to just 37. The result has been a jump in NCLEX pass rates, though this change might make admission into the program more difficult.

Founded in 1912, the University of Memphis teaches over 20,000 students across its 1,600-acre campus in Memphis. Most nursing students will complete the traditional BSN, a five-semester program that begins after students complete three semesters of prerequisite courses. Perhaps the most impressive part of Memphis' nursing program is maintaining a good NCLEX pass rate despite increasing the number of admitted nursing students from 153 to 258 earlier in the decade. The dramatic increase in the number of nursing students makes the program at the University of Memphis easier to get into than other nursing programs in Tennessee.