Nursing in Tennessee

Tennessee’s nursing schools are unevenly distributed across the state, with a high concentration in the Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville metro areas. There are 88 nursing programs located in 83 cities.

The state’s overall NCLEX pass rate has improved steadily, hitting about 90.3% in recent years. However, pass rates vary widely by program, ranging from about 86% to nearly 95%. Some of the lower rates are linked to smaller or for-profit institutions that have struggled to maintain consistent academic quality. Public community colleges and university-affiliated programs generally perform better. This variation means you should carefully review individual school outcomes when choosing where to apply.

Tennessee is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact. This means you can apply for one multistate nursing license and work in other compact states without extra licensure, a real advantage given Tennessee’s central location next to five compact states, including Kentucky and Virginia. This flexibility may open broader job options and ease transitions between states if you decide to move.

The nursing job market in Tennessee is stable but competitive, especially in urban hospitals like Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis. Registered nurses earn an average of $78,240 annually, but salaries vary significantly, from about $55,500 in rural areas to near $98,000 in specialized roles or large cities. Advanced practice nurses, such as nurse practitioners and CRNAs, earn notably higher salaries. However, Tennessee’s modest cost of living means RN salaries generally support a comfortable lifestyle, though housing costs have risen recently in metro areas.

Tuition costs differ by program type and institution. LPN programs at community colleges generally range from $5,000 to $7,000 per year, ADN programs often cost between $8,000 and $15,000, while BSN degrees at public universities vary from $10,000 to $20,000 a year in tuition. Private schools command higher fees, sometimes two to three times state school costs. The availability of affordable community college programs helps many Tennesseans enter nursing without excessive debt.

This page organizes nursing programs by type so you can find the option best matched to your goals and location. You will also find up-to-date NCLEX pass rate charts to compare state and national trends, plus a curated list of scholarships for Tennessee students to help manage education expenses.