Best Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Schools in Tennessee

Tennessee has 32 colleges offering Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 4,452 recent graduates. Graduates in Tennessee earn $55,205 on average within two years — 14% below the national average of $63,931. Lower cost of living or industry mix may explain the gap.

Schools in TN

$55,205

TN Avg. Earnings

$63,931

National Avg.

1043

Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing in Tennessee

Public Schools (10)

$54,487

avg. 2yr earnings

Private Schools (18)

$54,940

avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $453 more in early earnings on average, but typically cost more. Compare net price to determine which offers better ROI.

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Schools in Tennessee, Ranked by Earnings

Strayer University-Tennessee

Memphis, TN ·

N/A

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: N/A

Tennessee State University

Nashville, TN · Public

$58,673

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $51,247

Graduates: 56

Acceptance: 92.6%

Christian Brothers University

Memphis, TN · Private

$67,660

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $68,648

Graduates: 27

Acceptance: 88.4%

Galen Health Institutes-Nashville Campus

Nashville, TN ·

$63,749

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $67,568

Graduates: 331

Acceptance: N/A

Herzing University-Nashville

Nashville, TN · Private

$60,799

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $62,336

Graduates: 374

Acceptance: 91.2%

Southern Adventist University

Collegedale, TN · Private

$53,579

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $56,507

Graduates: 107

Acceptance: 66.6%

King University

Bristol, TN · Private

$57,995

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $55,715

Graduates: 271

Acceptance: 54.4%

Milligan University

Milligan, TN · Private

$49,840

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $52,089

Graduates: 40

Acceptance: 70.3%

Baptist Health Sciences University

Memphis, TN · Private

$59,463

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $59,782

Graduates: 237

Acceptance: 67.8%

#10

Bethel University

McKenzie, TN · Private

N/A

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $57,927

Graduates: 35

Acceptance: 97.2%

#11

The University of Tennessee Health Science Center

Memphis, TN ·

$61,814

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $58,663

Graduates: 116

Acceptance: N/A

#12

Lincoln Memorial University

Harrogate, TN · Private

$47,863

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $50,361

Graduates: 145

Acceptance: 59.3%

#13

Belmont University

Nashville, TN · Private

$55,026

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $55,459

Graduates: 174

Acceptance: 96.4%

#14

Cumberland University

Lebanon, TN · Private

$56,415

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $55,549

Graduates: 207

Acceptance: 67.0%

#15

The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga

Chattanooga, TN · Public

$53,556

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $55,069

Graduates: 167

Acceptance: 77.0%

#16

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Knoxville, TN · Public

$52,584

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $51,956

Graduates: 205

Acceptance: 46.0%

#17

South College

Knoxville, TN ·

$51,482

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $48,802

Graduates: 74

Acceptance: N/A

#18

The University of Tennessee-Martin

Martin, TN · Public

$58,549

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $58,143

Graduates: 72

Acceptance: 87.3%

#19

University of Memphis

Memphis, TN · Public

$58,968

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $59,957

Graduates: 474

Acceptance: 93.4%

#20

Middle Tennessee State University

Murfreesboro, TN · Public

$55,061

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $55,209

Graduates: 176

Acceptance: 68.0%

#21

East Tennessee State University

Johnson City, TN · Public

$51,712

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $51,719

Graduates: 389

Acceptance: 87.1%

#22

Lipscomb University

Nashville, TN · Private

$53,080

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $56,287

Graduates: 62

Acceptance: 66.6%

#23

Austin Peay State University

Clarksville, TN · Public

$56,214

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $56,317

Graduates: 163

Acceptance: 96.0%

#24

Union University

Jackson, TN · Private

$58,673

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $58,095

Graduates: 166

Acceptance: 47.2%

#25

Tennessee Technological University

Cookeville, TN · Public

$51,907

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $52,571

Graduates: 170

Acceptance: 83.2%

#26

Tennessee Wesleyan University

Athens, TN · Private

Carson-Newman University

Jefferson City, TN · Private

$50,499

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $50,186

Graduates: 56

Acceptance: 68.3%

#28

Lee University

Cleveland, TN · Private

N/A

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $53,085

Graduates: 30

Acceptance: 72.2%

#29

Freed-Hardeman University

Henderson, TN · Private

$55,061

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $54,125

Graduates: 47

Acceptance: 90.6%

#30

Tusculum University

Greeneville, TN · Private

$45,361

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $54,653

Graduates: 37

Acceptance: 60.4%

#31

Trevecca Nazarene University

Nashville, TN · Private

The University of Tennessee Southern

Pulaski, TN · Public

$47,650

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $50,276

Graduates: 44

Acceptance: 82.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing in Tennessee?

Strayer University-Tennessee ranks #1 for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing in Tennessee with median graduate earnings of N/A within two years of graduation. There are 32 schools offering Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing programs in the state.

How much do Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates earn in Tennessee?

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates in Tennessee earn an average of $55,205 within two years of graduation. This is 14% below the national average of $63,931 for this major.

What is the hardest Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing school to get into in Tennessee?

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville is the most selective Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing program in Tennessee with an acceptance rate of 46.0%. The average acceptance rate across Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing programs in the state is 75.2%.

Should I attend a public or private school for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing in Tennessee?

In Tennessee, private Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing programs produce average earnings of $54,940 vs $54,487 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 10 public and 18 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in Tennessee

Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering $67,457 Chemical Engineering $66,750 Engineering, General $62,877 Computer Science $59,925 Computer Engineering $59,120 Civil Engineering $58,536 Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions $57,018 Biomedical/Medical Engineering $56,708

All colleges in Tennessee →

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing in Other States

Pennsylvania Ohio Florida New York Texas California Puerto Rico Georgia Illinois Virginia North Carolina Missouri View All →

Get Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Career Insights

We're building major-specific salary reports with ROI analysis by school. Be the first to get yours.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study file last updated June 2026. Institution-level figures elsewhere on the site come from the June 2026 release.