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

Tennessee has 28 colleges offering Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 4,013 recent graduates. Graduates in Tennessee earn $55,005 on average within two years — 14% below the national average of $64,009. Lower cost of living or industry mix may explain the gap.

School choice matters significantly: Christian Brothers University graduates earn $67,660 while Tusculum University graduates earn $45,361 — a $22,299 gap. Research each program's curriculum, employer connections, and career services before deciding.

Schools in TN

$55,005

TN Avg. Earnings

$64,009

National Avg.

896

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 (15)

$54,549

avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $62 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

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

The University of Tennessee Health Science Center

Memphis, TN ·

$61,814

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $58,663

Graduates: 116

Acceptance: N/A

Baptist Health Sciences University

Memphis, TN · Private

$59,463

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $59,782

Graduates: 237

Acceptance: 67.8%

University of Memphis

Memphis, TN · Public

$58,968

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $59,957

Graduates: 474

Acceptance: 93.4%

Tennessee State University

Nashville, TN · Public

$58,673

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $51,247

Graduates: 56

Acceptance: 92.6%

Union University

Jackson, TN · Private

$58,673

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $58,095

Graduates: 166

Acceptance: 47.2%

The University of Tennessee-Martin

Martin, TN · Public

$58,549

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $58,143

Graduates: 72

Acceptance: 87.3%

King University

Bristol, TN · Private

$57,995

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $55,715

Graduates: 271

Acceptance: 54.4%

#10

Trevecca Nazarene University

Nashville, TN · Private

Cumberland University

Lebanon, TN · Private

$56,415

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $55,549

Graduates: 207

Acceptance: 67.0%

#12

Austin Peay State University

Clarksville, TN · Public

$56,214

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $56,317

Graduates: 163

Acceptance: 96.0%

#13

Freed-Hardeman University

Henderson, TN · Private

$55,061

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $54,125

Graduates: 47

Acceptance: 90.6%

#14

Middle Tennessee State University

Murfreesboro, TN · Public

$55,061

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $55,209

Graduates: 176

Acceptance: 68.0%

#15

Belmont University

Nashville, TN · Private

$55,026

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $55,459

Graduates: 174

Acceptance: 96.4%

#16

Southern Adventist University

Collegedale, TN · Private

$53,579

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $56,507

Graduates: 107

Acceptance: 66.6%

#17

The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga

Chattanooga, TN · Public

$53,556

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $55,069

Graduates: 167

Acceptance: 77.0%

#18

Lipscomb University

Nashville, TN · Private

$53,080

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $56,287

Graduates: 62

Acceptance: 66.6%

#19

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Knoxville, TN · Public

$52,584

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $51,956

Graduates: 205

Acceptance: 46.0%

#20

Tennessee Technological University

Cookeville, TN · Public

$51,907

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $52,571

Graduates: 170

Acceptance: 83.2%

#21

East Tennessee State University

Johnson City, TN · Public

$51,712

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $51,719

Graduates: 389

Acceptance: 87.1%

#22

South College

Knoxville, TN ·

$51,482

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $48,802

Graduates: 74

Acceptance: N/A

#23

Carson-Newman University

Jefferson City, TN · Private

$50,499

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $50,186

Graduates: 56

Acceptance: 68.3%

#24

Tennessee Wesleyan University

Athens, TN · Private

Milligan University

Milligan, TN · Private

$49,840

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $52,089

Graduates: 40

Acceptance: 70.3%

#26

Lincoln Memorial University

Harrogate, TN · Private

$47,863

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $50,361

Graduates: 145

Acceptance: 59.3%

#27

The University of Tennessee Southern

Pulaski, TN · Public

$47,650

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $50,276

Graduates: 44

Acceptance: 82.7%

#28

Tusculum University

Greeneville, TN · Private

$45,361

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $54,653

Graduates: 37

Acceptance: 60.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Christian Brothers University ranks #1 for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing in Tennessee with median graduate earnings of $67,660 within two years of graduation. There are 28 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 $55,005 within two years of graduation. This is 14% below the national average of $64,009 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 73.8%.

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 $54,549 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 15 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 →

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Data updated June 2026. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.