2026 Best Value Nursing Schools in Tennessee
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 51 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for nursing students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Nursing Schools in Tennessee
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Nursing Schools
Dyersburg State Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools in Tennessee. Located in the town of Dyersburg, Dyersburg State Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,758 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,060 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,500 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Dyersburg State Community College earn a median of $74,386 early in their careers. Set against $13,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Walters State Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Morristown, Walters State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,752 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,736 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $8,429 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Walters State Community College earn a median of $57,329 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Southwest Tennessee Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Memphis, Southwest Tennessee Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,766, with out-of-state students paying around $17,750. Students borrow a median of $16,593 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Southwest Tennessee Community College generally make around $72,913. Set against $16,593 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbia State Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Columbia State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Columbia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,948, while out-of-state students pay about $17,772. Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,841 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Columbia State Community College generally make around $65,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chattanooga State Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the city of Chattanooga, Chattanooga State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,772, with out-of-state students paying around $17,756. Students borrow a median of $16,253 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Chattanooga State Community College earn a median of $64,950 early in their careers. Set against $16,253 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pellissippi State Community College earned the #6 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Knoxville, Pellissippi State Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,786, with out-of-state students paying around $17,770. Students borrow a median of $16,000 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Pellissippi State Community College earn a median of $55,217 early in their careers. Set against $16,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast State Community College placed #7 among the best values for nursing. Located in the rural area of Blountville, Northeast State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,782, with out-of-state students paying around $17,766. Nursing graduates carry a median of $6,511 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Northeast State Community College earn a median of $65,160 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,511 median debt.
Roane State Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Roane State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Harriman. Students from in state pay about $4,998 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,630. Students borrow a median of $11,518 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Roane State Community College earn a median of $56,446 early in their careers. Set against $11,518 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Jackson State Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the city of Jackson, Jackson State Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,740, with out-of-state students paying around $17,724. Students borrow a median of $8,450 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Jackson State Community College generally make around $66,385. That is a strong return on a $8,450 median debt.
Cleveland State Community College earned the #10 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,762, compared with $17,746 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,742 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Cleveland State Community College earn a median of $69,229 early in their careers. Set against $8,742 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Motlow State Community College came in at #11 for value in nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Tullahoma, Motlow State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,738, with out-of-state students paying around $17,722. Students borrow a median of $7,086 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $66,609. That is a strong return on a $7,086 median debt.
The University Of Tennessee Martin earned the #12 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,560, while out-of-state students pay about $16,600. Students borrow a median of $25,231 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $71,727. That is a strong return on a $25,231 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Nashville State Community College earned the #13 position for value in nursing this year. Nashville State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Nashville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,730, compared with $17,714 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $63,235. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Christian Brothers University earned the #14 position for value in nursing this year. Christian Brothers University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Memphis. Students from in state pay about $38,420 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $32,416 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Christian Brothers University generally make around $51,040. That is a strong return on a $32,416 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Volunteer State Community College earned the #15 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Gallatin, Volunteer State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,756, compared with $17,740 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $12,462. Early-career nursing graduates make about $40,137. That is a strong return on a $12,462 median debt.
Tennessee State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,616 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,416. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Tennessee State University generally make around $81,040. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Middle Tennessee State University placed #17 among the best values for nursing. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. Students from in state pay about $10,266 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,884 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $79,030. That is a strong return on a $27,884 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga came in at #18 for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,448 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,512. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $23,558. Nursing graduates of The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earn a median of $108,081 early in their careers. Set against $23,558 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
University Of Memphis earned the #19 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,728, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $27,168. Nursing graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $86,186 early in their careers. Set against $27,168 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Tennessee Technological University landed the #20 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,376, with out-of-state students paying around $15,576. Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,349 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Tennessee Technological University generally make around $77,364. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Baptist Memorial College Of Health Sciences came in at #21 for value in nursing this year. Baptist Memorial College Of Health Sciences is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Memphis. In-state tuition and fees average $13,796. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $47,500. Early-career nursing graduates make about $74,962. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Austin Peay State University came in at #22 for value in nursing this year. Austin Peay State University is a large public school located in the city of Clarksville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,006, while out-of-state students pay about $14,766. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $27,576. Nursing graduates of Austin Peay State University earn a median of $82,509 early in their careers. Set against $27,576 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
East Tennessee State University earned the #23 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,216, while out-of-state students pay about $13,726. Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,091 in student loans. Nursing graduates of East Tennessee State University earn a median of $89,640 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,091 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Tennessee Wesleyan College came in at #24 for value in nursing this year. Located in the town of Athens, Tennessee Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,814. Nursing graduates carry a median of $29,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Tennessee Wesleyan College generally make around $58,859. That is a strong return on a $29,750 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee earned the #25 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Nursing graduates carry a median of $23,292 in student loans. Nursing graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $97,755 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,292 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Rest of the Top 43 Best Value Nursing Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in nursing:
View All Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 51 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 40 ranked schools only.
- 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.
