2026 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Tennessee
[Registered Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/registered-nursing/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong registered nursing education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 50 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for registered nursing students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Tennessee
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in registered nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
Dyersburg State Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value registered 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 registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Dyersburg State Community College generally make around $74,386. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Walters State Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Walters State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Morristown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,752, compared with $17,736 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $8,429. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $57,329. Set against $8,429 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in registered nursing will find it at Southwest Tennessee Community College, which ranked #3. Southwest Tennessee Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Memphis. In-state tuition and fees average $4,766, with out-of-state students paying around $17,750. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $16,593. Soon after graduation, registered 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.
Students looking for strong value in registered nursing will find it at Columbia State Community College, which ranked #4. Columbia State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Columbia. Students from in state pay about $4,948 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,772 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,841 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $65,077. Set against $18,841 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in registered nursing will find it at Chattanooga State Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Chattanooga, Chattanooga State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,772, while out-of-state students pay about $17,756. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $16,253. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $64,950. That is a strong return on a $16,253 median debt.
Pellissippi State Community College placed #6 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the suburb of Knoxville, Pellissippi State Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,786, with out-of-state students paying around $17,770. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $16,000. Registered Nursing graduates of Pellissippi State Community College earn a median of $55,217 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeast State Community College placed #7 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the rural area of Blountville, Northeast State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,782, while out-of-state students pay about $17,766. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $6,511 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $65,160. That is a strong return on a $6,511 median debt.
Roane State Community College placed #8 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the town of Harriman, Roane State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,998, while out-of-state students pay about $18,630. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $11,518 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $56,446. Set against $11,518 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Jackson State Community College earned the #9 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Jackson, Jackson State Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,740, compared with $17,724 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $8,450. Registered Nursing graduates of Jackson State Community College earn a median of $66,385 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,450 median debt.
Cleveland State Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,762 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,746. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $8,742. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $69,229. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Motlow State Community College earned the #11 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Tullahoma, Motlow State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,738, with out-of-state students paying around $17,722. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $7,086. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $66,609. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Tennessee Martin came in at #12 for value in registered 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, compared with $16,600 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $25,231. Registered Nursing graduates of The University Of Tennessee Martin earn a median of $71,727 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,231 median debt. The University Of Tennessee Martin admits about 88% of applicants.
Nashville State Community College landed the #13 spot for registered nursing value this year. Nashville State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Nashville. In-state tuition and fees average $4,730, compared with $17,714 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $25,500. Registered Nursing graduates of Nashville State Community College earn a median of $63,235 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt.
Christian Brothers University landed the #14 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the city of Memphis, Christian Brothers University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,420. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $32,416. Registered Nursing graduates of Christian Brothers University earn a median of $51,040 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Christian Brothers University admits about 87% of applicants.
Volunteer State Community College placed #15 among the best values for registered nursing. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $17,740. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $12,462 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $40,137. Set against $12,462 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tennessee State University placed #16 among the best values for registered nursing. Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Nashville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $22,416. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Tennessee State University earn a median of $81,040 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Middle Tennessee State University landed the #17 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,266, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Students borrow a median of $27,884 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $79,030 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,884 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga landed the #18 spot for registered nursing value this year. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public school located in the city of Chattanooga. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,448, while out-of-state students pay about $18,512. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $23,558. Registered Nursing graduates of The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earn a median of $108,081 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,558 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Memphis placed #19 among the best values for registered nursing. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,728, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,168 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $86,186. Set against $27,168 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Tennessee Technological University came in at #20 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,376 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,576. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $18,349. Soon after graduation, registered 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 earned the #21 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Memphis, Baptist Memorial College Of Health Sciences is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,796. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $47,500. Registered Nursing graduates of Baptist Memorial College Of Health Sciences earn a median of $74,962 early in their careers. Set against $47,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Austin Peay State University earned the #22 position for value in registered nursing this year. Austin Peay State University is a large public school located in the city of Clarksville. Students from in state pay about $9,006 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,766. Students borrow a median of $27,576 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Austin Peay State University earn a median of $82,509 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,576 median debt. Austin Peay State University admits about 96% of applicants.
East Tennessee State University came in at #23 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,216 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,726. Students borrow a median of $25,091 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of East Tennessee State University earn a median of $89,640 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Tennessee Wesleyan College placed #24 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the town of Athens, Tennessee Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $30,814. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $29,750 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Tennessee Wesleyan College earn a median of $58,859 early in their careers. Set against $29,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Tennessee Wesleyan College admits about 69% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,812 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Students borrow a median of $23,292 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $97,755. That is a strong return on a $23,292 median debt. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 43 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for registered nursing this year:
More Registered Nursing Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 50 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.
