Most Affordable Nursing Programs in Tennessee (2026)
16 nursing programs at Tennessee schools and campuses list tuition — the lowest is University of Tennessee at Knoxville's RN to BSN at $10,500 total. Online programs from 45 more out-of-state schools also enroll Tennessee residents, from $8,100.
Key takeaways for Tennessee tuition
- Tuition at Tennessee schools and campuses ranges from $10,500 to $140,000 total.
- Compare tuition against the school's board-reported NCLEX pass rate — the cheapest program is not always the best value.
Partner programs in Tennessee.
Directory totals below remain the source. These listings are sponsored.
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Compare tuition and financial aid for Tennessee nursing programs
| Program | Delivery | Length | Total tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Tennessee at KnoxvilleRN to BSNOnline · 15 months | Online | 15 mo | $10,500 |
| University of Tennessee at KnoxvilleMSN — Nursing AdministrationOnline · 24 months | Online | 24 mo | $18,000 |
| Concorde Career CollegeLPN (Practical Nursing)On Campus · 11 months | On Campus | 11 mo | $22,000 |
| University of Tennessee at KnoxvilleMSN — Family Nurse PractitionerHybrid · 30 months | Hybrid | 30 mo | $24,000 |
| Concorde Career CollegeADNOn Campus · 22 months | On Campus | 22 mo | $35,000 |
| University of Tennessee at KnoxvilleDNPHybrid · 36 months | Hybrid | 36 mo | $36,000 |
| Galen College of NursingAccelerated BSNOn Campus · 15 months | On Campus | 15 mo | $46,860 |
| Vanderbilt UniversityMSN — Family Nurse PractitionerHybrid · 30 months | Hybrid | 30 mo | $54,000 |
| Vanderbilt UniversityMSN — Psychiatric Mental Health NPHybrid · 30 months | Hybrid | 30 mo | $54,000 |
| Vanderbilt UniversityAccelerated BSNOn Campus · 12 months | On Campus | 12 mo | $55,000 |
| University of Tennessee at KnoxvilleBSN (Traditional)On Campus · 48 months | On Campus | 48 mo | $55,000 |
| Arizona College of NursingAccelerated BSNOn Campus · 28 months | On Campus | 28 mo | $56,000 |
| Vanderbilt UniversityMSN — Nurse-MidwiferyHybrid · 36 months | Hybrid | 36 mo | $63,000 |
| Vanderbilt UniversityDNPHybrid · 36 months | Hybrid | 36 mo | $71,000 |
| Vanderbilt UniversityPhD in NursingOn Campus · 60 months | On Campus | 60 mo | $120,000 |
| Duke UniversityPhD in NursingOn Campus · 60 months | On Campus | 60 mo | $140,000 |
Source: MyNursingSchools program directory totals as of 2026-08-21. Programs without published tuition are omitted. Net price after aid may differ — confirm with each school.
Cheapest online programs open to Tennessee residents
These schools are based outside Tennessee but enroll residents online. Clinical hours are still completed locally, and some programs charge out-of-state rates — confirm with the school.
| Program | Delivery | Length | Total tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Public University SystemRN to BSNOnline · 15 months | Online | 15 mo | $8,100 |
| Texas A&M UniversityRN to BSNOnline · 15 months | Online | 15 mo | $9,000 |
| Florida State UniversityRN to BSNOnline · 12 months | Online | 12 mo | $9,000 |
| University of South FloridaRN to BSNOnline · 15 months | Online | 15 mo | $9,600 |
| University of Alabama at BirminghamRN to BSNOnline · 12 months | Online | 12 mo | $9,600 |
| American Public University SystemMSN — Nursing LeadershipOnline · 24 months | Online | 24 mo | $9,720 |
| Ohio State UniversityRN to BSNOnline · 12 months | Online | 12 mo | $9,900 |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel HillRN to BSNOnline · 12 months | Online | 12 mo | $10,200 |
| Capella UniversityRN to BSN (FlexPath)Online · 18 months | Online | 18 mo | $10,400 |
| Arizona State UniversityRN to BSNOnline · 15 months | Online | 15 mo | $10,570 |
Getting the Best Value from Nursing School in Tennessee
Affordable is not the same as cheapest. The best-value program in Tennessee is the one with the lowest cost per outcome — weigh tuition against the NCLEX first-time pass rate and job placement, not sticker price alone. A public in-state BSN or a community-college ADN with a strong pass rate often beats a rock-bottom program that graduates fewer of its students.
Net price is what matters, so stack aid against the sticker. Pell Grants, Tennessee state nursing scholarships, and hospital tuition reimbursement (RN-to-BSN is frequently employer-funded) move the real cost far more than a small difference in listed tuition. File the FAFSA before you enroll to see your true out-of-pocket number.
Measure payback, not price. At Tennessee’s average RN wage a well-chosen program typically pays for itself within a few years — so a mid-priced degree that gets you licensed and hired quickly can be the better financial decision than the cheapest option on the page.
Career Outlook for Tennessee Nurses
Affordability is only half the equation — demand and earning ceiling determine how quickly a program pays for itself.
Above the 6% national average — strong hiring conditions for new graduates.
Per hour (BLS). Overtime and travel nursing contracts pay a significant premium above this base.
Tennessee requires career-long supervision for NPs. Graduates pursuing advanced practice should factor this into their career planning.
Job growth and hourly rate: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. NP practice authority: AANP 2024.
Already licensed? Next credentials for Tennessee nurses
Pass rates and sticker price are for the first license. Working RNs in Tennessee often stack an online RN-to-BSN, then an NP specialty. Online RN-to-BSN options serving Tennessee include Walden University at $27,710 listed total tuition in our directory. Tennessee is a restricted-practice state: state law requires nurse practitioners to practice under career-long supervision, delegation, or team management by another health provider for at least one element of practice, the most limited of the three AANP practice-environment tiers.
- Bridge for working RNsRN-to-BSN programs in Tennessee
Employer-funded bridges are common. Directory listed totals include Walden University at $27,710.
- Nurse practitionerFNP programs in Tennessee
Tennessee is a restricted-practice NP state (AANP). Family NP is the mainstream primary-care specialty.
- NP specialtyPMHNP programs in Tennessee
Psychiatric-mental health NP tracks for BSN-prepared nurses planning advanced practice in Tennessee.
Related Pages
How much does nursing school cost in Tennessee?
What are the cheapest nursing schools in Tennessee with financial aid?
Are affordable nursing programs in Tennessee as good as expensive ones?
How strong is the nursing job market in Tennessee?
What are the prerequisite requirements for nursing programs in Tennessee?
Compare nursing programs in Tennessee
- All nursing programs in Tennessee
- Online nursing programs in TennesseePrograms delivered primarily online for students who can't relocate.
- No-waitlist nursing schools in TennesseePrograms reporting open seats rather than a waitlist queue.
- Accelerated BSN programs in TennesseeSecond-degree tracks for applicants who already hold a bachelor's.
- Fastest programs in Tennessee
- ADN programs in TennesseeAssociate-degree and community-college routes to RN licensure.
- BSN programs in TennesseeFour-year pre-licensure bachelor's degrees for first-time RNs.