Nursing students will incur several significant expenses in the course of completing their degree or certificate program. The most significant cost is obviously the school’s tuition. However, students should also budget ample funds for books and supplies, room and board, transportation, and other living expenses.

Factors that influence the cost of education
The cost of a nursing program depends heavily on two key factors: program length and institution type. Program length will vary dramatically by nursing role. For example, a nursing assistant certificate takes just a few weeks or months to complete, while a bachelor’s degree in professional nursing requires four years of fulltime study. Within a given program type, costs can vary significantly by institution. Public schools tend to be less costly than private schools.

Nursing employment in Tennessee
Although nursing education entails significant financial costs, this investment enables students to earn attractive salaries upon graduation. Nursing salaries grow dramatically with lengthier education. Tennessee’s nursing assistants and licensed practical nurses, who require only a brief certificate, typically earn $20,000-40,000 per year. Registered nurses with a bachelor’s degree will often earn $65,000 or more annually. A nurse midwife or nurse practitioner, who must hold a master’s degree, earns a median annual salary of $75,220 or $90,130, respectively, in the state of Tennessee.

To clarify the costs associated with nursing school, we have profiled several Tennessee colleges and universities with state-approved nursing programs. You’ll find them organized below from most expensive to least expensive.

Knoxville

Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Knoxville
Certificate in Practical Nursing (12-month program): tuition and fees $3,781, books and supplies $971, room and board $4,704
School Program Length Tuition & fees
Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Knoxville Certificate in Practical Nursing 12 months $3,781

Memphis

Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Memphis
Certificate in Practical Nursing (12-month program): tuition and fees $3,447, books and supplies $3,411
School Program Length Tuition & fees
Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Memphis Certificate in Practical Nursing 12 months $3,447

Nashville

Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Nashville
Certificate in Practical Nursing (11-month program): tuition and fees $3,447, books and supplies $2,487, room and board $4,323
Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Dickson
Certificate in Practical Nursing (12-month program): tuition and fees $3,447, books and supplies $2,261, room and board $4,716
Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Hartsville
Certificate in Practical Nursing (12-month program): tuition and fees $2,976, books and supplies $1,082, room and board $4,716
School Program Length Tuition & fees
Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Nashville Certificate in Practical Nursing 11 months $3,447
Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Dickson Certificate in Practical Nursing 12 months $3,447
Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Hartsville Certificate in Practical Nursing 12 months $2,976

Other Tennessee cities

Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Elizabethton
Certificate in Practical Nursing (11-month program): tuition and fees $3,447, books and supplies $1,986, room and board $4,169
South Central Regional Practical Nursing Program
Certificate in Practical Nursing (12-month program): tuition and fees $3,447, books and supplies $1,855
Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Morristown
Certificate in Practical Nursing (12-month program): tuition and fees $3,447, books and supplies $1,969, room and board $5,688
Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Paris
Certificate in Practical Nursing (11-month program): tuition and fees $3,447, books and supplies $1,620, room and board $4,323
Four Rivers Regional Practical Nursing Program
Certificate in Practical Nursing (11-month program): tuition and fees $3,447, books and supplies $2,890, room and board $4,323
Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Hohenwald
Certificate in Practical Nursing (11-month program): tuition and fees $3,447, books and supplies $2,155, room and board $4,323
Jackson Regional Practical Nursing Program
Certificate in Practical Nursing (11-month program): tuition and fees $3,447, books and supplies $2,485, room and board $4,488
Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Athens
Certificate in Practical Nursing (12-month program): tuition and fees $3,447, books and supplies $4,065, room and board $4,548
Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Livingston
Certificate in Practical Nursing (12-month program): tuition and fees $3,447, books and supplies $2,453, room and board $4,704
Appalachian Regional Practical Nursing Program
Certificate in Practical Nursing (12-month program): tuition and fees $3,447, books and supplies $2,079, room and board $4,716
Tennessee Valley Regional Practical Nursing Program
Certificate in Practical Nursing (12-month program): tuition and fees $3,147, books and supplies $1,200
School Program Length Tuition & fees
Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Elizabethton Certificate in Practical Nursing 11 months $3,447
South Central Regional Practical Nursing Program Certificate in Practical Nursing 12 months $3,447
Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Morristown Certificate in Practical Nursing 12 months $3,447
Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Paris Certificate in Practical Nursing 11 months $3,447
Four Rivers Regional Practical Nursing Program Certificate in Practical Nursing 11 months $3,447
Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Hohenwald Certificate in Practical Nursing 11 months $3,447
Jackson Regional Practical Nursing Program Certificate in Practical Nursing 11 months $3,447
Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Athens Certificate in Practical Nursing 12 months $3,447
Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Livingston Certificate in Practical Nursing 12 months $3,447
Appalachian Regional Practical Nursing Program Certificate in Practical Nursing 12 months $3,447
Tennessee Valley Regional Practical Nursing Program Certificate in Practical Nursing 12 months $3,147
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Tennessee