Best ADN Programs in Tennessee for 2026

Southern Adventist University's Associate of Science in Nursing is a pre-licensure program at the School of Nursing in Collegedale, Tennessee, accredited by ACEN with a current Continuing Accreditation status. The program runs on a four-level structure that blends hospital clinical rotations, a dedicated simulation center, and a skills lab. Classroom delivery incorporates computer adaptive testing and a formal tutoring program (ASAP) designed to reinforce high-stakes content. A built-in articulation pathway lets AS graduates step directly into the senior year of the on-campus BSN without reapplying, and licensed practical nurses are admitted at the second level, completing only three of the four levels before sitting for the NCLEX-RN.

In-state tuition runs $26,000 per year at this private nonprofit. Hakia ranks the program first in Tennessee with a score of 86.1, reflecting ACEN accreditation, its LPN articulation track, and the structured academic support built into the curriculum. The 49% graduation rate and 65% admit rate suggest a selective but achievable bar; the competitive admit pool means preparation on prerequisite science courses matters. Because SAU sits inside a faith-mission institution, students should expect Christ-centered framing throughout the curriculum, which is a differentiator for some applicants and a consideration for others. The AS credential yields the same fully licensed RN status as a BSN; SAU amplifies that by offering a clear on-campus bridge for those who want the four-year credential later.

Lincoln Memorial University's Associate of Science in Nursing through the Caylor School of Nursing runs four semesters on a part-time schedule from campuses in Harrogate (TN), Knoxville (TN), Corbin (KY), and Tampa (FL). The program prepares graduates for entry-level RN positions and the NCLEX-RN. LPNs with at least one year of work experience can enter an accelerated LPN-ASN track that completes in three semesters instead of four. Admission is rolling, and LMU recommends applying one to two semesters before your intended start; the Harrogate campus accepts spring starts, while Cedar Bluff (Knoxville) accepts both fall and spring. Important note: LMU is accepting applications for Fall 2026 only and will not admit new ASN students beginning Spring 2027, so the enrollment window is narrowing.

The program's published NCLEX-RN first-attempt pass rate exceeded 96% in a recent graduating class, a figure that anchors LMU's second-place Hakia Score of 85.1 among Tennessee ADN programs. Tuition is $26,448 per year at this private nonprofit. The 50% graduation rate and 63% admit rate put LMU in a similar selectivity band as the top-ranked program. RN graduates earn a median $97,550 annually nationally per BLS wage data; the LPN-ASN track is a direct lever for LPNs already earning less than that. ASN completers are also eligible to pursue an advanced degree, and LMU itself offers post-licensure options.

Fortis Institute in Cookeville offers a 24-month Associate Degree in Nursing designed to bring students to NCLEX-RN eligibility as entry-level registered nurses. The program is structured as a hybrid: the majority of coursework takes place on campus in Cookeville, with a portion (less than 50%) delivered online; clinical and lab components are completed in person, as required for any legitimate pre-licensure nursing program. Fortis provides an LPN/LVN entry track that awards academic credit for completed practical nursing education and an active LPN license, reducing time to completion for working LPNs. Graduates who want to continue education can access an online RN-to-BSN or MSN through Fortis's affiliated Denver College of Nursing, a regionally accredited partner.

At $14,913 in annual tuition, Fortis Cookeville is the most affordable program in this ranking, a meaningful difference for students weighing debt load against time-to-RN. Hakia scores the program at 75.0, third among Tennessee ADN programs, reflecting the lower tuition and graduation rate (50%) alongside a for-profit institutional structure. No admit rate is reported, and Fortis does not publish a specific NCLEX pass rate on the program page; prospective students should request that figure directly from admissions before enrolling. The program suits career changers and LPNs seeking RN licensure on a tighter budget, with the understanding that the for-profit context warrants due diligence on job placement outcomes. All ADN graduates sit for the same NCLEX-RN and hold an identical RN license to BSN graduates.

South College's Associate of Science in Nursing in Knoxville is a fully on-campus, ACEN-accredited program that completes in 21 months full-time. Start dates fall in January, April, June, and October, which is the most flexible entry schedule in this ranking and practical for students finishing prerequisites on a rolling basis. The curriculum covers mental health, pediatric, adult health, and maternal-infant nursing care, with approximately 20 hours of in-class time per week in the major nursing courses plus clinical rotations and lab work. Admission requires TEAS test scores, a holistic academic review, and general South College admission as a prerequisite; acceptance to the college does not guarantee entry into the nursing program.

Tuition is $16,450 per year at this private for-profit institution. Hakia scores the program at 74.9, fourth in Tennessee, reflecting the competitive tuition level and a 42% graduation rate, which is the lowest in this group and a factor worth discussing with current students before committing. No specific NCLEX pass rate is stated on the program page; ask the admissions office for the most recent cohort figure. The program explicitly frames the ASN as a foundation for post-licensure education, and South College has relationships with four-year programs for RN-to-BSN advancement. Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN and earn the same RN license as BSN graduates; BLS data puts the national median RN wage at $97,550 per year.

Walters State Community College's Associate of Applied Science in Nursing is a 66-credit-hour program delivered across three campuses: Morristown (main), Greeneville (Niswonger), and Sevierville. The traditional track runs four academic terms of clinical nursing; an LPN-to-RN Career Mobility option compresses the clinical sequence to three terms for licensed practical nurses already in the field. Admission to the clinical nursing phase is a separate, competitive step — students apply by January 31 for fall entry or October 1 for spring — and completing pre-clinical requirements does not guarantee a seat. All clinical rotations are in-person at regional hospitals, long-term care facilities, and clinics.

NCLEX-RN first-time pass rates have been consistently strong: 92% in 2025, 96% in 2024, and 93% in 2023, all above the program's own 85% benchmark target. The 2024 job placement rate was 98%. ACEN-accredited, the program carries a Hakia Score of 74.3, the highest among this group, reflecting that combination of outcomes and low cost. In-state tuition runs $4,440/yr; the graduation rate is 33%, which reflects the competitive clinical admission filter more than program quality. This program fits working adults in East Tennessee who want a clear, affordable path to an RN license and value a school that has been twice named Tennessee Community College of the Year.

Roane State Community College's Associate of Applied Science in Nursing is a two-year program structured across six sequential terms of classroom, lab, and clinical coursework. The program offers two tracks: the Traditional option runs daytime classes with possible evening clinical rotations depending on facility availability; the RN Bridge option (for credentialed nurses) runs evenings and weekends, making it accessible to working LPNs or others transitioning into RN practice. Clinical experiences rotate across multiple healthcare settings, with small group sizes that give students individualized instruction. The HESI exam is built into the first fall term as a program checkpoint. Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN upon completion.

Job placement averaged 94% across 2019-2021 graduates per the program's own reporting. In-state tuition is $4,680/yr — among the lowest in Tennessee. The graduation rate of 36% reflects a selective, structured clinical admission process rather than poor throughput; the program's Hakia Score of 74.0 reflects strong outcomes relative to cost. ACEN-accredited. This program fits students in the greater Knoxville-Oak Ridge corridor who want flexible scheduling options, particularly working adults who can use the evening/weekend RN Bridge path to avoid stopping work entirely during school.

Concorde Career College's Associate of Applied Science in Nursing Practice in Memphis is a 77-credit-hour program designed for completion in as few as 20 months. It runs on a blended delivery model: some coursework is online, but all nursing students must complete 165 in-person lab hours on campus and 670 clinical hours at healthcare site rotations — both are graduation requirements, not electives. That clinical volume mirrors accredited community college programs. Concorde's admissions rate of 95% makes it the most open-access program in this group, with rolling start dates (the next cohort starts July 6). Graduates are eligible to apply for the NCLEX-RN and Tennessee RN licensure upon completion.

Concorde Memphis is a private for-profit institution, so tuition runs higher than Tennessee's public community colleges; prospective students should verify current program cost directly with the campus and compare net cost after aid. The graduation rate is 55%, highest among this set of four programs. The Hakia Score of 73.3 accounts for the cost differential relative to public options. This program fits Memphis-area career changers who need a faster, more flexible on-ramp into nursing and cannot wait for community college cohort cycles. IPEDS enrollment data shows a focused campus of 517 students, which keeps clinical cohorts small.

Dyersburg State Community College's Associate of Applied Science in Nursing operates from three West Tennessee locations: the main campus in Dyersburg, the Jimmy Naifeh Center at Tipton County in Covington, and the Henry County Center in Paris. The program offers three distinct tracks to reach the same RN credential. The Traditional track admits students each August (Dyersburg) or January (JNC), with a March 1 or September 1 application deadline depending on campus. A Traditional Evening track runs two nights per week with Friday or Saturday clinicals — it admits 24 students every other year and is designed for working adults who cannot attend daytime classes. The LPN/Paramedic-to-RN Pathway, available at all three locations on alternating-year cycles, gives licensed practical nurses and paramedics an accelerated route into the RN role. All tracks require in-person clinical rotations; graduates sit for the NCLEX-RN for licensure.

In-state tuition is $4,440/yr, matching Walters State for the lowest in this group. The graduation rate of 34% reflects the competitive application process across limited cohort seats. The Hakia Score of 73.2 captures the program's value proposition: broad geographic coverage across rural West Tennessee, multiple scheduling formats, and a pathway specifically for LPNs and paramedics who already hold clinical credentials. Accredited by ACEN and approved by the Tennessee Board of Nursing. IPEDS enrollment of 3,296 reflects a mid-size community college with meaningful health program infrastructure.

Motlow State Community College's Associate of Applied Science in Nursing runs four semesters of nursing coursework after prerequisites and places clinical hours across campus labs, area hospitals, extended care facilities, and community agencies throughout an 11-county service region in middle Tennessee. The program does not stop at one entry point: working LPNs can compress the path to three semesters via the LPN-to-RN bridge, and licensed paramedics have a dedicated Paramedic-to-RN track with its own application window (May 1 through July 31). Admission to all tracks is competitive, scored on a point system with a maximum of 600 base points plus up to 100 quality points; acceptance is decided in April for fall starts. All applicants must pass the HESI entrance exam, the A2 for traditional and paramedic applicants, and the HESI Fundamentals of Nursing for LPNs. The AAS degree supports articulation into a baccalaureate program, making the ADN-then-RN-to-BSN sequence straightforward for students who want to work sooner and degree-advance later.

At $4,440 per year in-state, Motlow fits the community-college cost profile that makes the ADN route financially rational. The program reports a 34% graduation rate and carries a Hakia Score of 73, which reflects both its affordability and the competitive nature of health-sciences programs at open-access colleges. No NCLEX-RN first-attempt pass rate is published on the program page, so that figure cannot be cited here. Motlow does publish a 95-100% job placement rate for nursing graduates, a signal of regional employer demand in the Tullahoma and Lynchburg corridor. The program fits applicants who have a healthcare license already (LPN or paramedic) and want the fastest credentialed path to RN status, as well as traditional students willing to compete on the point-based rubric for a low-cost degree. All ADN graduates, regardless of the track used, sit for the same NCLEX-RN and earn the identical RN license as a four-year BSN graduate.

Prerequisite sciences (Anatomy and Physiology I and II, Microbiology) must have been completed within the last five years, so plan coursework timing accordingly. Students who complete the AAS and want to move into a BSN later will find Motlow's articulation agreements with baccalaureate programs a practical bridge, especially given that Magnet-designated hospital systems increasingly use BSN as a hiring preference for career advancement roles. Starting as an RN at the BLS national median of $97,550 per year while completing an online RN-to-BSN part-time is the standard playbook Motlow's structure supports.

Northeast State Community College's Associate of Applied Science in Nursing prepares graduates to sit for the NCLEX-RN and enter the workforce as generalist registered nurses. The traditional track runs four consecutive semesters of nursing coursework and is unusual among Tennessee community colleges in admitting two cohorts per year: a summer application period feeds a fall start, and a fall application period feeds a spring start, giving qualified applicants two bites at entry without waiting a full year. An LPN-to-RN option condenses the path to three semesters (summer, fall, spring) for licensed practical nurses who hold a current, active LPN license. Clinical training is in-person and site-based; a fully online ADN path does not exist for prelicensure nursing, and Northeast State does not claim otherwise. The first required step for any prospective student is completing the program's online Nursing Information Session before an advisement appointment is scheduled.

Northeast State sets a minimum 3.0 GPA, measured after at least 12 earned credit hours, as a baseline admission requirement, which is a higher academic bar than many open-admission community colleges impose at the application stage. Biological sciences coursework must be dated within ten years of the first nursing semester, a longer window than Motlow's five-year rule. In-state tuition runs $4,440 per year, matching the Tennessee community college rate. The program's graduation rate is 33% and its Hakia Score is 71.9, consistent with competitive health-sciences programs where clinical seat capacity limits throughput regardless of applicant volume. No NCLEX-RN first-attempt pass rate is published on the program's web page, so that figure is not cited here. Northeast State's location in Blountville serves the Tri-Cities region of northeast Tennessee, where hospital and long-term care employers provide clinical placement sites. The BLS national median wage for registered nurses is $97,550 per year; the ADN and BSN credential yield the same RN license and the same starting eligibility for that rate.

Students who earn the AAS and want to move into a BSN can do so through an RN-to-BSN bridge, a path Northeast State explicitly supports. That sequence, two-year ADN, enter the workforce, complete an online BSN while employed, addresses the reality that Magnet hospital systems increasingly treat BSN as a preference for advancement. For a student in the Tri-Cities area who meets the 3.0 GPA threshold and can commit to four uninterrupted semesters, Northeast State's twice-annual admission cycle shortens the waiting game compared to programs that only fill seats once a year.