Practical nursing in Tennessee comes down to a straightforward tradeoff: pay under $8,000 at a Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) and finish in twelve months, or spend $18,000-plus at a private school for a different schedule or campus location. The state's 27-campus TCAT network, combined with community colleges like Chattanooga State, keeps most net prices between roughly $5,300 and $12,700, with tuition at several TCAT campuses hovering near $4,500 to $5,000 total.
That pricing gap sits alongside real outcome differences: completion rates across ranked programs range from about 26% to 84%, and median first-year earnings for graduates are closer to $46,000, while Tennessee's median LPN wage is $58,870. Program quality and cohort size vary campus by campus, so the right pick usually depends on geography and start-date fit.
Tennessee's Highest-Ranked LPN Programs for 2027
Tennessee's practical nursing pipeline runs largely through the state's technical college system, which keeps tuition low and schedules tight. The programs below pair affordable pricing with real completion and licensure signals, so you can compare them on the things that shape your first year of work: cost, calendar, and clinical access.
How we ranked these
- Median debt for graduates
- Net price after financial aid
- NCLEX-PN first-time pass rates
- Graduation and completion rates
- Reported graduate earnings
- Internal program database
- IPEDS institutional survey data from NCES covering graduation rates, retention rates and student-faculty ratios — nces.ed.gov
- College Scorecard graduate earnings — collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Independent editorial research
Chattanooga State Community College
A community college practical nursing diploma that runs three semesters with cohorts capped at 24 students, blending lab instruction with clinical rotations in med-surg, pharmacology, pediatrics, OB, and mental health. Program materials report a 95% job placement rate and median earnings around $41,920 a year, and graduates can step into the college's LPN to RN transition option. Tennessee Board of Nursing records have flagged this PN track as closed, so confirm current approval and intake status before you apply.
- Three-semester diploma, cohorts limited to 24 students
- $7,105 total program tuition
- ACT exam accepted for admission
- Three start dates per year: spring, summer, fall
- Day classes Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:20 p.m.
- Program reports a 95% job placement rate
- Reported median earnings near $41,920 per year
- LPN to RN transition program on campus
Practical Nursing, Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
South College
A private college offering an ACEN-accredited practical nursing certificate at multiple Tennessee campuses, with full-time completion in 12 to 18 months and hands-on simulation lab practice. It accepts transfer credit from prior nursing programs and leans into support for service members through grants, fee waivers, and military benefit processing. Coursework spans medical-surgical, mental health, pediatric, geriatric, and maternal infant nursing.
- ACEN accredited practical nursing certificate
- Offered at seven campus locations
- Completion in 12 to 18 months, full time
- TEAS or HESI entrance exam required
- Military grants and application fee waivers
- Transfer credit from prior nursing programs accepted
- Simulation lab practice plus clinical placements
- Financial aid and scholarships available
Certificate in Licensed Practical Nursing — On-Campus
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Crump
A Tennessee College of Applied Technology campus whose practical nursing diploma carries one of the lowest published program prices in the state, with traditional full-time day classes plus a hybrid route. Both paths cover 1,296 hours across three trimesters and end with a diploma and NCLEX-PN eligibility. Regional partnerships with area school systems keep the pipeline local for students in the surrounding counties.
- $4,680 total program tuition
- 12-month program, 1,296 clinical hours
- Traditional full-time option with day classes
- Fall and summer start terms
- HESI entrance exam required
- Approved by the Tennessee Board of Nursing
- Financial aid available
- Hybrid format combines coursework with in-person clinicals
- Same $4,680 tuition as the traditional track
- 1,296 clock hours and a diploma on completion
- Full-time hybrid route alongside the traditional program
- Prepares students for NCLEX-PN licensure
Practical Nursing, Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Practical Nursing (Hybrid), Certificate or Diploma — Hybrid
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Hartsville
A TCAT campus that delivers its practical nursing diploma across two locations and awards a Nursing Assistant certificate after the first trimester, so students hold a CNA credential on the way to LPN licensure. The 12-month, 1,296-hour program is day-only and cohort based, with tuition among the lowest in the state and textbook costs listed separately. Admission runs through the HESI exam on scheduled campus testing dates.
- $4,419 tuition plus about $1,900 in books and supplies
- Two campus locations: Hartsville and Lebanon
- 12-month program across three trimesters
- 1,296 clock hours, day classes only
- Nursing Assistant certificate earned after first trimester
- HESI entrance exam required
- Fall application deadline: October 19, 2026
Practical Nursing, Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Shelbyville
A TCAT practical nursing diploma built around a fixed 12-month daytime schedule, moving one cohort through 18 courses with theory paired to clinical rotations at area facilities. Prerequisites in Anatomy & Physiology and Math for Meds are available on the same campus, so applicants can qualify without enrolling elsewhere. Intake is a single fall cohort each year, and admission runs through the HESI exam.
- $7,976 total program tuition
- 12-month full-time cohort, 18 courses
- Day classes Monday through Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.
- Prerequisites: Anatomy & Physiology and Math for Meds
- Single fall start each year
- Theory plus clinical rotations at area facilities
- Prepares graduates for NCLEX-PN
Practical Nursing, Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Murfreesboro
A TCAT campus that runs its practical nursing diploma as a 12-month, cohort-based program with both day and night class options, which is uncommon among Tennessee technical colleges. Admission requires Anatomy & Physiology and Medical Math prerequisites, the HESI exam, and three references, and coursework covers med-surg, OB, pediatrics, geriatrics, and mental health nursing. Seats are competitive and the campus does not accept mid-program transfers.
- $7,941 total program tuition
- 12-month program, 1,296 clock hours
- Day and night class options
- Prerequisites: Anatomy & Physiology and Medical Math
- HESI exam and three letters of reference required
- Drug screening and background check required
- Approved by the Tennessee Board of Nursing
- Covers med-surg, OB, pediatrics, geriatrics, mental health
Practical Nursing, Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Elizabethton
A TCAT program with three intakes a year and a multi-site footprint across northeast Tennessee, which shortens the wait for applicants who miss one start term. The 12-month diploma covers 1,296 clock hours, and clinical placements drive a longer compliance list: physical exam, immunizations, drug screen, background check, malpractice insurance, and CPR certification. Tuition is among the lowest listed, though supply costs add meaningfully to the total.
- $4,580 tuition, books and supplies about $3,358
- 12-month program, 1,296 clock hours
- Three start terms: spring, summer, fall
- Full-time day schedule
- HESI entrance exam required
- Immunizations, CPR, drug screen, and background check required
- Approved by the Tennessee Board of Nursing
Practical Nursing, Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Jackson
A regional practical nursing program that reaches across several west Tennessee communities rather than a single campus, with January, May, and September starts and day or evening options. Admission is competitive and point based, with the HESI exam as the main gate and early application deadlines worth bonus points. Clinical rotations cover multiple specialties, and a part-time evening track is designed around working adults.
- $5,725 total program tuition
- Full-time and part-time tracks
- Day or evening classes, three start dates per year
- Competitive point-based admission with HESI exam
- Clinical rotations across multiple specialties
- Part-time evening option for working adults
- Start months: January, May, September
Practical Nursing, Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Henry/Carroll
A TCAT program spread across three locations in northwest Tennessee with staggered start months, so applicants can often find a cohort that fits their calendar. It stacks a short Nursing Aid certificate ahead of the Practical Nurse diploma, giving students a credential they can work with partway through. Evening classes, part-time options, and supervised clinical experiences round out the offering.
- Multiple campus locations across northwest Tennessee
- Stackable credentials: Nursing Aid certificate then Practical Nurse diploma
- Starts in winter, spring, and fall
- Evening classes available
- Full-time and part-time options
- HESI entrance exam required
- Drug screen, background check, and physical required
Practical Nursing, Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Jacksboro
A small-campus TCAT program with 1,296 clock hours of daytime study and low published tuition, supplemented by textbook and supply costs. Clinical experience covers medical, surgical, obstetric, and pediatric settings, and cohorts stay small enough for close instruction. The Board's program listing has carried a conditional designation for this regional nursing network, so confirm current approval status before applying.
- $4,620 tuition, textbooks and supplies $3,974
- 12-month full-time day program, 1,296 clock hours
- Small class sizes on the Jacksboro campus
- Clinical rotations in medical, surgical, obstetric, pediatric settings
- HESI admission test required
- Approved by the Tennessee Board of Nursing
- Graduates eligible for the state licensure exam
Practical Nursing, Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Lowest-Cost LPN Programs in Tennessee
Net price reflects what students actually pay after grants and scholarships are applied, making it a more accurate measure than sticker tuition alone. Tennessee's College of Applied Technology (TCAT) campuses dominate the affordable end of the spectrum because they are publicly funded, workforce-focused institutions with lean overhead. Chattanooga State Community College, the only community college in this group, lands at the lowest net price partly because its Pell Grant recipient population qualifies for substantial aid. Private programs in the state can run two to three times higher, so prospective students should always compare net price rather than advertised tuition when weighing LPN program costs in Tennessee.
| School | City | Net Price | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga State Community College | Chattanooga | $5,283 | 26% |
| TCAT Murfreesboro | Murfreesboro | $6,631 | 76% |
| TCAT Hartsville | Hartsville | $7,194 | 82% |
| TCAT Shelbyville | Shelbyville | $7,573 | 81% |
| TCAT Jackson | Jackson | $8,472 | 80% |
Accelerated LPN Tracks: Do 12-Week Programs Exist in Tennessee?
Short answer: no, Tennessee does not currently list any state-approved 12-week LPN program. The practical nursing programs tracked for 2025-2026 run 12 to 18 months, and the quickest full-time Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) options cluster around 12 months with 1,296 clock hours. That workload is deliberate: the practical nursing curriculum is built around clinical and lab hours, not a shortcut calendar. Programs at TCAT Knoxville, Hartsville, Pulaski, Memphis, Morristown, Elizabethton, Nashville, and Murfreesboro all report 12-month, 1,296-hour tracks for the current cycle. TCAT Northwest offers the same 12-month/1,296-hour structure, while its Covington campus runs a 16-month sequence. If you want to compare campus options in major metros, the best LPN programs in Nashville include day-only cohorts, while the best LPN programs in Memphis list day and night delivery. Students who need a slower pace often choose part-time evening or weekend cohorts instead: TCAT Shelbyville runs a 16-month part-time evening program with an April 17, 2026 application deadline, and TCAT Jackson offers a 16-month part-time evening/weekend track. TCAT Nashville also has a CMA-to-PN Bridge delivered on part-time evenings and weekends, which can be a practical route for medical assistants who already hold clinical fundamentals. Essentially, a legitimate 12-week LPN track would not meet the state-approved clock-hour requirements; the fastest reputable path is the 12-month TCAT option, not a 12-week bootcamp. Use the 12-month programs as your realistic benchmark and treat any 'fast LPN' claim shorter than that with caution.
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Which Tennessee LPN Programs Offer Online or Hybrid Formats?
No Tennessee LPN program is truly "fully online," and that's not an oversight. Every accredited practical nursing program in the state, including every school in our rankings, is classified as a campus-based program because state licensing boards require hands-on clinical and lab hours that simply can't happen through a screen.
What "hybrid" actually means here
When a Tennessee program calls itself a Hybrid LPN Program, that usually means general education and some theory-heavy coursework (pharmacology lectures, anatomy modules) are delivered online or through a learning management system, while skills labs and clinical rotations remain strictly in person. Cohort-based TCAT programs like TCAT Shelbyville and TCAT Murfreesboro still run on fixed weekday schedules (7:45am to 2:15pm or similar), so the online component is more supplemental than transformative.
Searching for flexibility? Look at multi-campus access instead
If you searched "online lpn programs in tennessee" or "hybrid lpn programs in tn" hoping to study from home, the more realistic win is finding a program with multiple campus locations so clinicals can happen closer to where you live. TCAT Henry/Carroll operates across three sites (Paris, Camden, and Dresden), and TCAT Harriman runs programs in both Harriman and Lenoir City. South College takes this further with campuses in Knoxville and Nashville, which can shorten commutes for clinical placements even though the didactic structure stays largely the same.
Bottom line
Don't expect to complete an LPN credential without setting foot in a clinical setting. What you can expect, at select schools, is a shorter commute for the in-person portions and some online flexibility for lecture-based coursework. Confirm the split directly with each school's LPN/LVN Program Admissions office before enrolling, since exact online/in-person ratios vary by term and campus.
Paying for LPN School: Tuition, Financial Aid, and TN Reconnect
Cost of LPN Programs & Schools is often the deciding factor between LPN programs, and Tennessee's options span a wide range. Public institutions like Chattanooga State Community College post the lowest sticker prices, with in-state tuition running around $4,772 and an estimated net price near $5,283 after aid. Private career colleges sit higher: the Best LPN Programs in Chattanooga 2026 list includes Chattanooga College, whose practical nursing tuition runs about $12,709, while South College charges roughly $18,535. TCATs generally track closest to the community college end of that range, which is why they dominate cost-comparison searches for the Most Affordable LPN/LVN Programs for 2026.
Grants and Government-Supported Options
TN Reconnect is the tool most adult students lean on. It's a last-dollar grant covering tuition and mandatory fees for Tennessee residents pursuing a certificate or associate degree, provided you're at least 23 (or file FAFSA as an independent student), haven't already earned an associate or bachelor's degree, maintain a 2.0 GPA, and stay enrolled in at least 6 credit hours. You have five years to finish, and FAFSA is required to apply. Whether a specific LPN certificate program qualifies isn't always spelled out publicly, so confirm eligibility directly with the school's financial aid office before assuming coverage.
The Federal Pell Grant remains the backbone for many students, with a 2025-2026 award ranging from $740 to $7,3952 depending on need, and it never has to be repaid.3 Some LPN seekers also qualify for WIOA-funded training slots through local American Job Centers, though availability varies by county and isn't published as a statewide number. On LPN-specific scholarships, offerings from groups like the Tennessee Nurses Foundation shift year to year and aren't guaranteed to include practical nursing tracks, so treat any scholarship search as a supplement, not a guarantee.
Is There Really a Free LPN Program in Nashville?
Searches for "free lpn programs Nashville" or a "government supported lpn program" reflect real interest in the Best LPN Programs in Nashville 2026, but no Tennessee program is advertised as fully free. What's realistic is stacking Pell, TN Reconnect, and possibly WIOA funding to cover most or all tuition at a lower-cost public program, effectively reaching close to zero out-of-pocket cost for qualifying students.
Weighing Debt Against Payoff
Because detailed post-completion earnings aren't published for every Tennessee LPN program, compare total borrowing against your realistic starting wage estimate rather than assuming a fixed payback timeline, and favor lower-debt public options when the training quality is comparable.
What LPN School Costs at a Glance
Tennessee's public LPN programs rank among the most affordable in the Southeast, but tuition is only part of the picture. The breakdown below reflects a typical TCAT or community college practical nursing program, using net price data from the lowest-cost schools in our rankings alongside published non-tuition expenses.
Steps to Earn Your LPN License in Tennessee
Tennessee's LPN licensure pathway is a five-step process managed by the Tennessee Board of Nursing, and every candidate, in-state or out, follows the same sequence. Budget roughly six weeks from application to license issuance, assuming your paperwork and background check clear without delays.3
The Five-Step Pathway
- Finish a Board-approved program: Complete an LPN program approved by the Tennessee Board of Nursing. Only graduates of approved programs are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN as Tennessee applicants.
- Apply to the Board of Nursing: Submit the initial licensure by examination application. For applications on or after April 8, 2026, the fee is $150. The $100 fee in older schedules is the renewal fee, which was superseded on April 8, 2026.
- Complete a criminal background check: Tennessee requires both TBI and FBI fingerprint-based checks, and applicants with a record should review Can I Become an LPN If I Have a Criminal Record? before applying. IdentoGO is the state's approved fingerprinting vendor, and applicants already in Tennessee should schedule an electronic scan rather than mailing a fingerprint card. Budget around $50 for the background check, though exact costs vary.1
- Register with Pearson VUE for the NCLEX-PN: Registration is separate from your Board application, and the $200 exam fee is paid directly to Pearson VUE.1 You'll receive an Authorization to Test once the Board confirms eligibility.
- Pass the NCLEX-PN and receive your license: Once Pearson VUE transmits your passing result and the Board finalizes your file, your license is issued. If you don't pass, the retake fee is $110,2 and working through NCLEX-PN Practice Test Questions can help before you retest.
Renewals and Reinstatement
LPN renewal is $100 for cycles prior to April 8, 2026, and $140 on or after that date. Endorsement via LPN/LVN reciprocity (transferring an active out-of-state license into Tennessee) is $150, and reinstatement of a lapsed license runs $200.2
Nurse Licensure Compact Practice
Tennessee is a full member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, in force since January 19, 2018 and updated to enhanced NLC membership on January 1, 2019. If Tennessee is your primary state of residence, a multistate LPN license lets you practice in the 43 compact jurisdictions without applying for individual state licenses, useful for travel nurses, telehealth roles, and cross-border commuters near Kentucky, Virginia, or Mississippi.
LPN Earning Potential Across Tennessee's Metro Areas
Tennessee employs roughly 20,830 licensed practical and vocational nurses statewide, and the state's concentration of LPN jobs (as measured by its location quotient) runs well above the national average, signaling strong regional demand. The statewide median annual wage for LPNs sits at approximately $58,870 according to the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Nashville's median hourly wage of $26.40 (approximately $54,912 annualized) fell below the statewide median in the May 2023 reporting cycle, which may reflect the mix of clinical settings in a large metro or slight lag in that dataset. Detailed metro-level figures for Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga, and smaller Tennessee metros such as Clarksville, Jackson, and Johnson City are collected by BLS but are not included here because the most current published breakdowns have not yet been released for all areas. Rural and nonmetro parts of the state historically show modestly lower hourly rates, though cost-of-living differences can offset some of that gap. As newer BLS data is published, practicalnursing.org will update this table accordingly.
| Area | Median Hourly Wage | Approximate Median Annual Wage | Total LPN Employment | Data Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee (statewide) | $28.31 | $58,870 | 20,830 | 2024/2025 |
| Nashville, TN (metro) | $26.40 | ~$54,912 | Not yet published at metro level | 2023 |
From LPN to RN: Bridge Program Options in Tennessee
A LPN to RN bridge program lets a working LPN return to school and finish an associate or bachelor's degree in nursing without repeating everything already learned in practical nursing training. Several Tennessee schools run LPN to RN programs, and the fine print on credit transfer matters more than the marketing copy suggests.
East Tennessee State University offers an LPN-to-BSN accelerated option that runs four semesters in a hybrid format. Jackson State Community College runs a three-semester LPN-RN Career Mobility Track with a February 1 application deadline. Nashville State Community College has an LPN to RN Pathway that starts bridge students in their second semester of the ADN sequence. Volunteer State Community College awards seven credits through a prior learning assessment for LPNs with a current, unencumbered Tennessee license, though this is competency-based testing rather than a blanket transfer of TCAT coursework.
TCAT vs. Community College Matters
Here's the catch most applicants miss: none of these programs publish an automatic, across-the-board credit agreement for every TCAT campus. Whether your original LPN training happened at a TCAT or a community college nursing department can affect how many credits actually carry over, since some schools evaluate transcripts case by case rather than honoring a fixed articulation table. If a bridge is part of your long-term plan, ask the receiving school directly before you enroll in your initial LPN program.
Length, Cost, and Private Options
Most bridge tracks run twelve to eighteen months beyond LPN licensure, with GPA expectations typically between 2.5 and 3.0. Private options exist too: Galen College of Nursing in Nashville runs an eighteen-month LPN-to-ADN bridge, Herzing University's LPN-to-ASN bridge takes twenty months and requires a 2.5 GPA plus a TEAS score of 58.7, and Jersey College's Cleveland and Knoxville campuses offer bridge timelines ranging from fifteen to thirty-three months depending on track and schedule.
None of this makes the LPN credential a placeholder. It is a licensed, employable role that also offers a documented path to RN programs when you're ready.
More Tennessee LPN Programs Worth Considering
Tennessee's technical college system reaches well beyond the major metro areas, and several of these campuses offer night classes or multiple locations to fit around work and family schedules. Below is a directory of additional Practical Nursing programs across West, Middle, and East Tennessee, organized by region. If one of them matches your location and schedule, request information directly from the program to confirm start dates, entrance testing, and current costs.
West Tennessee
- Practical Nursing
Middle Tennessee
- Practical Nursing
- Practical Nursing
- Practical Nursing
- Practical Nursing
- Practical Nursing
East Tennessee
- Practical Nursing
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