Ranked #1 in Tennessee. Five Campuses. One of the Nation’s Strictest Progression Standards.
Niche’s rankings put South College’s nursing program at #1 in Tennessee and #8 nationally for Best Colleges for Nursing — a credential built on consistent NCLEX outcomes and a grading environment that holds students to an 80% exam average minimum throughout the program.
The ABSN is available across five campuses spanning Knoxville, Nashville, Asheville, Atlanta, and Marietta, giving career changers geographic flexibility that single-campus programs simply can’t offer.
Six consecutive nursing quarters run at approximately 20 in-class hours per week — an intensity that mirrors professional practice far more than a traditional schedule.
Every nursing graduate from the program is employed in a healthcare career, and the program holds Yellow Ribbon Program status for military-connected students.
ABSN Admission Summary
Admission is competitive and cohort-based — class size limits apply at every campus, and qualified applicants who aren’t selected for a given cohort due to capacity constraints may apply at another campus location. The ranking system uses both GPA and TEAS scores to determine admission priority.
Academic requirements — all must be met for admission without stipulation:
- Completed bachelor’s degree or higher in a non-nursing field from an accredited institution
- Minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA across all general education/core prerequisite courses
- Minimum 2.5 GPA across required science prerequisite courses specifically
- All required general education and core courses completed with C or higher
- ATI TEAS Assessment at BASIC level or higher (minimum); three attempts allowed within 12 months; HESI A2 accepted as equivalent
Prerequisite coursework required (part of the 87-credit core curriculum):
- Anatomy & Physiology with lab (12 credits)
- Pathophysiology (4 credits)
- Microbiology with lab (6 credits)
- Chemistry with lab (6 credits)
- Nutrition (4.5 credits)
- Mathematics (9 credits)
- Written Communications (9 credits)
- Communications (4.5 credits)
- Humanities (9 credits)
- Social Science (13.5 credits)
- Computer Literacy (4.5 credits)
- PRN 1000 – Introduction to the Nursing Profession (1 credit)
- PRN 2000 – Transitions to Core Nursing (1 credit)
Second-degree students may have significant core coursework already satisfied — transcript review determines which prerequisites still need completion before nursing quarters begin.
Application process:
- Submit a School of Nursing application by the campus-specific deadline
- Submit ATI TEAS or HESI A2 scores (minimum BASIC level on TEAS; three attempts allowed within 12 months)
- Provide official transcripts from all colleges attended — nursing course transfers require grades of A or B within the past 18 months to be considered
- Applicants dismissed from two prior nursing or allied health programs are ineligible for consideration
Pre-enrollment requirements (before first day of class):
- Drug screen and background check — both must clear before enrollment; positive marijuana screens allow one additional attempt at the next cohort; a second positive results in indefinite denial
- Background check covers minimum 15 years; criminal history reviewed case-by-case
- Nursing orientation attendance in its entirety is mandatory
- Health history and physical exam (within 12 months of program start)
- Immunizations: MMR, TDaP, Varicella, Hepatitis B series, annual flu shot, annual TB screening
- AHA BLS/CPR certification (ARC accepted at select campuses)
- Health insurance proof maintained throughout enrollment
- Clinical compliance maintained through the institution’s tracking portal — students who fall out of compliance by add/drop day are cancelled
Academic progression standard — notably strict:
- Minimum 80% exam average required in every nursing course to remain enrolled — students below this threshold have quizzes and assignments excluded from their final grade calculation; the exam average becomes the course grade
- Minimum 80% overall course average required in all nursing courses
- Failure in two or more nursing courses, or the same course twice, results in program dismissal
- Final course grades are not rounded
- Two voluntary withdrawals from the same nursing course also result in dismissal
Curriculum
The full BSN requires 180 credits — 87 in core/general education and 93 in the nursing major. Students with a completed bachelor’s degree satisfy most core requirements, reducing time to the 6-quarter nursing sequence. Core courses not already satisfied by prior degree are completed before entering nursing quarters.
Prerequisite Overview
Core curriculum requirements are evaluated individually based on prior academic history. Science prerequisites (A&P, Microbiology, Chemistry, Pathophysiology, Nutrition) must all be complete with C or higher before nursing courses begin. See the admission summary above for the full core curriculum list.
Six-quarter nursing sequence (93 credit hours):
Quarter 1 (14 cr.)
NSG 3113 – Pathophysiology for Nursing (4 cr.) Explores the physiological changes associated with disease processes. Emphasizes critical thinking in analyzing symptoms, pathophysiology, and healthcare implications.
NSG 3133 – Physical Assessment (5 cr.) Develops skills in history-taking, physical examination, and clinical assessment. Students practice in simulation labs and apply knowledge in healthcare settings.
NSG 3153 – Pharmacotherapeutics for Nursing Practice I (5 cr.) Introduces drug classifications, therapeutic effects, and medication administration. Focuses on dosage calculations, drug interactions, and patient education.
Quarter 2 (19 cr.)
NSG 3213 – Fundamentals of Nursing (8 cr.) Covers basic nursing competencies, including infection control, hygiene, and patient care. Emphasizes safe, ethical nursing practice through lab and clinical experiences.
NSG 3233 – Mental Health Nursing (6 cr.) Focuses on therapeutic communication and nursing care for patients with mental health conditions. Includes assessment, interventions, and pharmacological considerations.
NSG 3253 – Pharmacotherapeutics for Nursing Practice II (5 cr.) Continues the study of medication management and drug classifications. Covers adverse effects, legal considerations, and patient education.
Quarter 3 (17 cr.)
NSG 3313 – Adult Health Nursing I (7 cr.) Introduces nursing care for adults with acute and chronic illnesses. Includes clinical experiences focused on decision-making and patient-centered care.
NSG 3332 – Maternal Infant Nursing Care (6 cr.) Explores nursing care for childbearing families, including prenatal, labor, and postpartum care. Emphasizes culturally competent, family-centered nursing interventions.
NSG 3352 – Nursing Research (4 cr.) Introduces research principles and their application in nursing practice. Focuses on evaluating and applying evidence-based studies to improve patient outcomes.
Quarter 4 (16 cr.)
NSG 4413 – Adult Health Nursing II (7 cr.) Expands on nursing care for adults with complex health conditions. Includes clinical experiences in managing medical and surgical patients.
NSG 4432 – Pediatric Nursing Care (6 cr.) Covers health promotion and illness prevention in children. Emphasizes family-centered care and developmental considerations in pediatric nursing.
NSG 4452 – Policy and Politics in Nursing (3 cr.) Examines current healthcare policies and their impact on nursing practice. Encourages critical thinking on leadership and advocacy in healthcare systems.
Quarter 5 (15 cr.)
NSG 4513 – Adult Health Nursing III (7 cr.) Focuses on advanced medical-surgical nursing care. Covers hematologic, oncologic, and critical care conditions with an emphasis on clinical decision-making.
NSG 4533 – Community Nursing (5 cr.) Explores the role of nurses in public health and community-based settings. Addresses care for diverse populations and social determinants of health.
NSG 4552 – Nursing Management and Leadership (3 cr.) Develops leadership skills in nursing practice. Covers communication, decision-making, and change management in healthcare settings.
Quarter 6 (12 cr.)
NSG 4613 – Adult Health Practicum (5 cr.) Provides hands-on experience in acute care settings under nurse preceptors. Focuses on leadership, clinical skills, and patient-centered nursing care.
NSG 4633 – Transition to Professional Practice (7 cr.) Prepares students for entry into professional nursing. Reviews key nursing concepts, clinical reasoning, and professional responsibilities.
Clinical experiences take place in hospitals and healthcare facilities across Knoxville and Nashville, offering hands-on learning in various specialties.
More curriculum details available in the course catalog: South College ABSN Catalog
Clinicals
Clinical rotations are embedded across all six nursing quarters, with a dedicated 5-credit Adult Health Practicum in the final quarter serving as the capstone clinical experience. South College manages placements across its regional clinical affiliate network in Knoxville, Nashville, and surrounding areas.
- Clinical start: Embedded from Quarter 1 alongside pathophysiology, assessment, and pharmacology coursework
- Clinical intensity: Approximately 20 in-class hours per week throughout all six quarters — clinicals run as a component of this schedule, not in addition to it
- Specialties covered: Physical assessment, fundamentals, mental health, adult health (I, II, and III), maternal infant care, pediatrics, community nursing, nursing management, and a final capstone practicum
- Final capstone: NSG 4613 (Adult Health Practicum, 5 cr.) and NSG 4633 (Transition to Professional Practice, 7 cr.) — together these two courses carry 12 of the final quarter’s credits
- Campus-based clinical networks: Each of the five campuses (Knoxville, Nashville, Asheville, Atlanta, Marietta) maintains its own regional clinical affiliate partnerships — specific named hospitals and health systems should be confirmed with the campus of interest
- Student responsibilities: All costs for transportation to clinical sites, background checks, drug screens, immunizations, physical exams, BLS certification, and health insurance are the student’s responsibility
- Clinical site denial risk: Students denied access by a clinical affiliate due to background history cannot be guaranteed alternative placements — this may prevent program completion
- Simulation: Classroom, laboratory, and clinical experiences are integrated throughout all six quarters; specific simulation facility details vary by campus
Tuition
Estimated total nursing program cost: ~$50,520
South College operates on a quarterly academic calendar (10–12 weeks per quarter) and charges a flat rate for 10–20 credit hours per quarter under Table 2 rates for the BSN nursing program.
| Component | Per Quarter | × 6 Quarters | Subtotal |
|---|---|---|---|
Nursing tuition (10–20 cr.) | $7,325 | 6 | $43,950 |
Technology/Services Fee | $695 | 6 | $4,170 |
Nursing program fee (cohort terms) | $400 | 6 | $2,400 |
Nursing sequence total | ~$50,520 |
Note: Students who need to complete outstanding core/prerequisite courses before entering nursing quarters will incur additional tuition at the same Table 2 rate. Total cost varies based on how much core curriculum a prior bachelor’s degree satisfies.
At ~$50,520 for the 6-quarter nursing sequence, South College is priced in the mid-range among private multi-campus ABSN programs — comparable to Lipscomb (~$69,738 total) and LMU (~$53,580 nursing tuition) but less than PLU (~$75,450) or Emory (~$82,000+). The multi-campus model means students in Atlanta, Knoxville, Nashville, Asheville, or Marietta can access the same #1-ranked Tennessee nursing program without relocating.
Financial aid is available; the Yellow Ribbon Program provides additional tuition support for qualifying military veterans. Georgia scholarship and grant programs are available at Atlanta and Marietta campuses beginning Fall 2025.
See the official tuition page for more details: South College Tuition & Fees
Accreditation
Specific BSN accreditation body (CCNE or ACEN) is not explicitly identified in available program materials — prospective students should confirm current accreditation status directly with the South College School of Nursing. South College holds institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
All nursing graduates are eligible to apply to sit for the NCLEX-RN through the applicable state Board of Nursing, though the institution notes that graduation does not guarantee licensure eligibility in every state — students planning to practice outside Tennessee should verify requirements with their state’s nursing board before enrolling.