Tennessee has several ABSN and accelerated nursing pathways for students who already have college credit or a bachelor’s degree. Options range from lower-cost public universities like Tennessee Tech, ETSU, UofM, UTK, and UTHSC to private programs like Marian, South College, Lipscomb, LMU, and Union.
Program lengths range from about 12 months to 16 months for most second-degree ABSN tracks, while some accelerated BSN pathways may take longer depending on transfer credits and prerequisites.
Your best choice will depend on cost, location, GPA requirements, start dates, and clinical access.
Best Tennessee ABSN Programs by Goal
- Choose Tennessee Tech, UofM, UTHSC, or ETSU if your main goal is a lower-cost public university option.
- Choose Lincoln Memorial University if you want one of the fastest options, with a 12-month structure.
- Choose Marian University if you want a Nashville ABSN program connected closely with Ascension Saint Thomas.
- Choose South College if you want a multi-campus ABSN option with Nashville and Knoxville access.
- Choose Lipscomb or Marian if you want a Nashville-based program.
- Choose Union University if you want multiple Tennessee campus options and a private university setting.
Tennessee ABSN Program Comparison
| School | Location | Length | Est. Tuition | Best Fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Johnson City / Kingsport / Sevierville | 5 semesters | $28K | Low-cost public option | |
Knoxville | 12 months | $57K | Fast private option | |
Nashville | 16 months | $70K | Nashville hybrid option | |
Nashville | ~16 months | Confirm with school | Hospital-connected sponsor | |
Nashville / Knoxville | 6 quarters | $51K | Multi-campus sponsor | |
Cookeville | 15 months | $25K | Lowest-cost option | |
Jackson / Germantown / Hendersonville | 15 months | Private tuition | Multiple campuses | |
Memphis | 16 months | $23K in-state | Low-cost Memphis option | |
Knoxville | 12 months | $33K in-state | Flagship public option | |
Memphis | Varies by start | Low public tuition | Health science center option |
Featured Tennessee ABSN Programs
Marian University ABSN – Nashville
Marian University offers a hybrid ABSN program in Nashville with online coursework, in-person labs, and clinical rotations through Ascension Saint Thomas. The Nashville learning center is located inside Ascension Saint Thomas West, which gives students a hospital-based learning environment from early in the program.
Key Facts
- Location: Nashville
- Format: Hybrid
- Start dates: Multiple annual starts
- Clinical partner: Ascension Saint Thomas
- Best for: Students who want a sponsored Nashville option with hospital-based learning
Why Marian Stands Out
- The Nashville learning center is housed inside Ascension Saint Thomas West.
- Students complete labs, simulations, and testing in the hospital-based learning center.
- Marian offers multiple start dates, which can help career changers avoid waiting a full year.
South College ABSN – Nashville and Knoxville
South College offers an ABSN pathway across several campuses, including Nashville and Knoxville. The program uses a six-quarter nursing sequence and has strict academic progression standards, including an 80% exam average requirement in nursing courses.
Key Facts
- Locations: Nashville, Knoxville, and other campuses
- Length: 6 quarters
- Estimated nursing sequence cost: ~$50,520
- Format: Campus-based with clinical and lab components
- Best for: Students who want a sponsored multi-campus option
Why South College Stands Out
- Students can choose from multiple campus locations.
- The program has a structured quarter-based format.
- The curriculum includes adult health, mental health, maternal-infant care, pediatrics, community nursing, and a final practicum.
View South College ABSN Program
Other Tennessee ABSN Programs
East Tennessee State University
ETSU offers one of Tennessee’s more affordable public BSN pathways for students with a prior bachelor’s degree. The program uses a five-semester nursing sequence and offers campus options in Johnson City, Kingsport, and Sevierville.
Key Facts
- Locations: Johnson City, Kingsport, Sevierville
- Length: 5 semesters
- Estimated tuition: ~$27,485 in-state
- GPA requirement: 3.0 cumulative GPA
- Best for: Students who want a lower-cost public option with multiple campus entry points
Lincoln Memorial University
Lincoln Memorial University offers a 12-month ABSN program at its Cedar Bluff campus in Knoxville. The program may appeal to students who want a fast timeline and a 2.75 GPA threshold.
Key Facts
- Location: Knoxville
- Length: 12 months
- Estimated nursing tuition and fees: ~$56,490
- GPA requirement: 2.75 cumulative GPA
- Best for: Students who want a fast private ABSN option
Lipscomb University
Lipscomb University offers a Nashville-based ABSN program with online lecture content, in-person labs, and clinical rotations. The program runs across four semesters and places students near Nashville’s major healthcare network.
Key Facts
- Location: Nashville
- Length: 16 months
- Estimated cost: ~$69,738
- Format: Hybrid
- Best for: Students who want a Nashville hybrid ABSN option
Tennessee Tech University
Tennessee Tech offers one of the lowest-cost ABSN options in Tennessee. The 15-month program starts in May and includes a rural healthcare focus.
Key Facts
- Location: Cookeville
- Length: 15 months
- Estimated cost: ~$25,000
- Start: May
- Best for: Students who want a low-cost public ABSN option
View Tennessee Tech ABSN Program
Union University
Union University offers a 15-month ABSN program across multiple Tennessee campuses. The program may appeal to students who want a private university setting and campus options near Jackson, Memphis, or Nashville.
Key Facts
- Locations: Jackson, Germantown, Hendersonville
- Length: 15 months
- Format: Campus-based
- Best for: Students who want a private ABSN with multiple Tennessee locations
University of Memphis
The University of Memphis offers a public ABSN option through the Loewenberg College of Nursing. Its Memphis location, public tuition, and large clinical network make it one of the stronger value options in the state.
Key Facts
- Location: Memphis
- Length: 16 months
- Estimated tuition: ~$22,500 in-state
- Clinical network: 300+ affiliations
- Best for: Students who want a low-cost Memphis ABSN option
View University of Memphis ABSN Program
University of Tennessee Knoxville
UT Knoxville offers a 12-month ABSN program with a published in-state program cost of about $32,295. The program may appeal to students who want a flagship public university option with strong clinical immersion.
Key Facts
- Location: Knoxville
- Length: 12 months
- Estimated cost: ~$32,295 in-state
- Best for: Students who want a selective public flagship ABSN
View UT Knoxville ABSN Program
University of Tennessee Health Science Center
UTHSC offers a Memphis-based ABSN option within a dedicated health science center. The program may appeal to students who want a strong clinical environment and lower public tuition.
Key Facts
- Location: Memphis
- Format: Campus-based
- Best for: Students who want a health-science-center nursing environment
Cheapest ABSN Programs in Tennessee
The lowest-cost Tennessee ABSN options appear to be public university programs. Based on the school copy, Tennessee Tech, UofM, ETSU, UTK, and UTHSC are the strongest cost-focused options. Tennessee Tech is especially strong for cost, with an estimated total program cost near $25,000.
ABSN Programs in Nashville
Students looking for Nashville ABSN programs should compare Marian University, South College, Lipscomb University, and Union University’s Hendersonville campus. Marian may be the strongest fit for students who want a hospital-connected learning center through Ascension Saint Thomas. South College may be stronger for students who want a structured multi-campus ABSN option.
See our comparison of Nashville programs.
How to Choose a Tennessee ABSN Program
Start with cost. Public universities may save tens of thousands of dollars compared with private ABSN programs.
Then compare timelines. Some programs run about 12 months, while others take 15 or 16 months.
Next, review GPA and prerequisite rules. Some programs require a 3.0 GPA, while others may accept applicants closer to 2.75.
Finally, look at clinical access. Nashville, Knoxville, Memphis, and East Tennessee programs offer different clinical networks, so location matters.
Final Thoughts
Tennessee gives ABSN students a strong mix of low-cost public programs, Nashville-based private options, and multi-campus programs. Students who want the lowest price should start with Tennessee Tech, UofM, ETSU, UTHSC, and UTK. Students who want sponsored options with strong enrollment pathways should compare Marian University and South College first.