Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Morristown

Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Morristown's nursing program sits squarely in the middle of the pack within Tennessee—at the 60th percentile for earnings—but that's actually below where most parents would want their child's program to land. While the $8,000 in debt is impressively low (among the best 5% nationally), first-year earnings of $39,477 trail the national median by nearly $5,000. More concerning: graduates actually earn less four years out than they do initially, dropping to $37,852.

Looking at other Tennessee technical colleges offering this credential reveals the gap. Top performers like TCAT Nashville and TCAT Athens see their graduates earning $46,000-$51,000—that's $7,000 to $12,000 more annually for similar programs across the state. Over a career, that difference compounds significantly. The moderate sample size suggests these aren't anomalies, but a consistent pattern.

The minimal debt means graduates won't struggle with payments—at a 0.20 debt-to-earnings ratio, they're in strong shape financially. But the opportunity cost here matters. If your child can access one of Tennessee's stronger nursing programs, even with slightly higher debt, the earning potential makes that worthwhile. This program gets you credentialed affordably, but it doesn't position you as competitively in Tennessee's nursing job market as other in-state options would.