Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

UT-Knoxville's nursing program underperforms most of Tennessee's nursing schools, with first-year earnings of $65,298 falling below both the state median ($67,094) and national median ($74,888). More concerning, graduates earn less four years out than they do at graduation—dropping to $62,548—while nurses from competing Tennessee programs like Strayer ($81,061) and Galen ($76,234) pull well ahead. At the 40th percentile statewide, this program sits squarely in the bottom half of Tennessee nursing options, despite UT-Knoxville's strong overall reputation.

The $23,292 debt load is lower than typical nursing debt, which helps offset the earnings disadvantage, and the manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.36 means graduates won't face crushing repayment burdens. However, the flat-to-declining earnings trajectory suggests many graduates may be landing in settings with limited advancement potential or leaving direct clinical roles early in their careers. With robust sample size confirming these patterns, the data reflects a consistent experience rather than an anomaly.

Given Tennessee's competitive nursing landscape, this program represents a puzzling choice. Your child could attend University of Memphis and earn $11,000 more annually while staying at a comparable public university, or consider UT-Martin for better in-state outcomes. Unless campus fit or specific program elements heavily favor Knoxville, explore other Tennessee nursing programs that deliver stronger returns.