Chattanooga State Community College Nursing Program Review (2026): Programs, NCLEX & Requirements
On Amnicola Highway in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Chattanooga State Community College runs pre-licensure ADN (day, night, and LPN/paramedic transition tracks) and a Practical Nursing pathway listed in state NCLEX-PN reports. This guide cites Tennessee Board of Nursing first-time NCLEX tables and the college’s Fall 2025–Spring 2026 tuition schedule—confirm deadlines and selection rules with Nursing & Allied Health and the Tennessee Board of Nursing.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
Chattanooga State stacks affordable TBR community-college tuition with multiple RN schedules (traditional day, night cohort, and accelerated transition options for experienced LPNs or paramedics). Official Tennessee Board of Nursing tables show a strong recent first-time NCLEX-RN result for the ADN program relative to the statewide associate-degree aggregate—pair that with Chattanooga’s large hospital market for clinical learning and hiring, then verify every detail on the college’s live nursing pages.
Overview & Why Students Choose Chattanooga State Community College
Chattanooga State Community College is a Tennessee Board of Regents community college on the Tennessee River, serving metro Chattanooga and surrounding counties. The Nursing & Allied Health Division focuses on accessible pre-licensure pathways: a Nursing A.A.S. with traditional day and night cohorts plus LPN/paramedic-to-RN transition options, and a Practical Nursing track that appears on state licensure exam spreadsheets as Chattanooga State CC PN Program.
Expect limited-seat, selective admission: the college describes ATI TEAS testing for RN applicants, checklist items, and a point-based ranking. March 1 has been the recurring RN application deadline in college materials—always pull the current pdf or web form before you plan a move to Chattanooga.
According to the Tennessee Board of Nursing downloadable ADN NCLEX Pass Rates table, Chattanooga State Community College recorded a 97% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate in the 2024 reporting column (99 of 102 first-time candidates). The same column’s Tennessee aggregate associate-degree first-time pass rate was 85% (1,085 of 1,271 candidates). Download the PDF for full program lists and adjacent years; confirm the next refresh with the Board’s educational programs / NCLEX publications and Chattanooga State’s nursing office.
Reasons students choose Chattanooga State Community College
Board-documented NCLEX-RN momentum
State-reported first-time NCLEX-RN data place Chattanooga State’s ADN graduates above the Tennessee associate aggregate in the 2024 column of the Board’s table—useful context while you compare community colleges.
Flexible RN scheduling
Marketing pages outline day and night A.A.S. tracks and a transition route for experienced LPNs or paramedics—helpful if you work or have family obligations while you study.
Practical Nursing on the same campus system
The PN program sits under the college’s health careers umbrella with its own fee lines on the tuition table—review the TCAT block if you pursue that pathway.
Chattanooga clinical volume
Major systems such as Erlanger and CHI Memorial anchor tertiary care in the city; allied-health materials reference Erlanger-affiliated sites—confirm current nursing rotation contracts with the program.
Transparent TBR pricing
Fall 2025–Spring 2026 tables show $191 in-state maintenance per credit with posted program services and technology caps—helpful for semester budgeting before aid.
Nursing Programs Offered
Chattanooga State’s traditional nursing, day/night RN, and allied health pages describe pre-licensure credentials only on this guide—there is no stand-alone BSN or MSN at the community college. For BSN completion afterward, Tennessee university partnerships are common; verify any articulation agreement separately.
Pre-licensure (RN and PN)
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN; A.A.S.)
Nursing A.A.S. for new students: college materials reference a day pathway (~two years after prerequisites) and a night pathway (~two-and-a-half years) with less frequent starts. Coursework blends general education, sciences, and nursing majors culminating in NCLEX-RN eligibility. We use ADN as the site-wide label for the associate RN degree.
LPN / Paramedic → RN (A.A.S.)
The catalog publishes a transition concentration for licensed LPNs or credentialed paramedics who complete prerequisites—often a shorter nursing sequence than the traditional track. Admission still follows the selective nursing process; confirm documentation of licensure and health requirements.
Practical Nursing (LPN)
A Practical Nursing program prepares graduates for NCLEX-PN. Tennessee Board spreadsheets label the cohort Chattanooga State CC PN Program. Tuition may follow the TCAT fee bands on the college table plus listed program/insurance lines—budget separately from university parallel courses.
Chattanooga State lists many allied health credentials beyond nursing. This page intentionally limits nursing scope to the ADN and Practical Nursing pathways documented on nursing pages and state exam lists. Cross-check every title in the online catalog before you apply.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
Associate-degree first-time NCLEX-RN outcomes for Tennessee programs appear in the Board’s ADN NCLEX Pass Rates PDF. For Chattanooga State Community College, the 2024 column shows 102 first-time candidates with 99 passing (97%). The same column lists the state subtotal for all associate-degree first-time testers at 85% (1,085 of 1,271)—a valid Tennessee benchmark from the identical table. Prior-year columns in that PDF (for example 93% with 132 of 142 in the next column) illustrate cohort variability; download the file to see the full five-year grid.
NCLEX-PN (practical nursing)
The Board’s PN NCLEX Pass Rates PDF lists Chattanooga State CC PN Program with 33 first-time testers and 28 passes (85%) in the leftmost data column, while the document also prints Tennessee and national first-time summaries for the same layout. Treat column-year labels exactly as printed in the PDF footer you download—Tennessee sometimes posts updated files mid-cycle.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass (2024 column, TN BON ADN PDF) | 97% (99 of 102) — Chattanooga State Community College |
| TN associate-degree aggregate (same 2024 column) | 85% (1,085 of 1,271 first-time candidates) |
| NCLEX-PN first-time (left column, TN BON PN PDF) | 85% (28 of 33) — Chattanooga State CC PN Program |
| Source | Tennessee Board of Nursing — ADN NCLEX Pass Rates (PDF); PN NCLEX Pass Rates (PDF); hub: Educational Programs. Confirm current data with the Board and Chattanooga State. |
NCLEX outcomes change by cohort. Always confirm the latest pass rates with the Tennessee Board of Nursing and the school.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
Policies for international applicants and internationally educated nurses interact with Tennessee Board of Nursing licensure steps, visa status, and clinical clearance. This section is general guidance only, not legal or immigration advice; confirm every item with Chattanooga State and Tennessee regulators.
- English proficiency: minimum TOEFL / IELTS / Duolingo scores or waivers published by the college’s admissions or international office.
- Credential evaluation: WES, ECE, CGFNS, or other vendors accepted for prerequisite science courses and prior nursing education.
- Tennessee Board of Nursing: NCLEX eligibility, CGFNS/VisaScreen concepts (if applicable), and any requirements for graduates of non-U.S. programs.
- Clinical placement & visa: whether F-1 students can access required practicum hours; some programs restrict enrollment.
Programs and immigration rules change; verify with Chattanooga State International Student Services, the Nursing division, and the Tennessee Board of Nursing.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
Chattanooga State treats pre-licensure nursing as a limited enrollment, selective program. Public pages reference an application checklist, ATI TEAS scheduling through the college, and a point system to rank applicants. Because cutoff profiles vary year to year, treat published minimums as floors, not guarantees.
Application timeline
Typical patterns from college bulletins appear below—always download the current nursing packet.
| Program | Deadline / pattern | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional / night RN A.A.S. | March 1 annually (pages cite “or next business day if March 1 falls on a weekend”) | Confirm 2026–2027 cycle on traditional nursing or day/night pages. |
| LPN / Paramedic transition | Follows the nursing division calendar for transition cohorts | Prerequisites and proof of licensure/paramedic credentials required before nursing coursework. |
| Practical Nursing | Not publicly disclosed on this page | Contact Nursing & Allied Health for PN-specific application dates. |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing) | Not publicly disclosed — assume competitive cohort sizes. |
| Entrance exam | ATI TEAS referenced for RN applicants; confirm minimum scores and retake intervals on the official TEAS page. |
| Prerequisites | Biology, chemistry, math, and general-education courses per catalog; GPA calculations often include repeated attempts — verify the handbook. |
| Health & clearance | Immunizations, background checks, drug screens, and CPR certification are standard for Tennessee clinical contracts—budget time and fees. |
If you are applying from high school: prioritize strong science and math grades, schedule the TEAS after focused prep, and capture health-related volunteering or employment in your file. If you are an LPN or paramedic: keep all licenses and certifications current, submit official transcripts from every college attended, and remember transition cohorts often have fewer seats than traditional tracks.
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
Chattanooga State publishes main campus credit-hour tables for Fall 2025–Spring 2026, combining maintenance (tuition), program services, and technology fees. Additional charges (campus access, course materials, clinical uniforms, ATI products, liability insurance) still apply.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| In-state maintenance (per credit) | $191.00 — Fall 2025–Spring 2026 table |
| In-state total (12 credits) | $2,458.00 ($2,292 maintenance + $50 program services max + $116 technology max) |
| Out-of-state maintenance (per credit) | $331.00 |
| Out-of-state total (12 credits) | $4,138.00 (maintenance + capped fees per table) |
| Practical Nursing / TCAT block | Example row: $1,388.00 subtotal for 218–340 clock-hour band (FA25–SU26) plus note of $100 LPN course fee — confirm your clock-hour tier. |
| Source | Chattanooga State — Tuition & Fees tables. Confirm amounts with the Bursar; summer may differ where noted. |
Explore Tennessee Promise, Tennessee Reconnect, and institutional scholarships through Chattanooga State’s financial aid office; eligibility depends on residency, prior degrees, and Satisfactory Academic Progress.
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
This page emphasizes Tennessee Board of Nursing NCLEX disclosures because they are comparable across public programs. For job placement, completion, or median salary figures, consult Chattanooga State’s consumer information or accreditation self-studies — none of those metrics were embedded here without a cited primary document.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time (2024 column) | 97% — Tennessee Board ADN PDF (99 of 102) |
| NCLEX-PN first-time (left column) | 85% — Tennessee Board PN PDF (28 of 33) |
| Job placement within 6 months | Not publicly disclosed here — request the Nursing outcomes report if available. |
| Source | TN ADN NCLEX PDF; TN PN NCLEX PDF. Confirm with Chattanooga State Nursing. |
Is Chattanooga State Community College the Right Fit for You?
Chattanooga State fits students who want an in-state community-college price, documented NCLEX performance from Tennessee regulators, and flexible RN pacing. It may not fit applicants who need a four-year, entry-level BSN at the same campus, dislike structured cohort models, or cannot satisfy clinical clearance standards.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Prioritize measurable NCLEX-RN outcomes published by the Tennessee Board of Nursing.
- Need day or evening RN scheduling—or an LPN/paramedic bridge after prerequisites.
- Want to work in Chattanooga’s Level I trauma and community hospital landscape after licensure.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Expect a direct-entry BSN without later university transfer or an online completion route elsewhere.
- Cannot travel to multiple clinical sites across the metro area on early or late shifts.
- Prefer rolling admission without standardized testing — nursing applicants should plan for TEAS and firm deadlines.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Chattanooga anchors southeast Tennessee’s referral network. Erlanger Health System (regional academic medical center footprint) and CHI Memorial operate multiple campuses, while pediatric, rehabilitation, and long-term care partners fill out the rotation mix. Chattanooga State allied-health disclosures reference Erlanger facilities among clinical affiliates—still confirm current nursing affiliation agreements with the Nursing office because contracts rotate.
| Facility / system | Relevance |
|---|---|
| Erlanger Health System | Large public/academic network in Chattanooga; common source of high-acuity learning and graduate hiring. |
| CHI Memorial | Multi-hospital Catholic system with campuses in Chattanooga and North Georgia suburbs—broad med-surg and specialty volume. |
| VA & community providers | Federal and nonprofit clinics supplement population-health exposures; exact partners depend on semester plans. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
Nursing instruction centers on the Amnicola Highway campus: skills labs, simulation, and advising through the Nursing & Allied Health Division. Chattanooga State also operates satellite locations for other programs, but nursing cohorts should expect substantial time on the main campus and at off-site clinical agencies. Student governance includes a Student Nurses’ Association chapter at many Tennessee programs—ask whether Chattanooga State’s chapter is active for your entry year.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus location
- Chattanooga, TN
- Address
- 4501 Amnicola Highway, Chattanooga, TN 37406, US
- Main telephone
- +1-423-697-4400
- Nursing & Allied Health
- +1-423-697-4450
- RN information
- RNinfo@chattanoogastate.edu · RN program phone +1-423-493-8740 (per college materials)
- Website
- chattanoogastate.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Download the latest RN application checklist and catalog worksheet from Nursing & Allied Health.
- Create an ATI account, pay the published TEAS fee, and schedule a exam date that leaves time for a retake window if needed.
- Compare your transcripts to biology/chemistry/math prerequisites — plan any summer classes early.
- Attend an information session or advising appointment if the division requires it for application approval.
- Budget uniforms, clinical fees, immunizations, and background checks alongside tuition.
- Bookmark the Tennessee Board of Nursing educational programs page for licensure exam updates.
- Set a calendar reminder for the March 1 RN deadline (or the date posted for your cycle).
Frequently Asked Questions
What first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate does the Tennessee Board of Nursing report for Chattanooga State Community College?
The downloadable ADN NCLEX Pass Rates PDF shows 97% (99 of 102 first-time candidates) for Chattanooga State in the 2024 data column, with a 85% aggregate for all Tennessee associate programs in that same column. Confirm the latest PDF revision on the Board site.
Does Chattanooga State require TEAS or HESI for its RN A.A.S.?
Chattanooga State’s nursing materials reference the ATI TEAS for applicants; HESI is not described on this page. Verify minimum scores, retake rules, and transition-track requirements on the official TEAS and nursing admissions pages.
When are Chattanooga State traditional RN applications due?
Public program pages have historically used a March 1 annual deadline (rolling to the next business day when needed). Pull the current application pdf for the exact time and any online submission steps.
How much is in-state tuition at Chattanooga State for Fall 2025–Spring 2026?
The tuition table lists $191 maintenance per credit for Tennessee residents plus program services and technology fees—$2,458 total at the published 12-credit example. Add course-specific or clinical fees separately.
Is Chattanooga State Community College’s nursing program ACEN-accredited?
ACEN’s public directory lists Chattanooga State associate nursing programs as accredited; always confirm effective dates and any contingencies directly with ACEN and the college’s accreditation page.
Does Chattanooga State offer an LPN program and a paramedic-to-RN bridge?
Yes—the catalog advertises Practical Nursing (NCLEX-PN) and an RN A.A.S. transition track for qualified LPNs or paramedics after prerequisites. Seat counts and timelines differ from the traditional track.
What NCLEX-PN pass rate does Tennessee publish for Chattanooga State practical nursing?
The PN NCLEX Pass Rates PDF lists Chattanooga State CC PN Program at 85% (28 of 33) in the leftmost column, alongside printed Tennessee and national summaries. Match the PDF’s column headings to the academic year you care about.
How should I plan clinical rotations around work in Chattanooga?
Expect variable clinical days across Erlanger, CHI Memorial, and community partners; night cohorts still include intensive on-site labs. Speak with the clinical coordinator about employment accommodations early—some shifts cannot be moved.
Where can I double-check Chattanooga State nursing data besides this guide?
Use Chattanooga State Nursing & Allied Health, the Tennessee Board of Nursing educational programs hub, and the NCES College Navigator record (UnitID 219824).
References
- Chattanooga State — Nursing & Allied Healthchattanoogastate.edu/nursing-allied-health
- Chattanooga State — Traditional Nursing A.A.S.nursing-traditional
- Chattanooga State — RN day & night overviewnursing-rn-day-night
- Chattanooga State — ATI TEASati-teas
- Chattanooga State — Tuition & Fees tables (Fall 2025–Spring 2026)tuition-fees-table
- Tennessee Board of Nursing — Educational programs hubTN BON educational programs
- Tennessee Board of Nursing — ADN NCLEX pass rates (PDF)ADN NCLEX Pass Rates.pdf
- Tennessee Board of Nursing — PN NCLEX pass rates (PDF)PN NCLEX Pass Rates.pdf
- ACEN — Chattanooga State program searchacenursing.org/search-programs
- NCES College Navigator — Chattanooga State Community College (219824)IPEDS record
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)ncsbn.org
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Registered Nursesbls.gov/ooh
Editorial Standards & Review
About the author: Francesco Di Siena, RN, writes evidence-based nursing education guides for NurseOnShift.
Review: This page was reviewed by Araceli Collado, RN, for alignment with Tennessee Board of Nursing NCLEX PDFs, Chattanooga State’s published Fall 2025–Spring 2026 tuition tables, and nursing pathway descriptions on the college site.
Disclaimer: This page is for general reference only. It does not constitute professional, admissions, immigration, or financial advice. Requirements, deadlines, tuition, and policies change; always verify with the institution and the Tennessee Board of Nursing.
Published: April 1, 2026 · Last reviewed: April 1, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy