University of Tennessee, Knoxville Nursing: Programs, NCLEX & Requirements (2026)
Flagship Knoxville campus with Traditional BSN, 12-month Accelerated BSN (ABSN), online RN-to-BSN, CCNE-accredited DNP and PhD pathways, and deep clinical ties across East Tennessee. Figures below cite the College of Nursing and UT Institutional Effectiveness—confirm every deadline and charge with official UT sources.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
UT Knoxville’s College of Nursing pairs a major public research university with clinical depth across Knoxville—including the BSN Scholars academic–practice partnership at UT Medical Center—and publishes transparent undergrad tuition totals and NCLEX outcomes via Institutional Effectiveness. Use those primary sources when you compare pathways and costs.
Overview & Why Students Choose University of Tennessee, Knoxville
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville is the state’s flagship campus. The College of Nursing states it integrates education, practice, research, and technology to optimize health through nurse-led care. Regional hospitals, community clinics, health departments, and schools anchor clinical learning for pre-licensure students, while graduate programs use a blended model with required on-campus intensives and simulation—for example, mandatory clinical intensive days for several DNP nurse practitioner concentrations.
Prospective students should expect selective, capacity-limited pathways: direct freshman admission to the nursing major, NursingCAS-based entry for traditional BSN and Accelerated BSN (ABSN), and separate graduate admissions through the UT Graduate School. Always work from the official nursing.utk.edu pages and the current catalog so prerequisites and deadlines match your entry term.
According to UT’s Institutional Effectiveness licensure rates table, the College of Nursing reported a 96.7% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for the 2023–24 academic year. The same table lists Tennessee and national comparators for that period. Confirm the latest cohort with the UT licensure rates page, the College of Nursing, and the Tennessee Board of Nursing.
Reasons students choose UT Knoxville nursing
Breadth of entry paths
Traditional BSN with direct freshman admission, transfer/change-of-major via NursingCAS, optional BSN Scholars with UT Medical Center, a 12-month ABSN for second-degree students, and a fully online RN-to-BSN—each spelled out on the college’s undergraduate pages.
Doctoral clinical depth
The DNP offers multiple BSN-to-DNP concentrations (family, psychiatric-mental health, pediatric dual track, primary-care pediatric, nurse anesthesia) plus post-master’s DNP, with blended delivery and CCNE accreditation noted on the program page.
Research-ready PhD
The PhD program admits BSN-, MSN-, and DNP-prepared nurses, positioning graduates for nurse-scientist and faculty careers aligned with the college’s research portfolio.
Published cost snapshots
The College of Nursing maintains an “Undergraduate Tuition & Fees” page with program-year totals for Traditional BSN, ABSN, and RN-to-BSN—useful for apples-to-apples planning before you layer in housing and aid.
Transparent licensure reporting
UT Institutional Effectiveness publishes multi-year NCLEX tables for the College of Nursing alongside Tennessee and national figures, making it easier to see trend data than a single marketing bullet.
Nursing Programs Offered
The following aligns with the College of Nursing’s undergraduate and graduate landing pages (nursing.utk.edu). Separate degree level, pathway, and delivery in your planning: pre-licensure BSN programs lead to NCLEX-RN; RN-to-BSN is post-licensure; DNP and PhD are graduate nursing credentials.
Pre-licensure (undergraduate)
Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Combines campus resources with hospitals, clinics, health departments, and schools. Includes direct freshman admission (deadline December 15) and transfer/change-of-major applicants who complete VolCore and science prerequisites before upper-division nursing, per the BSN page.
Accelerated BSN (ABSN)
Accelerated BSN (ABSN) is a 12-month, 47-semester-hour program for students who already hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree; summer start after prerequisites are complete. Uses NursingCAS and UT transfer/readmission applications as described on the ABSN page.
BSN Scholars (UT Medical Center)
Academic–practice partnership: coursework and clinical experiences at UTMC with a published minimum of $17,000 in tuition assistance and a three-year work commitment after graduation. Restricted to U.S. citizens and permanent residents; no pediatric unit at UTMC—factor that into fit.
Post-licensure (undergraduate completion)
RN-to-BSN
Designed for licensed RNs with an associate degree or diploma; delivered 100% online, per the college’s undergraduate programs overview.
Graduate nursing
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Concentrations include BSN-DNP Family NP, Psychiatric-Mental Health NP, Pediatric Primary/Acute dual NP, Primary Care Pediatric NP, BSN-DNP Nurse Anesthesia, and Post-master’s DNP. Delivery is blended online with on-campus doctoral and clinical intensives; nurse anesthesia uses a September 1 application deadline and most other DNP applicants follow a January 7 final deadline (with February 15 rolling review language on the DNP page).
Clinical & non-clinical certificates
Clinical graduate certificates cover family, psychiatric-mental health, and pediatric acute/primary specialties; non-clinical options include healthcare informatics, health policy, and nursing education—per the graduate certificates hub.
Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD)
Prepares nurse scientists, educators, and leaders; offers routes for BSN-, MSN-, and DNP-prepared applicants, per the PhD overview.
The main graduate programs page highlights DNP, certificates, and PhD rather than a freestanding MSN. If you need master’s-level APRN exit credentials, confirm the current catalog and Graduate School listings—do not assume an MSN track exists without a published program page.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
According to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville Institutional Effectiveness licensure rates page (updated October 20, 2025), the College of Nursing’s first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate was 96.7% for the 2023–24 academic year. The table presents results by academic year and also lists Tennessee (94.8%) and national (91.9%) figures for the same column—useful context, but licensing and board reporting definitions can differ; confirm methodology on the IE page.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate | 96.7% (2023–24 academic year, UT College of Nursing, per UT IE licensure table) |
| Source | UT Knoxville — Licensure Rates (Institutional Effectiveness). For board-reported school outcomes, see the Tennessee Board of Nursing. Confirm current cohort data with the college and the Board. |
NCLEX outcomes change by cohort. Always confirm the latest pass rates with the Tennessee Board of Nursing and the College of Nursing.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
Requirements for international students and internationally educated nurses vary by institution and state. Use the points below as a checklist; verify everything with University of Tennessee, Knoxville and the Tennessee Board of Nursing.
- English-language proficiency: DNP admissions materials list TOEFL iBT 80 or IELTS 6.5 overall when English is not your native language; undergraduate and other graduate programs may differ—confirm with Undergraduate Admissions or the Graduate School.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: WES, CGFNS, or other evaluators required by the school.
- Tennessee Board of Nursing: For RN licensure (with or without a U.S. degree), confirm NCLEX eligibility and document requirements with the Board.
- Immigration & visa: Program eligibility for F-1 or other visa types and impact on clinical placements.
Policies change frequently. Verify with University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s international office and the Tennessee Board of Nursing.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
UT Knoxville nursing pathways are capacity-limited. Freshmen compete for direct admission to the major; transfers and current UT students use NursingCAS for traditional BSN, BSN Scholars, and ABSN, with separate University application steps where required. Graduate nursing applicants apply through the Graduate School and meet College of Nursing interview and essay requirements, per the DNP overview.
Application timeline
| Pathway | Deadline / milestone | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional BSN — direct freshman | December 15 (high school senior year) | Apply through Undergraduate Admissions with nursing major code; holistic review per BSN page. |
| Traditional BSN / BSN Scholars — NursingCAS | November 10 priority; December 15 final (per published timelines) | NursingCAS + UT application for transfers; BSN Scholars adds UTMC interview. Verify current cycle on nursing.utk.edu. |
| ABSN — NursingCAS | November 1 priority; January 15 final application; February 1 materials | Rolling review after September first-round decisions; summer start. |
| DNP — nurse anesthesia | September 1 | Concentration-specific requirements on the anesthesia program page. |
| DNP — other concentrations | January 7 final (February 15 latest review per college language) | Holistic admissions with essay and interview emphasized. |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing) | Not publicly disclosed |
| Minimum GPA (DNP) | College lists cumulative GPA 3.00/4.00 on prior coursework for DNP minimum eligibility (plus unencumbered RN license where applicable). |
| TEAS / HESI | Not summarized on the BSN overview page used for this guide; confirm via NursingCAS instructions or Student Services. |
| Prerequisites (BSN / ABSN) | Human anatomy, physiology, microbiology, human development with specific UT equivalents; VolCore completion for traditional progression—see BSN and ABSN pages. |
If you are transfer-focused, align anatomy, physiology, and microbiology with UT equivalencies early—deadlines for course completion are explicit on the BSN page. For DNP, prepare your essay and résumé for holistic review and budget time for the admissions interview.
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
The College of Nursing publishes undergraduate tuition-and-fee totals by program (updated January 2025). Those figures are tuition and mandatory fees billed through the program—not a full cost-of-attendance budget (housing, food, transportation, supplies). Graduate nursing students should use One Stop tuition detail and the graduate catalog for per-credit and intensive travel costs.
| Program | In-state (published) | Out-of-state (published) |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional BSN (4-year total) | $68,966 | $145,326 |
| ABSN (one-year total) | $32,295 | $62,461 |
| RN-to-BSN (program total) | $24,512 | $27,062 |
| Source | College of Nursing — Undergraduate Tuition & Fees (Jan 2025 page). UT Board of Trustees may adjust rates annually. Confirm billable charges with One Stop. | |
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
Published NCLEX outcomes for the College of Nursing appear on UT’s Institutional Effectiveness licensure dashboard (see NCLEX section). The college also highlights rankings and research funding on its homepage; treat marketing claims as starting points and read the underlying disclosure.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN (first-time) | 96.7% for 2023–24 academic year (UT IE licensure table). Confirm methodology and newer cohorts with IE and the Tennessee Board of Nursing. |
| Job placement / employment | Not publicly disclosed on the sources cited for this guide. Ask the college for graduate employment summaries and confirm expectations for BSN Scholars and ABSN scholarship work commitments. |
| Source | UT Knoxville — Licensure Rates |
Is University of Tennessee, Knoxville the Right Fit for You?
UT Knoxville suits students who want a large research university in East Tennessee with multiple nursing entry tracks—from competitive direct freshman BSN admission to an accelerated second-degree option and practice-integrated BSN Scholars.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Want a flagship public university with SEC campus life and strong allied health and research activity.
- Are comfortable with a blended or on-campus intensive graduate model (DNP) or a fast-paced 12-month ABSN.
- Value explicit partnership pathways such as BSN Scholars or ABSN UTMC scholarships—and the post-graduation work commitments that come with them.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Need a published stand-alone MSN track; the public program hub centers on DNP pathways and certificates.
- Cannot meet NursingCAS timelines or relocate for frequent Knoxville intensives (graduate APRN tracks).
- Are seeking pediatric-focused clinical training exclusively through BSN Scholars—the college notes UTMC does not operate a pediatric unit.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Knoxville anchors a major Appalachian health care corridor. UT nursing materials emphasize partnerships spanning academic medical centers, community hospitals, public health, and schools.
| Organization | Relevance to UT nursing |
|---|---|
| University of Tennessee Medical Center (UTMC) | Named partner for BSN Scholars and ABSN scholarship pathways; academic medical center rotations for many learners. |
| East Tennessee Children’s Hospital & regional hospitals | Representative of pediatric and specialty sites students may encounter—exact rotations vary by cohort and pathway. |
| Community clinics & health departments | BSN overview cites community clinics and health departments among clinical instruction sites. |
Clinical placement specifics change by semester; confirm current contracts with the College of Nursing.
Student Experience & Campus Life
The College of Nursing is headquartered at 1200 Volunteer Boulevard, with human patient simulators, a clinical practice lab, and technology-enhanced classrooms noted on the BSN page. Undergraduates may participate in a Freshman Nursing Living and Learning Community and the Student Nurses Association. Volunteer athletic traditions, Student Health, and counseling services are supported through mandatory student program fees described on One Stop.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus location
- Knoxville, TN
- Address
- 1200 Volunteer Boulevard, Knoxville, TN 37996, US
- Telephone
- +1-865-974-7606 (College of Nursing Student Services)
- Contact email
- conadvising@utk.edu
- Website
- UT Knoxville College of Nursing
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Visit the official University of Tennessee, Knoxville nursing website and download the current program brochure or student handbook if available.
- Review the prerequisite course list in the school catalog and compare it to your transcripts.
- If required, register for the TEAS, HESI, or other entrance exam. Confirm on the admissions page which test and minimum scores apply for your target semester.
- Draft a list of questions for an admissions counselor or the nursing program advising office.
- Reach out to current nursing students or alumni (e.g. via LinkedIn) to ask about clinical experiences and satisfaction.
- Begin outlining your personal statement (graduate programs) or prepare interview talking points (pre-licensure applicants).
- Check the application deadline for your target term and set reminders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the University of Tennessee, Knoxville College of Nursing a strong choice for a BSN?
The college publishes CCNE accreditation on its DNP pages, offers multiple BSN entry routes, and reported a 96.7% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for 2023–24 on UT’s Institutional Effectiveness licensure dashboard. Confirm current outcomes with UT IE, the College of Nursing, and the Tennessee Board of Nursing.
What is the difference between UT Knoxville’s Traditional BSN and ABSN?
The Traditional BSN follows a standard pre-licensure sequence with direct freshman or NursingCAS transfer paths. The Accelerated BSN (ABSN) is a 12-month, 47-credit option for students who already hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, starting in late May after prerequisites. Compare prerequisites and NursingCAS deadlines on each program page.
What NCLEX-RN pass rate did UT Knoxville report most recently?
Per the UT licensure rates table, the College of Nursing’s first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate was 96.7% for the 2023–24 academic year. Confirm newer cohorts with UT IE and the Tennessee Board of Nursing.
How much does UT Knoxville nursing cost for undergraduates?
The College of Nursing’s January 2025 undergraduate tuition page lists total tuition-and-fees estimates of $68,966 in-state and $145,326 out-of-state for the four-year Traditional BSN, $32,295 / $62,461 for ABSN, and $24,512 / $27,062 for RN-to-BSN. These exclude housing and personal expenses—confirm billable amounts with One Stop.
Does UT Knoxville offer an MSN nurse practitioner program?
The public graduate hub highlights DNP concentrations (including BSN-to-DNP NP tracks), post-master’s DNP, PhD, and graduate certificates—not a freestanding MSN. Verify any master’s options directly in the graduate catalog.
What is BSN Scholars at UT Knoxville?
BSN Scholars is a UT Medical Center partnership with class and clinical work at UTMC, a published minimum of $17,000 tuition assistance, and a three-year post-graduation work commitment. It is limited to U.S. citizens and permanent residents; UTMC does not have a pediatric unit.
What application deadlines should ABSN applicants remember?
The ABSN page lists November 1 priority, January 15 final application, and February 1 materials deadline for verified NursingCAS files. Rolling review continues until seats are filled.
What English scores does the UT Knoxville DNP require?
DNP minimum eligibility lists TOEFL iBT 80 or IELTS 6.5 overall when English is not your native language. Other programs may differ—confirm with Graduate Admissions.
Where can internationally educated nurses verify Tennessee licensure steps?
Use the Tennessee Board of Nursing for credential evaluation and NCLEX eligibility questions, and the college’s admissions offices for program-specific requirements. This FAQ is guidance only.
References
- University of Tennessee, Knoxville — College of Nursingnursing.utk.edu
- UT Knoxville — Undergraduate nursing programsnursing.utk.edu/undergraduate-programs
- UT Knoxville — Graduate nursing / DNPDNP overview
- UT Knoxville — Undergraduate Tuition & Fees (nursing)nursing.utk.edu/undergraduate-tuition-fees
- UT Knoxville — Institutional Effectiveness (licensure / NCLEX table)ie.utk.edu/student-success-ut/licensure-rates
- UT Knoxville — One Stop (tuition detail)onestop.utk.edu/billing-payments/tuition-detail
- Tennessee Board of Nursingtn.gov nursing board
- 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 NCLEX alignment with UT Institutional Effectiveness data, program and tuition accuracy against nursing.utk.edu, and admissions deadline consistency.
Disclaimer: This page is for general reference only. It does not constitute professional, admissions, 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