Best Online Nursing Programs in Chattanooga, TN (2026)
Chattanooga, Tennessee has a population of about 182,832. The city’s median household income is $61,028 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 35.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Chattanooga, with tuition ranging from $25,590 to $37,875 per year. In the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Anesthetist at a median $197,370 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Chattanooga
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Chattanooga city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academy of Allied Health Careers | Chattanooga, TN | 3.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Chattanooga College Medical Dental and & Technical Careers | Chattanooga, TN | 4.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Southern Adventist University | Collegedale, TN | 11.3 mi | $25,590 - $37,875 | – |
| Dalton State College | Dalton, GA | 24.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Athens | Athens, TN | 43.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Tennessee schools on the Tennessee nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Chattanooga
Chattanooga is part of the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area (BLS area code 16860). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Tennessee statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $76,870 | Chattanooga, TN-GA | $84,011 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $57,540 | Chattanooga, TN-GA | $62,885 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $197,370 | Chattanooga, TN-GA | $215,705 |
| Nurse Midwife | $97,380 | TN statewide | $106,426 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $107,890 | Chattanooga, TN-GA | $117,913 |
| Nursing Assistant | $36,050 | Chattanooga, TN-GA | $39,399 |
Source: BLS, May 2024 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes wage data at the metro (MSA) and state level – not by individual city.
Chattanooga at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $61,028 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 35.5% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 91.5 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Hamilton County | 16,161 workers, 106 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Chattanooga-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- East Ridge, TN – 4.9 mi away (21,302 pop)
- Cleveland, TN – 22.8 mi away (71,601 pop)
- Dalton, GA – 25.9 mi away (87,688 pop)
- Calhoun, GA – 43.3 mi away (33,092 pop)
- Rome, GA – 55.4 mi away (61,019 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Chattanooga, TN?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Chattanooga. The closest is Academy of Allied Health Careers in Chattanooga, TN (3.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Athens (43.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Chattanooga?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Chattanooga are: Nurse Anesthetist ($197,370), Nurse Practitioner ($107,890), Nurse Midwife ($97,380). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Tennessee statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in East Ridge instead of Chattanooga?
East Ridge, TN is 4.9 miles from Chattanooga and has its own set of local nursing programs – see the city’s page. For online programs, distance matters less; for hybrid or in-person formats, comparing both can help.
Is Chattanooga an affordable place to study nursing?
Chattanooga’s median household income of $61,028 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Chattanooga while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Tennessee public universities often offer reduced in-state online tuition.
How do I verify a program is accredited?
Confirm institutional accreditation via the U.S. Department of Education database (U.S. Dept. of Education database), and check for any program-specific accreditation listed by the school.