Best Online Nursing Programs in Cookeville, TN (2026)
Cookeville, Tennessee has a population of about 35,544. The city’s median household income is $48,501 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 35.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 51 accredited schools offering nursing programs near Cookeville, with tuition ranging from $4,762 to $18,622 per year for indexed programs. In Tennessee, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Anesthetist at a median $203,400 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Cookeville
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 51 schools in our directory that offer nursing programs near Cookeville. Distances are calculated from Cookeville city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fortis Institute-Cookeville | Cookeville, TN | 1.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Tennessee Technological University | Cookeville, TN | 1.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Livingston | Livingston, TN | 20.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Crossville | Crossville, TN | 29.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-McMinnville | McMinnville, TN | 33.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Hartsville | Hartsville, TN | 38.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Cumberland University | Lebanon, TN | 44.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Middle Tennessee State University | Murfreesboro, TN | 51.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Roane State Community College | Harriman, TN | 53.1 mi | $4,762 - $18,622 | – |
| Bryan College-Dayton | Dayton, TN | 53.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Tennessee schools on the Tennessee nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Cookeville
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage (Tennessee, statewide) |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $79,030 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $54,530 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $203,400 |
| Nurse Midwife | $97,380 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $108,420 |
| Nursing Assistant | $36,750 |
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.
Cookeville at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 35,544 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $48,501 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 35.4% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Nursing-related employment in Putnam County | 739 workers, 24 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Cookeville-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Lebanon, TN – 46.7 mi away (33,068 pop)
- Murfreesboro, TN – 54.2 mi away (161,634 pop)
- Harriman, TN – 55.2 mi away (23,026 pop)
- Gallatin, TN – 55.7 mi away (35,734 pop)
- Mount Juliet, TN – 55.9 mi away (33,263 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing schools are near Cookeville, TN?
Our directory has 51 accredited schools offering nursing programs near Cookeville. The closest is Fortis Institute-Cookeville in Cookeville, TN (1.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Bryan College-Dayton (53.4 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles in Tennessee?
Based on BLS May 2024 state wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles in Tennessee are: Nurse Anesthetist ($203,400), Nurse Practitioner ($108,420), Nurse Midwife ($97,380). Wages for Cookeville workers will track these statewide medians, adjusted for local cost of living.
Should I look at programs in Lebanon instead of Cookeville?
Lebanon, TN is 46.7 miles from Cookeville 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 Cookeville an affordable place to study nursing?
Cookeville’s median household income of $48,501 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Cookeville 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.
Related Resources
Data verified: May 5, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2024; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.