Nursing Degree in Chattanooga, TN — Salary & ROI 2026
Nursing degree analysis for Chattanooga, TN. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$54K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$66K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
3.3 yrs
in Chattanooga
Cost of Living
80
index (100 = avg)
Nursing in Chattanooga, TN Overview
While Chattanooga has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Nursing students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $12,210/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Nursing has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Patient Care and Clinical Assessment skills. The adjusted starting salary in Chattanooga is approximately $54,400.
Category
Healthcare
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$9,648/yr
Private Tuition
$39,466/yr
Room & Board
$12,210/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$9,310/yr
Unemployment
3%
Graduation Rate
50%
Nursing Salary in Chattanooga (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Chattanooga's cost of living index of 80 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Nursing salary: $68,000 starting, $82,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Chattanooga adjustment factor: 0.80x based on the local cost of living index.
Nursing ROI Calculator for Chattanooga
Estimate your return on investment for a Nursing degree using local Chattanooga tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $9,648 | Private avg: $39,466
Chattanooga avg aid: $9,310/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$87,432
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$26,400
vs HS diploma in Chattanooga
ROI Payback Period
3.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Chattanooga
$472,568
Lifetime earnings premium ($560,000) minus total education cost ($87,432)
Student Loan Payoff for Nursing in Chattanooga
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Chattanooga for Nursing
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
public
$9,648/yr
$38,592 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Chattanooga State Community College
$4,320/yr
Top Employers for Nursing in Chattanooga
Chattanooga offers opportunities in Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices for Nursing graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Chattanooga Hiring Sectors for Healthcare
Hospitals
Medical centers
Private practices
Health systems
Pharma companies
Common Nursing Job Titles
Nursing in Nearby Tennessee Cities
Nashville, TN
$63K starting · COL 92
35 colleges
Memphis, TN
$63K starting · COL 93
22 colleges
Knoxville, TN
$58K starting · COL 85
5 colleges
Clarksville, TN
$61K starting · COL 90
9 colleges
Murfreesboro, TN
$62K starting · COL 91
10 colleges
Franklin, TN
$81K starting · COL 118.5
4 colleges
Jackson, TN
$56K starting · COL 82.5
3 colleges
Johnson City, TN
$71K starting · COL 105
6 colleges
Other Healthcare Majors in Chattanooga
Pharmacy
$40K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Health Informatics
$40K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Healthcare Administration
$40K starting · 4 yr ROI
Occupational Therapy
$40K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Dental Hygiene
$40K starting · 3 yr ROI
Speech-Language Pathology
$40K starting · 4.2 yr ROI
Public Health
$40K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Radiologic Technology
$40K starting · 3 yr ROI
Methodology & Education Data Sources
How we calculate Nursing degree outcomes in Chattanooga, TN: Our salary projections, ROI estimates, and tuition data combine multiple federal datasets to provide a localized view of education economics. We use a 10-year career-trajectory model standard in higher education research.
- Tuition data sourced from IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System), the federal education statistics database operated by NCES. Average tuition for Nursing programs reflects 4-year public/private weighted averages for Tennessee.
- Career salary projections based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, with cost-of-living adjustments for Chattanooga using regional CPI data.
- 10-year ROI calculates: (Total Career Earnings With Degree) − (Total Career Earnings Without Degree) − (Total Education Cost Including Interest on Loans).
- Job market outlook for Nursing graduates uses BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook 10-year projections (2024-2034 base period).
- Default rates and loan data sourced from College Scorecard (US Department of Education), which tracks repayment outcomes by institution.
Authoritative US education data sources:
- IPEDS — Integrated Postsecondary Education Data — official federal college data
- College Scorecard (US Dept of Education) — earnings, debt, completion rates
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Nursing career projections
- Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) — official US student loan and grant info
- NCES Digest of Education Statistics — comprehensive education data
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wages — entry-level salary data for Nursing grads
Education Disclaimer: Salary and ROI estimates are projections based on national and state-level averages. Individual outcomes depend on institution prestige, GPA, internships, location, network, and economic conditions. Always verify current tuition with the institution directly, and consult a financial aid counselor before taking on student loans. Use the Federal Loan Simulator to model repayment scenarios.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk · Last updated 2026 · IPEDS & BLS data current as of latest annual release
Financial Aid Resources for Chattanooga Students
Beyond federal aid (FAFSA), Tennessee students have access to state-specific grants, scholarships, and tuition assistance programs. The 2026-27 FAFSA also added a new Low Earnings Indicator (Dec 2025) flagging programs where graduates earn less than non-college peers — check your target school's status:
Pell Grant up to $7,395/yr (2026-27). Subsidized loans at 6.53% (academic year 25-26):
State-specific grants stack with federal aid:
- • USA.gov — Tennessee programs
- • NASFAA — State Aid Programs
- • Search "tennessee higher education commission grants"
Verify earnings + debt before enrolling:
- • College Scorecard — earnings, debt, completion
- • NCES College Navigator
- • IPEDS Net Price Calculator Center
Free, official, scam-free scholarship databases:
2026-27 FAFSA tip: The new Low Earnings Indicator flags programs where graduates earn less than non-graduates. Check this before enrolling. Speak with a NASFAA-credentialed financial aid counselor at your target school.
Nursing Degree in Chattanooga — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Nursing ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Chattanooga.