Tennessee Tech University’s Whitson-Hester School of Nursing named the the best online nurse practitioner program in Tennessee
The honor comes from NursePractitionerOnline.Com’s 2026 rankings. Tech placed ahead of Vanderbilt University and the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.
Nationally, Tennessee Tech ranks fourth for best online nurse practitioner programs, and third for best online psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner programs. The school also ranks second in Tennessee for best online pediatric nurse practitioner programs.
The university says the recognition reflects continued growth in its online nursing programs, which aim to meet workforce demand while maintaining academic standards.
Whitson-Hester School of Nursing Dean Kim Hanna said the rankings “affirm the exceptional work of our faculty, staff and students,” and the school’s commitment to preparing career-ready nurse practitioners.
In a separate ranking, Nurse.org also placed Tennessee Tech among the top 10 nursing schools in the state for 2026.
That ranking cited factors including reputation, affordability, acceptance rate, and student outcomes, and noted strong National Council Licensure Examination pass rates among Tennessee Tech graduates.