Recognition reflects continued momentum for the Whitson-Hester School of Nursing
(UCBJ) – Tennessee Tech University’s Whitson-Hester School of Nursing is once again receiving national recognition for excellence, with new 2026 rankings from NursePractitionerOnline.com placing the school among the very best in the country.
The rankings name Tech as the No. 1 “best online nurse practitioner program” in Tennessee, ahead of peer institutions including Vanderbilt University and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Nationally, Tech ranks No. 4 for “best online nurse practitioner programs” and No. 3 for “best online psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner programs”. The university also earned the No. 2 spot in Tennessee for best online pediatric nurse practitioner programs.
The recognition reflects continued momentum for the Whitson-Hester School of Nursing, which has consistently expanded its online offerings to meet workforce demand while maintaining high standards of academic quality and student support.
“These rankings affirm the exceptional work of our faculty, staff and students and our commitment to preparing career-ready nurse practitioners who can meet critical health care needs,” said Kim Hanna, dean of the Whitson-Hester School of Nursing. “We are especially proud to be recognized not only as the top program in Tennessee, but also as one of the very best in the nation. Our focus remains on delivering rigorous, student-centered programs that produce skilled and compassionate nursing professionals.”
In addition to the NursePractitionerOnline.com honors, Tech also earned recognition from Nurse.org in its 2026 rankings. The site placed the Whitson-Hester School of Nursing among the top 10 nursing schools in Tennessee, citing factors such as reputation, affordability, acceptance rate and student outcomes.
According to Nurse.org, Tech’s nursing programs are designed to maximize graduates’ career opportunities. The site also praised Tech’s “affordable instate tuition rate” and notes Tech grads’ “impressive” pass rates on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).
Indeed, newly released data from the State of Tennessee shows that Tech nursing grads achieved a near-perfect 95% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX for 2025, significantly exceeding state and national averages.
The Whitson-Hester School of Nursing has built a reputation for combining affordability with high-quality instruction and hands-on clinical training. Its online nurse practitioner programs are designed to provide flexibility for working professionals while maintaining strong connections to clinical practice and community health needs across Tennessee and beyond.
University leaders say the continued recognition reinforces Tech’s role in addressing the growing demand for highly trained nurses and advanced-practice providers.
“As health care needs continue to grow, especially in rural and underserved areas, our graduates are stepping forward to make a meaningful difference,” Hanna said. “These rankings highlight the impact of a Tennessee Tech education and the vital role our alumni play in improving health outcomes in their communities.”
For more information about Tennessee Tech’s Whitson-Hester School of Nursing and its programs, visit www.tntech.edu/nursing.
Photo via Tech.
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