What you’ll learn in this article…
- Nashville MBA tuition ranges from about $10,500 to nearly $58,000 total.
- Vanderbilt Owen commands a premium but delivers top median earnings.
- Healthcare, finance, and tech employers cluster within one commuting radius.
Nashville's economy is anchored by healthcare: HCA Healthcare and Community Health Systems both run national operations from the metro, and that demand spills into finance, tech, and logistics. Metro GDP has outpaced the U.S. average for much of the past decade, so an MBA here is a bet on a labor market already competing for management talent.
That market does not require one format. Vanderbilt's elite full-time Owen MBA sits alongside affordable online, part-time, and executive programs, with tuition from under $15,000 to more than $120,000. The real choice is income and debt: keep working through a flexible program, or pause earnings for a higher-touch network and national brand.
Nashville's Employer Landscape: Why Local MBAs Have a Built-In Advantage
In Nashville, a hospital system's C-suite and a fintech firm's trading floor sit inside the same commuting radius; that overlap is why an MBA earned here carries local weight.
Healthcare Management Capital
Nashville has long branded itself the healthcare management capital of the country, and the numbers back it up. Vanderbilt University Medical Center employs more than 28,000 people locally, HCA Healthcare (headquartered here) accounts for roughly 10,500, and Ascension Saint Thomas adds another 6,200 across its hospital network.5 Community Health Systems, Envision Healthcare, and Ardent Health round out a cluster of publicly traded healthcare companies that recruit MBA-trained operators for finance, strategy, and revenue-cycle roles. Education and health services employment sat near 187,900 jobs as of April 2026, with growth estimates ranging from roughly 1.4% to 1.6% year over year depending on the source, a pace that has held up even as national hiring cools.1
Finance, Tech, and Consulting Add Depth
AllianceBernstein's 2019 relocation of its headquarters to Nashville brought hundreds of finance jobs and signaled that the city's ambitions extend beyond hospitals.2 Bridgestone Americas, Dollar General, and Deloitte all maintain significant Nashville operations, and consulting firms like PwC, EY, KPMG, and Accenture staff healthcare and financial advisory practices locally. On the tech side, Amazon's operations hub employs more than 13,200 workers across Greater Nashville, Oracle is building a campus, and Asurion is headquartered in the city.2 Venture funding reached roughly $1.8 billion across 210 deals in 2025, with healthcare accounting for close to 40% of that activity.3
Built-In Pipelines and Commuter Reach
Vanderbilt Owen and Belmont's business schools both lean into this landscape, cultivating relationships with area healthcare systems and financial firms that translate into internships and case competitions. For professionals outside city limits, commuting distance rarely rules out a Nashville MBA: Murfreesboro, Franklin, Clarksville, and Cookeville all fall within reach, and UT Haslam even offers Nashville-format programming for students who'd rather not relocate to Knoxville.
Online, Part-Time, and Executive MBA Options in Nashville
For the vast majority of Nashville professionals, the realistic MBA path is not a two-year full-time program: it is online, part-time, or executive. Nashville's employer base rewards people who keep working while they credential up, and the local program mix reflects that.
Online MBAs Based In and Around Nashville
Several Nashville-area schools offer fully online MBAs aimed at working professionals:
- Trevecca Nazarene University (Nashville): 10-month online MBA with eight concentrations, cohort-based, roughly $22,500 total program tuition at $750 per credit.
- Tennessee State University (Nashville): AACSB-accredited MBA with an online-friendly delivery, 36 credit hours, and one of the lower published in-state tuition figures in the region.
- Middle Tennessee State University (Murfreesboro): Online MBA with concentrations like Healthcare Management, AACSB institution, GMAT/GRE waiver possible.
- UT Chattanooga and UT Martin: Both AACSB-accredited online options that Nashville residents commonly pick when they want a University of Tennessee credential without relocating.
The UT Haslam Nashville Professional MBA
Many prospects overlook that the University of Tennessee's Haslam College of Business runs a Professional MBA with classes held in Nashville, not just Knoxville. If you want a flagship state-university brand and in-person cohort experience without leaving Middle Tennessee, this is the option most searches miss.
Part-Time and Executive Formats
Belmont University offers an evening/late-afternoon MBA on its Nashville campus, structured so healthcare and corporate professionals can attend after work. Vanderbilt Owen runs an Executive MBA designed for senior managers with significant experience, meeting on alternating weekends. Bethel University's online Executive MBA is a lower-cost alternative aimed at experienced managers, with no GRE required.
Cost, Time, and Network Tradeoffs
- Online MBAs: Typically $15K to $40K total, 12 to 24 months, lightest networking but maximum schedule flexibility.
- Part-time evening MBAs: Moderate to higher cost (Belmont's Healthcare MBA runs about $69K total), 2 to 3 years, strong local Nashville network.
- Executive MBAs: Highest sticker price, 17 to 24 months, cohort of senior peers and the strongest employer-facing signal.
One filter to apply before you shortlist any online program: AACSB accreditation. It is the standard employers and doctoral programs recognize, and it separates serious online MBAs from the rest. Accreditation is covered in depth later.
Tuition and Cost Comparison Across Nashville MBA Programs
Tuition for MBA programs accessible to Nashville students ranges from roughly $10,500 to nearly $58,000 for total program costs, depending on whether you choose a public university, a private institution, or an elite research university. The table below compares estimated tuition figures across Tennessee schools that serve the Nashville market, including both in-state and out-of-state rates where applicable. All figures are drawn from institutional data reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
| School | Location | Type | Format | Est. In-State Tuition | Est. Out-of-State Tuition | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin Peay State University | Clarksville, TN | Public | Online | $10,518 | $15,702 | |
| Tennessee State University | Nashville, TN | Public | On Campus | $11,188 | $23,808 | AACSB |
| UT Chattanooga | Chattanooga, TN | Public | Online | $11,110 | $19,174 | AACSB |
| Middle Tennessee State University | Murfreesboro, TN | Public | Online | $11,718 | $29,700 | AACSB |
| East Tennessee State University | Johnson City, TN | Public | Online | $11,366 | $26,486 | AACSB |
| UT Martin | Martin, TN | Public | Online | $11,916 | $12,978 | AACSB |
| University of Memphis | Memphis, TN | Public | Hybrid | $11,628 | $15,840 | |
| Trevecca Nazarene University | Nashville, TN | Private | Online | $10,537 | $10,537 | |
| Bethel University | McKenzie, TN | Private | Online | $15,525 | $15,525 | |
| Carson-Newman University | Jefferson City, TN | Private | Online | $14,355 | $14,355 | |
| Tennessee Wesleyan University | Athens, TN | Private | Online | $17,750 | $17,750 | |
| Bryan College | Dayton, TN | Private | Online | $10,910 | $10,910 | |
| Belmont University | Nashville, TN | Private | On Campus | $27,810 | $27,810 | AACSB |
| Union University | Jackson, TN | Private | Online | $14,419 | $14,419 | |
| Lincoln Memorial University | Harrogate, TN | Private | Online | $22,154 | $22,154 | ACBSP |
| King University | Bristol, TN | Private | Online | $16,073 | $16,073 | |
| Johnson University | Knoxville, TN | Private | Online | $8,305 | $8,305 | |
| South College | Knoxville, TN | Private | Online | $28,849 | $28,849 | |
| Southern Adventist University | Collegedale, TN | Private | Hybrid | $13,760 | $13,760 | |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, TN | Private | On Campus | $57,868 | $57,868 | AACSB |
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Nashville MBA Earnings at a Glance
Earnings outcomes for Nashville MBA graduates vary significantly by school, program format, and concentration. The figures below offer a snapshot of the cost and salary landscape across programs serving Nashville students. Keep in mind that individual results depend heavily on prior experience, industry, and whether you pursue a full-time, part-time, or online format.
Questions to Ask Yourself
Do you need a full-time immersion to switch careers, or can a part-time or online Nashville MBA keep your income flowing while you pivot?
Full-time formats build campus recruiting access and internships, while part-time or online options in Nashville help you avoid lost income. Choose based on whether you need a structured reset or a flexible step up.
Will your target employer in healthcare, finance, or tech recruit from a specific Nashville program, or is AACSB accreditation enough?
Some Nashville healthcare and finance employers lean on established pipelines at Vanderbilt Owen or regional schools. If your employer already sponsors MBAs, any AACSB-accredited program may clear the screen; otherwise, check hiring history before committing.
Can you justify a $100K plus investment for Vanderbilt Owen's brand premium, or would a $20K to $40K AACSB program deliver enough ROI?
Owen's network and career outcomes can pay off in consulting, healthcare leadership, or finance, but a lower-cost regional MBA may be the better fit if you plan to stay local and your salary bump is modest. Run the numbers against your expected post-MBA pay.
Do you need to finish in under two years to catch a promotion window or industry shift?
Accelerated, one-year, or part-time formats at Nashville schools can compress your timeline, but full-time two-year programs allow more internship and networking. If a narrow opportunity is closing, prioritize completion speed over breadth.
Best MBA Programs for Nashville Students
Below are the top MBA programs serving Nashville students, ranked by tuition, median earnings, debt levels, and overall ROI. This list centers on Nashville-based and Nashville-metro programs, with options ranging from Vanderbilt's nationally known Owen MBA to affordable public and flexible evening degrees. Federal data doesn't yet report program-level MBA earnings for these schools, so the cards emphasize cost structure, support for working professionals, and local employer connections.
How we ranked these
- Total program cost
- Typical graduate earnings
- Debt levels
- Nashville career alignment
- Program flexibility
- College Scorecard post-completion earnings data — collegescorecard.ed.gov
- National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) covering graduation rates, retention rates and student-faculty ratios — nces.ed.gov
- In-house program catalog data
- Independent program research
Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt Owen anchors Nashville's MBA market with a full-time residential program, a healthcare-focused curriculum, and a hybrid Executive MBA whose recent cohort drew 79 percent of its students from the Nashville area. Residencies with regional health systems and recruiting relationships with hundreds of companies give students direct access to local employers.
- Requires 12 credit hours beyond the MBA core
- One of eight concentration choices at Owen
- Customize with multiple concentrations or specializations
- Faculty research frequently cited in major business publications
- Two-year full-time MBA with health care immersion
- Residency projects with Nashville-area health systems
- Joint MBA/MD pathway available
- Employment report available for prospective students
- 21-month program with two learning tracks
- Classes in Nashville on alternating Saturdays in year one
- Cohort averages 45 to 50 professionals, mostly from Nashville
- Recent class drew 79 percent of students from the Nashville area
- Annual full-tuition sponsorship for a local nonprofit leader
- Alumni community of over 12,000 worldwide
- Four-year joint degree instead of five
- First year completed in law school
- Twelve credits transfer between programs
- Builds skills for finance and strategy roles
- Five-year joint degree with 50 total credit hours
- Apply during third year of medical school
- Twelve credits shared between schools
- Includes summer rotations and coursework
MBA in Accounting — On-Campus
MBA in Healthcare — On-Campus
Executive MBA — Hybrid
JD/MBA — On-Campus
MBA/MD — On-Campus
Trevecca Nazarene University
Trevecca offers Nashville professionals a faith-based MBA with flexible paths: classes one night a week on campus, fully online study, and a 10-month accelerated option. Cohort-based learning and one-course-at-a-time scheduling fit around full-time work, while concentrations in project management, healthcare administration, and leadership map to regional career tracks.
- Accelerated 10-month or traditional 18-month path
- 30 credit hours at $750 per credit
- Total tuition of $22,500
- No GMAT required and no application fee
- Project scope, scheduling, risk, and procurement courses
- Cohort model with online or one-night-a-week campus option
- Ten-month accelerated or 20-month traditional option
- Tuition from $17,700 to $21,240 total
- No entrance exam required
- Focus on leadership, planning, and strategy
- Cohort learning with books delivered to your door
MBA in Project Management — Online
MBA in Management and Leadership — Online
Tennessee State University
Tennessee State is Nashville's public HBCU and one of the more affordable AACSB-accredited MBA options in the city. The program's small classes and diverse student body matter for professionals who value community, and an array of concentrations plus a 12-month Executive MBA broadens the fit.
- AACSB-accredited 36-credit hour program
- Core courses plus concentration electives
- Small classes within a diverse campus community
- Fellowships, scholarships, and assistantships available
- 12-month, 36-credit hour executive format
- One course at a time in four-week modules
- Weekend residencies with hybrid online sessions
- Ten-day global immersion included
- Industry guest speakers integrated into curriculum
- Explores analysis and design of information systems
- Prepares leaders for data-driven planning decisions
- Coursework supports operational transaction systems
MBA in General Business — On-Campus
Executive MBA — Hybrid
MBA in Management Information Systems — On-Campus
Belmont University
Belmont's Healthcare MBA is purpose-built for early-career professionals moving into health care management, with late-afternoon classes, applied projects with local health systems, and a summer internship for students without prior experience. The AACSB-accredited program also offers an accelerated JD/MBA for those targeting business law leadership.
- 42-credit hour program completed in five semesters
- Late-afternoon classes accommodate daytime jobs
- Total tuition of $69,090
- Summer internship for applicants without work experience
- Experiential projects with Nashville health care companies
- Graduates may qualify for executive residency programs
- AACSB-accredited with GMAT waiver option
- Joint degree completed in three years
- Cohort capped at 10 students
- Three courses count toward both degrees
- GMAT requirement waived for joint degree
Healthcare MBA — On-Campus
JD/MBA — On-Campus
Middle Tennessee State University
Middle Tennessee State brings AACSB-accredited MBA education within reach of Nashville professionals, with concentrations in health care management, business analytics, and marketing. GMAT and GRE waivers, along with in-state tuition, make it a practical option for metro-area working adults.
- 42-credit MBA with health care management concentration
- 30 hours core plus 12 hours concentration coursework
- Capstone uses strategic business consulting projects
- GMAT or GRE waiver for strong GPA or experience
- Foundation courses available for career changers
- Hybrid MBA with marketing analytics concentration
- Includes capstone on strategic marketing decisions
- Coursework covers branding and market research
- Elective options available online or on campus
MBA in Health Care Management
MBA in Strategic Marketing Analytics — Hybrid
Lincoln Memorial University
Master of Business Administration, Supply Chain Management — Online
Master of Business Administration, Sport Management — Online
Master of Business Administration, Healthcare Administration — Online
MBA, General Business — Online
JD/MBA Dual-Degree Program — Hybrid
The University of Tennessee-Martin
MBA: General Business, General Business — Online
King University
Master of Business Administration, Project Management — Online
Master of Business Administration, Management — Online
University of Memphis
Business Administration - Executive Leadership, Executive Leadership — Hybrid
JD/MBA — On-Campus
Austin Peay State University
Master of Business Administration, Responsible Human Resource Management — Online
Southern Adventist University
MSW-MBA Dual Degree — Hybrid
Tennessee Wesleyan University
Master of Business Administration, Accounting — Online
Master of Business Administration, Management — Online
Executive MBA — Hybrid
South College
Business Administration, MBA — Online
Master of Business Administration (Executive) — Online
Bethel University
Executive MBA — Online
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
Master of Science in Business Cybersecurity — Online
Full-Time MBA, Entrepreneurship & Innovation — On-Campus
Executive MBA – Healthcare Leadership — Hybrid
Executive MBA – Strategic Leadership — Hybrid
Physician Executive MBA — Hybrid
J.D. & MBA — On-Campus
Union University
Master of Business Administration, Healthcare Management — Online
MSW/MBA — Hybrid
East Tennessee State University
Master of Business Administration, Business Analytics — Online
Master of Business Administration, General — Online
MD/MBA Dual Degree Program — On-Campus
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga
MBA, Business Analytics — Online
Johnson University
Master of Business Administration (MBA), Entrepreneurship — Online
Master of Business Administration (MBA), Healthcare Management — Online
Master of Business Administration, Human Resource Management — Online
Carson-Newman University
Master of Business Administration, Entrepreneurial Leadership — Online
Bryan College-Dayton
Master of Business Administration, Healthcare Administration — Online
Master of Business Administration, Human Resources — Online
Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), Marketing, Marketing — Online
Frequently Asked Questions About Nashville MBA Programs
Nashville offers a surprisingly diverse set of MBA programs, from budget-friendly public options to one of the nation's top-ranked business schools. Below are answers to the questions prospective students ask most often.
