Nashville State Community College serves Middle Tennessee through a network of campuses, online courses and workforce centers. In Davidson County, four locations have distinct roles: White Bridge is the largest and the main starting point for admissions; Southeast is the home of the English as a Second Language program and culinary training; North Davidson offers a smaller setting with weekend classes; East Davidson brings workforce education and job-search partners together. This guide focuses on those Nashville-area sites and gives applicants a way to compare the route, cost and services before choosing a program.
Applying for the first time
Adults and high-school seniors use Nashville State’s official admissions portal. First-time degree applicants submit the online application, arrange for official high-school or GED records, and complete the checklist shown in their application account. The college also asks applicants to address immunization documentation and, where required for state benefits or in-state tuition, proof of citizenship or lawful presence. ACT or SAT scores are not mandatory; students without scores or prior credits that establish college-level readiness may be placed in learning-support courses. Accuplacer is available to assess readiness and may help a student place out of some support courses.
Admission and entry to a particular program are separate decisions. A general application does not guarantee a place in a selective or cohort-based program. Nursing, other health credentials and some career pathways may have prerequisites, placement, background or health requirements, and separate application dates. After the application is complete, new students receive an orientation invitation; first-time freshmen also attend Campus Connect in person. The White Bridge Welcome Center helps with documents, tours, orientation, enrollment and financial aid. Review the current admission checklist and deadlines before applying, because term dates change.
What a 2026–27 semester costs
Nashville State’s published 2026–27 rates charge Tennessee residents $197 per credit hour through 12 credits, then $44 for each additional credit. Students from outside Tennessee pay $342 per credit through 12 credits, then $68 for additional hours. The college’s cost table places a 12-credit semester at $2,534 for an in-state student and $4,274 for an out-of-state student, including the standard listed registration fees. Technology access is $12 per credit up to a cap; some programs add costs—for example, culinary courses carry a $30-per-credit program fee and nursing courses $25 per credit. Summer rates and some online classes are calculated differently.
These figures are a starting estimate, not a complete household budget or an aid offer. The official cost-of-attendance estimate for fall and spring 2026–27 is $18,924 for a student living with parents and $26,919 for one living independently; those totals include estimated books, food, housing, personal expenses and transportation, much of which is not billed by the college. The college warns that prices change by year, residency and course load. Check the current tuition and fee table, then use the net-price calculator and ask the financial-aid office to review your actual credit schedule.
Grants, scholarships and ways to reduce the bill
Start federal aid with the FAFSA and Nashville State’s financial-aid checklist. Tennessee residents may qualify for state programs administered through the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation. TN Promise is designed for eligible recent high-school graduates and can cover the remaining regular tuition and mandatory fees after other gift aid, up to five semesters; it does not cover books, fines, certain online charges or every program cost. TN Reconnect is a separate route for eligible adults returning to college. Each has its own application, FAFSA, service, enrollment and progress rules, so use the college’s live financial-aid page and the Tennessee program portal rather than assuming that one grant applies automatically.
Nashville State also lists federal and state grants, work-study, loans, scholarships, textbook support and assistance with transportation or technology for students who meet program criteria. Ask whether a scholarship application is required in addition to FAFSA, whether the award follows you to a part-time schedule, and which fees or supplies it excludes. For a useful estimate, compare three numbers: tuition and mandatory fees for the exact credits, program-specific costs, and living expenses that aid uses to set a budget but does not pay directly to the college.
Four local sites, four different uses
White Bridge Campus, at 120 White Bridge Road in west Nashville, is the largest location. In fall 2025 it reported 2,007 students and 29 programs. The college identifies health, information technology, business, humanities, education and music technology among its fields. The Welcome Center and admissions counselors are here, and a fitness center in the Kisber Building is available to enrolled students and employees after they complete a waiver. Student and employee cars need a permit; the student permit is included in tuition and fees, and visitors can request a temporary permit under the college’s parking rules.
Southeast Campus, at 5248 Hickory Hollow Parkway in Antioch, is the main in-person location for ESL and the Randy Rayburn School of Culinary Arts. The college offers a one-year culinary technical certificate and a two-year Associate of Applied Science degree. The certificate estimate is about $4,726 in tuition and fees, before knives, kitchen clothing and other project expenses. The majority of culinary classes are held at Southeast. The campus also lists two-year pathways in Exercise Science and Sports and Leisure Management, a Student Success Center, Welcome Center and computer labs.
North Davidson Campus, at 1520 Gallatin Pike North in Madison, opened in 2022 and is the smallest of the three teaching campuses described here. Its fall 2025 count was 202 students. The college highlights a two-year Business AAS, a Health Sciences AS transfer foundation, Weekend College for people who need a nontraditional schedule, a computer lab and a Learning Resource Center. The official map marks a library, study rooms, lounges and security desk. Check the term schedule: a program can be associated with a campus even when an individual course is offered online or elsewhere.
East Davidson Campus, at 2845 Elm Hill Pike in Donelson, has a different purpose. It houses Nashville State’s Center for Workforce Development and Continuing Education alongside Davidson County’s American Job Center and workforce partners. Offerings include business, healthcare, language, information technology and professional training; technical subjects published by the center range from welding and blueprint reading to AutoCAD and programmable logic controllers. This is a good first contact for a short workforce course or job-search support, but confirm the provider, cost and intake steps because college training and partner employment services are not the same program.
Learning English before moving into a major
Adults who want to strengthen English can apply to Nashville State and request placement in its credit ESL sequence. The program lists four levels in speaking and listening, reading, writing and grammar, with three credits per course; an English Language Placement Test helps identify the appropriate level. After Level 4, students can continue into courses for a major. ESL classes run in fall, spring and summer; daytime in-person classes meet at Southeast and night classes are offered on Zoom. Eligible students may receive aid for unlimited ESOL classes and up to 30 learning-support credits. The college’s ESL page explains the course structure and the financial-aid question; contact the program for current placement dates and schedules.
How long is a program?
Nashville State advertises more than 80 programs across associate degrees, technical certificates, transfer study and noncredit training. The duration depends on the credential, not merely on the campus. A two-year AAS or AS usually has a planned sequence of roughly 60 credits, while a certificate can take one year or less; prerequisites, part-time attendance, course availability and clinical or lab sequencing can lengthen the calendar. Culinary Arts publishes a one-year certificate and two-year AAS; the college’s catalog and degree map show the credits for each current program. Ask an advisor to build a term-by-term plan and verify whether credits transfer to your intended university.
From a technical institute to a regional college
Nashville State began in 1970 as Nashville State Technical Institute, with 398 students and five associate-degree programs at its first White Bridge Road campus. It joined the Tennessee Board of Regents system in 1984; in 2002 the state broadened its mission into a comprehensive community college. Today the institution reports more than 80 program offerings and serves Middle Tennessee through seven campuses, online learning and workforce partnerships. That history helps explain the present map: one institution, but sites shaped around transfer and student services, health and English, culinary training, northern-county access, and employment-focused education.
Before submitting an application, choose a credential, compare its credit map with your schedule, estimate tuition by residency and fees, complete FAFSA or the appropriate state-aid application, and confirm the exact campus where required classes meet. If you need English support, ask about placement and the next ESL term; if you want job training, check whether the course is credit-bearing, continuing education or an American Job Center service. Nashville State’s campus directory and each location’s directions link can turn that research into a practical first visit.
Check current details and choose according to your budget, time and way of travelling.
Options to compare
These options relate to the question. Read each profile and check current details before deciding.
Nashville State Community College — White Bridge Campus
120 White Bridge Road, Nashville, TN 37209
White Bridge is Nashville State’s original and largest campus, at 120 White Bridge Road in west Nashville. In fall 2025, the college reported 2,007 students and 29 programs at this location. The campus is the practical starting point for a first visit: its Welcome Center, admissions staff, counselin
Nashville State’s largest campus and main student-services location, with 29 programs listed for fall 2025.
Nashville State Community College — North Davidson Campus
1520 Gallatin Pike North, Madison, TN 37115
North Davidson opened in spring 2022 in Madison, north of Nashville’s urban core. The three-story building sits along Gallatin Pike beside a residential community and commercial corridor, a location intended to bring classes closer to northern Davidson County. The college counted 202 students here i
A smaller northern Davidson County campus with weekend classes, a computer lab and a learning resource center.
Nashville State Community College — Southeast Campus
5248 Hickory Hollow Parkway, Antioch, TN 37013
Southeast is Nashville State’s second-largest location, at 5248 Hickory Hollow Parkway in Antioch, in the southeastern part of Davidson County. The college reported 1,094 students for fall 2025; its campus page emphasizes a Welcome Center, Student Success Center and a mix of students from different
The home of Nashville State’s ESL program and Randy Rayburn School of Culinary Arts, with a two-year culinary degree and a one-year certificate.
Nashville State Community College — East Davidson Campus
2845 Elm Hill Pike, Nashville, TN 37214
East Davidson is the Nashville State location for workforce training and job-search support, at 2845 Elm Hill Pike in the Donelson area of east Nashville. Rather than functioning like a broad academic campus, the center brings together the college’s Center for Workforce Development and Continuing Ed
A workforce-training and job-support hub linking Nashville State continuing education with Davidson County’s American Job Center.
Sources & references
Sources for the information and reporting discussed in this guide.
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Official website of Nashville State Community College — White Bridge Campus ↗
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Nashville State Community College · Accessed October 25, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Nashville State Community College — White Bridge Campus ↗
Primary source
Nashville State Community College · Accessed October 25, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Nashville State Community College — White Bridge Campus ↗
Primary source
Nashville State Community College · Accessed October 25, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Nashville State Community College — White Bridge Campus ↗
Primary source
Nashville State Community College · Accessed October 25, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Nashville State Community College — White Bridge Campus ↗
Primary source
Nashville State Community College · Accessed October 25, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Nashville State Community College — White Bridge Campus ↗
Primary source
Nashville State Community College · Accessed October 25, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Nashville State Community College — North Davidson Campus ↗
Primary source
Nashville State Community College · Accessed October 25, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Nashville State Community College — North Davidson Campus ↗
Primary source
Nashville State Community College · Accessed October 25, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Nashville State Community College — North Davidson Campus ↗
Primary source
Nashville State Community College · Accessed October 25, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Nashville State Community College — North Davidson Campus ↗
Primary source
Nashville State Community College · Accessed October 25, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Nashville State Community College — North Davidson Campus ↗
Primary source
Nashville State Community College · Accessed October 25, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Nashville State Community College — North Davidson Campus ↗
Primary source
Nashville State Community College · Accessed October 25, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Nashville State Community College — Southeast Campus ↗
Primary source
Nashville State Community College · Accessed October 25, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Nashville State Community College — Southeast Campus ↗
Primary source
Nashville State Community College · Accessed October 25, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Nashville State Community College — Southeast Campus ↗
Primary source
Nashville State Community College · Accessed October 25, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Nashville State Community College — Southeast Campus ↗
Primary source
Nashville State Community College · Accessed October 25, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Nashville State Community College — Southeast Campus ↗
Primary source
Nashville State Community College · Accessed October 25, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Nashville State Community College — Southeast Campus ↗
Primary source
Nashville State Community College · Accessed October 25, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Nashville State Community College — East Davidson Campus ↗
Primary source
Nashville State Community College · Accessed October 25, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Nashville State Community College — East Davidson Campus ↗
Primary source
Nashville State Community College · Accessed October 25, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Nashville State Community College — East Davidson Campus ↗
Primary source
Nashville State Community College · Accessed October 25, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Nashville State Community College — East Davidson Campus ↗
Primary source
Nashville State Community College · Accessed October 25, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Nashville State Community College — East Davidson Campus ↗
Primary source
Nashville State Community College · Accessed October 25, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Nashville State Community College — East Davidson Campus ↗
Primary source
Nashville State Community College · Accessed October 25, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Nashville State Community College — East Davidson Campus ↗
Primary source
Nashville State Community College · Accessed October 25, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Nashville State Community College · Accessed October 25, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Nashville State Community College · Accessed October 25, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Nashville State Community College · Accessed October 25, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Nashville State Community College · Accessed October 25, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Nashville State Community College · Accessed October 25, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Nashville State Community College · Accessed October 25, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Nashville State Community College · Accessed October 25, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Nashville State Community College · Accessed October 25, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Nashville State Community College · Accessed October 25, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Nashville State Community College · Accessed October 25, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Nashville State Community College · Accessed October 25, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Nashville State Community College · Accessed October 25, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.