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2024 Best Nursing Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

229 Colleges in the Middle Atlantic Region
42,404 Nursing Degrees Awarded
$78,873 Avg Early-Career Salary
Ranked #3 in popularity, nursing is one of the most sought-after degree programs in the nation. This means there are lots of options to choose from when you decide to get your degree.

College Factual looked at 229 colleges and universities when compiling its 2024 Best Nursing Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 42,404 degrees in nursing during the 2020-2021 academic year.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Nursing School

Best Nursing Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region Your choice of nursing school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. In order to come up with a best overall ranking for nursing schools, we combine our degree-level rankings, weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each level.

You may want to choose one of the degree levels below to find the schools of most interest to you.

Pick Your Nursing Degree Level

Associate Degrees in Nursing
Bachelor's Degrees in Nursing
Master's Degrees in Nursing
Doctor's Degrees in Nursing

When choosing the right school for you, it's important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we've created a number of major-specific rankings, including this Best Nursing Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list to help you make the college decision. If you'd like to restrict your choices to just one part of the country, you can filter this list by location.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

If you want to learn more about how we derive our rankings, see College Factual's Methodology.


 

Best Schools for Nursing in the Middle Atlantic Region

Although we recommend filtering by degree level first, you can view the list below to see which schools give the educational experience for the nursing degree levels they offer. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Top Middle Atlantic Region Schools in Nursing

1
UPenn crest
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
620 Nursing Degrees Awarded
1.6% Growth in Graduates

University of Pennsylvania is a great decision for students interested in a degree in nursing. Located in the city of Philadelphia, UPenn is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #4 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UPenn is a great university overall.

There were about 620 nursing students who graduated with this degree at UPenn in the most recent data year. Those nursing students who get their degree from University of Pennsylvania receive $22,075 more than the standard nursing graduate.

More information about a degree in nursing from University of Pennsylvania

2
NYU crest
New York University
New York, NY
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
665 Nursing Degrees Awarded
10.2% Growth in Graduates

Any student pursuing a degree in nursing has to look into New York University. Located in the large city of New York, NYU is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #27 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means NYU is a great university overall.

There were about 665 nursing students who graduated with this degree at NYU in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the nursing degree program at New York University make $35,855 above the average college grad with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in nursing from New York University

3
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
711 Nursing Degrees Awarded
$91,797 Median Starting Salary

University of Maryland - Baltimore is a great decision for students pursuing a degree in nursing. Located in the city of Baltimore, UMB is a public university with a moderately-sized student population.

There were roughly 711 nursing students who graduated with this degree at UMB in the most recent year we have data available. Nursing degree recipients from University of Maryland - Baltimore receive an earnings boost of about $12,924 over the average income of nursing graduates.

More information about a degree in nursing from University of Maryland - Baltimore

4
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
510 Nursing Degrees Awarded
5.7% Growth in Graduates

Columbia University in the City of New York is one of the finest schools in the United States for getting a degree in nursing. Located in the city of New York, Columbia is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #14 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Columbia is a great university overall.

There were about 510 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Columbia in the most recent data year. Nursing degree recipients from Columbia University in the City of New York get an earnings boost of approximately $34,522 above the typical earnings of nursing majors.

More information about a degree in nursing from Columbia University in the City of New York

5
Georgetown crest
Georgetown University
Washington, DC
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
320 Nursing Degrees Awarded
$98,888 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Washington, Georgetown is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #15 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Georgetown is a great university overall.

There were about 320 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Georgetown in the most recent year we have data available. Nursing degree recipients from Georgetown University earn a boost of around $20,015 above the typical earnings of nursing majors.

More information about a degree in nursing from Georgetown University

6
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
445 Nursing Degrees Awarded
20.2% Growth in Graduates

Johns Hopkins is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Baltimore. A Best Colleges rank of #23 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Johns Hopkins is a great university overall.

There were about 445 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins in the most recent year we have data available. Those nursing students who get their degree from Johns Hopkins University receive $27,982 more than the typical nursing student.

More information about a degree in nursing from Johns Hopkins University

7
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
486 Nursing Degrees Awarded
$98,738 Median Starting Salary

GWU is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Washington. A Best Colleges rank of #49 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means GWU is a great university overall.

There were roughly 486 nursing students who graduated with this degree at GWU in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the nursing degree program at George Washington University get $19,864 above the standard college graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in nursing from George Washington University

8
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
854 Nursing Degrees Awarded
23.4% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Philadelphia, Thomas Jefferson University is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population. A Best Colleges rank of #87 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Thomas Jefferson University is a great university overall.

There were about 854 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Thomas Jefferson University in the most recent data year. Nursing degree recipients from Thomas Jefferson University receive an earnings boost of approximately $7,368 over the typical earnings of nursing graduates.

More information about a degree in nursing from Thomas Jefferson University

9
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
359 Nursing Degrees Awarded
2.5% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large city of Pittsburgh, Pitt is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #79 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Pitt is a great university overall.

There were roughly 359 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Pitt in the most recent year we have data available. Soon after graduating, nursing degree recipients typically earn about $78,273 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a degree in nursing from University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus

10
Drexel crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
919 Nursing Degrees Awarded
$100,043 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 10th out of 109 schools for overall quality in the state of Pennsylvania.

There were roughly 919 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Drexel in the most recent year we have data available. Nursing degree recipients from Drexel University get an earnings boost of about $21,169 above the typical earnings of nursing graduates.

More information about a degree in nursing from Drexel University

11
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
275 Nursing Degrees Awarded
$81,937 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Rochester, University of Rochester is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #104 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means University of Rochester is a great university overall.

There were roughly 275 nursing students who graduated with this degree at University of Rochester in the most recent data year. Those nursing students who get their degree from University of Rochester make $3,063 more than the average nursing graduate.

More information about a degree in nursing from University of Rochester

12
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
531 Nursing Degrees Awarded
3.0% Growth in Graduates

Rutgers New Brunswick is a fairly large public university located in the city of New Brunswick. A Best Colleges rank of #98 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Rutgers New Brunswick is a great university overall.

There were approximately 531 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Rutgers New Brunswick in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the nursing major at Rutgers University - New Brunswick get $23,144 above the typical college grad in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in nursing from Rutgers University - New Brunswick

13
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
204 Nursing Degrees Awarded
$105,873 Median Starting Salary

SUNY Downstate is a small public university located in the large city of Brooklyn.

There were approximately 204 nursing students who graduated with this degree at SUNY Downstate in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the nursing program at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University earn $26,999 above the standard graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in nursing from SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University

14
Duquesne crest
Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, PA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
379 Nursing Degrees Awarded
11.3% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Duquesne is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population. This university ranks 14th out of 109 schools for overall quality in the state of Pennsylvania.

There were about 379 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Duquesne in the most recent data year. Nursing degree recipients from Duquesne University earn a boost of approximately $3,564 above the average income of nursing majors.

More information about a degree in nursing from Duquesne University

15
Villanova crest
Villanova University
Villanova, PA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
311 Nursing Degrees Awarded
$94,231 Median Starting Salary

Located in the large suburb of Villanova, Villanova is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #70 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Villanova is a great university overall.

There were roughly 311 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Villanova in the most recent data year. Nursing degree recipients from Villanova University get an earnings boost of approximately $15,358 above the typical earnings of nursing majors.

More information about a degree in nursing from Villanova University

16
Molloy crest
Molloy College
Rockville Centre, NY
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
483 Nursing Degrees Awarded
$105,037 Median Starting Salary

Molloy is a small private not-for-profit college located in the large suburb of Rockville Centre. This college ranks 27th out of 142 schools for overall quality in the state of New York.

There were roughly 483 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Molloy in the most recent data year. Those nursing students who get their degree from Molloy College earn $26,164 more than the average nursing graduate.

More information about a degree in nursing from Molloy College

17
SUNY Stony Brook crest
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
603 Nursing Degrees Awarded
11.6% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large suburb of Stony Brook, SUNY Stony Brook is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 18th out of 142 colleges for overall quality in the state of New York.

There were roughly 603 nursing students who graduated with this degree at SUNY Stony Brook in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the nursing major at Stony Brook University make $27,370 above the average college grad in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in nursing from Stony Brook University

18
Widener crest
Widener University
Chester, PA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
274 Nursing Degrees Awarded
2.6% Growth in Graduates

Widener is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Chester. This university ranks 17th out of 109 schools for overall quality in the state of Pennsylvania.

There were roughly 274 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Widener in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the nursing degree program at Widener University get $7,159 more than the typical college graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in nursing from Widener University

19
LIU Post crest
LIU Post
Brookville, NY
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
566 Nursing Degrees Awarded
5.5% Growth in Graduates

LIU Post is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Brookville. This school ranks 35th out of 142 colleges for overall quality in the state of New York.

There were approximately 566 nursing students who graduated with this degree at LIU Post in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the nursing major at LIU Post make $24,988 more than the average college graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in nursing from LIU Post

20
Adelphi crest
Adelphi University
Garden City, NY
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
566 Nursing Degrees Awarded
13.6% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large suburb of Garden City, Adelphi is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population. This university ranks 38th out of 142 colleges for overall quality in the state of New York.

There were about 566 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Adelphi in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the nursing degree program at Adelphi University get $22,283 above the average graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in nursing from Adelphi University

21
Hunter crest
Hunter College
New York, NY
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
260 Nursing Degrees Awarded
$108,340 Median Starting Salary

Located in the large city of New York, Hunter is a public college with a fairly large student population. This college ranks 19th out of 142 schools for overall quality in the state of New York.

There were about 260 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Hunter in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the nursing program at Hunter College earn $29,466 above the standard graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in nursing from Hunter College

22
La Salle crest
La Salle University
Philadelphia, PA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
217 Nursing Degrees Awarded
38.2% Growth in Graduates

La Salle is a small private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Philadelphia. This university ranks 27th out of 109 colleges for overall quality in the state of Pennsylvania.

There were about 217 nursing students who graduated with this degree at La Salle in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the nursing degree program at La Salle University make $11,164 above the typical college grad with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in nursing from La Salle University

23
DeSales crest
DeSales University
Center Valley, PA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
177 Nursing Degrees Awarded
6.8% Growth in Graduates

Located in the rural area of Center Valley, DeSales is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. This university ranks 26th out of 109 colleges for overall quality in the state of Pennsylvania.

There were about 177 nursing students who graduated with this degree at DeSales in the most recent data year. Those nursing students who get their degree from DeSales University earn $5,150 more than the typical nursing graduate.

More information about a degree in nursing from DeSales University

24
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
193 Nursing Degrees Awarded
$82,482 Median Starting Salary

UD is a fairly large public university located in the suburb of Newark. This university ranks 1st out of 4 schools for overall quality in the state of Delaware.

There were about 193 nursing students who graduated with this degree at UD in the most recent year we have data available. Nursing degree recipients from University of Delaware get an earnings boost of approximately $3,608 above the average income of nursing majors.

More information about a degree in nursing from University of Delaware

25
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
460 Nursing Degrees Awarded
8.7% Growth in Graduates

PA College is a small private not-for-profit college located in the suburb of Lancaster.

There were about 460 nursing students who graduated with this degree at PA College in the most recent year we have data available. Students who receive their degree from the nursing program earn about $66,356 in their early career salary.

More information about a degree in nursing from Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences

Rest of the Top Best Nursing Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

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Gwynedd - Mercy crest
Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Valley, PA
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Additional Noteworthy Schools

Here are some additional great schools for Nursing students in the Middle Atlantic Region that almost earned our Best Nursing Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region award.

Rank College Location
35 Pace University - New York New York, NY
36 The Graduate Center, CUNY New York, NY
37 Moravian College Bethlehem, PA
38 Rutgers University - Camden Camden, NJ
39 Monmouth University West Long Branch, NJ
40 West Chester University of Pennsylvania West Chester, PA
41 Lehman College Bronx, NY
42 William Paterson University of New Jersey Wayne, NJ
43 Felician University Lodi, NJ
44 Seton Hall University South Orange, NJ
45 Chamberlain University - New Jersey North Brunswick, NJ

Best Nursing Colleges by State

Explore the best nursing colleges for a specific state in the Middle Atlantic Region .

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Pennsylvania 334 11,328
New York 333 17,347
Maryland 279 4,054
New Jersey 273 5,598
District of Columbia 188 956
Delaware 175 1,266

View All Rankings >

Nursing is one of 34 different types of Health Professions programs to choose from.

Nursing Focus Areas

Major Annual Graduates
Registered Nursing 35,285
Family Practice Nurse/Nursing 1,778
Nursing Science 1,177
Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing 955
Nursing Practice 663
Nursing Administration 532
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing 463
Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing 391
Perioperative/Operating Room and Surgical Nurse/Nursing 273
Nurse Anesthetist 255

View All Nursing Concentrations >

Majors Similar to Nursing

Related Major Annual Graduates
Health & Medical Administrative Services 9,400
Allied Health Professions 8,947
Public Health 8,295
Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services 8,135
Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants 7,145
Rehabilitation & Therapeutic Professions 7,129
Medicine 6,384
Health Sciences & Services 5,991
Communication Sciences 4,106
Mental & Social Health Services 3,600

View All Nursing Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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