If you pursue a degree in nursing, you won't be alone. The field of study is the #3 most popular program in the country. So, there are lots of possibilities to explore when you're trying to determine where you want to get your degree.
College Factual looked at 1,768 colleges and universities when compiling its 2025 Best Nursing Schools ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 319,502 degrees in nursing annually.
Your choice of nursing school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. We derive our Best Overall Nursing School rankings by rolling up our degree-level rankings after weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each school.
You may want to choose one of the degree levels below to find the schools of most interest to you.
The nursing school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we've developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of the Best Nursing Schools.
More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we've developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you.
Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.
The schools below may not offer all types of nursing degrees so you may want to filter by degree level first. However, they are great for the degree levels they do offer. Only those schools that rank in the top 20% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.
Any student pursuing a degree in nursing has to check out Samuel Merritt University. Located in the large city of Oakland, Samuel Merritt University is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population.
There were approximately 772 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Samuel Merritt University in the most recent data year. Those nursing students who get their degree from Samuel Merritt University make $43,338 more than the average nursing student.
Every student who is interested in nursing has to check out New York University. Located in the large city of New York, NYU is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #16 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means NYU is a great university overall.
There were about 627 nursing students who graduated with this degree at NYU in the most recent data year. Those nursing students who get their degree from New York University make $36,769 more than the typical nursing grad.
With the affordable and transfer-friendly online RN to BSN program at Southern New Hampshire University, you can build upon your prior educational journey and enhance your professional experience in a program designed to fit around your schedule.
University of Pennsylvania is a good choice for students pursuing a degree in nursing. Located in the city of Philadelphia, UPenn is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #2 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UPenn is a great university overall.
There were about 551 nursing students who graduated with this degree at UPenn in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the nursing degree program at University of Pennsylvania earn $32,228 above the standard college grad with the same degree when they enter the workforce.
It is hard to beat Duke University if you want to pursue a degree in nursing. Located in the large city of Durham, Duke is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #7 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Duke is a great university overall.
There were approximately 537 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Duke in the most recent data year. Those nursing students who get their degree from Duke University receive $22,324 more than the average nursing graduate.
Located in the suburb of Loma Linda, Loma Linda University is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population.
There were about 228.99999999999997 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Loma Linda University in the most recent year we have data available. Those nursing students who get their degree from Loma Linda University make $35,932 more than the typical nursing grad.
Located in the city of Lubbock, TTUHSC is a public university with a small student population.
There were about 1173 nursing students who graduated with this degree at TTUHSC in the most recent year we have data available. Graduates who receive their degree from the nursing program make around $84,028 for their early career.
Located in the large city of Atlanta, Emory is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 68 schools for overall quality in the state of Georgia.
There were about 695 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Emory in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the nursing degree program at Emory University make $3,543 above the typical graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.
BS in Nursing - RN to BSN - Accelerated RN to MSNProgram Name
At Southern New Hampshire University, we understand the demands placed on today's nursing professionals. When it comes to your education, consider saving money and time by electing the RN to MSN pathway. Eligible students will complete graduate courses within their undergraduate program. This pathway allows you to gain a BSN along the way and ultimately shorten your time within the MSN Nursing Education or Population Healthcare tracks.
Molloy is a small private not-for-profit college located in the large suburb of Rockville Centre. This college ranks 10th out of 136 schools for overall quality in the state of New York.
There were approximately 647 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Molloy in the most recent year we have data available. Nursing degree recipients from Molloy College receive an earnings boost of approximately $28,173 over the average earnings of nursing graduates.
Located in the large city of Baltimore, UMB is a public university with a moderately-sized student population.
There were approximately 752 nursing students who graduated with this degree at UMB in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the nursing program at University of Maryland - Baltimore get $2,520 more than the standard college grad in this field shortly after graduation.
UTHealth is a medium-sized public university located in the large city of Houston.
There were roughly 663 nursing students who graduated with this degree at UTHealth in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the nursing program at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston make $12,310 above the typical college grad in this field shortly after graduation.
UTMB Galveston is a small public university located in the city of Galveston.
There were approximately 551 nursing students who graduated with this degree at UTMB Galveston in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the nursing degree program at The University of Texas Medical Branch earn $6,049 more than the average graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.
GWU is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Washington. A Best Colleges rank of #25 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means GWU is a great university overall.
There were approximately 556 nursing students who graduated with this degree at GWU in the most recent year we have data available. Nursing degree recipients from George Washington University receive an earnings boost of about $10,586 over the typical income of nursing majors.
Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, SUNY Stony Brook is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 14th out of 136 colleges for overall quality in the state of New York.
There were approximately 447 nursing students who graduated with this degree at SUNY Stony Brook in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the nursing program at Stony Brook University earn $26,010 above the average college graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.
Mayo Clinic School of Medicine is a small private not-for-profit school located in the midsize city of Rochester.
There were approximately 37 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Mayo Clinic School of Medicine in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the nursing degree program at Mayo Clinic School of Medicine get $105,683 more than the typical college grad in this field shortly after graduation.
Johns Hopkins is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Baltimore. A Best Colleges rank of #6 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Johns Hopkins is a great university overall.
There were about 491 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the nursing degree program at Johns Hopkins University make $3,821 more than the standard college graduate in this field shortly after graduation.
MS in Nursing - Family Nurse PractitionerProgram Name
Break into one of the most high-demand occupations in the nation with your online MSN Family Nurse Practitioner track from Southern New Hampshire University.
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 20th out of 136 schools for overall quality in the state of New York.
There were approximately 483 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Adelphi in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the nursing degree program at Adelphi University earn $22,619 more than the average college grad in this field when they enter the workforce.
Located in the large city of Fort Worth, TCU is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 4th out of 115 schools for overall quality in the state of Texas.
There were about 288 nursing students who graduated with this degree at TCU in the most recent data year. Those nursing students who get their degree from Texas Christian University earn $37,637 more than the standard nursing grad.
SUNY Downstate is a small public university located in the large city of Brooklyn.
There were approximately 278 nursing students who graduated with this degree at SUNY Downstate in the most recent data year. Those nursing students who get their degree from SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University earn $35,431 more than the typical nursing graduate.
USC is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Los Angeles. A Best Colleges rank of #13 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means USC is a great university overall.
There were roughly 89 nursing students who graduated with this degree at USC in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the nursing degree program at University of Southern California make $52,143 more than the standard college graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.
Located in the city of Rochester, University of Rochester is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. This university ranks 8th out of 136 schools for overall quality in the state of New York.
There were approximately 351 nursing students who graduated with this degree at University of Rochester in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the nursing program report average early career wages of $81,130.
U-M is a fairly large public university located in the city of Ann Arbor. A Best Colleges rank of #22 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means U-M is a great university overall.
There were approximately 331 nursing students who graduated with this degree at U-M in the most recent data year. Students who receive their degree from the nursing program make about $82,545 in the first couple years of working.
Seattle U is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Seattle. This university ranks 2nd out of 50 schools for overall quality in the state of Washington.
There were approximately 311 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Seattle U in the most recent data year. Nursing degree recipients from Seattle University earn a boost of about $9,278 over the average earnings of nursing majors.
Located in the city of Washington, Georgetown is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #11 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Georgetown is a great university overall.
There were approximately 343 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Georgetown in the most recent data year. Nursing degree recipients from Georgetown University get an earnings boost of about $30,408 above the average income of nursing graduates.
Fairfield U is a medium-sized private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Fairfield. This university ranks 2nd out of 18 schools for overall quality in the state of Connecticut.
There were about 280 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Fairfield U in the most recent year we have data available. Those nursing students who get their degree from Fairfield University earn $23,472 more than the average nursing grad.
Located in the large city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a private for-profit university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 5th out of 26 colleges for overall quality in the state of Arizona.
There were approximately 6941 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Grand Canyon University in the most recent data year. Those nursing students who get their degree from Grand Canyon University earn $14,850 more than the typical nursing graduate.
This list represents the rest of the colleges awarded a Best Nursing Schools badge.
Showing in this list means the college was ranked in the top 20% of the 1768 different United States nursing schools we analyzed.
The bars on the spread charts above show the distribution of the schools on this list +/- one standard deviation from the mean.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of the rest of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
Your choice of nursing school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. We derive our Best Overall Nursing School rankings by rolling up our degree-level rankings after weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each school.
