Nursing Education degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 59 schools to find the best for nursing education students.
Where you study nursing education matters for your future. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Nursing Education rankings. For our Best Overall Nursing Education School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
We offer several rankings, including this Best Nursing Education Schools list, to help you decide. 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 have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Best Schools for Nursing Education in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the nursing education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Vanderbilt University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in nursing education. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 19 nursing education degrees were awarded at Vanderbilt University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing education degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. Vanderbilt University graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans.
Get the full nursing education details for Vanderbilt University
Washington State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in nursing education, landing the #2 spot this year. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. About 60% of students finish within six years. Washington State University awarded about 11 nursing education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing education degree from Washington State University earn around $54,697 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,903 to complete this degree.
Read more about the nursing education program at Washington State University
Students looking for a strong nursing education program will find one at New York University, which ranked #3. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. There were roughly 12 nursing education students who graduated with this degree at New York University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing education degree from New York University earn around $64,516 in the first couple years of their career. New York University graduates carry a median of $21,897 in student loans.
Read more about the nursing education program at New York University
Oregon Health And Science University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best nursing education schools. Oregon Health And Science University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Portland. About 23 nursing education degrees were awarded at Oregon Health And Science University in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing education program make about $126,454 in their early career. Oregon Health And Science University graduates carry a median of $32,059 in student loans.
Get the full nursing education details for Oregon Health And Science University
Stony Brook University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in nursing education, ranking #5. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. About 13 nursing education degrees were awarded at Stony Brook University in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing education degree from Stony Brook University earn around $115,213 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,537.
See the full nursing education program report for Stony Brook University
Duke University came in at #6 for nursing education this year. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 97% of students finish within six years. Duke University awarded about 23 nursing education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing education degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $77,120. Typical student debt for the program is $13,296.
See the full nursing education program report for Duke University
Cuny Graduate School And University Center earned the #7 position for nursing education this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public university. There were roughly 24 nursing education students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Graduate School And University Center in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing education degree recipients from Cuny Graduate School And University Center generally make around $72,222. Cuny Graduate School And University Center graduates carry a median of $17,921 in student loans.
Get the full nursing education details for Cuny Graduate School And University Center
Galen College Of Nursing Louisville landed the #8 spot for nursing education this year. Located in the city of Louisville, Galen College Of Nursing Louisville is a moderately-sized private for-profit university. About 23% of students finish within six years. Galen College Of Nursing Louisville awarded about 233 nursing education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing education degree from Galen College Of Nursing Louisville earn around $63,726 in the first couple years of their career. Galen College Of Nursing Louisville graduates carry a median of $32,425 in student loans.
More information about a degree in nursing education from Galen College Of Nursing Louisville
West Coast University Orange County earned the #9 position for nursing education this year. Set in the city of Anaheim, West Coast University Orange County is a moderately-sized private for-profit institution. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 108 nursing education students who graduated with this degree at West Coast University Orange County in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing education degree recipients from West Coast University Orange County generally make around $83,549. West Coast University Orange County graduates carry a median of $37,140 in student loans.
Get the full nursing education details for West Coast University Orange County
Molloy College came in at #10 for nursing education this year. Molloy College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rockville Centre. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. About 11 nursing education degrees were awarded at Molloy College in the most recent year. Nursing Education graduates of Molloy College earn a median of $65,544 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,420 to complete this degree.
Get the full nursing education details for Molloy College
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best nursing education schools. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center is a moderately-sized public university. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center awarded about 17 nursing education degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing Education graduates of Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center earn a median of $76,328 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,889.
See the full nursing education program report for Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
West Coast University Los Angeles placed #12 among the best nursing education schools. Set in the city of Richardson, West Coast University Los Angeles is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. About 31% of students finish within six years. West Coast University Los Angeles awarded about 14 nursing education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing education program make about $130,904 in their early career. West Coast University Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $37,140 in student loans.
Get the full nursing education details for West Coast University Los Angeles
University Of Rochester earned the #13 position for nursing education this year. Located in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 14 nursing education degrees were awarded at University Of Rochester in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing education program make about $91,393 in their early career. University Of Rochester graduates carry a median of $21,517 in student loans.
Read more about the nursing education program at University Of Rochester
Teachers College At Columbia University earned the #14 position for nursing education this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. There were roughly 11 nursing education students who graduated with this degree at Teachers College At Columbia University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing education degree recipients from Teachers College At Columbia University generally make around $68,822.
More information about a degree in nursing education from Teachers College At Columbia University
Ohio University Main Campus landed the #15 spot for nursing education this year. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. There were roughly 10 nursing education students who graduated with this degree at Ohio University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing education degree from Ohio University Main Campus earn around $49,736 in the first couple years of their career. Ohio University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $24,546 in student loans.
See the full nursing education program report for Ohio University Main Campus
University Of South Alabama came in at #16 for nursing education this year. Set in the city of Mobile, University Of South Alabama is a large public institution. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 13 nursing education students who graduated with this degree at University Of South Alabama in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing education program make about $51,592 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,513.
Read more about the nursing education program at University Of South Alabama
The University Of Texas At Arlington ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best nursing education schools. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. The University Of Texas At Arlington awarded about 117 nursing education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing education degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $97,185. Typical student debt for the program is $21,632.
Read more about the nursing education program at The University Of Texas At Arlington
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #18 among the best nursing education schools. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus awarded about 13 nursing education degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing Education graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $58,659 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,530.
See the full nursing education program report for University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth placed #19 among the best nursing education schools. Set in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth awarded about 10 nursing education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing education degree from University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earn around $54,669 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,106 to complete this degree.
See the full nursing education program report for University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth
Worcester State University placed #20 among the best nursing education schools. Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Worcester. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 42 nursing education degrees were awarded at Worcester State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing education degree from Worcester State University earn around $45,297 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,451.
More information about a degree in nursing education from Worcester State University
Mercy College earned the #21 position for nursing education this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry. About 45% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 nursing education students who graduated with this degree at Mercy College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing education program make about $140,982 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $28,304 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in nursing education from Mercy College
Western Governors University landed the #22 spot for nursing education this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 1,059 nursing education degrees were awarded at Western Governors University in the most recent year. Nursing Education graduates of Western Governors University earn a median of $74,771 early in their careers. Western Governors University graduates carry a median of $23,277 in student loans.
See the full nursing education program report for Western Governors University
Framingham State University placed #23 among the best nursing education schools. Located in the city of Framingham, Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 nursing education degrees were awarded at Framingham State University in the most recent year. Nursing Education graduates of Framingham State University earn a median of $108,704 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,872 to complete this degree.
Read more about the nursing education program at Framingham State University
Suny Empire State College earned the #24 position for nursing education this year. Located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public university. Suny Empire State College graduates 36% of students within six years. Suny Empire State College awarded about 29 nursing education degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing Education graduates of Suny Empire State College earn a median of $58,140 early in their careers. Suny Empire State College graduates carry a median of $23,693 in student loans.
Get the full nursing education details for Suny Empire State College
Saint Xavier University came in at #25 for nursing education this year. Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Saint Xavier University graduates 57% of students within six years. There were roughly 18 nursing education students who graduated with this degree at Saint Xavier University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing education degree recipients from Saint Xavier University generally make around $51,753. Saint Xavier University graduates carry a median of $25,735 in student loans.
See the full nursing education program report for Saint Xavier University
Rest of the Top 50 Nursing Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s nursing education ranking:
Nursing Education is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 59 schools evaluated.
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 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).
