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2026 Best Nursing Administration Schools

133 Colleges in the United States
7,467 Nursing Administration Degrees Awarded
$93,891 Avg Early-Career Salary

Nursing Administration 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.

College Factual analyzed 279 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best nursing administration schools.

What’s on this page:

Choosing a Great Nursing Administration School

Best Nursing Administration Schools

The school you choose for nursing administration can shape your career. That is why we built our Best Nursing Administration Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Nursing Administration 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.

Nursing Administration Rankings by Degree Level

Associate's Degrees in Nursing Administration
Bachelor's Degrees in Nursing Administration
Master's Degrees in Nursing Administration
Doctoral Degrees in Nursing Administration

We offer several rankings, including this Best Nursing Administration Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.

Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.

Learn more about our methodology

Best Schools for Nursing Administration 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 administration degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Nursing Administration

1

Our analysis ranked The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston the best school in the country for a degree in nursing administration. Located in the city of Houston, The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston is a moderately-sized public university. The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston awarded about 20 nursing administration degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing Administration graduates of The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston earn a median of $123,774 early in their careers. The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. See the full nursing administration program report for The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston

2
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in nursing administration, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 20 nursing administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing administration program make about $137,262 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,410. More information about a degree in nursing administration from University Of Pennsylvania

3
Stony Brook University crest
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY

A rank of #3 makes Stony Brook University one of the top schools for nursing administration. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Stony Brook. Stony Brook University graduates 76% of students within six years. About 34 nursing administration degrees were awarded at Stony Brook University in the most recent year. Nursing Administration graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $117,350 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,000. More information about a degree in nursing administration from Stony Brook University

4

A rank of #4 makes Cuny Graduate School And University Center one of the top schools for nursing administration. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public institution. Cuny Graduate School And University Center awarded about 12 nursing administration degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing administration program make about $109,744 in their early career. Cuny Graduate School And University Center graduates carry a median of $16,593 in student loans. Read more about the nursing administration program at Cuny Graduate School And University Center

5

A rank of #5 makes Johns Hopkins University one of the top schools for nursing administration. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 203 nursing administration degrees were awarded at Johns Hopkins University in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing administration program make about $105,622 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,426. Read more about the nursing administration program at Johns Hopkins University

6

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center landed the #6 spot for nursing administration this year. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center is a moderately-sized public institution. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center awarded about 25 nursing administration degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing Administration graduates of Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center earn a median of $113,144 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,000. See the full nursing administration program report for Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

7

Quinnipiac University placed #7 among the best nursing administration schools. Set in the suburb of Hamden, Quinnipiac University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. Quinnipiac University awarded about 16 nursing administration degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from Quinnipiac University generally make around $116,250. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full nursing administration program report for Quinnipiac University

8

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #8 for nursing administration this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 31 nursing administration degrees were awarded at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $91,969. Typical student debt for the program is $19,000. Read more about the nursing administration program at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

9
Duke University crest
Duke University
Durham, NC

Duke University placed #9 among the best nursing administration schools. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. The six-year graduation rate is 97%. Duke University awarded about 23 nursing administration degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing administration degree from Duke University earn around $116,855 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the nursing administration program at Duke University

10

University Of Nevada Reno ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best nursing administration schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Reno. About 61% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 22 nursing administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of Nevada Reno in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing administration degree from University Of Nevada Reno earn around $117,180 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,813 to complete this degree. See the full nursing administration program report for University Of Nevada Reno

11

Baylor University placed #11 among the best nursing administration schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Waco. About 80% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 49 nursing administration students who graduated with this degree at Baylor University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing administration program make about $94,615 in their early career. Baylor University graduates carry a median of $26,975 in student loans. Read more about the nursing administration program at Baylor University

12

Washington State University landed the #12 spot for nursing administration this year. Set in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 43 nursing administration students who graduated with this degree at Washington State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing administration degree from Washington State University earn around $103,901 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree. See the full nursing administration program report for Washington State University

13

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earned the #13 position for nursing administration this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates 85% of students within six years. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities awarded about 124 nursing administration degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $87,395. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500. More information about a degree in nursing administration from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

14

Cuny Lehman College earned the #14 position for nursing administration this year. This large public university is located in the city of Bronx. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 27 nursing administration degrees were awarded at Cuny Lehman College in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing administration degree from Cuny Lehman College earn around $125,790 in the first couple years of their career. Cuny Lehman College graduates carry a median of $20,055 in student loans. Get the full nursing administration details for Cuny Lehman College

15

University Of South Carolina Columbia placed #15 among the best nursing administration schools. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public university. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of South Carolina Columbia awarded about 25 nursing administration degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing Administration graduates of University Of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of $103,138 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,250. Read more about the nursing administration program at University Of South Carolina Columbia

16
Wilmington University crest
Wilmington University
New Castle, DE

Wilmington University landed the #16 spot for nursing administration this year. Set in the suburb of New Castle, Wilmington University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Wilmington University graduates 22% of students within six years. There were roughly 40 nursing administration students who graduated with this degree at Wilmington University in the most recent data year. Nursing Administration graduates of Wilmington University earn a median of $86,703 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,333. More information about a degree in nursing administration from Wilmington University

17

The University Of Texas At Arlington placed #17 among the best nursing administration schools. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. The University Of Texas At Arlington awarded about 199 nursing administration degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing administration program make about $106,807 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,182. More information about a degree in nursing administration from The University Of Texas At Arlington

18

West Coast University Orange County placed #18 among the best nursing administration schools. Located in the city of Anaheim, West Coast University Orange County is a moderately-sized private for-profit university. About 60% of students finish within six years. About 591 nursing administration degrees were awarded at West Coast University Orange County in the most recent year. Nursing Administration graduates of West Coast University Orange County earn a median of $112,084 early in their careers. West Coast University Orange County graduates carry a median of $38,145 in student loans. See the full nursing administration program report for West Coast University Orange County

19

University Of Nebraska Medical Center landed the #19 spot for nursing administration this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Omaha. About 10 nursing administration degrees were awarded at University Of Nebraska Medical Center in the most recent year. Nursing Administration graduates of University Of Nebraska Medical Center earn a median of $96,559 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Get the full nursing administration details for University Of Nebraska Medical Center

20
Western Governors University crest
Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, UT

Western Governors University placed #20 among the best nursing administration schools. Western Governors University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. There were roughly 1,633 nursing administration students who graduated with this degree at Western Governors University in the most recent data year. Nursing Administration graduates of Western Governors University earn a median of $93,055 early in their careers. Western Governors University graduates carry a median of $22,660 in student loans. Get the full nursing administration details for Western Governors University

21
Endicott College crest
Endicott College
Beverly, MA

Endicott College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best nursing administration schools. Located in the suburb of Beverly, Endicott College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 25 nursing administration students who graduated with this degree at Endicott College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from Endicott College generally make around $88,417. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the nursing administration program at Endicott College

22
Duquesne University crest
Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, PA

Duquesne University landed the #22 spot for nursing administration this year. Duquesne University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Duquesne University graduates 77% of students within six years. There were roughly 15 nursing administration students who graduated with this degree at Duquesne University in the most recent data year. Nursing Administration graduates of Duquesne University earn a median of $93,144 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Get the full nursing administration details for Duquesne University

23
Suny Empire State College crest
Suny Empire State College
Saratoga Springs, NY

Suny Empire State College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best nursing administration schools. Suny Empire State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs. About 36% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 31 nursing administration students who graduated with this degree at Suny Empire State College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing administration degree from Suny Empire State College earn around $105,831 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,687 to complete this degree. Read more about the nursing administration program at Suny Empire State College

24

Sacred Heart University placed #24 among the best nursing administration schools. Sacred Heart University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Fairfield. About 74% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 70 nursing administration students who graduated with this degree at Sacred Heart University in the most recent data year. Nursing Administration graduates of Sacred Heart University earn a median of $107,149 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $29,200 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in nursing administration from Sacred Heart University

25

Northern Arizona University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best nursing administration schools. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. About 61% of students finish within six years. Northern Arizona University awarded about 11 nursing administration degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing administration program make about $88,824 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,276. See the full nursing administration program report for Northern Arizona University

Rest of the Top 50 Nursing Administration Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s nursing administration ranking:

26
27
28
29
University Of Hartford crest
University Of Hartford
West Hartford, CT
30
31
32
33
Samford University crest
Samford University
Birmingham, AL
34
Capella University crest
Capella University
Minneapolis, MN
35
Lamar University crest
Lamar University
Beaumont, TX
36
Lewis University crest
Lewis University
Romeoville, IL
37
38
39
Mercy College crest
Mercy College
Dobbs Ferry, NY
40
41
Excelsior College crest
Excelsior College
Albany, NY
42
43
Regis University crest
Regis University
Denver, CO
44
45
46
47
48
Franklin University crest
Franklin University
Columbus, OH
49
50

Additional Nursing Administration Award Winners

The following schools placed in the top tier for nursing administration:

Rank School Location
#78 Herzing University Madison Madison, WI

Honorable Mentions

Also worth considering for nursing administration:

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Nursing Administration by Region

Explore the best nursing administration schools by region.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

View All Rankings >

Nursing Administration is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. Browse the parent area of study.

Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 279 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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