Nursing Practice is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 370 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for nursing practice students pursuing a degree.
The school you choose for nursing practice can shape your career. That is why we built our Best Nursing Practice Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Nursing Practice Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the 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.
Columbia University In The City Of New York tops our 2026 ranking of the best nursing practice schools. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Columbia University In The City Of New York awarded about 125 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $138,848 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete this degree.
Read more about the nursing practice program at Columbia University In The City Of New York
The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best nursing practice schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Houston. About 44 nursing practice degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing practice degree from The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston earn around $123,774 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree.
See the full nursing practice program report for The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston
California State University Fullerton is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in nursing practice, ranking #3. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 51 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at California State University Fullerton in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $156,309 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,375.
See the full nursing practice program report for California State University Fullerton
Boston College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in nursing practice, landing the #4 spot this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chestnut Hill. Boston College graduates 91% of students within six years. There were roughly 85 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at Boston College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $95,349 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,250 to complete this degree.
See the full nursing practice program report for Boston College
Students looking for a strong nursing practice program will find one at University Of California Los Angeles, which ranked #5. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing practice degree from University Of California Los Angeles earn around $121,757 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,800 to complete this degree.
Read more about the nursing practice program at University Of California Los Angeles
University Of California Irvine earned the #6 position for nursing practice this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. There were roughly 26 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Irvine in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $87,466. Students borrow a median of $13,400 to complete this degree.
Read more about the nursing practice program at University Of California Irvine
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center earned the #7 position for nursing practice this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Lubbock. About 77 nursing practice degrees were awarded at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing practice degree from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center earn around $113,144 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,000.
Read more about the nursing practice program at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
The University Of Texas Medical Branch came in at #8 for nursing practice this year. Located in the city of Galveston, The University Of Texas Medical Branch is a mid-sized public university. The University Of Texas Medical Branch awarded about 24 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from The University Of Texas Medical Branch generally make around $98,578. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in nursing practice from The University Of Texas Medical Branch
Quinnipiac University placed #9 among the best nursing practice schools. Set in the suburb of Hamden, Quinnipiac University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Quinnipiac University graduates 76% of students within six years. There were roughly 52 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at Quinnipiac University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing practice degree from Quinnipiac University earn around $116,250 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full nursing practice details for Quinnipiac University
Emory University earned the #10 position for nursing practice this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Emory University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. About 48 nursing practice degrees were awarded at Emory University in the most recent year. Nursing Practice graduates of Emory University earn a median of $98,673 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the nursing practice program at Emory University
University Of Maryland Baltimore came in at #11 for nursing practice this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore is a moderately-sized public institution. University Of Maryland Baltimore awarded about 156 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $96,694 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500.
Read more about the nursing practice program at University Of Maryland Baltimore
Fairfield University landed the #12 spot for nursing practice this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Fairfield. About 84% of students finish within six years. Fairfield University awarded about 17 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing Practice graduates of Fairfield University earn a median of $119,878 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
See the full nursing practice program report for Fairfield University
Vanderbilt University earned the #13 position for nursing practice this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Nashville. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. There were roughly 55 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing practice degree from Vanderbilt University earn around $125,565 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete this degree.
See the full nursing practice program report for Vanderbilt University
Samuel Merritt University placed #14 among the best nursing practice schools. Samuel Merritt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Oakland. Samuel Merritt University awarded about 46 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $132,722 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
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University Of California San Francisco placed #15 among the best nursing practice schools. Set in the city of San Francisco, University Of California San Francisco is a mid-sized public institution. University Of California San Francisco awarded about 72 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $138,842 in their early career.
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Wake Forest University came in at #16 for nursing practice this year. Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Winston-Salem. About 89% of students finish within six years. About 16 nursing practice degrees were awarded at Wake Forest University in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing practice degree from Wake Forest University earn around $202,919 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in nursing practice from Wake Forest University
Duke University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best nursing practice schools. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. About 97% of students finish within six years. Duke University awarded about 59 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $116,855 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the nursing practice program at Duke University
University Of Nevada Reno earned the #18 position for nursing practice this year. University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public school located in the city of Reno. About 61% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 39 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at University Of Nevada Reno in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $117,180 in their early career. University Of Nevada Reno graduates carry a median of $20,813 in student loans.
See the full nursing practice program report for University Of Nevada Reno
University Of Rhode Island ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best nursing practice schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Kingston. About 72% of students finish within six years. University Of Rhode Island awarded about 10 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $95,762 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,390 to complete this degree.
See the full nursing practice program report for University Of Rhode Island
Baylor University placed #20 among the best nursing practice schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Waco. Baylor University graduates 80% of students within six years. Baylor University awarded about 147 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing practice degree from Baylor University earn around $94,615 in the first couple years of their career. Baylor University graduates carry a median of $26,975 in student loans.
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University Of Florida earned the #21 position for nursing practice this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. University Of Florida graduates 91% of students within six years. University Of Florida awarded about 94 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $90,433 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,934.
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University Of Connecticut landed the #22 spot for nursing practice this year. Located in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public university. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 210 nursing practice degrees were awarded at University Of Connecticut in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $117,021 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
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George Washington University placed #23 among the best nursing practice schools. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 23 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at George Washington University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $107,851 in their early career. George Washington University graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in nursing practice from George Washington University
Towson University placed #24 among the best nursing practice schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Towson. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 14 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at Towson University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Towson University generally make around $80,344. Students borrow a median of $23,378 to complete this degree.
Read more about the nursing practice program at Towson University
University Of Miami earned the #25 position for nursing practice this year. University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Coral Gables. University Of Miami graduates 84% of students within six years. University Of Miami awarded about 48 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing practice degree from University Of Miami earn around $116,541 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Miami graduates carry a median of $23,750 in student loans.
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Rest of the Top 50 Nursing Practice Schools
These schools also placed among the best for nursing practice this year:
Nursing Practice is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
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 · 370 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).
