Nursing Practice degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 193 schools to find the best for nursing practice students.
Where you study nursing practice matters for your future. To help, we created our Best Nursing Practice Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Nursing Practice School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels 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. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this 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.
University Of California Davis tops our 2027 ranking of the best nursing practice schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Davis. University Of California Davis graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 21 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Davis in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $141,870. University Of California Davis graduates carry a median of $14,404 in student loans.
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San Jose State University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best nursing practice schools. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. San Jose State University awarded about 16 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year.
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A rank of #3 makes Columbia University In The City Of New York one of the top schools for nursing practice. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates 96% of students within six years. About 143 nursing practice degrees were awarded at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent year. Nursing Practice graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $138,848 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,258.
More information about a degree in nursing practice from Columbia University In The City Of New York
The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in nursing practice, landing the #4 spot this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Houston. The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston awarded about 16 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston generally make around $123,774. The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in nursing practice from The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston
A rank of #5 makes California State University Fullerton one of the top schools for nursing practice. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. There were roughly 48 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at California State University Fullerton in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing practice degree from California State University Fullerton earn around $156,309 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,375.
More information about a degree in nursing practice from California State University Fullerton
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #6 for nursing practice this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. About 20 nursing practice degrees were awarded at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent 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. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $20,800 in student loans.
See the full nursing practice program report for University Of California Los Angeles
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center landed the #7 spot for nursing practice this year. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center is a moderately-sized public institution. About 89 nursing practice degrees were awarded at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center generally make around $113,144. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans.
Read more about the nursing practice program at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Boston College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best nursing practice schools. Set in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. Boston College awarded about 72 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Boston College generally make around $95,349. Students borrow a median of $13,250 to complete this degree.
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The University Of Texas Medical Branch earned the #9 position for nursing practice this year. The University Of Texas Medical Branch is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Galveston. The University Of Texas Medical Branch awarded about 17 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing Practice graduates of The University Of Texas Medical Branch earn a median of $98,578 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500.
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University Of California Irvine placed #10 among the best nursing practice schools. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 17 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Irvine in the most recent data year. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $87,466 early in their careers. University Of California Irvine graduates carry a median of $13,400 in student loans.
See the full nursing practice program report for University Of California Irvine
Fairfield University placed #11 among the best nursing practice schools. Fairfield University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Fairfield. Fairfield University graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 15 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at Fairfield University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $119,878 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in nursing practice from Fairfield University
Quinnipiac University landed the #12 spot for nursing practice this year. Located in the suburb of Hamden, Quinnipiac University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 76% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 37 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at Quinnipiac University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Quinnipiac University generally make around $116,250. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in nursing practice from Quinnipiac University
University Of Maryland Baltimore came in at #13 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 128 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $96,694 in their early career. University Of Maryland Baltimore graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in nursing practice from University Of Maryland Baltimore
Emory University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best nursing practice schools. Set in the city of Atlanta, Emory University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 80 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at Emory University in the most recent data year. Nursing Practice graduates of Emory University earn a median of $98,673 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
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Vanderbilt University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best nursing practice schools. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Vanderbilt University awarded about 57 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $125,565 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete this degree.
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University Of California San Francisco came in at #16 for nursing practice this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of San Francisco. University Of California San Francisco awarded about 47 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from University Of California San Francisco generally make around $138,842.
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Samuel Merritt University came in at #17 for nursing practice this year. Set in the city of Oakland, Samuel Merritt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Samuel Merritt University awarded about 38 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing Practice graduates of Samuel Merritt University earn a median of $132,722 early in their careers. Samuel Merritt University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
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Baylor University landed the #18 spot for nursing practice this year. Set in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. About 179 nursing practice degrees were awarded at Baylor University in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $94,615 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,975 to complete this degree.
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George Washington University came in at #19 for nursing practice this year. Located in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit university. George Washington University graduates 84% of students within six years. About 31 nursing practice degrees were awarded at George Washington University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from George Washington University generally make around $107,851. George Washington University graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans.
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University Of Florida landed the #20 spot 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 112 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $90,433. University Of Florida graduates carry a median of $19,934 in student loans.
More information about a degree in nursing practice from University Of Florida
Texas A And M University College Station landed the #21 spot for nursing practice this year. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 12 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent data year. Nursing Practice graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $98,675 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree.
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University Of Connecticut landed the #22 spot for nursing practice this year. This very large public university is located in the town of Storrs. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Connecticut awarded about 217 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from University Of Connecticut generally make around $117,021. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
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Duke University earned the #23 position for nursing practice this year. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. Roughly 97% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 26 nursing practice degrees were awarded at Duke University in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $116,855 in their early career. Duke University graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans.
See the full nursing practice program report for Duke University
University Of Miami ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best nursing practice schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Coral Gables. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 47 nursing practice degrees were awarded at University Of Miami in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $116,541 in their early career. University Of Miami graduates carry a median of $23,750 in student loans.
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Gonzaga University came in at #25 for nursing practice this year. Located in the city of Spokane, Gonzaga University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 11 nursing practice degrees were awarded at Gonzaga University in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing practice degree from Gonzaga University earn around $114,954 in the first couple years of their career. Gonzaga University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in nursing practice from Gonzaga University
Rest of the Top 50 Nursing Practice Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong nursing practice education:
This list is compiled 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 · 193 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).
