2027 Best Nursing Practice Schools in the Southeast Region
Nursing Practice 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 63 schools to find the best for nursing practice students.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Nursing Practice in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall nursing practice education in the Southeast Region.
Top Schools in Nursing Practice
Emory University tops our 2027 ranking of the best nursing practice schools. Located in the city of Atlanta, Emory University is a large private not-for-profit university. Emory University graduates 91% of students within six years. About 80 nursing practice degrees were awarded at Emory University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Emory University generally make around $98,673. Emory University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in nursing practice from Emory University
Students looking for a strong nursing practice program will find one at Vanderbilt University, which ranked #2. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. There were roughly 57 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. Vanderbilt University graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans.
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University Of Florida is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in nursing practice, ranking #3. This very large public university is 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. Typical student debt for the program is $19,934.
Read more about the nursing practice program at University Of Florida
A rank of #4 makes Duke University one of the top schools for nursing practice. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Durham. Roughly 97% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 26 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at Duke University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $116,855. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete this degree.
See the full nursing practice program report for Duke University
A rank of #5 makes University Of Miami one of the top schools for nursing practice. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Coral Gables. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 47 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at University Of Miami in the most recent data year. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of Miami earn a median of $116,541 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,750.
Read more about the nursing practice program at University Of Miami
George Mason University placed #6 among the best nursing practice schools. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 11 nursing practice degrees were awarded at George Mason University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $99,718. George Mason University graduates carry a median of $22,750 in student loans.
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Wake Forest University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best nursing practice schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Winston-Salem. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 14 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at Wake Forest University in the most recent data 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
Clemson University placed #8 among the best nursing practice schools. Located in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public university. Clemson University graduates 87% of students within six years. About 24 nursing practice degrees were awarded at Clemson University in the most recent year. Nursing Practice graduates of Clemson University earn a median of $85,508 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete this degree.
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University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #9 spot for nursing practice this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill awarded about 33 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing practice degree from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn around $91,154 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,026 to complete this degree.
See the full nursing practice program report for University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best nursing practice schools. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public school located in the city of Wilmington. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 70 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Wilmington in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing practice degree from University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earn around $83,408 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,000.
See the full nursing practice program report for University Of North Carolina At Wilmington
Florida State University landed the #11 spot for nursing practice this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Florida State University graduates 86% of students within six years. About 45 nursing practice degrees were awarded at Florida State University in the most recent year. Nursing Practice graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $127,776 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,546 to complete this degree.
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Florida International University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best nursing practice schools. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Florida International University graduates 74% of students within six years. About 86 nursing practice degrees were awarded at Florida International University in the most recent year. Nursing Practice graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $96,525 early in their careers. Florida International University graduates carry a median of $18,895 in student loans.
More information about a degree in nursing practice from Florida International University
University Of North Florida earned the #13 position for nursing practice this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public university. About 65% of students finish within six years. About 40 nursing practice degrees were awarded at University Of North Florida in the most recent year. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $116,277 early in their careers. University Of North Florida graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans.
Read more about the nursing practice program at University Of North Florida
The University Of Alabama came in at #14 for nursing practice this year. The University Of Alabama is a very large public school located in the city of Tuscaloosa. About 73% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 43 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Alabama in the most recent data year. Nursing Practice graduates of The University Of Alabama earn a median of $103,352 early in their careers. The University Of Alabama graduates carry a median of $25,006 in student loans.
See the full nursing practice program report for The University Of Alabama
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #15 spot for nursing practice this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tampa. About 77% of students finish within six years. University Of South Florida Main Campus awarded about 76 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $105,610. Typical student debt for the program is $22,452.
More information about a degree in nursing practice from University Of South Florida Main Campus
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earned the #16 position for nursing practice this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte graduates 69% of students within six years. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte awarded about 26 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $95,753 early in their careers. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte graduates carry a median of $25,044 in student loans.
See the full nursing practice program report for University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
University Of Virginia Main Campus placed #17 among the best nursing practice schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Charlottesville. About 96% of students finish within six years. University Of Virginia Main Campus awarded about 20 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $98,628 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,130 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in nursing practice from University Of Virginia Main Campus
Virginia Commonwealth University placed #18 among the best nursing practice schools. Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public school located in the city of Richmond. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 93 nursing practice degrees were awarded at Virginia Commonwealth University in the most recent year. Nursing Practice graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $128,772 early in their careers. Virginia Commonwealth University graduates carry a median of $26,250 in student loans.
Read more about the nursing practice program at Virginia Commonwealth University
University Of Central Florida came in at #19 for nursing practice this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Roughly 78% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 58 nursing practice degrees were awarded at University Of Central Florida in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $88,414. University Of Central Florida graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans.
See the full nursing practice program report for University Of Central Florida
University Of Alabama At Birmingham ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best nursing practice schools. Located in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public university. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Alabama At Birmingham awarded about 229 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from University Of Alabama At Birmingham generally make around $98,091. University Of Alabama At Birmingham graduates carry a median of $21,911 in student loans.
See the full nursing practice program report for University Of Alabama At Birmingham
Florida Atlantic University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best nursing practice schools. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. Florida Atlantic University awarded about 25 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $96,397. Typical student debt for the program is $21,070.
More information about a degree in nursing practice from Florida Atlantic University
East Carolina University earned the #22 position for nursing practice this year. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. About 63% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 80 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at East Carolina University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $96,898. Typical student debt for the program is $25,264.
Read more about the nursing practice program at East Carolina University
The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center earned the #23 position for nursing practice this year. Located in the city of Memphis, The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center is a mid-sized public university. The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center awarded about 84 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $96,631 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $29,537 to complete this degree.
See the full nursing practice program report for The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center
The University Of Tennessee landed the #24 spot for nursing practice this year. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. The University Of Tennessee graduates 74% of students within six years. There were roughly 53 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Tennessee in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $97,755 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,292 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in nursing practice from The University Of Tennessee
University Of Kentucky came in at #25 for nursing practice this year. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Kentucky awarded about 28 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $102,363. University Of Kentucky graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
Read more about the nursing practice program at University Of Kentucky
Rest of the Top 50 Nursing Practice Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s nursing practice ranking:
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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 · 63 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.