Nursing Science programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 58 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for nursing science students pursuing a degree.
The nursing science program you select can have a big impact on your future. That is why we built our Best Nursing Science Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each 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 Science Schools list, to help you choose. 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.
Best Schools for Nursing Science 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 science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Columbia University In The City Of New York, our #1 school for nursing science. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 nursing science students who graduated with this degree at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent data year. Nursing Science graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $138,848 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete this degree.
See the full nursing science program report for Columbia University In The City Of New York
The University Of Texas Medical Branch came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best nursing science schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Galveston. About 10 nursing science degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas Medical Branch in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing science 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 science from The University Of Texas Medical Branch
University Of California Irvine came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best nursing science schools. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. There were roughly 51 nursing science students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Irvine in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing science degree from University Of California Irvine earn around $87,466 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Irvine graduates carry a median of $13,400 in student loans.
See the full nursing science program report for University Of California Irvine
University Of Maryland Baltimore is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in nursing science, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore is a moderately-sized public university. University Of Maryland Baltimore awarded about 18 nursing science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing science degree from University Of Maryland Baltimore earn around $96,694 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500.
More information about a degree in nursing science from University Of Maryland Baltimore
Emory University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in nursing science, landing the #5 spot this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Atlanta. About 91% of students finish within six years. About 10 nursing science degrees were awarded at Emory University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from Emory University generally make around $98,673. Emory University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
Get the full nursing science details for Emory University
Vanderbilt University landed the #6 spot for nursing science this year. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Vanderbilt University awarded about 12 nursing science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $125,565. Typical student debt for the program is $13,975.
Get the full nursing science details for Vanderbilt University
Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #7 spot for nursing science this year. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 126 nursing science students who graduated with this degree at Rutgers University New Brunswick in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing science degree from Rutgers University New Brunswick earn around $108,083 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full nursing science details for Rutgers University New Brunswick
University Of Rhode Island came in at #8 for nursing science this year. Set in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public institution. University Of Rhode Island graduates 72% of students within six years. There were roughly 37 nursing science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Rhode Island in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from University Of Rhode Island generally make around $95,762. Students borrow a median of $26,390 to complete this degree.
Read more about the nursing science program at University Of Rhode Island
Touro University California placed #9 among the best nursing science schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Vallejo. About 24 nursing science degrees were awarded at Touro University California in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing science degree from Touro University California earn around $130,133 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,002.
More information about a degree in nursing science from Touro University California
Sacred Heart University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best nursing science schools. Sacred Heart University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Fairfield. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 11 nursing science degrees were awarded at Sacred Heart University in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing science program make about $107,149 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $29,200 to complete this degree.
See the full nursing science program report for Sacred Heart University
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #11 spot for nursing science this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates 91% of students within six years. There were roughly 13 nursing science students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $91,154. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates carry a median of $23,026 in student loans.
Read more about the nursing science program at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
University Of Kansas placed #12 among the best nursing science schools. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 10 nursing science degrees were awarded at University Of Kansas in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $105,103. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in nursing science from University Of Kansas
Monmouth University placed #13 among the best nursing science schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of West Long Branch. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. There were roughly 17 nursing science students who graduated with this degree at Monmouth University in the most recent data year. Nursing Science graduates of Monmouth University earn a median of $102,075 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in nursing science from Monmouth University
University Of Illinois At Chicago landed the #14 spot for nursing science this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Chicago. About 62% of students finish within six years. University Of Illinois At Chicago awarded about 109 nursing science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing science program make about $87,290 in their early career. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in nursing science from University Of Illinois At Chicago
College Of Our Lady Of The Elms ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best nursing science schools. Located in the suburb of Chicopee, College Of Our Lady Of The Elms is a small private not-for-profit university. College Of Our Lady Of The Elms graduates 68% of students within six years. About 24 nursing science degrees were awarded at College Of Our Lady Of The Elms in the most recent year. Nursing Science graduates of College Of Our Lady Of The Elms earn a median of $83,775 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
See the full nursing science program report for College Of Our Lady Of The Elms
Rutgers University Camden ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best nursing science schools. Set in the city of Camden, Rutgers University Camden is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. Rutgers University Camden awarded about 10 nursing science degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing Science graduates of Rutgers University Camden earn a median of $108,083 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in nursing science from Rutgers University Camden
Duquesne University landed the #17 spot for nursing science this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. About 77% of students finish within six years. Duquesne University awarded about 231 nursing science degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing Science 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.
Read more about the nursing science program at Duquesne University
Touro University Nevada earned the #18 position for nursing science this year. Touro University Nevada is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Henderson. Touro University Nevada awarded about 21 nursing science degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing Science graduates of Touro University Nevada earn a median of $130,133 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,002 to complete this degree.
See the full nursing science program report for Touro University Nevada
Texas Womans University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best nursing science schools. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. Texas Womans University graduates 49% of students within six years. About 24 nursing science degrees were awarded at Texas Womans University in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing science degree from Texas Womans University earn around $111,254 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in nursing science from Texas Womans University
The University Of Texas At Tyler ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best nursing science schools. Set in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. There were roughly 34 nursing science students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Tyler in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Tyler generally make around $98,109. The University Of Texas At Tyler graduates carry a median of $24,356 in student loans.
Get the full nursing science details for The University Of Texas At Tyler
University Of Vermont ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best nursing science schools. University Of Vermont is a large public school located in the city of Burlington. University Of Vermont graduates 79% of students within six years. About 22 nursing science degrees were awarded at University Of Vermont in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing science program make about $86,571 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,257.
Get the full nursing science details for University Of Vermont
University Of Iowa landed the #22 spot for nursing science this year. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. University Of Iowa graduates 75% of students within six years. About 22 nursing science degrees were awarded at University Of Iowa in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing science degree from University Of Iowa earn around $96,368 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,811 to complete this degree.
See the full nursing science program report for University Of Iowa
Benedictine University placed #23 among the best nursing science schools. Located in the suburb of Lisle, Benedictine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. Benedictine University awarded about 48 nursing science degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing Science graduates of Benedictine University earn a median of $90,860 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,188 to complete this degree.
See the full nursing science program report for Benedictine University
University Of Massachusetts Boston placed #24 among the best nursing science schools. Set in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public institution. About 49% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 360 nursing science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Massachusetts Boston in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing science program make about $95,552 in their early career. University Of Massachusetts Boston graduates carry a median of $30,343 in student loans.
More information about a degree in nursing science from University Of Massachusetts Boston
Ramapo College Of New Jersey came in at #25 for nursing science this year. Set in the suburb of Mahwah, Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 141 nursing science students who graduated with this degree at Ramapo College Of New Jersey in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing science degree from Ramapo College Of New Jersey earn around $102,576 in the first couple years of their career. Ramapo College Of New Jersey graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans.
Read more about the nursing science program at Ramapo College Of New Jersey
Rest of the Top 50 Nursing Science Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s nursing science ranking:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 58 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).
