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2026 Best Nursing Science Associate’s Degree Schools

6 Colleges in the United States
1,227 Nursing Science Degrees Awarded
$38,786 Avg Early-Career Salary

Nursing Science programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their nursing science programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 176 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for nursing science students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Nursing Science in the United States

Below are the best nursing science schools at the associate’s degree level, ranked by the quality of the education they deliver.

Top Schools in Nursing Science

1
Goodwin College crest
Goodwin College
East Hartford, CT

Goodwin College tops our 2026 ranking of the best nursing science schools. Set in the city of East Hartford, Goodwin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. There were roughly 21 nursing science students who graduated with this degree at Goodwin College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing science degree from Goodwin College earn around $79,227 in the first couple years of their career. Goodwin College graduates carry a median of $54,370 in student loans. More information about a degree in nursing science from Goodwin College

2

Sacred Heart University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best nursing science schools. Set in the suburb of Fairfield, Sacred Heart University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 13 nursing science students who graduated with this degree at Sacred Heart University in the most recent data year. Nursing Science graduates of Sacred Heart University earn a median of $84,899 early in their careers. Sacred Heart University graduates carry a median of $31,400 in student loans. See the full nursing science program report for Sacred Heart University

3
Rivier College crest
Rivier College
Nashua, NH

Rivier College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best nursing science schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Nashua. Rivier College graduates 51% of students within six years. About 244 nursing science degrees were awarded at Rivier College in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing science degree from Rivier College earn around $65,499 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $38,500 to complete this degree. See the full nursing science program report for Rivier College

4

Edp College Of Puerto Rico Inc San Sebastian came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best nursing science schools. Edp College Of Puerto Rico Inc San Sebastian is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of San Sebastian. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 244 nursing science degrees were awarded at Edp College Of Puerto Rico Inc San Sebastian in the most recent year. Nursing Science graduates of Edp College Of Puerto Rico Inc San Sebastian earn a median of $31,869 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,000 to complete this degree. See the full nursing science program report for Edp College Of Puerto Rico Inc San Sebastian

5

Edp College Of Puerto Rico Inc San Juan is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in nursing science, landing the #5 spot this year. Edp College Of Puerto Rico Inc San Juan is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Juan. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. About 312 nursing science degrees were awarded at Edp College Of Puerto Rico Inc San Juan in the most recent year. Nursing Science graduates of Edp College Of Puerto Rico Inc San Juan earn a median of $31,869 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,000 to complete this degree. See the full nursing science program report for Edp College Of Puerto Rico Inc San Juan

6

Edp University Of Puerto Rico Manati earned the #6 position for nursing science this year. Located in the suburb of Manati, Edp University Of Puerto Rico Manati is a small private not-for-profit university. Edp University Of Puerto Rico Manati awarded about 223 nursing science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing science degree from Edp University Of Puerto Rico Manati earn around $31,869 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,000. More information about a degree in nursing science from Edp University Of Puerto Rico Manati

7

Edp University Of Puerto Rico Villalba earned the #7 position for nursing science this year. Located in the suburb of Villalba, Edp University Of Puerto Rico Villalba is a small private not-for-profit university. About 66 nursing science degrees were awarded at Edp University Of Puerto Rico Villalba in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing science program make about $31,869 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,000 to complete this degree. See the full nursing science program report for Edp University Of Puerto Rico Villalba

8

Edp University Of Puerto Rico Humacao placed #8 among the best nursing science schools. Set in the suburb of Humacao, Edp University Of Puerto Rico Humacao is a small private not-for-profit institution. There were roughly 66 nursing science students who graduated with this degree at Edp University Of Puerto Rico Humacao in the most recent data year. Nursing Science graduates of Edp University Of Puerto Rico Humacao earn a median of $31,869 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,000 to complete this degree. Get the full nursing science details for Edp University Of Puerto Rico Humacao

9

Icpr Junior College Manati came in at #9 for nursing science this year. Icpr Junior College Manati is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Manati. Icpr Junior College Manati awarded about 10 nursing science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing science program make about $10,086 in their early career. Get the full nursing science details for Icpr Junior College Manati

10

Icpr Junior College Mayaguez ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best nursing science schools. Set in the city of Mayaguez, Icpr Junior College Mayaguez is a small private for-profit institution. There were roughly 13 nursing science students who graduated with this degree at Icpr Junior College Mayaguez in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing science degree from Icpr Junior College Mayaguez earn around $10,086 in the first couple years of their career. Read more about the nursing science program at Icpr Junior College Mayaguez

11

Universal Technology College Of Puerto Rico placed #11 among the best nursing science schools. Located in the city of Aguadilla, Universal Technology College Of Puerto Rico is a small private not-for-profit university. Universal Technology College Of Puerto Rico awarded about 15 nursing science degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing Science graduates of Universal Technology College Of Puerto Rico earn a median of $17,500 early in their careers. See the full nursing science program report for Universal Technology College Of Puerto Rico

Other Nursing Science Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare Nursing Science rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Nursing Science
Bachelor's Degrees in Nursing Science
Master's Degrees in Nursing Science
View All Nursing Science Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 176 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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