by our College Data Analytics Team
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 100 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying nursing schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose nursing graduates go on to earn the most.
Our analysis ranked Albany Medical College the top school for nursing graduate earnings in the United States. Albany Medical College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Albany. Early-career nursing graduates from Albany Medical College make a median of around $232,258 per year.
University Of New England produces some of the highest-paid graduates in nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Biddeford, University Of New England is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career nursing graduates from University Of New England make a median of around $224,355 per year.
A rank of #3 makes Bryan College Of Health Sciences one of the highest-paying schools for nursing. Set in the city of Lincoln, Bryan College Of Health Sciences is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from Bryan College Of Health Sciences typically earn about $229,080 annually.
Lourdes College produces some of the highest-paid graduates in nursing, landing the #4 spot this year. Lourdes College is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Sylvania. Nursing graduates of Lourdes College earn a median of about $237,898 a year early in their careers.
Saint Marys University Of Minnesota produces some of the highest-paid graduates in nursing, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Winona, Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career nursing graduates from Saint Marys University Of Minnesota make a median of around $221,819 per year.
Our Lady Of The Lake College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Our Lady Of The Lake College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baton Rouge. Early-career nursing graduates from Our Lady Of The Lake College make a median of around $222,929 per year.
Missouri State University Springfield ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Missouri State University Springfield is a public school located in the city of Springfield. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield typically earn about $219,023 annually.
Central Connecticut State University landed the #8 spot for nursing salaries this year. Central Connecticut State University is a public school located in the suburb of New Britain. Early-career nursing graduates from Central Connecticut State University make a median of around $207,278 per year.
Texas Wesleyan University came in at #9 for nursing graduate earnings this year. Texas Wesleyan University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Worth. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from Texas Wesleyan University typically earn about $213,854 annually.
Adventist University Of Health Sciences ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Set in the city of Orlando, Adventist University Of Health Sciences is a private not-for-profit institution. Nursing graduates of Adventist University Of Health Sciences earn a median of about $200,085 a year early in their careers.
Midwestern University Glendale came in at #11 for nursing graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Glendale, Midwestern University Glendale is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career nursing graduates from Midwestern University Glendale make a median of around $205,504 per year.
Wake Forest University landed the #12 spot for nursing salaries this year. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from Wake Forest University typically earn about $196,293 annually.
Newman University earned the #13 position for nursing graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Wichita, Newman University is a private not-for-profit institution. Nursing graduates of Newman University earn a median of about $187,985 a year early in their careers.
Loma Linda University landed the #14 spot for nursing salaries this year. Set in the suburb of Loma Linda, Loma Linda University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career nursing graduates from Loma Linda University make a median of around $167,922 per year.
University Of North Dakota landed the #15 spot for nursing salaries this year. University Of North Dakota is a public school located in the city of Grand Forks. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $135,750.
Mount Marty College came in at #16 for nursing graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Yankton, Mount Marty College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career nursing graduates from Mount Marty College make a median of around $210,720 per year.
Gannon University came in at #17 for nursing graduate earnings this year. Gannon University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Erie. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $193,562.
California State University Fullerton placed #18 among the highest-paying schools for nursing. California State University Fullerton is a public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Nursing graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of about $176,728 a year early in their careers.
Florida Gulf Coast University came in at #19 for nursing graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a public institution. Nursing graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of about $158,823 a year early in their careers.
University Of Southern California came in at #20 for nursing graduate earnings this year. University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $225,065.
Texas Christian University came in at #21 for nursing graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from Texas Christian University typically earn about $167,424 annually.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earned the #22 position for nursing graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a public institution. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $163,373.
University Of California Davis earned the #23 position for nursing graduate earnings this year. University Of California Davis is a public school located in the suburb of Davis. Nursing graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of about $172,861 a year early in their careers.
Samuel Merritt University landed the #24 spot for nursing salaries this year. Set in the city of Oakland, Samuel Merritt University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career nursing graduates from Samuel Merritt University make a median of around $172,868 per year.
Vanguard University Of Southern California earned the #25 position for nursing graduate earnings this year. Vanguard University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Costa Mesa. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $154,180.
Not far behind, these schools also produced high-earning nursing graduates:
The following schools rounded out the strongest nursing earnings:
Also worth considering for earnings in nursing:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare highest-paid Nursing rankings across degree levels:
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries nursing graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 100 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.