by our College Data Analytics Team
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. The highest-paying schools turn a nursing degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 81 schools on the early-career earnings of their nursing graduates.
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 Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of Albany, Albany Medical College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career nursing graduates from Albany Medical College make a median of around $232,258 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in nursing will find them at Gannon University, which ranked #2. Gannon University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Erie. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from Gannon University typically earn about $193,562 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in nursing will find them at Cuny College Of Staten Island, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a public institution. Early-career nursing graduates from Cuny College Of Staten Island make a median of around $153,845 per year.
Villanova University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a private not-for-profit institution. Nursing graduates of Villanova University earn a median of about $184,811 a year early in their careers.
Adelphi University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in nursing, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Adelphi University is a private not-for-profit institution. Nursing graduates of Adelphi University earn a median of about $145,809 a year early in their careers.
Cuny Lehman College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a public institution. Early-career nursing graduates from Cuny Lehman College make a median of around $139,945 per year.
Suny Downstate Medical Center earned the #7 position for nursing graduate earnings this year. Suny Downstate Medical Center is a public school located in the city of Brooklyn. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from Suny Downstate Medical Center typically earn about $163,535 annually.
Wagner College came in at #8 for nursing graduate earnings this year. Wagner College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Staten Island. Nursing graduates of Wagner College earn a median of about $147,893 a year early in their careers.
College Of Mount Saint Vincent landed the #9 spot for nursing salaries this year. Located in the city of Bronx, College Of Mount Saint Vincent is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $144,239.
York College Pennsylvania ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Located in the suburb of York, York College Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $143,511.
New York University earned the #11 position for nursing graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. Nursing graduates of New York University earn a median of about $146,089 a year early in their careers.
Cuny Hunter College landed the #12 spot for nursing salaries this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a public institution. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College typically earn about $140,979 annually.
Molloy College came in at #13 for nursing graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Rockville Centre, Molloy College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $143,486.
Mercy College earned the #14 position for nursing graduate earnings this year. Mercy College is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry. Nursing graduates of Mercy College earn a median of about $137,806 a year early in their careers.
Dominican College Of Blauvelt earned the #15 position for nursing graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Orangeburg, Dominican College Of Blauvelt is a private not-for-profit institution. Nursing graduates of Dominican College Of Blauvelt earn a median of about $136,977 a year early in their careers.
Saint Josephs College New York came in at #16 for nursing graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Saint Josephs College New York is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from Saint Josephs College New York typically earn about $136,311 annually.
Pace University New York came in at #17 for nursing graduate earnings this year. Pace University New York is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Early-career nursing graduates from Pace University New York make a median of around $136,308 per year.
Mount Saint Mary College earned the #18 position for nursing graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Newburgh, Mount Saint Mary College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $136,896.
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $139,518.
Long Island University C W Post Campus ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Brookville, Long Island University C W Post Campus is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $137,555.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public institution. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $153,203.
La Salle University placed #22 among the highest-paying schools for nursing. La Salle University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from La Salle University typically earn about $128,324 annually.
Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham came in at #23 for nursing graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Madison, Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career nursing graduates from Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham make a median of around $142,034 per year.
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus landed the #24 spot for nursing salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Teaneck, Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a private not-for-profit institution. Nursing graduates of Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus earn a median of about $142,034 a year early in their careers.
Hofstra University came in at #25 for nursing graduate earnings this year. Hofstra University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hempstead. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $132,442.
These schools also send nursing graduates into strong-paying careers this year:
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their nursing graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 81 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.
