by our College Data Analytics Team
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 18 schools to find where nursing graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send nursing graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Western Governors University the top school for nursing graduate earnings in Utah. Western Governors University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. Early-career nursing graduates from Western Governors University make a median of around $97,743 per year.
Arizona College Of Nursing Salt Lake City produces some of the highest-paid graduates in nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. Arizona College Of Nursing Salt Lake City is a private for-profit school located in the city of Murray. Nursing graduates of Arizona College Of Nursing Salt Lake City earn a median of about $85,169 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at Nightingale College earned it the #3 place for nursing. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, Nightingale College is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from Nightingale College typically earn about $62,002 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at Ameritech College Draper earned it the #4 place for nursing. Set in the suburb of Draper, Ameritech College Draper is a private for-profit institution. Early-career nursing graduates from Ameritech College Draper make a median of around $87,337 per year.
Dixie State College Of Utah produces some of the highest-paid graduates in nursing, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Saint George, Dixie State College Of Utah is a public institution. Early-career nursing graduates from Dixie State College Of Utah make a median of around $85,622 per year.
Fortis College Salt Lake City landed the #6 spot for nursing salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Fortis College Salt Lake City is a private for-profit institution. Early-career nursing graduates from Fortis College Salt Lake City make a median of around $73,326 per year.
Salt Lake Community College came in at #7 for nursing graduate earnings this year. Salt Lake Community College is a public school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. Early-career nursing graduates from Salt Lake Community College make a median of around $71,076 per year.
Utah Valley University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Utah Valley University is a public school located in the city of Orem. Nursing graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of about $70,836 a year early in their careers.
Westminster College Utah ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, Westminster College Utah is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career nursing graduates from Westminster College Utah make a median of around $76,552 per year.
University Of Utah earned the #10 position for nursing graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a public institution. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from University Of Utah typically earn about $71,368 annually.
Weber State University placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for nursing. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a public institution. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $70,227.
Snow College came in at #12 for nursing graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a public institution. Early-career nursing graduates from Snow College make a median of around $60,889 per year.
Southern Utah University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Set in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a public institution. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $70,566.
Utah State University earned the #14 position for nursing graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a public institution. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from Utah State University typically earn about $71,930 annually.
Eagle Gate College Layton landed the #15 spot for nursing salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Layton, Eagle Gate College Layton is a private for-profit institution. Nursing graduates of Eagle Gate College Layton earn a median of about $66,420 a year early in their careers.
Eagle Gate College Murray earned the #16 position for nursing graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Murray, Eagle Gate College Murray is a private for-profit institution. Early-career nursing graduates from Eagle Gate College Murray make a median of around $66,420 per year.
Provo College Provo earned the #17 position for nursing graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Provo, Provo College Provo is a private for-profit institution. Early-career nursing graduates from Provo College Provo make a median of around $63,317 per year.
Brigham Young University Provo earned the #18 position for nursing graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo typically earn about $46,396 annually.
This list is compiled 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 · 18 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.