College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2023 Most Focused Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Nursing

424 Ranked Colleges
10,943 Degrees Awarded
$115,233 Avg Salary
Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

With 322,592 degrees handed out in 2020-2021, nursing is the 3rd most popular major in the United States. In 2019-2020, nursing graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $70,916 and had an average of $25,426 in loans still to pay off.

At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 10,943 nursing graduates with average earnings and debt of $75,260 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major” ranking analyzed 424 colleges that offered a degree in nursing. That schools that top this list have a program in nursing in which the largest percentage of students at the school are enrolled.

Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Nursing Schools

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Nursing Rankings Other Ranking Categories

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major

The colleges and universities below are the best for doctor’s degree nursing students.

Top 25 Most Focused Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Nursing

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia Inc. The school came in at #1 for the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major. MTSA is a private not-for-profit institution located in Madison, Tennessee. The school has a small population, and it awarded 94 doctorate’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Nursing at Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia Inc

2
Rush University crest
Rush University
Chicago, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Rush University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major list. Rush University is a small school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 199 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Nursing at Rush University

3

Out of the 424 schools in the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major that were part of this year’s ranking, Frontier Nursing University landed the #3 spot on the list. Frontier Nursing University is a small school located in Hyden, Kentucky that handed out 181 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on Nursing at Frontier Nursing University

4

Out of the 424 schools in the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Massachusetts Medical School Worcester landed the #4 spot on the list. Worcester, Massachusetts is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s nursing degrees to 51 students in 2020-2021.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Massachusetts Medical School Worcester Nursing Report

5
Mount Marty crest
Mount Marty University
Yankton, South Dakota

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Mount Marty University. The school came in at #5 for the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major. Located in Yankton, South Dakota, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 33 degrees to qualified doctorate’s nursing students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Nursing at Mount Marty

6

Bryan College of Health Sciences landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major ranking. Bryan College of Health Sciences is a small school located in Lincoln, Nebraska that handed out 16 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full Bryan College of Health Sciences Nursing Report

7
Chatham crest
Chatham University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #7, Chatham University did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major list. Chatham University is a small school located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that handed out 74 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Chatham University Nursing Report

8

Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major ranking, coming in at #8. Baton Rouge, Louisiana is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s nursing degrees to 26 students in 2020-2021.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University Nursing Report

9

With a ranking of #9, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center - New Orleans did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major list. LSU Health - New Orleans is a public institution located in New Orleans, Louisiana. The school has a small population, and it awarded 69 doctorate’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Nursing at LSU Health - New Orleans

10
Samford crest
Samford University
Birmingham, Alabama

With a ranking of #10, Samford University did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major list. Birmingham, Alabama is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s nursing degrees to 129 students in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Nursing at Samford

11
Touro University Nevada crest
Touro University Nevada
Henderson, Nevada

Touro University Nevada ranked #11 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major list. Located in Henderson, Nevada, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 32 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s nursing students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Touro University Nevada Nursing Report

12

Saint Anthony College of Nursing came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major ranking. Located in Rockford, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 6 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s nursing students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. With a freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Nursing at Saint Anthony College of Nursing

13
Lourdes crest
Lourdes University
Sylvania, Ohio

With a ranking of #13, Lourdes University did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major list. Lourdes is a small school located in Sylvania, Ohio that handed out 16 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Nursing at Lourdes University

14

Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major ranking, coming in at #14. Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions is a small school located in Provo, Utah that handed out 23 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Nursing at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions

15

Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major ranking, coming in at #15. North Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s nursing degrees to 36 students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Nursing at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science

16
Mayo Clinic School of Medicine crest
Mayo Clinic School of Medicine
Rochester, Minnesota

With a ranking of #16, Mayo Clinic School of Medicine did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major list. Located in Rochester, Minnesota, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 26 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s nursing students in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on Nursing at Mayo Clinic School of Medicine

17

With a ranking of #17, Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major list. Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Omaha, Nebraska. It awarded 21 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Nursing at Nebraska Methodist College

18
Texas Wesleyan crest
Texas Wesleyan University
Fort Worth, Texas

With a ranking of #18, Texas Wesleyan University did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major list. Fort Worth, Texas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s nursing degrees to 34 students in 2020-2021.

Full Texas Wesleyan University Nursing Report

19

University of Maryland - Baltimore landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major ranking. Baltimore, Maryland is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s nursing degrees to 137 students in 2020-2021.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Nursing at UMB

20
Clarke crest
Clarke University
Dubuque, Iowa

Clarke University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major ranking. Clarke University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Dubuque, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 12 doctorate’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Nursing at Clarke

21
AHU crest
AdventHealth University
Orlando, Florida

With a ranking of #21, AdventHealth University did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major list. Located in Orlando, Florida, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 26 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s nursing students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Nursing at AdventHealth University

22
MUSC crest
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina

With a ranking of #22, Medical University of South Carolina did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major list. Located in Charleston, South Carolina, this small public school awarded 49 degrees to qualified doctorate’s nursing students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Medical University of South Carolina Nursing Report

23

The University of Tennessee - Health Science Center came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major ranking. Memphis, Tennessee is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s nursing degrees to 70 students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full UTHSC Nursing Report

24

Chamberlain University - Illinois did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major ranking, coming in at #24. Located in Addison, Illinois, this large private for-profit school handed out 565 degrees to qualified doctorate’s nursing students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Nursing at Chamberlain University - Illinois

25

Baylor College of Medicine landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major ranking. This small school is located in Houston, Texas, and it awarded 16 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Baylor College of Medicine Nursing Report

Rest of the Best 50 in Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major

Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
Augusta University crest
Augusta University
Augusta, Georgia
27
Viterbo crest
Viterbo University
La Crosse, Wisconsin
28
29
30
Lenoir - Rhyne University crest
Lenoir - Rhyne University
Hickory, North Carolina
31
Palm Beach Atlantic crest
Palm Beach Atlantic University
West Palm Beach, Florida
32
OCU crest
Oklahoma City University
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
33
34
35
Creighton crest
Creighton University
Omaha, Nebraska
36
37
Regis College crest
Regis College
Weston, Massachusetts
38
Brandman crest
Brandman University
Irvine, California
39
40
41
Barry University crest
Barry University
Miami, Florida
42
Union crest
Union University
Jackson, Tennessee
43
44
Seattle U crest
Seattle University
Seattle, Washington
45
46
47
PLU crest
Pacific Lutheran University
Tacoma, Washington
48
49
Marian crest
Marian University
Indianapolis, Indiana
50

Rest of the Top 15% Colleges in Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major

While not in the ‘top 50’, these schools make the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

Rank College Location
51 Quinnipiac University Hamden, CT
52 Texas Christian University Fort Worth, TX
53 Millikin University Decatur, IL
54 Bradley University Peoria, IL
55 Maryville University of Saint Louis Saint Louis, MO
56 Fairfield University Fairfield, CT
57 Mount St. Joseph University Cincinnati, OH
58 Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA
59 Northern Kentucky University Highland Heights, KY
60 Saint Mary’s College Notre Dame, IN
61 Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Edwardsville, IL
62 University of North Florida Jacksonville, FL
63 The University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston, TX
64 South University, Savannah Savannah, GA

Switch to a Similar Major

Switch to a More Focused Major

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

Credits

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options