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2022 Most Popular Doctor's Degree Colleges for Nursing in the Southeast Region

109 Colleges in the Southeast Region
3,025 Doctor's Degrees
$114,040 Avg Early-Career Salary
Ranked #5 in popularity, nursing is one of the most sought-after doctor's degree programs in the nation. So, there are lots of possibilities to explore when you're trying to determine where you want to get your degree.

College Factual reviewed 109 schools in the Southeast Region to determine which ones were the most popular for doctor's degree seekers in the field of nursing. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 3,025 doctor's degrees in nursing during the 2019-2020 academic year.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Other Rankings

Choosing a Great Nursing School for Your Doctor's Degree

Most Popular Doctor's Degree Colleges for Nursing in the Southeast Region The nursing doctor's degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. As an aid in helping you pick the right school for you, we created our Most Popular Doctor's Degree Colleges for Nursing in the Southeast Region ranking.

Being popular does not always equate to overall quality, but a school with a large number of nursing students usually has them for a reason. Sometimes this is because the school offers a great educational experience, it is a good value, or it is highly focused on the program.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Associate Degrees in Nursing
Bachelor's Degrees in Nursing
Master's Degrees in Nursing
Overall Popularity in Nursing

This ranking is just one of the many we have created. First of all, if you are interested in other degree levels, you may want to take a look at one of the rankings highlighted above. Also, if you are interested in attending school in a specific part of the country, see our rankings by location. On top of that, you can visit our other rankings for nursing.

Below you'll see a list of the most popular colleges and universities for pursuing a doctor's degree in nursing. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

16 Most Well Attended Schools for Nursing Students Working on Their Doctorate

1
196 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In KY
#1 Best Quality In KY

Any student who is interested in a doctor's degree in nursing has to take a look at Frontier Nursing University. Located in the rural area of Hyden, Frontier Nursing University is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing in Kentucky.

There were roughly 196 nursing individuals who graduated with this degree at Frontier Nursing University in the most recent year we have data available.

After graduation, nursing doctorate recipients generally make about $101,400 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a doctorate in nursing from Frontier Nursing University

2
166 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In AL
#3 Best Quality In AL

University of South Alabama is a popular decision for students interested in a doctor's degree in nursing. USA is a fairly large public university located in the medium-sized city of Mobile. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #3 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing in Alabama.

There were approximately 166 nursing students who graduated with this degree at USA in the most recent year we have data available.

After graduating, nursing doctorate recipients generally earn around $113,800 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a doctorate in nursing from University of South Alabama

3
Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, NC
140 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In NC
#1 Best Quality In NC

Every student pursuing a degree in a doctor's degree in nursing has to look into Duke University. Located in the large city of Durham, Duke is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing in North Carolina.

There were approximately 140 nursing individuals who graduated with this degree at Duke in the most recent data year.

Doctorate graduates who receive their degree from the nursing program earn an average of $114,400 in their early career salary.

More information about a doctorate in nursing from Duke University

4
113 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In AL
#2 Best Quality In AL

You'll be surrounded by many like-minded peers at University of Alabama at Birmingham if you want to pursue a doctor's degree in nursing. Located in the city of Birmingham, UAB is a public university with a fairly large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing in Alabama.

There were approximately 113 nursing students who graduated with this degree at UAB in the most recent data year.

Those nursing students who get their doctor's degree from University of Alabama at Birmingham receive $10,160 more than the average nursing grad.

More information about a doctorate in nursing from University of Alabama at Birmingham

5
110 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In FL
#6 Best Quality In FL

Located in the large city of Jacksonville, UNF is a public university with a large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #6 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing in Florida.

There were about 110 nursing students who graduated with this degree at UNF in the most recent data year.

More information about a doctorate in nursing from University of North Florida

6
101 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In NC
#3 Best Quality In NC

UNC Greensboro is a large public university located in the city of Greensboro. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #3 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing in North Carolina.

There were about 101 nursing individuals who graduated with this degree at UNC Greensboro in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a doctorate in nursing from University of North Carolina at Greensboro

7
Samford crest
Samford University
Birmingham, AL
95 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In AL
#1 Best Quality In AL

Located in the large suburb of Birmingham, Samford is a private not-for-profit university with a moderately-sized student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing in Alabama.

There were about 95 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Samford in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a doctorate in nursing from Samford University

8
82 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In TN
#3 Best Quality In TN

UTHSC is a small public university located in the city of Memphis. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #3 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing in Tennessee.

There were approximately 82 nursing students who graduated with this degree at UTHSC in the most recent data year.

Nursing doctor's degree recipients from The University of Tennessee - Health Science Center earn a boost of approximately $2,860 above the average earnings of nursing majors.

More information about a doctorate in nursing from The University of Tennessee - Health Science Center

8
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL
82 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In FL
#1 Best Quality In FL

Located in the medium-sized city of Gainesville, UF is a public university with a fairly large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing in Florida.

There were approximately 82 nursing individuals who graduated with this degree at UF in the most recent data year.

Soon after graduation, nursing doctorate recipients generally make around $87,500 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a doctorate in nursing from University of Florida

10
78 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In SC
#1 Best Quality In SC

Located in the midsize city of Charleston, MUSC is a public university with a small student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing in South Carolina.

There were roughly 78 nursing students who graduated with this degree at MUSC in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a doctorate in nursing from Medical University of South Carolina

11
73 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In TN
#2 Best Quality In TN

Vanderbilt is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Nashville. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing in Tennessee.

There were roughly 73 nursing individuals who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a doctorate in nursing from Vanderbilt University

12
69 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In KY
#2 Best Quality In KY

UK is a very large public university located in the large city of Lexington. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing in Kentucky.

There were roughly 69 nursing individuals who graduated with this degree at UK in the most recent data year.

More information about a doctorate in nursing from University of Kentucky

12
69 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In TN
#1 Best Quality In TN

MTSA is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Madison. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing in Tennessee.

There were approximately 69 nursing students who graduated with this degree at MTSA in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a doctorate in nursing from Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia Inc

14
67 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In FL
#5 Best Quality In FL

USF Tampa is a very large public university located in the city of Tampa. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #5 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing in Florida.

There were roughly 67 nursing individuals who graduated with this degree at USF Tampa in the most recent year we have data available.

Students who graduate with their doctorate from the nursing program report average early career earnings of $106,800.

More information about a doctorate in nursing from University of South Florida - Main Campus

15
NKU crest
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY
66 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In KY
#4 Best Quality In KY

NKU is a fairly large public university located in the large suburb of Highland Heights. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #4 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing in Kentucky.

There were about 66 nursing students who graduated with this degree at NKU in the most recent data year.

More information about a doctorate in nursing from Northern Kentucky University

16
64 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#4 Most Popular In AL
#4 Best Quality In AL

UA is a fairly large public university located in the city of Tuscaloosa. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #4 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing in Alabama.

There were about 64 nursing students who graduated with this degree at UA in the most recent year we have data available.

Doctorate graduates who receive their degree from the nursing program make about $109,600 in the first couple years of their career.

More information about a doctorate in nursing from The University of Alabama

Additional Noteworthy Schools

Here are some additional great schools for Nursing students in the Southeast Region that almost earned our Most Popular Doctor's Degree Colleges for Nursing in the Southeast Region award.

RankCollegeLocation
17Florida International UniversityMiami, FL
18Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmond, VA
19East Carolina UniversityGreenville, NC
20South University’s online programsSavannah, GA
21Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center - New OrleansNew Orleans, LA
22University of MiamiCoral Gables, FL
23Florida Atlantic UniversityBoca Raton, FL
24University of LouisvilleLouisville, KY
25Augusta UniversityAugusta, GA

Best Nursing Colleges by State

Explore the most popular nursing colleges for a specific state in the Southeast Region .

StateCollegesDegrees Awarded
Florida143525
Virginia126191
Georgia124154
North Carolina113313
Louisiana99139
Tennessee98242
Alabama94385
South Carolina8873
Kentucky86300
Mississippi7279
Arkansas5732
West Virginia4937

View All Rankings >

Nursing is one of 30 different types of Health Professions programs to choose from.

Nursing Focus Areas

MajorAnnual Graduates
Nursing Practice1,851
Nurse Anesthetist274
Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing235
Nursing Science223
Registered Nursing204
Family Practice Nurse/Nursing112
Nursing Administration109
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing8
Emergency Room/Trauma Nursing4
Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing2

Related MajorAnnual Graduates
Medicine6,645
Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Sciences3,992
Rehabilitation & Therapeutic Professions2,951
Dentistry1,178
Chiropractic496
Allied Health Professions341
Optometry293
Communication Sciences259
Public Health240
Health & Medical Administrative Services84

Notes and References

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