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2021 Best Nursing Colleges for Non-Traditional Students

640 Colleges
162,800 Bachelor's Degrees
$31,681 Avg Cost*

Finding the Best Nursing Schools for Non-Traditional Students

Best Nursing Colleges for Non-Traditional StudentsNursing is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 2nd of all the majors we analyze. In <nil>, 162,800 bachelor's degrees were awarded to students with this major.

This year's Best Nursing Colleges for Non-Traditional Students ranking looked at 640 colleges that offer a bachelor's in nursing. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent nursing programs, but they also offer a lot of support to non-traditional students.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as affordability, and overall quality of the nursing program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Nursing Rankings Other Ranking Categories

When choosing the right school for you, it's important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we've created a number of major-specific rankings, including this Best Nursing Schools for Non-Traditional Students list to help you make the college decision.

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. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.


 

2021 Best Nursing Schools for Non-Traditional Students in the United States

Check out the nursing programs at these schools if you want to see which ones are the best for non-traditional students.

Top 25 Nursing Schools for Non-Traditional Students

1
Walden University crest
Walden University
Minneapolis, MN

Walden University has taken the #1 spot in this year's nursing ranking for non-traditional students. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Walden University is a private for-profit school with a fairly large student population.

The school has a low student loan default rate of 1.1%. There are approximately 46,455 students at Walden University and they are all exclusively distance learners. There are roughly 27,673 part time students in attendance at Walden University.

Read More…

2
University of Providence crest
University of Providence
Great Falls, MT

University of Providence landed the #2 spot in our 2021 best nursing schools for non-traditional students. Located in the small city of Great Falls, University of Providence is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population. University of Providence also claimed a spot on our Best Colleges for Nursing list. It's in the top 10% of all schools in this category.

The student loan default rate at University of Providence is lower than is typical, just 3.0% of students default in three years. 490 students at University of Providence are exclusively online. There are roughly 148 part time students in attendance at University of Providence.

Full Nursing at University of Providence Report

3
Molloy crest
Molloy College
Rockville Centre, NY

Molloy College landed the #3 spot in our 2021 best nursing schools for non-traditional students. Molloy is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rockville Centre. In addition to being on our best for non-traditional students list, Molloy has also earned the #1 rank in our Best Colleges for Nursing ranking.

The school has a low student loan default rate of 0.7%. There are approximately 2,193 students at Molloy that take at least one class online. About 1,963 of the students at Molloy are attending part time.

Read full report on Nursing at Molloy College

4
Capella University crest
Capella University
Minneapolis, MN

Capella University earned the #4 spot in our 2021 rankings. Capella University is a fairly large private for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis.

About 1.1% of Capella University students default on their loans in three years, which is lower than average. All 38,716 students take classes exclusively online at Capella University. About 30,933 of the students at Capella University are attending part time.

Read full report on Nursing at Capella University

5

Thomas Jefferson University landed the #5 spot in our 2021 best nursing schools for non-traditional students. Thomas Jefferson University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Thomas Jefferson University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our Best Colleges for Nursing list.

The student loan default rate at Thomas Jefferson University is lower than is typical, just 0.7% of students default in three years. There are approximately 4,099 students at Thomas Jefferson University that take at least one class online. 2,287 of Thomas Jefferson University students are attending part time.

Full Nursing at Thomas Jefferson University Report

6

The #6 spot in this year's ranking belongs to Grand Canyon University. Grand Canyon University is a fairly large private for-profit school located in the large city of Phoenix.

The school has a low student loan default rate of 1.5%. 79,865 students at Grand Canyon University are exclusively online. There are roughly 80,777 part time students in attendance at Grand Canyon University.

Read More…

7
WGU crest
Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, UT

Western Governors University earned the #7 spot in our 2021 rankings. WGU is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City.

The school has a low student loan default rate of 0.7%. There are approximately 150,116 students at WGU and they are all exclusively distance learners.

Full Nursing at Western Governors University Report

8

California State University - Sacramento earned the #8 spot in our 2021 rankings. Sac State is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. On top of its placing in our non-traditional rankings, Sac State also did well on our Best Colleges for Nursing list. It's in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in that analysis.

The student loan default rate at Sac State is lower than is typical, just 1.7% of students default in three years. Approximately 16,876 students take at least one class online at Sac State. 7,378 of Sac State students are attending part time.

Full Nursing at California State University - Sacramento Report

9
Gwynedd - Mercy crest
Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Valley, PA

Gwynedd Mercy University earned the #9 spot in our 2021 rankings. Located in the large suburb of Gwynedd Valley, Gwynedd - Mercy is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population. In addition to being on our bet for non-traditional students list, Gwynedd - Mercy is in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Colleges for Nursing list.

The student loan default rate at Gwynedd - Mercy is lower than is typical, just 1.3% of students default in three years. 639 of Gwynedd - Mercy students are exclusively distance learners. 527 students are part time.

Read full report on Nursing at Gwynedd Mercy University

10

Azusa Pacific University earned the #10 spot in our 2021 rankings. Located in the suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific is a private not-for-profit school with a moderately-sized student population. Azusa Pacific also made our Best Colleges for Nursing list, coming in at #5.

About 1.1% of Azusa Pacific students default on their loans in three years, which is lower than average. There are approximately 1,851 students at Azusa Pacific that take at least one class online. 2,771 of Azusa Pacific students are attending part time.

Full Nursing at Azusa Pacific University Report

11

College of Saint Elizabeth landed the #11 spot in our 2021 best nursing schools for non-traditional students. Located in the suburb of Morristown, CSE is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population. CSE excels when it comes to major quality. It's ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Colleges for Nursing list.

The school has a low student loan default rate of 4.3%. Approximately 336 students take at least one class online at CSE. 420 students are part time.

Read full report on Nursing at College of Saint Elizabeth

12

The #12 spot in this year's ranking belongs to California State University - East Bay. Cal State East Bay is a fairly large public school located in the suburb of Hayward.

About 1.3% of Cal State East Bay students default on their loans in three years, which is lower than average. 7,069 of Cal State East Bay students are exclusively distance learners. There are roughly 3,650 part time students in attendance at Cal State East Bay.

Read full report on Nursing at California State University - East Bay

13

The University of Texas at Arlington comes in at #13 in this year's ranking. Located in the large city of Arlington, UT Arlington is a public college with a very large student population. On top of its placing in our non-traditional rankings, UT Arlington also did well on our Best Colleges for Nursing list. It's in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in that analysis.

The school has a low student loan default rate of 1.4%. 17,309 students at UT Arlington are exclusively online. 22,217 students are part time.

Full Nursing at The University of Texas at Arlington Report

14
Adelphi crest
Adelphi University
Garden City, NY

Adelphi University landed the #14 spot in our 2021 best nursing schools for non-traditional students. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Adelphi is a private not-for-profit college with a moderately-sized student population. Adelphi also took the #4 spot in our Best Colleges for Nursing rankings.

About 1.1% of Adelphi students default on their loans in three years, which is lower than average. There are approximately 4,430 students at Adelphi that take at least one class online. 1,287 of Adelphi students are attending part time.

Read full report on Nursing at Adelphi University

15
Holy Family crest
Holy Family University
Philadelphia, PA

Our rankings recognize Holy Family University as the #15 school in this year's rankings. Holy Family is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Holy Family excels when it comes to major quality. It's ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Colleges for Nursing list.

About 1.8% of Holy Family students default on their loans in three years, which is lower than average. Approximately 1,624 students take at least one class online at Holy Family. 1,086 students are part time.

Full Nursing at Holy Family University Report

16
SSU crest
Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA

Sonoma State University earned the #16 spot in our 2021 rankings. Located in the large suburb of Rohnert Park, SSU is a public school with a medium-sized student population. In addition to being on our bet for non-traditional students list, SSU is in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Colleges for Nursing list.

The school has a low student loan default rate of 1.4%. There are approximately 4,146 students at SSU that take at least one class online. There are roughly 1,263 part time students in attendance at SSU.

Full Nursing at Sonoma State University Report

17
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Rivier University
Nashua, NH

Rivier University comes in at #17 in this year's ranking. Rivier is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashua.

About 1.5% of Rivier students default on their loans in three years, which is lower than average. 733 students at Rivier are exclusively online. 1,262 students are part time.

Full Nursing at Rivier University Report

18

California State University - Fullerton earned the #18 spot in our 2021 rankings. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, Cal State Fullerton is a public school with a fairly large student population. Cal State Fullerton excels when it comes to major quality. It's ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Colleges for Nursing list.

The student loan default rate at Cal State Fullerton is lower than is typical, just 0.8% of students default in three years. There are approximately 25,781 students at Cal State Fullerton that take at least one class online. There are roughly 10,634 part time students in attendance at Cal State Fullerton.

Read More…

19

University of Phoenix - Arizona landed the #19 spot in our 2021 best nursing schools for non-traditional students. Located in the city of Phoenix, UOPX - Arizona is a private for-profit college with a very large student population.

About 2.6% of UOPX - Arizona students default on their loans in three years, which is lower than average. 85,576 of UOPX - Arizona students are exclusively distance learners.

Read full report on Nursing at University of Phoenix - Arizona

20

Thomas Edison State University earned the #20 spot in our 2021 rankings. Located in the city of Trenton, TESU is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.

The student loan default rate at TESU is lower than is typical, just 1.5% of students default in three years. 9,645 of TESU students are exclusively distance learners. 9,641 students are part time.

Read full report on Nursing at Thomas Edison State University

21
Wilmington University crest
Wilmington University
New Castle, DE

Our rankings recognize Wilmington University as the #21 school in this year's rankings. Wilmington University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of New Castle.

The school has a low student loan default rate of 1.6%. 9,747 students at Wilmington University are exclusively online. 9,527 of Wilmington University students are attending part time.

Full Nursing at Wilmington University Report

22

The #22 spot in this year's ranking belongs to Felician University. Felician is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of Lodi.

About 2.2% of Felician students default on their loans in three years, which is lower than average. There are approximately 940 students at Felician that take at least one class online. About 592 of the students at Felician are attending part time.

Read full report on Nursing at Felician University

23
USJ crest
University of Saint Joseph
West Hartford, CT

University of Saint Joseph landed the #23 spot in our 2021 best nursing schools for non-traditional students. USJ is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of West Hartford. On top of its placing in our non-traditional rankings, USJ also did well on our Best Colleges for Nursing list. It's in the top 5% of all schools reviewed in that analysis.

About 0.7% of USJ students default on their loans in three years, which is lower than average. There are approximately 442 students at USJ that take at least one class online. About 607 of the students at USJ are attending part time.

Read full report on Nursing at University of Saint Joseph

24

Florida National University - Main Campus landed the #24 spot in our 2021 best nursing schools for non-traditional students. Located in the large suburb of Hialeah, Florida National University - Main Campus is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

The student loan default rate at Florida National University - Main Campus is lower than is typical, just 2.4% of students default in three years. There are approximately 1,674 students at Florida National University - Main Campus that take at least one class online. 1,174 students are part time.

Read More…

25
Immaculata crest
Immaculata University
Immaculata, PA

The #25 spot in this year's ranking belongs to Immaculata University. Immaculata is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Immaculata. Immaculata excels when it comes to major quality. It's ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Colleges for Nursing list.

The student loan default rate at Immaculata is lower than is typical, just 1.0% of students default in three years. There are approximately 716 students at Immaculata that take at least one class online. 1,282 of Immaculata students are attending part time.

Read full report on Nursing at Immaculata University

Rest of the Top 50 Schools for Best Nursing Colleges for Non-Traditional Students

26
27
28
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New York University
New York, NY
29
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Jacksonville University
Jacksonville, FL
30
31
32

33
Drexel crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA

34
D'Youville College crest
D'Youville College
Buffalo, NY
35
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SUNY Empire State College
Saratoga Springs, NY
36
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Simpson University
Redding, CA
37
38
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University of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
39
40
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Viterbo University
La Crosse, WI
41

42
Elms College crest
Elms College
Chicopee, MA

43
St. Kate's crest
St Catherine University
Saint Paul, MN
44
45
46
47
48
49
Daemen College crest
Daemen College
Amherst, NY
50
Carlow crest
Carlow University
Pittsburgh, PA

 

Remaining Award Winners

This list represents the remainder of the colleges awarded a Best Nursing Colleges for Non-Traditional Students badge. Showing in this list means the school was ranked in the top 15% of the 640 different United States nursing schools we analyzed.

Rank College Location
51 Quinnipiac University Hamden, CT
52 California Baptist University Riverside, CA
53 MidAmerica Nazarene University Olathe, KS
54 San Francisco State University San Francisco, CA
55 Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA
56 Mount Saint Mary’s University Los Angeles, CA
57 Concordia University, Irvine Irvine, CA
58 SUNY Delhi Delhi, NY
59 Chatham University Pittsburgh, PA
60 Texas Woman’s University Denton, TX
61 California State University - San Marcos San Marcos, CA
62 Dominican College of Blauvelt Orangeburg, NY
63 Maryville University of Saint Louis Saint Louis, MO
64 Regis University Denver, CO
65 Gonzaga University Spokane, WA
66 Marymount University Arlington, VA
67 Nova Southeastern University Fort Lauderdale, FL
68 National University San Diego, CA
69 Metropolitan State University Saint Paul, MN
70 California State University - Fresno Fresno, CA
71 California State University - Chico Chico, CA
72 California State University - Long Beach Long Beach, CA
73 University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago, IL
74 Pacific Union College Angwin, CA
75 Notre Dame of Maryland University Baltimore, MD
76 Ursuline College Pepper Pike, OH
77 Villanova University Villanova, PA
78 The University of Texas at Tyler Tyler, TX
79 Graceland University - Lamoni Lamoni, IA
80 Stony Brook University Stony Brook, NY
81 Sacred Heart University Fairfield, CT
82 Curry College Milton, MA
83 George Washington University Washington, DC
84 Mercy College Dobbs Ferry, NY
85 Duquesne University Pittsburgh, PA
86 Edgewood College Madison, WI
87 Concordia University - Portland Portland, OR
88 Washington State University Pullman, WA
89 Union University Jackson, TN
90 Misericordia University Dallas, PA
91 University of South Florida - Main Campus Tampa, FL
92 University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN
93 Lewis University Romeoville, IL
94 Point Loma Nazarene University San Diego, CA
95 University of California - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA
96 Eastern Mennonite University Harrisonburg, VA

Additional Noteworthy Schools

Here are some additional great schools for non-traditional students studying Nursing that almost earned our Best Nursing Colleges for Non-Traditional Students award.

Rank College Location
97 Utica College Utica, NY
98 George Mason University Fairfax, VA
99 University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, AL
100 Spring Arbor University Spring Arbor, MI
101 San Diego State University San Diego, CA
102 Russell Sage College Troy, NY
103 Marian University Fond Du Lac, WI
104 California State University - Channel Islands Camarillo, CA
105 Winona State University Winona, MN
106 Kean University Union, NJ
107 Mississippi University for Women Columbus, MS
108 Augusta University Augusta, GA
109 University of North Carolina at Wilmington Wilmington, NC
110 University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WA
111 Ohio University - Athens Campus Athens, OH
112 Endicott College Beverly, MA
113 Emory University Atlanta, GA
114 California State University - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA
115 University of Massachusetts Amherst Amherst, MA
116 Barry University Miami, FL
117 Southern New Hampshire University Manchester, NH
118 California University of Pennsylvania California, PA
119 Gardner - Webb University Boiling Springs, NC
120 Farmingdale State College Farmingdale, NY
121 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC
122 University of Connecticut Storrs, CT
123 University of Saint Francis - Fort Wayne Fort Wayne, IN
124 Bay State College Boston, MA
125 LIU Post Brookville, NY
126 Widener University Chester, PA
127 University of Virginia - Main Campus Charlottesville, VA
128 Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, FL

Nursing by Region

View the best for non-traditional students Nursing colleges in a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Other U.S. Territories
Great Lakes

Nursing is one of 34 different types of Health Professions programs to choose from.

Notes and References

Footnotes

*Avg Cost is for the top 25 schools only.

References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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