Nursing degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 2032 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for nursing students pursuing a degree.
Where you study nursing matters for your future. To help, we created our Best Nursing Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Nursing School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Nursing Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
San Diego State University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in nursing. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 245 nursing degrees were awarded at San Diego State University in the most recent year. Nursing graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $100,221 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,875.
See the full nursing program report for San Diego State University
University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. About 77% of students finish within six years. University Of St Thomas Minnesota awarded about 45 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Minnesota generally make around $65,183. Students borrow a median of $23,923 to complete this degree.
Get the full nursing details for University Of St Thomas Minnesota
Students looking for a strong nursing program will find one at University Of Southern California, which ranked #3. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. About 47 nursing degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $136,250 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete this degree.
Get the full nursing details for University Of Southern California
University Of California Davis came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. University Of California Davis awarded about 60 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from University Of California Davis earn around $141,870 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,404.
Get the full nursing details for University Of California Davis
San Jose State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 179 nursing students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data year.
See the full nursing program report for San Jose State University
Yale University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best nursing schools. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 212 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Yale University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $133,137. Yale University graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans.
Read more about the nursing program at Yale University
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #7 spot for nursing this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates 96% of students within six years. About 458 nursing degrees were awarded at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $138,848. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete this degree.
See the full nursing program report for Columbia University In The City Of New York
The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston came in at #8 for nursing this year. Set in the city of Houston, The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 372 nursing students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $123,774 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree.
See the full nursing program report for The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston
California State University Fullerton placed #9 among the best nursing schools. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. California State University Fullerton graduates 70% of students within six years. About 368 nursing degrees were awarded at California State University Fullerton in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $156,309. California State University Fullerton graduates carry a median of $17,375 in student loans.
Get the full nursing details for California State University Fullerton
California State University Northridge came in at #10 for nursing this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Northridge. California State University Northridge graduates 57% of students within six years. About 153 nursing degrees were awarded at California State University Northridge in the most recent year. Nursing graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $106,780 early in their careers. California State University Northridge graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans.
Get the full nursing details for California State University Northridge
University Of Pennsylvania earned the #11 position for nursing this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 452 nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from University Of Pennsylvania earn around $137,262 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,410 to complete this degree.
Read more about the nursing program at University Of Pennsylvania
Stony Brook University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. Stony Brook University graduates 76% of students within six years. There were roughly 393 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Stony Brook University in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $117,350 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,000.
More information about a degree in nursing from Stony Brook University
California State University Chico came in at #13 for nursing this year. Located in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. There were roughly 112 nursing students who graduated with this degree at California State University Chico in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of California State University Chico earn a median of $113,181 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,125.
Read more about the nursing program at California State University Chico
Cuny Graduate School And University Center ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best nursing schools. This large public university is located in the city of New York. Cuny Graduate School And University Center awarded about 104 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Cuny Graduate School And University Center generally make around $109,744. Students borrow a median of $16,593 to complete this degree.
See the full nursing program report for Cuny Graduate School And University Center
California State University Long Beach came in at #15 for nursing this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. California State University Long Beach awarded about 195 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $129,036 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,661 to complete this degree.
Read more about the nursing program at California State University Long Beach
Suny Downstate Medical Center landed the #16 spot for nursing this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Brooklyn. There were roughly 210 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Suny Downstate Medical Center in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Suny Downstate Medical Center generally make around $122,575. Typical student debt for the program is $22,023.
More information about a degree in nursing from Suny Downstate Medical Center
Johns Hopkins University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best nursing schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Baltimore. About 94% of students finish within six years. Johns Hopkins University awarded about 505 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $105,622 in their early career. Johns Hopkins University graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans.
See the full nursing program report for Johns Hopkins University
New York University landed the #18 spot for nursing this year. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. There were roughly 625 nursing students who graduated with this degree at New York University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from New York University generally make around $138,833. New York University graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans.
Get the full nursing details for New York University
California State University Monterey Bay came in at #19 for nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Seaside, California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public university. About 59% of students finish within six years. California State University Monterey Bay awarded about 78 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $117,088 in their early career. California State University Monterey Bay graduates carry a median of $9,489 in student loans.
Get the full nursing details for California State University Monterey Bay
Georgetown University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best nursing schools. Located in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 95% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 272 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Georgetown University in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Georgetown University earn a median of $131,652 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,417 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in nursing from Georgetown University
University Of California Los Angeles earned the #21 position for nursing this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. University Of California Los Angeles graduates 93% of students within six years. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 217 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $121,757 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,800 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in nursing from University Of California Los Angeles
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #22 for nursing this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Seattle. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 360 nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn around $107,063 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,750.
See the full nursing program report for University Of Washington Seattle Campus
California State University Stanislaus ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. California State University Stanislaus graduates 53% of students within six years. About 148 nursing degrees were awarded at California State University Stanislaus in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing degree from California State University Stanislaus earn around $128,257 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,450 to complete this degree.
Get the full nursing details for California State University Stanislaus
University Of The Pacific ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best nursing schools. Located in the city of Stockton, University Of The Pacific is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. University Of The Pacific awarded about 38 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of University Of The Pacific earn a median of $77,022 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,514 to complete this degree.
See the full nursing program report for University Of The Pacific
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center placed #25 among the best nursing schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Lubbock. About 1,138 nursing degrees were awarded at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center generally make around $113,144. Typical student debt for the program is $22,000.
More information about a degree in nursing from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Rest of the Top 50 Nursing Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong nursing education:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 2032 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
