If you pursue a degree in nursing, you won't be alone. The field of study is the #3 most popular program in the country. So, there are lots of possibilities to explore when you're trying to determine where you want to get your degree.
College Factual looked at 1,768 colleges and universities when compiling its 2025 Best Nursing Schools ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 319,502 degrees in nursing during the 2021-2022 academic year.
Your choice of nursing school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. We derive our Best Overall Nursing School rankings by rolling up our degree-level rankings after weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each school.
You may want to choose one of the degree levels below to find the schools of most interest to you.
The nursing school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we've developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of the Best Nursing Schools.
More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we've developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you.
Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.
The schools below may not offer all types of nursing degrees so you may want to filter by degree level first. However, they are great for the degree levels they do offer. Only those schools that rank in the top 20% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.
Any student who is interested in nursing needs to take a look at Samuel Merritt University. Located in the large city of Oakland, Samuel Merritt University is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population.
There were about 772 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Samuel Merritt University in the most recent year we have data available. Those nursing students who get their degree from Samuel Merritt University make $43,338 more than the typical nursing grad.
Any student pursuing a degree in nursing has to take a look at New York University. Located in the city of New York, NYU is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #16 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means NYU is a great university overall.
There were approximately 627 nursing students who graduated with this degree at NYU in the most recent data year. Those nursing students who get their degree from New York University make $36,769 more than the standard nursing grad.
With the affordable and transfer-friendly online RN to BSN program at Southern New Hampshire University, you can build upon your prior educational journey and enhance your professional experience in a program designed to fit around your schedule.
University of Pennsylvania is a wonderful choice for students pursuing a degree in nursing. Located in the large city of Philadelphia, UPenn is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #2 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means UPenn is a great university overall.
There were roughly 551 nursing students who graduated with this degree at UPenn in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the nursing major at University of Pennsylvania get $32,228 more than the average graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.
It's difficult to beat Duke University if you want to pursue a degree in nursing. Located in the large city of Durham, Duke is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #7 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Duke is a great university overall.
There were about 537 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Duke in the most recent year we have data available. Those nursing students who get their degree from Duke University earn $22,324 more than the average nursing grad.
Located in the suburb of Loma Linda, Loma Linda University is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population.
There were roughly 228.99999999999997 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Loma Linda University in the most recent data year. Those nursing students who get their degree from Loma Linda University receive $35,932 more than the average nursing grad.
Located in the city of Lubbock, TTUHSC is a public university with a small student population.
There were roughly 1173 nursing students who graduated with this degree at TTUHSC in the most recent year we have data available. Students who receive their degree from the nursing program make about $84,028 in their early career salary.
Located in the city of Atlanta, Emory is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 68 schools for overall quality in the state of Georgia.
There were about 695 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Emory in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the nursing degree program at Emory University make $3,543 more than the typical college grad with the same degree shortly after graduation.
BS in Nursing - RN to BSN - Accelerated RN to MSNProgram Name
At Southern New Hampshire University, we understand the demands placed on today's nursing professionals. When it comes to your education, consider saving money and time by electing the RN to MSN pathway. Eligible students will complete graduate courses within their undergraduate program. This pathway allows you to gain a BSN along the way and ultimately shorten your time within the MSN Nursing Education or Population Healthcare tracks.
Molloy is a small private not-for-profit college located in the large suburb of Rockville Centre. This college ranks 10th out of 136 colleges for overall quality in the state of New York.
There were roughly 647 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Molloy in the most recent data year. Nursing degree recipients from Molloy College receive an earnings boost of about $28,173 over the average income of nursing majors.
Located in the large city of Baltimore, UMB is a public university with a medium-sized student population.
There were approximately 752 nursing students who graduated with this degree at UMB in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the nursing program at University of Maryland - Baltimore earn $2,520 more than the typical college graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.
UTHealth is a medium-sized public university located in the large city of Houston.
There were about 663 nursing students who graduated with this degree at UTHealth in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the nursing degree program at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston make $12,310 more than the standard college graduate in this field shortly after graduation.
UTMB Galveston is a small public university located in the city of Galveston.
There were approximately 551 nursing students who graduated with this degree at UTMB Galveston in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the nursing major at The University of Texas Medical Branch earn $6,049 more than the average college graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.
GWU is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Washington. A Best Colleges rank of #25 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means GWU is a great university overall.
There were roughly 556 nursing students who graduated with this degree at GWU in the most recent year we have data available. Nursing degree recipients from George Washington University get an earnings boost of around $10,586 above the average income of nursing graduates.
Located in the large suburb of Stony Brook, SUNY Stony Brook is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 14th out of 136 colleges for overall quality in the state of New York.
There were approximately 447 nursing students who graduated with this degree at SUNY Stony Brook in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the nursing degree program at Stony Brook University get $26,010 above the average graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.
Mayo Clinic School of Medicine is a small private not-for-profit school located in the midsize city of Rochester.
There were approximately 37 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Mayo Clinic School of Medicine in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the nursing major at Mayo Clinic School of Medicine earn $105,683 above the typical college graduate in this field shortly after graduation.
Johns Hopkins is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Baltimore. A Best Colleges rank of #6 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Johns Hopkins is a great university overall.
There were roughly 491 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the nursing major at Johns Hopkins University make $3,821 more than the standard graduate in this field shortly after graduation.
MS in Nursing - Family Nurse PractitionerProgram Name
Break into one of the most high-demand occupations in the nation with your online MSN Family Nurse Practitioner track from Southern New Hampshire University.
Located in the large suburb of Garden City, Adelphi is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population. This university ranks 20th out of 136 colleges for overall quality in the state of New York.
There were approximately 483 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Adelphi in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the nursing major at Adelphi University make $22,619 more than the standard college grad in this field when they enter the workforce.
Located in the city of Fort Worth, TCU is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. This university ranks 4th out of 115 schools for overall quality in the state of Texas.
There were about 288 nursing students who graduated with this degree at TCU in the most recent year we have data available. Those nursing students who get their degree from Texas Christian University make $37,637 more than the typical nursing student.
SUNY Downstate is a small public university located in the city of Brooklyn.
There were roughly 278 nursing students who graduated with this degree at SUNY Downstate in the most recent data year. Those nursing students who get their degree from SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University receive $35,431 more than the average nursing graduate.
USC is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Los Angeles. A Best Colleges rank of #13 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means USC is a great university overall.
There were approximately 89 nursing students who graduated with this degree at USC in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the nursing major at University of Southern California get $52,143 more than the average college graduate in this field shortly after graduation.
Located in the medium-sized city of Rochester, University of Rochester is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 8th out of 136 colleges for overall quality in the state of New York.
There were approximately 351 nursing students who graduated with this degree at University of Rochester in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the nursing program report average early career wages of $81,130.
U-M is a fairly large public university located in the midsize city of Ann Arbor. A Best Colleges rank of #22 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means U-M is a great university overall.
There were roughly 331 nursing students who graduated with this degree at U-M in the most recent data year. Students who receive their degree from the nursing program earn about $82,545 for their early career.
Seattle U is a medium-sized private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Seattle. This university ranks 2nd out of 50 colleges for overall quality in the state of Washington.
There were roughly 311 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Seattle U in the most recent data year. Nursing degree recipients from Seattle University receive an earnings boost of about $9,278 above the typical income of nursing majors.
Located in the city of Washington, Georgetown is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #11 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Georgetown is a great university overall.
There were approximately 343 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Georgetown in the most recent data year. Nursing degree recipients from Georgetown University get an earnings boost of about $30,408 over the average income of nursing majors.
Fairfield U is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university located in the suburb of Fairfield. This university ranks 2nd out of 18 colleges for overall quality in the state of Connecticut.
There were roughly 280 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Fairfield U in the most recent year we have data available. Those nursing students who get their degree from Fairfield University receive $23,472 more than the standard nursing student.
Located in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a private for-profit university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 5th out of 26 colleges for overall quality in the state of Arizona.
There were roughly 6941 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Grand Canyon University in the most recent data year. Those nursing students who get their degree from Grand Canyon University receive $14,850 more than the standard nursing grad.
This section represents the remainder of the schools awarded a Best Nursing Schools badge.
Showing in this list means the college was ranked in the top 20% of the 1768 different United States nursing schools we analyzed.
The bars on the spread charts above show the distribution of the schools on this list +/- one standard deviation from the mean.
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 the rest 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).
Your choice of nursing school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. We derive our Best Overall Nursing School rankings by rolling up our degree-level rankings after weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each school.
