2020 Best Colleges for Nursing
Approximately 293,633 nursing degrees were awarded to students last year in the United States. With so many options it can be a daunting task finding the best choice. This year's Best Colleges for Nursing ranking analyzed 518 colleges and universities that offer a bachelor's degree in nursing. We look at over 20 factors to determine the top 25 colleges for Nursing students.
Choosing a Great Nursing School
Your choice of nursing school matters. This section explores some of the factors we include in our ranking and how much they vary depending on the school you select. Below we explain some of the most important factors to consider before making your choice:
Quality Overall is Important
The overall quality of a school is important to ensure a quality education, not just how well they do in a particular major. To take this into account we consider a school's overall Best Colleges ranking which itself looks at a combination of different factors like degree completion, educational resources, student body caliber and post-graduation earnings for the school as a whole.
The lowest ranked school in our list is in the top 25% of our overall quality ranking while the vast majority are in at least the top 16%.
Graduates Earn More After College
A nursing degree from colleges on this list usually results in higher than average income after graduation. While the average nursing bachelors degree from U.S. schools results in an average starting salary of $62,245, graduates of colleges on this list average $71,312.
Other Factors We Consider
In addition to the above, you should consider some of the following factors:
- Major Focus - How much a school focuses on Nursing students vs. other majors.
- Major Popularity - How many other nursing students choose this school.
- Accreditation - Whether a school is regionally accredited and/or a recognized nursing related accrediting body.
Our full ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best colleges for Nursing students.
Best Schools to Study Nursing in United States
Explore the top ranked colleges and universities for nursing majors. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list. Of the 518 schools analyzed, only 25 earned the distinction of being on this list.
Top 25 Best Nursing Colleges
Molloy College is one of the finest schools in the United States for nursing. Located in the large suburb Rockville Centre, Molloy is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population. This school ranks 242nd out of 1,727 colleges for overall quality in the state of New York.
There are approximately 532 nursing undergraduates studying this program at Molloy. Nursing graduates from Molloy College earn a boost of about $16,288 above the average income of nursing graduates.
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It is difficult to beat New York University if you want to pursue nursing as a major. NYU is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. A Best Colleges rank of 129 out of 1,727 colleges nationwide means NYU is a great school overall.
There are about 639 nursing undergraduates enrolled in this program at NYU. Nursing majors from New York University earn a boost of about $20,488 over the average earnings of nursing graduates.
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Drexel University is a wonderful decision for individuals pursuing a Nursing degree. Drexel is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. This college ranks 171st out of 1,727 colleges for overall quality in the state of Pennsylvania.
For those interested in something more advanced, Drexel also offers 5 different higher degree levels in nursing, the most popular of which is a Master's Degree. Grads of the nursing program state that they receive average early career income of $69,900.
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Every student pursuing a degree in nursing has to check out Simmons University. Simmons is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. This college ranks 257th out of 1,727 colleges for overall quality in the state of Massachusetts.
There are about 664 nursing undergraduates enrolled in this program at Simmons. Graduates of the nursing program earn an average of $66,600 in their early career salary.
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Located in the large city Detroit, UDM is a private not-for-profit school with a moderately-sized student population. This college ranks 289th out of 1,727 colleges for overall quality in the state of Michigan.
There are about 368 nursing undergraduates studying this degree at UDM. After graduation, nursing students generally earn around $60,200 in their early careers.
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Located in the large suburb Villanova, Villanova is a private not-for-profit college with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of 71 out of 1,727 colleges nationwide means Villanova is a great college overall.
Villanova University is one of the most popular school to study nursing in United States exceeding 324 graduations last year. Graduates of the nursing program report average early career wages of $67,800.
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Located in the large suburb Fairfield, Fairfield U is a private not-for-profit school with a moderately-sized student population. This school ranks 147th out of 1,727 colleges for overall quality in the state of Connecticut.
Fairfield University is a fairly popular school to study nursing in United States with over 211 graduations last year. Nursing graduates from Fairfield University earn a boost of about $3,988 over the typical income of nursing graduates.
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GWU is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Washington. A Best Colleges rank of 105 out of 1,727 colleges nationwide means GWU is a great college overall.
There are approximately 470 nursing undergraduates enrolled in this degree at GWU. Graduates of the nursing program state that they receive average early career earnings of $66,200.
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Quinnipiac is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of Hamden. This school ranks 194th out of 1,727 colleges for overall quality in the state of Connecticut.
For those interested in something more advanced, Quinnipiac also offers 3 different higher degree levels in nursing, the most popular of which is a Doctor's Degree (Professional Practice). Soon after graduating, nursing students usually earn around $72,600 in their early careers.
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UPenn is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Philadelphia. A Best Colleges rank of 3 out of 1,727 schools nationwide means UPenn is a great school overall.
For those interested in something more advanced, UPenn also offers 2 different higher degree levels in nursing, the most popular of which is a Master's Degree. Students who graduate from the nursing program make about $64,700 in their early career salary.
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Azusa Pacific is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Azusa. This school ranks 428th out of 1,727 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.
There are roughly 734 nursing undergrads studying this degree at Azusa Pacific. Nursing majors from Azusa Pacific University earn a boost of about $15,388 over the average earnings of nursing graduates.
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UCLA is a fairly large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. A Best Colleges rank of 49 out of 1,727 schools nationwide means UCLA is a great college overall.
With 221 undergraduates, University of California - Los Angeles is one of most popular colleges to study nursing in United States. Graduates from the nursing program at University of California - Los Angeles get $10,988 more than the standard graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.
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Johns Hopkins is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. A Best Colleges rank of 16 out of 1,727 colleges nationwide means Johns Hopkins is a great school overall.
There are about 396 nursing undergrads studying this degree at Johns Hopkins. Graduates of the nursing program earn around $69,400 for their early career.
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Adelphi is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Garden City. This school ranks 280th out of 1,727 schools for overall quality in the state of New York.
For those interested in something more advanced, Adelphi also offers 3 different higher degree levels in nursing, the most popular of which is a Master's Degree. Students from the nursing program at Adelphi University get $15,388 above the typical college grad with the same degree when they enter the workforce.
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Located in the city Washington, Georgetown is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of 42 out of 1,727 colleges nationwide means Georgetown is a great college overall.
There are roughly 362 nursing undergraduates enrolled in this program at Georgetown. Soon after graduating, nursing students usually earn around $67,900 in their early careers.
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Located in the city Seattle, Seattle U is a private not-for-profit college with a moderately-sized student population. This college ranks 174th out of 1,727 colleges for overall quality in the state of Washington.
There are approximately 245 nursing undergraduates studying this program at Seattle U. Graduates of the nursing program make around $68,200 in their early career salary.
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Located in the large city Seattle, UW Seattle is a public college with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of 84 out of 1,727 colleges nationwide means UW Seattle is a great college overall.
There are about 277 nursing undergrads studying this degree at UW Seattle. After graduation, nursing students usually earn an average of $71,100 at the beginning of their careers.
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Located in the city Minneapolis, UMN Twin Cities is a public school with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of 132 out of 1,727 colleges nationwide means UMN Twin Cities is a great school overall.
With 329 undergrads, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is one of most popular schools to study nursing in United States. After getting their bachelor's degree, nursing students typically make an average of $62,300 at the beginning of their careers.
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Boston College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the small city of Chestnut Hill. A Best Colleges rank of 58 out of 1,727 colleges nationwide means Boston College is a great school overall.
Boston College is a fairly popular school to study nursing in United States with over 109 graduates last year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $66,500 in their early career salary.
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Located in the city Fort Worth, TCU is a private not-for-profit college with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of 115 out of 1,727 colleges nationwide means TCU is a great school overall.
TCU offers nursing degrees as low as a One to Two Year Certificates and all the way up to a Professional Practice Doctorate's. Students who graduate from the nursing program earn around $64,600 in their early career salary.
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Located in the large city Denver, Regis U is a private not-for-profit school with a medium-sized student population. This college ranks 349th out of 1,727 schools for overall quality in the state of Colorado.
Regis U offers nursing degrees as low as a First Year Certificates and all the way up to a Professional Practice Doctorate's. After getting their bachelor's degree, nursing students generally earn around $61,000 in their early careers.
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Located in the city Cleveland, Case Western is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of 51 out of 1,727 schools nationwide means Case Western is a great college overall.
Case Western Reserve University is a fairly popular college to study nursing in United States with more than 258 graduations last year. After getting their bachelor's degree, nursing students usually earn around $59,400 at the beginning of their careers.
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Located in the large suburb Fort Lauderdale, Nova Southeastern University is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly large student population. This school ranks 382nd out of 1,727 schools for overall quality in the state of Florida.
For those interested in something more advanced, Nova Southeastern University also offers 2 different higher degree levels in nursing, the most popular of which is a Master's Degree. Soon after graduation, nursing students typically make about $62,200 in the first five years of their career.
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Located in the city San Francisco, USFCA is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly large student population. This school ranks 191st out of 1,727 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.
University of San Francisco is a fairly popular college to study nursing in United States with over 437 graduations last year. Nursing students from University of San Francisco earn a boost of approximately $15,388 over the average earnings of nursing graduates.
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Loyola Chicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Chicago. This college ranks 215th out of 1,727 colleges for overall quality in the state of Illinois.
With 365 students enrolled, Loyola University Chicago is one of most popular colleges to study nursing in United States. After graduating, nursing students usually earn about $65,100 in the first five years of their career.
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Additional Award Winners
This section represents the rest of the colleges awarded a Best Colleges for Nursing badge. Showing in this list means the college was ranked in the top 15% of the 518 different United States nursing schools we analyzed.
Honorable Mentions
Here are some additional great schools for Nursing students that almost earned our Best Colleges for Nursing award.
Nursing by Region
View the Best Colleges for Nursing for a specific region near you.
| Region |
|---|
| Southeast |
| New England |
| Rocky Mountains |
| The Plains States |
| Middle Atlantic |
| Far Western US |
| Southwest |
| Great Lakes |
More Nursing Rankings
Rankings in Majors Related to Nursing
One of 34 majors within the Health Professions area of study, Nursing has other similar majors worth exploring.
Most Popular Majors Related to Nursing
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services | 104,465 |
| Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants | 90,916 |
| Health & Medical Administrative Services | 87,058 |
| Allied Health Professions | 86,125 |
| Public Health | 34,089 |
View All Nursing Related Majors >
Notes and References
- 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).
- Credit for the banner image above goes to Aleksahgabrielle.
Featured Nursing Schools
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Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More > |
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Purdue University Building on Purdue’s mission to provide greater access to affordable, world-class education, Purdue University Global delivers a fully personalized online experience that’s tailored to working adults. By opening the doors to adults who need flexibility to fit learning into their busy lives, we make it possible to achieve a high-quality education from the prestigious Purdue University system—completely online. Learn More > |
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Grand Canyon University (GCU) With a spotlight on intellectual creativity and innovation for the 21stcentury, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at GCU provides a job focused education. It blends the study of traditional humanities in a modern context. Through academic inquiry and beyond the box thinking, the college advances our society and its accomplishments. Learn More > |
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| Northcentral University Northcentral University (NCU) was founded to provide accessible, high-quality, online graduate degrees to working professionals. As a regionally accredited, online university, NCU serves students worldwide, focusing on Doctoral and Master's degree programs in the Schools of Business and Technology Management, Education, Psychology, and Marriage and Family Sciences. Learn More > |
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| Colorado Technical University (CTU) CTU could help you connect to what matters most: a powerful professional community, faculty who are real-world professionals, and innovative technology. Learn More > |
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