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2026 Best Nursing Associate’s Degree Schools

954 Colleges in the United States
45,249 Nursing Degrees Awarded
$73,309 Avg Early-Career Salary

Nursing degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their nursing programs.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 2207 schools to find the best for nursing students.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Nursing in the United States

See the highest-ranked nursing schools offering a associate’s degree below.

Top Schools in Nursing

1

No school ranked higher than City College Of San Francisco this year for nursing. City College Of San Francisco is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. About 77 nursing degrees were awarded at City College Of San Francisco in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing degree from City College Of San Francisco earn around $100,031 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $10,332 to complete this degree. Get the full nursing details for City College Of San Francisco

2

Fresno City College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Fresno. About 243 nursing degrees were awarded at Fresno City College in the most recent year. Nursing graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $91,961 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in nursing from Fresno City College

3

A rank of #3 makes Riverside City College one of the top schools for nursing. Set in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 171 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Riverside City College in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Riverside City College earn a median of $89,869 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,000. Get the full nursing details for Riverside City College

4

Pasadena City College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in nursing, ranking #4. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. There were roughly 80 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Pasadena City College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $90,156 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,834. Read more about the nursing program at Pasadena City College

5

A rank of #5 makes Santa Rosa Junior College one of the top schools for nursing. This very large public university is located in the city of Santa Rosa. Santa Rosa Junior College awarded about 97 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Santa Rosa Junior College earn around $100,800 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,700. Read more about the nursing program at Santa Rosa Junior College

6
College Of San Mateo crest
College Of San Mateo
San Mateo, CA

College Of San Mateo landed the #6 spot for nursing this year. This large public university is located in the city of San Mateo. There were roughly 42 nursing students who graduated with this degree at College Of San Mateo in the most recent data year. Typical student debt for the program is $12,831. Read more about the nursing program at College Of San Mateo

7

Cuny Kingsborough Community College came in at #7 for nursing this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public institution. About 108 nursing degrees were awarded at Cuny Kingsborough Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Cuny Kingsborough Community College earn around $83,306 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,475. See the full nursing program report for Cuny Kingsborough Community College

8
Butte College crest
Butte College
Oroville, CA

Butte College came in at #8 for nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Oroville, Butte College is a large public institution. About 118 nursing degrees were awarded at Butte College in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Butte College earn around $104,268 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,375. Read more about the nursing program at Butte College

9

Shoreline Community College earned the #9 position for nursing this year. Shoreline Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Shoreline. There were roughly 128 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Shoreline Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Shoreline Community College earn around $78,850 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,334 to complete this degree. See the full nursing program report for Shoreline Community College

10
Broward College crest
Broward College
Fort Lauderdale, FL

Broward College landed the #10 spot for nursing this year. Located in the city of Fort Lauderdale, Broward College is a very large public university. There were roughly 385 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Broward College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $72,991 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,886. Read more about the nursing program at Broward College

11

College Of Southern Nevada placed #11 among the best nursing schools. Set in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public institution. About 181 nursing degrees were awarded at College Of Southern Nevada in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from College Of Southern Nevada generally make around $77,082. Typical student debt for the program is $13,125. See the full nursing program report for College Of Southern Nevada

12

Capital Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Capital Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New Britain. There were roughly 474 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Capital Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Capital Community College earn around $76,364 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,876 to complete this degree. Read more about the nursing program at Capital Community College

13
Cuny Laguardia Community College crest
Cuny Laguardia Community College
Long Island City, NY

Cuny Laguardia Community College earned the #13 position for nursing this year. Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public school located in the city of Long Island City. There were roughly 86 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Laguardia Community College in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Cuny Laguardia Community College earn a median of $75,260 early in their careers. Cuny Laguardia Community College graduates carry a median of $10,632 in student loans. See the full nursing program report for Cuny Laguardia Community College

14

Suffolk County Community College landed the #14 spot for nursing this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Selden. About 150 nursing degrees were awarded at Suffolk County Community College in the most recent year. Nursing graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $78,850 early in their careers. Suffolk County Community College graduates carry a median of $17,250 in student loans. See the full nursing program report for Suffolk County Community College

15

Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. This very large public university is located in the city of New York. There were roughly 147 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn around $86,295 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,990. See the full nursing program report for Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College

16

Mt San Antonio College came in at #16 for nursing this year. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Mt San Antonio College awarded about 116 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $92,486 early in their careers. Mt San Antonio College graduates carry a median of $13,718 in student loans. More information about a degree in nursing from Mt San Antonio College

17
Lone Star College System crest
Lone Star College System
The Woodlands, TX

Lone Star College System landed the #17 spot for nursing this year. Lone Star College System is a very large public school located in the city of The Woodlands. There were roughly 326 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Lone Star College System in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Lone Star College System earn around $77,795 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree. See the full nursing program report for Lone Star College System

18
Valencia College crest
Valencia College
Orlando, FL

Valencia College came in at #18 for nursing this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Orlando. About 305 nursing degrees were awarded at Valencia College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Valencia College generally make around $70,422. Typical student debt for the program is $17,750. See the full nursing program report for Valencia College

19
Nassau Community College crest
Nassau Community College
Garden City, NY

Nassau Community College landed the #19 spot for nursing this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Garden City. There were roughly 149 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Nassau Community College in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Nassau Community College earn a median of $81,214 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,235. See the full nursing program report for Nassau Community College

20

Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania came in at #20 for nursing this year. Set in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. About 56% of students finish within six years. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 58 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in nursing from Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania

21

Modesto Junior College earned the #21 position for nursing this year. Modesto Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Modesto. About 92 nursing degrees were awarded at Modesto Junior College in the most recent year. Nursing graduates of Modesto Junior College earn a median of $99,339 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,279 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in nursing from Modesto Junior College

22

Solano Community College came in at #22 for nursing this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Fairfield. Solano Community College awarded about 37 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete this degree. Get the full nursing details for Solano Community College

23

Rockland Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Suffern. There were roughly 141 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Rockland Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $81,689 in their early career. Rockland Community College graduates carry a median of $18,003 in student loans. More information about a degree in nursing from Rockland Community College

24
Bakersfield College crest
Bakersfield College
Bakersfield, CA

Bakersfield College earned the #24 position for nursing this year. Bakersfield College is a very large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. Bakersfield College graduates 50% of students within six years. Bakersfield College awarded about 192 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $86,312 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,419. More information about a degree in nursing from Bakersfield College

25
Santa Ana College crest
Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, CA

Santa Ana College earned the #25 position for nursing this year. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. Santa Ana College awarded about 86 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $98,493 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,739 to complete this degree. Get the full nursing details for Santa Ana College

Rest of the Top 50 Nursing Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong nursing education:

26
27
28
29
30
31
College Of The Canyons crest
College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA
32
33
34
Moorpark College crest
Moorpark College
Moorpark, CA
35
36
37
Merced College crest
Merced College
Merced, CA
38
39
Lee College crest
Lee College
Baytown, TX
40
41
42
43
Saddleback College crest
Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, CA
44
Bellevue College crest
Bellevue College
Bellevue, WA
45
46
El Centro College crest
El Centro College
Dallas, TX
47
Cuesta College crest
Cuesta College
San Luis Obispo, CA
48
49
50

Additional Nursing Award Winners

The following schools placed in the top tier for nursing:

Rank School Location
#53 San Jacinto Community College Pasadena, TX
#54 Regis College Weston, MA
#57 Carrington College California Sacramento Sacramento, CA
#58 Seminole State College Of Florida Sanford, FL
#60 Gateway Technical College Kenosha, WI
#61 Lake Washington Institute Of Technology Kirkland, WA
#63 Yuba College Marysville, CA
#64 Helene Fuld College Of Nursing New York, NY
#69 Delaware Technical Community College Terry Dover, DE
#70 Gateway Community College Phoenix Phoenix, AZ
#72 Walla Walla Community College Walla Walla, WA
#73 Seattle Community College Central Campus Seattle, WA
#74 Pacific College Costa Mesa, CA
#76 Brookdale Community College Lincroft, NJ
#78 Bergen Community College Paramus, NJ
#83 Trocaire College Buffalo, NY
#85 Austin Community College District Austin, TX
#86 Grossmont College El Cajon, CA
#87 Excelsior College Albany, NY
#88 Santa Barbara City College Santa Barbara, CA
#90 College Of The Desert Palm Desert, CA
#91 Palm Beach State College Lake Worth, FL
#92 Central New Mexico Community College Albuquerque, NM
#94 Orange County Community College Middletown, NY
#99 Southern Regional Technical College Thomasville, GA

Honorable Mentions

These schools earned honorable mentions for nursing:

Other Nursing Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare Nursing rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Nursing
Bachelor's Degrees in Nursing
Master's Degrees in Nursing

View All Nursing Rankings >

Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 2207 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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