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2027 Best Nursing Associate’s Degree Schools

1,073 Colleges in the United States
46,193 Nursing Degrees Awarded
$72,896 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 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 1073 schools to find the best for nursing students.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Nursing in the United States

Below are the best nursing schools at the associate’s degree level, ranked by the quality of the education they deliver.

Top Schools in Nursing

1

Lancaster General College Of Nursing And Health Sciences tops our 2027 ranking of the best nursing schools. Set in the rural area of Lancaster, Lancaster General College Of Nursing And Health Sciences is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. Lancaster General College Of Nursing And Health Sciences awarded about 228 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Lancaster General College Of Nursing And Health Sciences earn a median of $47,496 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,402. See the full nursing program report for Lancaster General College Of Nursing And Health Sciences

2

A rank of #2 makes City College Of San Francisco one of the top schools for nursing. City College Of San Francisco is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. There were roughly 67 nursing students who graduated with this degree at City College Of San Francisco in the most recent data 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. City College Of San Francisco graduates carry a median of $10,332 in student loans. Get the full nursing details for City College Of San Francisco

3

A rank of #3 makes Pasadena City College one of the top schools for nursing. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. About 97 nursing degrees were awarded at Pasadena City College in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $90,156 in their early career. Pasadena City College graduates carry a median of $12,834 in student loans. Get the full nursing details for Pasadena City College

4

Fresno City College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. There were roughly 214 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Fresno City College in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $91,961 early in their careers. Fresno City College graduates carry a median of $8,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in nursing from Fresno City College

5

Students looking for a strong nursing program will find one at Cuny Kingsborough Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public university. Cuny Kingsborough Community College awarded about 132 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Cuny Kingsborough Community College earn a median of $83,306 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $8,475. See the full nursing program report for Cuny Kingsborough Community College

6

Riverside City College placed #6 among the best nursing schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Riverside. Riverside City College awarded about 188 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Riverside City College earn a median of $89,869 early in their careers. Riverside City College graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Get the full nursing details for Riverside City College

7
College Of San Mateo crest
College Of San Mateo
San Mateo, CA

College Of San Mateo came in at #7 for nursing this year. This large public university is located in the city of San Mateo. There were roughly 47 nursing students who graduated with this degree at College Of San Mateo in the most recent data year. College Of San Mateo graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans. Get the full nursing details for College Of San Mateo

8

Santa Rosa Junior College landed the #8 spot for nursing this year. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. About 110 nursing degrees were awarded at Santa Rosa Junior College in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Santa Rosa Junior College earn around $100,800 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,700 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in nursing from Santa Rosa Junior College

9
Butte College crest
Butte College
Oroville, CA

Butte College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best nursing schools. Butte College is a large public school located in the rural area of Oroville. There were roughly 164 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Butte College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Butte College earn around $104,268 in the first couple years of their career. Butte College graduates carry a median of $15,375 in student loans. Get the full nursing details for Butte College

10

Anne Arundel Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Arnold, Anne Arundel Community College is a large public university. About 165 nursing degrees were awarded at Anne Arundel Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $59,894 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,947. See the full nursing program report for Anne Arundel Community College

11

College Of The Sequoias landed the #11 spot for nursing this year. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. College Of The Sequoias awarded about 151 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $98,926. Typical student debt for the program is $16,152. Get the full nursing details for College Of The Sequoias

12
Cuny Laguardia Community College crest
Cuny Laguardia Community College
Long Island City, NY

Cuny Laguardia Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best nursing schools. Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public school located in the city of Long Island City. Cuny Laguardia Community College awarded about 87 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $75,260 in their early career. Cuny Laguardia Community College graduates carry a median of $10,632 in student loans. Get the full nursing details for Cuny Laguardia Community College

13
Broward College crest
Broward College
Fort Lauderdale, FL

Broward College landed the #13 spot for nursing this year. Set in the city of Fort Lauderdale, Broward College is a very large public institution. Broward College awarded about 428 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Broward College earn around $72,991 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,886 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in nursing from Broward College

14

Capital Community College earned the #14 position for nursing this year. Set in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public institution. Capital Community College awarded about 505 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $76,364 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,876. More information about a degree in nursing from Capital Community College

15

Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best nursing schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public university. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College awarded about 152 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $86,295 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,990. More information about a degree in nursing from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College

16
Bakersfield College crest
Bakersfield College
Bakersfield, CA

Bakersfield College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best nursing schools. Set in the city of Bakersfield, Bakersfield College is a very large public institution. About 50% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 188 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Bakersfield College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Bakersfield College earn around $86,312 in the first couple years of their career. Bakersfield College graduates carry a median of $9,419 in student loans. More information about a degree in nursing from Bakersfield College

17

Solano Community College earned the #17 position for nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfield, Solano Community College is a large public university. Solano Community College awarded about 44 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Solano Community College graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. See the full nursing program report for Solano Community College

18

Cuny New York City College Of Technology landed the #18 spot for nursing this year. Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Cuny New York City College Of Technology graduates 21% of students within six years. About 121 nursing degrees were awarded at Cuny New York City College Of Technology in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Cuny New York City College Of Technology earn around $103,611 in the first couple years of their career. Cuny New York City College Of Technology graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. See the full nursing program report for Cuny New York City College Of Technology

19

Cuny College Of Staten Island landed the #19 spot for nursing this year. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. Cuny College Of Staten Island graduates 46% of students within six years. Cuny College Of Staten Island awarded about 129 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $132,090 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,391. Get the full nursing details for Cuny College Of Staten Island

20

Miami Dade College landed the #20 spot for nursing this year. Located in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public university. About 689 nursing degrees were awarded at Miami Dade College in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $64,608 in their early career. Miami Dade College graduates carry a median of $13,940 in student loans. Get the full nursing details for Miami Dade College

21

Suny Westchester Community College earned the #21 position for nursing this year. Suny Westchester Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Valhalla. Suny Westchester Community College awarded about 52 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Suny Westchester Community College generally make around $57,520. Students borrow a median of $8,764 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in nursing from Suny Westchester Community College

22

Shoreline Community College landed the #22 spot for nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Shoreline, Shoreline Community College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 102 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. Read more about the nursing program at Shoreline Community College

23

San Joaquin Delta College came in at #23 for nursing this year. San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public school located in the city of Stockton. About 145 nursing degrees were awarded at San Joaquin Delta College in the most recent year. Nursing graduates of San Joaquin Delta College earn a median of $97,843 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $6,382 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in nursing from San Joaquin Delta College

24
Lone Star College System crest
Lone Star College System
The Woodlands, TX

Lone Star College System landed the #24 spot for nursing this year. This very large public university is located in the city of The Woodlands. Lone Star College System awarded about 365 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $77,795 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree. Get the full nursing details for Lone Star College System

25
Valencia College crest
Valencia College
Orlando, FL

Valencia College came in at #25 for nursing this year. Valencia College is a very large public school located in the city of Orlando. Valencia College awarded about 295 nursing degrees in the most recent data 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

Rest of the Top 50 Nursing Schools

These schools also placed among the best for nursing this year:

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
Bellevue College crest
Bellevue College
Bellevue, WA
34
35
36
Moorpark College crest
Moorpark College
Moorpark, CA
37
38
Nassau Community College crest
Nassau Community College
Garden City, NY
39
Cuesta College crest
Cuesta College
San Luis Obispo, CA
40
Santa Barbara City College crest
Santa Barbara City College
Santa Barbara, CA
41
Santa Ana College crest
Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, CA
42
43
44
45
Excelsior College crest
Excelsior College
Albany, NY
46
47
48
Lee College crest
Lee College
Baytown, TX
49
50

Additional Nursing Award Winners

These schools also stood out for nursing:

Rank School Location
#51 State College Of Florida Manatee Sarasota Bradenton, FL
#52 Merced College Merced, CA
#53 Delaware Technical Community College Terry Dover, DE
#54 El Centro College Dallas, TX
#55 Southwestern College Chula Vista Chula Vista, CA
#56 Clover Park Technical College Lakewood, WA
#57 Golden West College Huntington Beach, CA
#58 Evergreen Valley College San Jose, CA
#59 Helene Fuld College Of Nursing New York, NY
#60 Polk State College Winter Haven, FL
#61 Tarrant County College District Fort Worth, TX
#62 College Of The Canyons Santa Clarita, CA
#63 Antelope Valley College Lancaster, CA
#64 Brazosport College Lake Jackson, TX
#65 Gavilan College Gilroy, CA
#66 Tacoma Community College Tacoma, WA
#67 Cerritos College Norwalk, CA
#68 Seattle Community College Central Campus Seattle, WA
#69 Los Angeles Harbor College Wilmington, CA
#70 Shasta College Redding, CA
#71 Mendocino College Ukiah, CA
#72 Regis College Weston, MA
#73 Camden County College Blackwood, NJ
#74 College Of The Desert Palm Desert, CA
#75 Palm Beach State College Lake Worth, FL

Honorable Mentions

Also worth considering 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 list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 1073 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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