2022 Best Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools
If you pursue a bachelor's degree in nursing, you won't be alone. The field of study is the #2 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.In 2022, College Factual analyzed 1,011 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 159,958 bachelor's degrees in nursing to qualified students.
What's on this page: * Our Methodology
Choosing a Great Nursing School for Your Bachelor's Degree
Your choice of nursing for getting your bachelor's degree 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:
Overall Quality Is a Must
The overall quality of a bachelor's degree school is important to ensure a good education, not just how well they do in a particular major. To account for this we include a college's overall Best Colleges ranking which itself looks at a combination of various factors like degree completion, educational resources, student body caliber and post-graduation earnings for the school as a whole.
Average Early-Career Salaries
Average early-career salary of those graduating with their bachelor's degree is one indicator we use in our analysis to find the schools that offer the highest-quality education. After all, your bachelor's degree won't mean much if it doesn't help you find a job that will help you earn a living.
Other Factors We Consider
The metrics below are just some of the other metrics that we use to determine our rankings.
- Major Focus - How many resources a school devotes to nursing students as compared to other majors.
- Major Demand - How many other nursing students want to attend this school to pursue a bachelor's degree.
- Educational Resources - How many resources are allocated to students. These resources may include educational expenditures per student, number of students per instructor, and graduation rate among other things.
- Student Debt - How much debt nursing students go into to obtain their bachelor's degree and how well they are able to pay back that debt.
- Accreditation - Whether a school is regionally accredited and/or accredited by a recognized nursing related body.
Our full ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best colleges for nursing students working on their bachelor's degree.
More Ways to Rank Nursing Schools
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we've developed a number of rankings, including this Best Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools list, to help you choose the best school for you.
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.
Featured Nursing Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
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BS in Nursing - RN to BSN
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. Learn More > |
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BS in Nursing - RN to BSN - Accelerated RN to MSN
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. Learn More > |
Best Schools for Bachelor’s Students to Study Nursing in the United States
Below you'll see a list of the best colleges and universities for pursuing a bachelor's degree in nursing. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.
25 Top Schools for a Bachelor's in Nursing
Every student who is interested in a bachelor's degree in nursing has to check out Samuel Merritt University. Samuel Merritt University is a small private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Oakland.
Bachelor's recipients from the nursing degree program at Samuel Merritt University get $40,155 more than the average college grad with the same degree shortly after graduation.
More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from Samuel Merritt University
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston is one of the best schools in the United States for getting a bachelor's degree in nursing. Located in the large city of Houston, UTHealth is a public university with a medium-sized student population.
Bachelor's recipients from the nursing degree program at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston earn $6,655 above the standard college grad with the same degree when they enter the workforce.
More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
It's difficult to beat Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center if you wish to pursue a bachelor's degree in nursing. Located in the large city of Lubbock, TTUHSC is a public university with a medium-sized student population.
Nursing bachelor's degree recipients from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center receive an earnings boost of about $2,955 above the typical income of nursing majors.
More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
It's hard to beat University of Pennsylvania if you want to pursue a bachelor's degree in nursing. UPenn is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Philadelphia.
Bachelor's recipients from the nursing degree program at University of Pennsylvania make $2,455 above the standard college grad with the same degree when they enter the workforce.
More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from University of Pennsylvania
NYU is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of New York.
Nursing bachelor's degree recipients from New York University receive an earnings boost of around $29,555 above the typical earnings of nursing graduates.
More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from New York University
Duke is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Durham.
Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the nursing program state that they receive average early career wages of $62,700.
More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from Duke University
West Coast University - Orange County is a small private for-profit university located in the large city of Anaheim.
Nursing bachelor's degree recipients from West Coast University - Orange County get an earnings boost of around $15,655 above the average income of nursing graduates.
More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from West Coast University - Orange County
Loma Linda University is a small private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Loma Linda.
Bachelor's recipients from the nursing program at Loma Linda University get $22,455 above the average college graduate in this field shortly after graduation.
More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from Loma Linda University
Located in the medium-sized city of Ontario, West Coast University - Ontario is a private for-profit university with a small student population.
Bachelor's recipients from the nursing major at West Coast University - Ontario make $15,655 above the standard college graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.
More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from West Coast University - Ontario
West Coast University - Los Angeles is a small private for-profit university located in the city of North Hollywood.
Those nursing students who get their bachelor's degree from West Coast University - Los Angeles receive $15,655 more than the average nursing graduate.
More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from West Coast University - Los Angeles
Located in the midsize city of Costa Mesa, Pacific College is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.
Those nursing students who get their bachelor's degree from Pacific College receive $36,155 more than the standard nursing graduate.
More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from Pacific College
UCLA is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Los Angeles.
Bachelor's recipients from the nursing degree program at University of California - Los Angeles make $20,055 more than the typical college graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.
More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from University of California - Los Angeles
Located in the large city of Brooklyn, SUNY Downstate is a public university with a small student population.
Those nursing students who get their bachelor's degree from SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University receive $32,555 more than the average nursing graduate.
More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University
Georgetown is a large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Washington.
Nursing bachelor's degree recipients from Georgetown University receive an earnings boost of approximately $5,655 over the typical income of nursing graduates.
More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from Georgetown University
UMB is a medium-sized public university located in the city of Baltimore.
Bachelor's recipients from the nursing major at University of Maryland - Baltimore earn $2,855 more than the standard college grad with the same degree when they enter the workforce.
More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from University of Maryland - Baltimore
UTMB Galveston is a small public university located in the town of Galveston.
Nursing bachelor's degree recipients from The University of Texas Medical Branch get an earnings boost of about $5,955 over the average income of nursing graduates.
More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from The University of Texas Medical Branch
Roseman University of Health Sciences is a small private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Henderson.
Those nursing students who get their bachelor's degree from Roseman University of Health Sciences make $10,855 more than the typical nursing grad.
More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from Roseman University of Health Sciences
Villanova is a large private not-for-profit university located in the suburb of Villanova.
Nursing bachelor's degree recipients from Villanova University get an earnings boost of about $5,555 over the average earnings of nursing graduates.
More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from Villanova University
Located in the suburb of Arlington, Chamberlain - Virginia is a private for-profit university with a fairly small student population.
Those nursing students who get their bachelor's degree from Chamberlain University - Virginia make $7,055 more than the typical nursing graduate.
More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from Chamberlain University - Virginia
Located in the small city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly large student population.
Those nursing students who get their bachelor's degree from Boston College receive $4,255 more than the average nursing graduate.
More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from Boston College
Chamberlain - New Jersey is a small private for-profit university located in the large suburb of North Brunswick.
Those nursing students who get their bachelor's degree from Chamberlain University - New Jersey make $7,055 more than the average nursing graduate.
More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from Chamberlain University - New Jersey
USFCA is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of San Francisco.
Nursing bachelor's degree recipients from University of San Francisco earn a boost of about $24,455 over the typical earnings of nursing majors.
More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from University of San Francisco
Located in the midsize city of Ann Arbor, U-M is a public university with a fairly large student population.
Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the nursing program state that they receive average early career income of $64,000.
More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Located in the city of San Antonio, UT Health San Antonio is a public university with a small student population.
Bachelor's graduates who receive their degree from the nursing program earn around $56,800 in their early career salary.
More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
Emory is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Atlanta.
Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the nursing program report average early career earnings of $62,700.
More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from Emory UniversityRest of the Top 50 Best Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools
Additional Award Winners
This section represents the remainder of the schools awarded a Best Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools badge. Showing in this list means the school was ranked in the top 15% of the 1011 different United States nursing schools we analyzed.
Honorable Mentions
These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools award.
Nursing by Region
View the Best Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools for a specific region near you.
Region |
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Southeast |
New England |
Rocky Mountains |
Plains States |
Middle Atlantic |
Far Western US |
Southwest |
Great Lakes |
Rankings in Majors Related to Nursing
Nursing is one of 30 different types of Health Professions programs to choose from.
Nursing Concentrations
Major | Annual Graduates |
---|---|
Registered Nursing | 152,243 |
Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 3,122 |
Nursing Science | 1,419 |
Public Health/Community Nurse/Nursing | 1,155 |
Nursing Administration | 852 |
Nursing Practice | 793 |
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing | 187 |
Family Practice Nurse/Nursing | 145 |
Clinical Nurse Leader | 23 |
Clinical Nurse Specialist | 19 |
Most Popular Related Majors
Related Major | Annual Graduates |
---|---|
Public Health | 18,064 |
Health & Medical Administrative Services | 17,986 |
Health Sciences & Services | 17,662 |
Communication Sciences | 11,076 |
Allied Health Professions | 9,989 |
Rehabilitation & Therapeutic Professions | 4,625 |
Other Health Professions | 4,489 |
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science | 3,886 |
Health/Medical Prep Programs | 3,112 |
Mental & Social Health Services | 3,037 |
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. More about our data sources and methodologies.
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 > |