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2026 Best Nursing Schools in District of Columbia

6 Colleges in the United States
1,038 Nursing Degrees Awarded
$97,008 Avg Early-Career Salary

Nursing is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their nursing programs.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools to find the best for nursing students.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Nursing in District of Columbia

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Nursing

1
Georgetown University crest
Georgetown University
Washington, DC

Georgetown University tops our 2026 ranking of the best nursing schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 361 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Georgetown University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Georgetown University earn around $131,652 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,417 to complete this degree. Get the full nursing details for Georgetown University

2

George Washington University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 437 nursing students who graduated with this degree at George Washington University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from George Washington University earn around $107,851 in the first couple years of their career. George Washington University graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. See the full nursing program report for George Washington University

3
Howard University crest
Howard University
Washington, DC

A rank of #3 makes Howard University one of the top schools for nursing. Set in the city of Washington, Howard University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. Howard University awarded about 74 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $79,646 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full nursing program report for Howard University

4

Students looking for a strong nursing program will find one at Catholic University Of America, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Washington, Catholic University Of America is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. Catholic University Of America awarded about 102 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Catholic University Of America earn a median of $108,768 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the nursing program at Catholic University Of America

5

Trinity Washington University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Trinity Washington University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. About 49% of students finish within six years. Trinity Washington University awarded about 46 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Trinity Washington University generally make around $79,349. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in nursing from Trinity Washington University

6

Saint Michael College Of Allied Health landed the #6 spot for nursing this year. Located in the city of Washington, Saint Michael College Of Allied Health is a small private for-profit university. About 18 nursing degrees were awarded at Saint Michael College Of Allied Health in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Saint Michael College Of Allied Health earn around $74,782 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,260 to complete this degree. See the full nursing program report for Saint Michael College Of Allied Health

View All Nursing Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 7 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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