by our College Data Analytics TeamNursing programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their nursing programs.
College Factual analyzed 610 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best nursing schools.
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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.
Emory University tops our 2026 ranking of the best nursing schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Atlanta. About 91% of students finish within six years. About 694 nursing degrees were awarded at Emory University in the most recent year. Nursing graduates of Emory University earn a median of $98,673 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Read more about the nursing program at Emory University
A rank of #2 makes Vanderbilt University one of the top schools for nursing. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 94% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 486 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt University in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $125,565 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,975. Get the full nursing details for Vanderbilt University
Wake Forest University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Winston-Salem. Wake Forest University graduates 89% of students within six years. Wake Forest University awarded about 37 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Wake Forest University earn a median of $202,919 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete this degree. See the full nursing program report for Wake Forest University
Duke University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #4 spot this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Durham. Roughly 97% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 601 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Duke University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $116,855 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete this degree. Get the full nursing details for Duke University
University Of Florida is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in nursing, ranking #5. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 333 nursing degrees were awarded at University Of Florida in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing degree from University Of Florida earn around $90,433 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Florida graduates carry a median of $19,934 in student loans. More information about a degree in nursing from University Of Florida
University Of Miami landed the #6 spot for nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit university. University Of Miami graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 435 nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Miami in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $116,541 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,750 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in nursing from University Of Miami
George Mason University landed the #7 spot for nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 297 nursing students who graduated with this degree at George Mason University in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $99,718 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,750. More information about a degree in nursing from George Mason University
Valencia College placed #8 among the best nursing schools. Located in the city of Orlando, Valencia College is a very large public university. There were roughly 446 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Valencia College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Valencia College earn around $82,087 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,954 to complete this degree. See the full nursing program report for Valencia College
University Of South Carolina Columbia ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbia. University Of South Carolina Columbia graduates 79% of students within six years. There were roughly 476 nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of South Carolina Columbia in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Columbia generally make around $103,138. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete this degree. See the full nursing program report for University Of South Carolina Columbia
James Madison University earned the #10 position for nursing this year. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. About 317 nursing degrees were awarded at James Madison University in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing degree from James Madison University earn around $87,152 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,347 to complete this degree. Read more about the nursing program at James Madison University
Clemson University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Clemson. Clemson University graduates 87% of students within six years. About 269 nursing degrees were awarded at Clemson University in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Clemson University earn around $85,508 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete this degree. Get the full nursing details for Clemson University
Broward College landed the #12 spot for nursing this year. Broward College is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Lauderdale. Broward College awarded about 437 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Broward College generally make around $76,063. Students borrow a median of $16,364 to complete this degree. See the full nursing program report for Broward College
Florida International University landed the #13 spot for nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 446 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Florida International University in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $96,525 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,895 to complete this degree. Read more about the nursing program at Florida International University
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington landed the #14 spot for nursing this year. Set in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public institution. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington awarded about 960 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earn a median of $83,408 early in their careers. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Read more about the nursing program at University Of North Carolina At Wilmington
University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #15 position for nursing this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. University Of South Florida Main Campus graduates 77% of students within six years. About 673 nursing degrees were awarded at University Of South Florida Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing degree from University Of South Florida Main Campus earn around $105,610 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,452 to complete this degree. Read more about the nursing program at University Of South Florida Main Campus
University Of Mary Washington landed the #16 spot for nursing this year. University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Fredericksburg. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. University Of Mary Washington awarded about 37 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from University Of Mary Washington earn around $76,013 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,910 to complete this degree. Read more about the nursing program at University Of Mary Washington
University Of North Florida ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 369 nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Florida in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $116,277 in their early career. University Of North Florida graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Read more about the nursing program at University Of North Florida
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Chapel Hill. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates 91% of students within six years. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill awarded about 308 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $91,154 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,026. See the full nursing program report for University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earned the #19 position for nursing this year. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. There were roughly 241 nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $95,753. Students borrow a median of $25,044 to complete this degree. Get the full nursing details for University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
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. Miami Dade College awarded about 883 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Miami Dade College earn around $77,383 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,220 to complete this degree. See the full nursing program report for Miami Dade College
Florida State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Florida State University awarded about 233 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Florida State University earn around $127,776 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,546. Get the full nursing details for Florida State University
University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #22 for nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. University Of Virginia Main Campus awarded about 275 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $98,628 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,130. Read more about the nursing program at University Of Virginia Main Campus
The University Of Alabama ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Tuscaloosa. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. About 538 nursing degrees were awarded at The University Of Alabama in the most recent year. Nursing graduates of The University Of Alabama earn a median of $103,352 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,006 to complete this degree. See the full nursing program report for The University Of Alabama
Florida Atlantic University came in at #24 for nursing this year. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. About 63% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 453 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Florida Atlantic University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $96,397. Typical student debt for the program is $21,070. Read more about the nursing program at Florida Atlantic University
Virginia Commonwealth University placed #25 among the best nursing schools. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. About 360 nursing degrees were awarded at Virginia Commonwealth University in the most recent year. Nursing graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $128,772 early in their careers. Virginia Commonwealth University graduates carry a median of $26,250 in student loans. More information about a degree in nursing from Virginia Commonwealth University
These schools also placed among the best for nursing this year:
These schools also stood out for nursing:
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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 · 610 schools evaluated.
More about our data sources and methodologies.