2026 Best Nursing Schools in North Carolina

1

Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC

Leading the list is Wake Forest University, our #1 school for nursing. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Winston-Salem. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. 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. Wake Forest University graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans. See the full nursing program report for Wake Forest University

2

Duke University
Durham, NC

Duke University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in nursing, ranking #2. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Durham. The six-year graduation rate is 97%. About 601 nursing degrees were awarded at Duke University in the most recent year. Nursing graduates of Duke University earn a median of $116,855 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in nursing from Duke University

3

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington
Wilmington, NC

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in nursing, ranking #3. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public school located in the city of Wilmington. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington awarded about 960 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $83,408 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,000. More information about a degree in nursing from University Of North Carolina At Wilmington

4

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

Students looking for a strong nursing program will find one at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, which ranked #4. 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. There were roughly 308 nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill 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. Get the full nursing details for University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

5

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
Charlotte, NC

A rank of #5 makes University Of North Carolina At Charlotte one of the top schools for nursing. This very large public university is located in the city of Charlotte. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 241 nursing degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte in the most recent 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. See the full nursing program report for University Of North Carolina At Charlotte

6

East Carolina University
Greenville, NC

East Carolina University came in at #6 for nursing this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Greenville. About 63% of students finish within six years. About 506 nursing degrees were awarded at East Carolina University in the most recent year. Nursing graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $96,898 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,264. See the full nursing program report for East Carolina University

7

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Greensboro, NC

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro landed the #7 spot for nursing this year. This large public university is located in the city of Greensboro. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 310 nursing degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Greensboro in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $103,649 in their early career. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro graduates carry a median of $24,701 in student loans. See the full nursing program report for University Of North Carolina At Greensboro

8

Elon University
Elon, NC

Elon University placed #8 among the best nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Elon, Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 14 nursing degrees were awarded at Elon University in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $50,463 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,619. Read more about the nursing program at Elon University

9

Gaston College
Dallas, NC

Gaston College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Gaston College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 141 nursing degrees were awarded at Gaston College in the most recent year. Nursing graduates of Gaston College earn a median of $68,245 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $12,750 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in nursing from Gaston College

10

Forsyth Technical Community College
Winston-Salem, NC

Forsyth Technical Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Forsyth Technical Community College is a large public university. Forsyth Technical Community College awarded about 146 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Forsyth Technical Community College earn a median of $68,379 early in their careers. Forsyth Technical Community College graduates carry a median of $19,748 in student loans. Get the full nursing details for Forsyth Technical Community College

11

Appalachian State University
Boone, NC

Appalachian State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. There were roughly 99 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Appalachian State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $69,420 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the nursing program at Appalachian State University

12

Rowan Cabarrus Community College
Salisbury, NC

Rowan Cabarrus Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Salisbury. There were roughly 107 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Rowan Cabarrus Community College in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Rowan Cabarrus Community College earn a median of $67,501 early in their careers. Rowan Cabarrus Community College graduates carry a median of $12,062 in student loans. Read more about the nursing program at Rowan Cabarrus Community College

13

Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC

Western Carolina University earned the #13 position for nursing this year. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. There were roughly 318 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Western Carolina University in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Western Carolina University earn a median of $87,701 early in their careers. Western Carolina University graduates carry a median of $23,163 in student loans. Read more about the nursing program at Western Carolina University

14

Fayetteville Technical Community College
Fayetteville, NC

Fayetteville Technical Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public university. Fayetteville Technical Community College awarded about 118 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Fayetteville Technical Community College earn around $72,523 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,937 to complete this degree. Read more about the nursing program at Fayetteville Technical Community College

15

Sampson Community College
Clinton, NC

Sampson Community College came in at #15 for nursing this year. Located in the town of Clinton, Sampson Community College is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 58 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Sampson Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Sampson Community College earn around $69,040 in the first couple years of their career. Sampson Community College graduates carry a median of $12,596 in student loans. More information about a degree in nursing from Sampson Community College

16

Richmond Community College
Hamlet, NC

Richmond Community College earned the #16 position for nursing this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Hamlet. There were roughly 53 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Richmond Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Richmond Community College earn around $70,087 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,722. Read more about the nursing program at Richmond Community College

17

Central Piedmont Community College
Charlotte, NC

Central Piedmont Community College came in at #17 for nursing this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. There were roughly 76 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Central Piedmont Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $73,310. Typical student debt for the program is $16,125. Read more about the nursing program at Central Piedmont Community College

18

Isothermal Community College
Spindale, NC

Isothermal Community College earned the #18 position for nursing this year. Isothermal Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Spindale. There were roughly 39 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Isothermal Community College in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Isothermal Community College earn a median of $67,248 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete this degree. Read more about the nursing program at Isothermal Community College

19

Surry Community College
Dobson, NC

Surry Community College came in at #19 for nursing this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the rural area of Dobson. Surry Community College awarded about 40 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Surry Community College earn around $69,740 in the first couple years of their career. Surry Community College graduates carry a median of $13,574 in student loans. Get the full nursing details for Surry Community College

20

Stanly Community College
Albemarle, NC

Stanly Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Set in the town of Albemarle, Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Stanly Community College awarded about 19 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Stanly Community College earn around $76,008 in the first couple years of their career. Read more about the nursing program at Stanly Community College

21

Campbell University
Buies Creek, NC

Campbell University came in at #21 for nursing this year. Set in the town of Buies Creek, Campbell University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. There were roughly 45 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Campbell University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Campbell University earn around $70,772 in the first couple years of their career. Campbell University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in nursing from Campbell University

22

Winston Salem State University
Winston-Salem, NC

Winston Salem State University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Winston Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 47%. About 173 nursing degrees were awarded at Winston Salem State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $84,648 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,082 to complete this degree. See the full nursing program report for Winston Salem State University

23

Wake Technical Community College
Raleigh, NC

Wake Technical Community College earned the #23 position for nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Raleigh, Wake Technical Community College is a very large public university. Wake Technical Community College awarded about 115 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Wake Technical Community College earn a median of $68,266 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,750. More information about a degree in nursing from Wake Technical Community College

24

Lenoir Community College
Kinston, NC

Lenoir Community College placed #24 among the best nursing schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Kinston. About 23 nursing degrees were awarded at Lenoir Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Lenoir Community College generally make around $67,505. Lenoir Community College graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Get the full nursing details for Lenoir Community College

25

South Piedmont Community College
Polkton, NC

South Piedmont Community College earned the #25 position for nursing this year. South Piedmont Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Polkton. South Piedmont Community College awarded about 39 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from South Piedmont Community College earn around $70,497 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $10,098 to complete this degree. See the full nursing program report for South Piedmont Community College