Registered Nursing is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their registered nursing programs.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 1968 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for registered nursing students pursuing a degree.
The registered nursing program you select can have a big impact on your future. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Registered Nursing rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
We offer several rankings, including this Best Registered Nursing Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Best Schools for Registered Nursing in the United States
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 registered nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is San Diego State University, our #1 school for registered nursing. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. San Diego State University graduates 76% of students within six years. There were roughly 245 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at San Diego State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $100,221 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,875 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from San Diego State University
University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. There were roughly 45 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of St Thomas Minnesota in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn around $65,183 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,923.
See the full registered nursing program report for University Of St Thomas Minnesota
Students looking for a strong registered nursing program will find one at San Jose State University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. There were roughly 163 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from San Jose State University
A rank of #4 makes Yale University one of the top schools for registered nursing. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 212 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Yale University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $133,137. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete this degree.
Get the full registered nursing details for Yale University
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 304 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Columbia University In The City Of New York earn around $138,848 in the first couple years of their career. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Columbia University In The City Of New York
The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Houston, The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 240 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $123,774 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500.
Read more about the registered nursing program at The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston
California State University Fullerton landed the #7 spot for registered nursing this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. About 70% of students finish within six years. California State University Fullerton awarded about 320 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $156,309 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,375 to complete this degree.
Get the full registered nursing details for California State University Fullerton
California State University Northridge landed the #8 spot for registered nursing this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. About 57% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 153 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at California State University Northridge in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $106,780 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the registered nursing program at California State University Northridge
University Of Pennsylvania came in at #9 for registered nursing this year. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 211 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $137,262 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,410.
Get the full registered nursing details for University Of Pennsylvania
Stony Brook University landed the #10 spot for registered nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. About 76% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 182 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Stony Brook University in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $117,350 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Stony Brook University
California State University Chico placed #11 among the best registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public university. California State University Chico graduates 63% of students within six years. California State University Chico awarded about 112 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from California State University Chico earn around $113,181 in the first couple years of their career. California State University Chico graduates carry a median of $20,125 in student loans.
Get the full registered nursing details for California State University Chico
Cuny Graduate School And University Center came in at #12 for registered nursing this year. This large public university is located in the city of New York. Cuny Graduate School And University Center awarded about 97 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Cuny Graduate School And University Center earn a median of $109,744 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,593 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Cuny Graduate School And University Center
California State University Long Beach landed the #13 spot for registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. California State University Long Beach graduates 69% of students within six years. California State University Long Beach awarded about 195 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from California State University Long Beach earn around $129,036 in the first couple years of their career. California State University Long Beach graduates carry a median of $18,661 in student loans.
Read more about the registered nursing program at California State University Long Beach
Suny Downstate Medical Center landed the #14 spot for registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Suny Downstate Medical Center is a mid-sized public institution. There were roughly 116 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Suny Downstate Medical Center in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Suny Downstate Medical Center earn around $122,575 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,023.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Suny Downstate Medical Center
Johns Hopkins University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 260 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins University in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $105,622 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,426.
See the full registered nursing program report for Johns Hopkins University
New York University came in at #16 for registered nursing this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. About 88% of students finish within six years. New York University awarded about 474 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of New York University earn a median of $138,833 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,500.
See the full registered nursing program report for New York University
California State University Monterey Bay came in at #17 for registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Seaside, California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public university. California State University Monterey Bay graduates 59% of students within six years. About 78 registered nursing degrees were awarded at California State University Monterey Bay in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from California State University Monterey Bay generally make around $117,088. Students borrow a median of $9,489 to complete this degree.
See the full registered nursing program report for California State University Monterey Bay
Georgetown University earned the #18 position for registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. About 243 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Georgetown University in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Georgetown University earn around $131,652 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,417.
Get the full registered nursing details for Georgetown University
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 355 registered nursing degrees were awarded at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $107,063 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete this degree.
Read more about the registered nursing program at University Of Washington Seattle Campus
California State University Stanislaus ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. California State University Stanislaus awarded about 148 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $128,257 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,450 to complete this degree.
Read more about the registered nursing program at California State University Stanislaus
University Of The Pacific earned the #21 position for registered nursing this year. University Of The Pacific is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Stockton. University Of The Pacific graduates 68% of students within six years. About 38 registered nursing degrees were awarded at University Of The Pacific in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of The Pacific earn a median of $77,022 early in their careers. University Of The Pacific graduates carry a median of $23,514 in student loans.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from University Of The Pacific
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center landed the #22 spot for registered nursing this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Lubbock. There were roughly 937 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center earn a median of $113,144 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete this degree.
See the full registered nursing program report for Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Boston College came in at #23 for registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. About 136 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Boston College in the most recent year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $95,349 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,250 to complete this degree.
Get the full registered nursing details for Boston College
The University Of Texas Medical Branch ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Galveston, The University Of Texas Medical Branch is a mid-sized public institution. The University Of Texas Medical Branch awarded about 309 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $98,578 in their early career. The University Of Texas Medical Branch graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from The University Of Texas Medical Branch
California State University Sacramento placed #25 among the best registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. California State University Sacramento graduates 56% of students within six years. California State University Sacramento awarded about 249 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $109,889. Typical student debt for the program is $19,000.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from California State University Sacramento
Rest of the Top 50 Registered Nursing Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong registered nursing education:
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 · 1968 schools evaluated.
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 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).
