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.
College Factual analyzed 2125 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best registered nursing schools.
The registered nursing program you select can have a big impact on your future. To help, we created our Best Registered Nursing Schools 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. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this 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.
San Diego State University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in registered nursing. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 231 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. Typical student debt for the program is $18,875.
Get the full registered nursing details for San Diego State University
A rank of #2 makes University Of St Thomas Minnesota one of the top schools for registered nursing. University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. University Of St Thomas Minnesota graduates 77% of students within six years. About 36 registered nursing degrees were awarded at University Of St Thomas Minnesota in the most recent 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. University Of St Thomas Minnesota graduates carry a median of $23,923 in student loans.
See the full registered nursing program report for University Of St Thomas Minnesota
Yale University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New Haven. Yale University graduates 96% of students within six years. Yale University awarded about 199 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Yale University earn a median of $133,137 early in their careers. Yale University graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Yale University
Columbia University In The City Of New York is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in registered nursing, ranking #4. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Columbia University In The City Of New York awarded about 381 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $138,848. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete this degree.
Get the full registered nursing details for Columbia University In The City Of New York
A rank of #5 makes The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston one of the top schools for registered nursing. Located in the city of Houston, The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 276 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston earn a median of $123,774 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston
University Of Pennsylvania came in at #6 for registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 243 registered nursing degrees were awarded at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $137,262. Students borrow a median of $22,410 to complete this degree.
Read more about the registered nursing program at University Of Pennsylvania
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. About 310 registered nursing degrees were awarded at California State University Fullerton in the most recent 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.
See the full registered nursing program report for California State University Fullerton
San Jose State University landed the #8 spot for registered nursing this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. San Jose State University awarded about 173 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year.
See the full registered nursing program report for San Jose State University
Stony Brook University earned the #9 position for registered nursing this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Stony Brook. Stony Brook University graduates 76% of students within six years. About 183 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Stony Brook University in the most recent year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $117,350 in their early career. 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 Long Beach came in at #10 for registered nursing this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. California State University Long Beach awarded about 237 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. Typical student debt for the program is $18,661.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from California State University Long Beach
Cuny Graduate School And University Center came in at #11 for registered nursing this year. This large public university is located in the city of New York. About 138 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Cuny Graduate School And University Center in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Cuny Graduate School And University Center generally make around $109,744. Typical student debt for the program is $16,593.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Cuny Graduate School And University Center
California State University Northridge earned the #12 position for registered nursing this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. California State University Northridge graduates 57% of students within six years. About 125 registered nursing degrees were awarded at California State University Northridge in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from California State University Northridge earn around $106,780 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,000.
Get the full registered nursing details for California State University Northridge
California State University Chico placed #13 among the best registered nursing schools. California State University Chico is a large public school located in the city of Chico. About 63% of students finish within six years. About 97 registered nursing degrees were awarded at California State University Chico in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from California State University Chico generally make around $113,181. Typical student debt for the program is $20,125.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from California State University Chico
Johns Hopkins University earned the #14 position for registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 94% of students finish within six years. Johns Hopkins University awarded about 301 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $105,622. Typical student debt for the program is $13,426.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Johns Hopkins University
Boston College earned the #15 position for registered nursing this year. Boston College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chestnut Hill. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. About 151 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Boston College in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of Boston College earn a median of $95,349 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,250.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Boston College
New York University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. About 88% of students finish within six years. About 460 registered nursing degrees were awarded at New York University in the most recent year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $138,833 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete this degree.
Read more about the registered nursing program at New York University
California State University Sacramento earned the #17 position for registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Sacramento awarded about 245 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $109,889 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,000.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from California State University Sacramento
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. There were roughly 350 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $107,063 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,750.
Read more about the registered nursing program at University Of Washington Seattle Campus
California State University San Bernardino came in at #19 for registered nursing this year. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. California State University San Bernardino graduates 55% of students within six years. California State University San Bernardino awarded about 147 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $93,142. Students borrow a median of $18,116 to complete this degree.
See the full registered nursing program report for California State University San Bernardino
University Of The Pacific earned the #20 position for registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Stockton, University Of The Pacific is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 39 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of The Pacific in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from University Of The Pacific generally make around $77,022. Typical student debt for the program is $23,514.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from University Of The Pacific
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center is a moderately-sized public institution. About 941 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center earn around $113,144 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,000.
See the full registered nursing program report for Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Suny Downstate Medical Center came in at #22 for registered nursing this year. Suny Downstate Medical Center is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Brooklyn. About 109 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Suny Downstate Medical Center in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of Suny Downstate Medical Center earn a median of $122,575 early in their careers. Suny Downstate Medical Center graduates carry a median of $22,023 in student loans.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Suny Downstate Medical Center
California State University East Bay came in at #23 for registered nursing this year. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 150 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at California State University East Bay in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $124,392 early in their careers. California State University East Bay graduates carry a median of $18,875 in student loans.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from California State University East Bay
Georgetown University landed the #24 spot for registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. Georgetown University awarded about 328 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Georgetown University generally make around $131,652. Georgetown University graduates carry a median of $17,417 in student loans.
See the full registered nursing program report for Georgetown University
University Of San Francisco came in at #25 for registered nursing this year. University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Francisco. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 266 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of San Francisco in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from University Of San Francisco earn around $127,760 in the first couple years of their career. University Of San Francisco graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
Read more about the registered nursing program at University Of San Francisco
Rest of the Top 50 Registered Nursing Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s registered nursing ranking:
Registered Nursing is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related 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 · 2125 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).
