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2024 Best Registered Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools

920 Colleges in the United States
157,596 Bachelor's Degrees
Ranked #1 in popularity, registered nursing is one of the most sought-after bachelor's degree programs in the nation. This means there are lots of options to choose from when you decide to get your degree.

For its 2024 ranking, College Factual looked at 920 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for registered nursing students pursuing a bachelor's degree. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 157,596 bachelor's degrees in registered nursing during the 2020-2021 academic year.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Our Methodology

Choosing a Great Registered Nursing School for Your Bachelor's Degree

Best Registered Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools The registered nursing bachelor's degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. Important measures of a quality registered nursing program can vary widely even among the top schools. To make it into this list, a school must excel in the following areas.

A Great Overall School

A school that excels in educating for a particular major and degree level must be a great school overall as well. To make it into this list a school must rank well in our overall Best Colleges ranking. This ranking considered factors such as graduation rates, overall graduate earnings and other educational resources to identify great colleges and universities.

Other Factors We Consider

In addition to the above, you should consider some of the following factors:

Our complete ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best colleges for registered nursing students working on their bachelor's degree.

More Ways to Rank Registered Nursing Schools

Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Registered Nursing Rankings Other Ranking Categories

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we've developed the Best Registered Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.


 

Best Schools for Bachelor’s Students to Study Registered Nursing in the United States

The following list ranks the best colleges and universities for pursuing a bachelor's degree in registered nursing. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Top Schools for a Bachelor's in Registered Nursing

1
Graduate Certificate Highest Degree Type
917 Annual Graduates

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center is a wonderful choice for individuals pursuing a bachelor's degree in registered nursing. TTUHSC is a moderately-sized public university located in the large city of Lubbock.More information about a bachelor’s in registered nursing from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

2
UPenn crest
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
181 Annual Graduates

Every student pursuing a degree in a bachelor's degree in registered nursing needs to look into University of Pennsylvania. Located in the city of Philadelphia, UPenn is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population.More information about a bachelor’s in registered nursing from University of Pennsylvania

3
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
505 Annual Graduates

Samuel Merritt University is a wonderful choice for students interested in a bachelor's degree in registered nursing. Located in the city of Oakland, Samuel Merritt University is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population.More information about a bachelor’s in registered nursing from Samuel Merritt University

4
NYU crest
New York University
New York, NY
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
455 Annual Graduates

New York University is a wonderful choice for individuals pursuing a bachelor's degree in registered nursing. Located in the large city of New York, NYU is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population.More information about a bachelor’s in registered nursing from New York University

5
426 Annual Graduates

UTHealth is a moderately-sized public university located in the large city of Houston.More information about a bachelor’s in registered nursing from The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

6
Emory crest
Emory University
Atlanta, GA
Graduate Certificate Highest Degree Type
377 Annual Graduates

Located in the large city of Atlanta, Emory is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population.More information about a bachelor’s in registered nursing from Emory University

7
367 Annual Graduates

Located in the fringe town of Galveston, UTMB Galveston is a public university with a small student population.More information about a bachelor’s in registered nursing from The University of Texas Medical Branch

8
Loma Linda University crest
Loma Linda University
Loma Linda, CA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
197 Annual Graduates

Located in the large suburb of Loma Linda, Loma Linda University is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population.More information about a bachelor’s in registered nursing from Loma Linda University

9
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
389 Annual Graduates

Located in the city of Baltimore, UMB is a public university with a medium-sized student population.More information about a bachelor’s in registered nursing from University of Maryland - Baltimore

10
Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, NC
147 Annual Graduates

Located in the large city of Durham, Duke is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population.More information about a bachelor’s in registered nursing from Duke University

11
334 Annual Graduates

UT Health San Antonio is a small public university located in the large city of San Antonio.More information about a bachelor’s in registered nursing from The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

12
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
126 Annual Graduates

University of Virginia is a fairly large public university located in the small suburb of Charlottesville.More information about a bachelor’s in registered nursing from University of Virginia - Main Campus

13
273 Annual Graduates

GWU is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Washington.More information about a bachelor’s in registered nursing from George Washington University

14
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
89 Annual Graduates

Case Western is a large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Cleveland.More information about a bachelor’s in registered nursing from Case Western Reserve University

15
Seattle U crest
Seattle University
Seattle, WA
220 Annual Graduates

Seattle U is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Seattle.More information about a bachelor’s in registered nursing from Seattle University

16
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
308 Annual Graduates

Creighton is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Omaha.More information about a bachelor’s in registered nursing from Creighton University

17
Georgetown crest
Georgetown University
Washington, DC
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
28 Annual Graduates

Located in the large city of Washington, Georgetown is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population.More information about a bachelor’s in registered nursing from Georgetown University

18
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
141 Annual Graduates

U-M is a very large public university located in the midsize city of Ann Arbor.More information about a bachelor’s in registered nursing from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

19
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
390 Annual Graduates

Located in the city of Philadelphia, Thomas Jefferson University is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population.More information about a bachelor’s in registered nursing from Thomas Jefferson University

20
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
384 Annual Graduates

OHSU is a small public university located in the large city of Portland.More information about a bachelor’s in registered nursing from Oregon Health & Science University

21
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
261 Annual Graduates

Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Pitt is a public university with a fairly large student population.More information about a bachelor’s in registered nursing from University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus

22
Capella University crest
Capella University
Minneapolis, MN
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
3,199 Annual Graduates

Located in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a private for-profit university with a very large student population.More information about a bachelor’s in registered nursing from Capella University

23
Drexel crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
533 Annual Graduates

Located in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population.More information about a bachelor’s in registered nursing from Drexel University

24
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
496 Annual Graduates

Located in the large city of Chicago, Loyola Chicago is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population.More information about a bachelor’s in registered nursing from Loyola University Chicago

25
276 Annual Graduates

West Coast University - Dallas is a small private for-profit university located in the city of Richardson.More information about a bachelor’s in registered nursing from West Coast University - Dallas

Rest of the Top 50 Best Registered Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools

26
27
28
29
30
31
32

33
U Miami crest
University of Miami
Coral Gables, FL

34
35
36
37
38
39
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA
40
41

42

43
Marquette crest
Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI
44
WGU crest
Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, UT
45
46
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL
47
USFCA crest
University of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
48
Molloy crest
Molloy College
Rockville Centre, NY
49
50

 

Remaining Award Winners

This section represents the rest of the schools awarded a Best Registered Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools badge. Showing in this list means the school was ranked in the top 15% of the 920 different United States registered nursing schools we analyzed.

Rank College Location
51 University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN
52 Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, FL
53 Fairfield University Fairfield, CT
54 Villanova University Villanova, PA
55 University of Phoenix - Arizona Phoenix, AZ
56 Mount Saint Mary’s University Los Angeles, CA
57 The University of Texas at Arlington Arlington, TX
58 Roseman University of Health Sciences Henderson, NV
59 Samford University Birmingham, AL
60 Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OH
61 University of South Carolina - Columbia Columbia, SC
62 Stony Brook University Stony Brook, NY
63 Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TX
64 Medical University of South Carolina Charleston, SC
65 California State University - Long Beach Long Beach, CA
66 National University San Diego, CA
67 University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OH
68 Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN
69 Baylor University Waco, TX
70 San Diego State University San Diego, CA
71 University of Arizona Tucson, AZ
72 Simmons University Boston, MA
73 Oak Point University Oak Brook, IL
74 University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT
75 LIU Post Brookville, NY
76 University of Kansas Lawrence, KS
77 Widener University Chester, PA
78 Saint Louis University Saint Louis, MO
79 Adelphi University Garden City, NY
80 Winona State University Winona, MN
81 The University of Tennessee - Health Science Center Memphis, TN
82 California State University - Fullerton Fullerton, CA
83 Chamberlain University - Illinois Addison, IL
84 Mount Carmel College of Nursing Columbus, OH
85 West Coast University - Los Angeles North Hollywood, CA
86 Kent State University at Kent Kent, OH
87 Gonzaga University Spokane, WA
88 University of Missouri - Columbia Columbia, MO
89 Northeastern University Boston, MA
90 Point Loma Nazarene University San Diego, CA
91 Xavier University Cincinnati, OH
92 Denver College of Nursing Denver, CO
93 University of Mississippi University, MS
94 Washington State University Pullman, WA
95 La Salle University Philadelphia, PA
96 University of North Dakota Grand Forks, ND
97 University of Nevada - Reno Reno, NV
98 University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago, IL
99 Allen College Waterloo, IA
100 Hunter College New York, NY
101 University of Delaware Newark, DE
102 Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health Omaha, NE
103 The College of New Jersey Ewing, NJ
104 South Dakota State University Brookings, SD
105 Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center - New Orleans New Orleans, LA
106 Mercer University Macon, GA
107 University of Rhode Island Kingston, RI
108 The College of Saint Scholastica Duluth, MN
109 University of South Florida - Main Campus Tampa, FL
110 Clemson University Clemson, SC
111 University of Massachusetts Amherst Amherst, MA
112 Southern Adventist University Collegedale, TN
113 University of New Hampshire - Main Campus Durham, NH
114 Oakland University Rochester Hills, MI
114 Walden University Minneapolis, MN
115 Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VA
116 Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Boston, MA
117 Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZ
118 DeSales University Center Valley, PA
119 Union University Jackson, TN
120 Michigan State University East Lansing, MI
121 University of Toledo Toledo, OH
122 Boston College Chestnut Hill, MA
123 Florida International University Miami, FL
124 University at Buffalo Buffalo, NY
125 University of Kentucky Lexington, KY
126 Maryville University of Saint Louis Saint Louis, MO
127 California State University - San Marcos San Marcos, CA
128 The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL
129 California State University - Dominguez Hills Carson, CA
130 University of Central Florida Orlando, FL
131 Galen College of Nursing - Louisville Louisville, KY
132 Arizona State University - Tempe Tempe, AZ
133 Nova Southeastern University Fort Lauderdale, FL
134 University of Louisville Louisville, KY
135 University of New Mexico - Main Campus Albuquerque, NM
136 East Carolina University Greenville, NC
137 Bradley University Peoria, IL
138 Binghamton University Vestal, NY

Additional Noteworthy Schools

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Registered Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools award.

Rank College Location
139 Pace University - New York New York, NY
140 Gwynedd Mercy University Gwynedd Valley, PA
141 Nightingale College Salt Lake City, UT
142 The Graduate Center, CUNY New York, NY
143 Moravian College Bethlehem, PA
144 University of Detroit Mercy Detroit, MI
145 The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Knoxville, TN
146 University of North Carolina at Wilmington Wilmington, NC
147 Wayne State University Detroit, MI
148 University of Scranton Scranton, PA
149 Shenandoah University Winchester, VA
150 Minnesota State University - Mankato Mankato, MN
151 Touro University Nevada Henderson, NV
152 Bellin College Green Bay, WI
153 California State University - Sacramento Sacramento, CA
154 University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, AL
155 Rutgers University - Camden Camden, NJ
156 The University of Texas at Tyler Tyler, TX
157 California State University - Fresno Fresno, CA
158 University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR
159 William Paterson University of New Jersey Wayne, NJ
160 Madonna University Livonia, MI
161 West Coast University - Ontario Ontario, CA
162 University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu, HI
163 San Francisco State University San Francisco, CA
164 George Mason University Fairfax, VA
165 West Chester University of Pennsylvania West Chester, PA
166 Augusta University Augusta, GA
167 Upstate Medical University Syracuse, NY
168 Texas Woman’s University Denton, TX
169 University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Little Rock, AR
170 Sonoma State University Rohnert Park, CA
171 San Jose State University San Jose, CA
172 James Madison University Harrisonburg, VA
173 Felician University Lodi, NJ
174 Illinois State University Normal, IL
175 Clarkson College Omaha, NE
176 Seton Hall University South Orange, NJ
177 Lehman College Bronx, NY
178 East Tennessee State University Johnson City, TN
179 Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global Marion, IN
180 Quinnipiac University Hamden, CT
181 California State University - Stanislaus Turlock, CA
182 University of Massachusetts - Lowell Lowell, MA
183 University of Massachusetts - Boston Boston, MA
184 California State University - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA

Registered Nursing by Region

View the Best Registered Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Other U.S. Territories
Great Lakes

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Registered Nursing is one of 23 different types of Nursing programs to choose from.

Majors Similar to Registered Nursing

Related Major Annual Graduates
Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing 2,640
Public Health/Community Nurse/Nursing 1,495
Nursing Science 1,464
Nursing Practice 1,122
Nursing Administration 859
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing 163
Family Practice Nurse/Nursing 160
Clinical Nurse Specialist 21
Clinical Nurse Leader 18

Notes and References

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