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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 314 schools to find the best for registered nursing students.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in registered nursing. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. There were roughly 181 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn around $91,969 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans.
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Purdue University Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. About 83% of students finish within six years. About 217 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Purdue University Main Campus earn around $91,063 in the first couple years of their career. Purdue University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $20,455 in student loans.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Purdue University Main Campus
Rosalind Franklin University Of Medicine And Science came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of North Chicago. There were roughly 16 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Rosalind Franklin University Of Medicine And Science in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Rosalind Franklin University Of Medicine And Science earn around $223,679 in the first couple years of their career.
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Students looking for a strong registered nursing program will find one at University Of Wisconsin Madison, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates 90% of students within six years. About 230 registered nursing degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from University Of Wisconsin Madison earn around $92,233 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
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Loyola University Chicago came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. Loyola University Chicago graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 266 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $111,912 early in their careers. Loyola University Chicago graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
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University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #6 among the best registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates 62% of students within six years. About 379 registered nursing degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $87,290 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from University Of Illinois At Chicago
Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #7 spot for registered nursing this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates 88% of students within six years. About 577 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $90,970. Typical student debt for the program is $26,240.
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Case Western Reserve University earned the #8 position for registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Case Western Reserve University graduates 87% of students within six years. About 142 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Case Western Reserve University in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Case Western Reserve University earn around $112,484 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,580 to complete this degree.
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Illinois State University earned the #9 position for registered nursing this year. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. Illinois State University graduates 64% of students within six years. Illinois State University awarded about 287 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $90,432. Students borrow a median of $23,075 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Illinois State University
Benedictine University placed #10 among the best registered nursing schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Lisle. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. Benedictine University awarded about 19 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $90,860 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,188.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Benedictine University
Michigan State University landed the #11 spot for registered nursing this year. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 207 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Michigan State University earn around $89,879 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $28,500.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Michigan State University
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville placed #12 among the best registered nursing schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Edwardsville. About 55% of students finish within six years. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville awarded about 339 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn around $118,455 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,043.
See the full registered nursing program report for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Marquette University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. There were roughly 350 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Marquette University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Marquette University earn around $86,752 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Marquette University
Lewis University earned the #14 position for registered nursing this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Romeoville. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. About 123 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Lewis University in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Lewis University earn around $90,066 in the first couple years of their career. Lewis University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
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Lawrence Technological University came in at #15 for registered nursing this year. Lawrence Technological University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Southfield. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Lawrence Technological University in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of Lawrence Technological University earn a median of $74,924 early in their careers. Lawrence Technological University graduates carry a median of $27,799 in student loans.
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University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #16 among the best registered nursing schools. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus awarded about 421 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $109,491. Typical student debt for the program is $22,920.
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College Of Lake County ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. College Of Lake County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Grayslake. College Of Lake County awarded about 80 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $72,472 in their early career. College Of Lake County graduates carry a median of $12,005 in student loans.
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Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois landed the #18 spot for registered nursing this year. This very large private for-profit university is located in the suburb of Addison. About 42% of students finish within six years. About 8,665 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois in the most recent year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $109,135 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $39,146.
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Ohio University Main Campus ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. Ohio University Main Campus graduates 65% of students within six years. Ohio University Main Campus awarded about 1,090 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Ohio University Main Campus earn around $80,108 in the first couple years of their career. Ohio University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $26,778 in student loans.
See the full registered nursing program report for Ohio University Main Campus
Joliet Junior College landed the #20 spot for registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. Joliet Junior College awarded about 117 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $71,988 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,617.
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Gateway Technical College earned the #21 position for registered nursing this year. Gateway Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Kenosha. There were roughly 135 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Gateway Technical College in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Gateway Technical College earn a median of $68,134 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete this degree.
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University Of Southern Indiana ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public university. About 48% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 93 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern Indiana in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from University Of Southern Indiana generally make around $91,255. University Of Southern Indiana graduates carry a median of $25,089 in student loans.
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Moraine Park Technical College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Fond du Lac, Moraine Park Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Moraine Park Technical College awarded about 93 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Moraine Park Technical College earn around $66,776 in the first couple years of their career. Moraine Park Technical College graduates carry a median of $17,025 in student loans.
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University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire came in at #24 for registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. There were roughly 164 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $87,284 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree.
See the full registered nursing program report for University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire
University Of Toledo earned the #25 position for registered nursing this year. University Of Toledo is a large public school located in the city of Toledo. About 58% of students finish within six years. University Of Toledo awarded about 207 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of Toledo earn a median of $76,736 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,400 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from University Of Toledo
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. 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 · 314 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).
