Registered Nursing degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 552 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best registered nursing schools.
Emory University tops our 2027 ranking of the best registered nursing schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Atlanta. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. Emory University awarded about 536 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Emory University earn a median of $98,673 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
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Students looking for a strong registered nursing program will find one at Vanderbilt University, which ranked #2. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 29 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Vanderbilt University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $125,565. Typical student debt for the program is $13,975.
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University Of Florida came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Gainesville. University Of Florida graduates 91% of students within six years. There were roughly 247 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Florida in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $90,433 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,934 to complete this degree.
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Duke University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in registered nursing, ranking #4. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 97%. Duke University awarded about 138 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Duke University earn around $116,855 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete this degree.
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University Of Miami came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Coral Gables. About 84% of students finish within six years. About 265 registered nursing degrees were awarded at University Of Miami in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from University Of Miami generally make around $116,541. Typical student debt for the program is $23,750.
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George Mason University placed #6 among the best registered nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. George Mason University graduates 68% of students within six years. About 293 registered nursing degrees were awarded at George Mason University in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $99,718 early in their careers. George Mason University graduates carry a median of $22,750 in student loans.
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Valencia College placed #7 among the best registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Orlando, Valencia College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 448 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Valencia College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Valencia College generally make around $82,087. Students borrow a median of $19,954 to complete this degree.
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Clemson University placed #8 among the best registered nursing schools. Clemson University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Clemson. About 87% of students finish within six years. Clemson University awarded about 244 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Clemson University earn a median of $85,508 early in their careers. Clemson University graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Clemson University
James Madison University landed the #9 spot for registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. James Madison University graduates 80% of students within six years. James Madison University awarded about 265 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $87,152 in their early career. James Madison University graduates carry a median of $21,347 in student loans.
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Broward College placed #10 among the best registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Fort Lauderdale, Broward College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 506 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Broward College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $76,063 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,364 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Broward College
Miami Dade College earned the #11 position for registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public university. Miami Dade College awarded about 977 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $77,383 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,220.
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University Of South Carolina Columbia ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public institution. University Of South Carolina Columbia graduates 79% of students within six years. There were roughly 300 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of South Carolina Columbia in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $103,138 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete this degree.
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University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #13 spot for registered nursing this year. 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 207 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $91,154 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,026 to complete this degree.
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University Of North Carolina At Wilmington placed #14 among the best registered nursing schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Wilmington. About 71% of students finish within six years. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington awarded about 740 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $83,408 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,000.
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Florida State University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. About 86% of students finish within six years. Florida State University awarded about 348 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $127,776. Students borrow a median of $19,546 to complete this degree.
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Florida International University came in at #16 for registered nursing this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. About 74% of students finish within six years. About 226 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Florida International University in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $96,525 early in their careers. Florida International University graduates carry a median of $18,895 in student loans.
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University Of North Florida placed #17 among the best registered nursing schools. This large public university is located in the city of Jacksonville. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. University Of North Florida awarded about 352 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $116,277. Typical student debt for the program is $18,750.
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Elon University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Elon. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 44 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Elon University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Elon University generally make around $50,463. Typical student debt for the program is $21,619.
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The University Of Alabama came in at #19 for registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public university. About 73% of students finish within six years. The University Of Alabama awarded about 555 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from The University Of Alabama generally make around $103,352. The University Of Alabama graduates carry a median of $25,006 in student loans.
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University Of Mary Washington ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Fredericksburg, University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public university. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 48 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Mary Washington in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from University Of Mary Washington generally make around $76,013. University Of Mary Washington graduates carry a median of $16,910 in student loans.
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University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #21 spot for registered nursing this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tampa. About 77% of students finish within six years. About 617 registered nursing degrees were awarded at University Of South Florida Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $105,610 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,452 to complete this degree.
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University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #22 for registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte awarded about 149 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $95,753 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,044 to complete this degree.
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University Of Virginia Main Campus placed #23 among the best registered nursing schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Charlottesville. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 233 registered nursing degrees were awarded at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $98,628. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates carry a median of $15,130 in student loans.
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Virginia Commonwealth University came in at #24 for registered nursing this year. Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public school located in the city of Richmond. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. About 201 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Virginia Commonwealth University in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Virginia Commonwealth University earn around $128,772 in the first couple years of their career. Virginia Commonwealth University graduates carry a median of $26,250 in student loans.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Virginia Commonwealth University
Southern Crescent Technical College earned the #25 position for registered nursing this year. Located in the town of Griffin, Southern Crescent Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Southern Crescent Technical College awarded about 78 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Southern Crescent Technical College earn around $77,547 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,500.
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Rest of the Top 50 Registered Nursing Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong registered nursing education:
The ranking above is published 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 · 552 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).
