2026 Best Registered Nursing Schools in North Carolina

1

Duke University
Durham, NC

Duke University tops our 2026 ranking of the best registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 97% of students finish within six years. About 206 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Duke University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $116,855. Typical student debt for the program is $29,000. Get the full registered nursing details for Duke University

2

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington
Wilmington, NC

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public school located in the city of Wilmington. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington graduates 71% of students within six years. About 775 registered nursing degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Wilmington in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earn around $83,408 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,000. Read more about the registered nursing program at University Of North Carolina At Wilmington

3

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill awarded about 215 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $91,154 in their early career. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates carry a median of $23,026 in student loans. Read more about the registered nursing program at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

4

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
Charlotte, NC

Students looking for a strong registered nursing program will find one at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte awarded about 150 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn around $95,753 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,044. Read more about the registered nursing program at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte

5

East Carolina University
Greenville, NC

East Carolina University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #5 spot this year. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. East Carolina University graduates 63% of students within six years. There were roughly 410 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at East Carolina University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $96,898 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,264. Get the full registered nursing details for East Carolina University

6

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Greensboro, NC

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro landed the #6 spot for registered nursing this year. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro awarded about 235 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $103,649 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,701. Read more about the registered nursing program at University Of North Carolina At Greensboro

7

Elon University
Elon, NC

Elon University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elon. About 84% of students finish within six years. About 14 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Elon University in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Elon University earn around $50,463 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,619. Get the full registered nursing details for Elon University

8

Gaston College
Dallas, NC

Gaston College earned the #8 position for registered nursing this year. Gaston College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Dallas. There were roughly 141 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Gaston College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $68,245 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,750 to complete this degree. Read more about the registered nursing program at Gaston College

9

Forsyth Technical Community College
Winston-Salem, NC

Forsyth Technical Community College earned the #9 position for registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Forsyth Technical Community College is a large public institution. Forsyth Technical Community College awarded about 146 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Forsyth Technical Community College earn around $68,379 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,748. Get the full registered nursing details for Forsyth Technical Community College

10

Appalachian State University
Boone, NC

Appalachian State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. This very large public university is located in the town of Boone. Appalachian State University graduates 74% of students within six years. There were roughly 99 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Appalachian State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $69,420 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete this degree. See the full registered nursing program report for Appalachian State University

11

Rowan Cabarrus Community College
Salisbury, NC

Rowan Cabarrus Community College placed #11 among the best registered nursing schools. Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salisbury. There were roughly 107 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Rowan Cabarrus Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $67,501 in their early career. Rowan Cabarrus Community College graduates carry a median of $12,062 in student loans. More information about a degree in registered nursing from Rowan Cabarrus Community College

12

Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC

Western Carolina University came in at #12 for registered nursing this year. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public institution. Western Carolina University graduates 60% of students within six years. There were roughly 301 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Western Carolina University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Western Carolina University earn around $87,701 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,163 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in registered nursing from Western Carolina University

13

Fayetteville Technical Community College
Fayetteville, NC

Fayetteville Technical Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public institution. Fayetteville Technical Community College awarded about 118 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Fayetteville Technical Community College earn around $72,523 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,937. Read more about the registered nursing program at Fayetteville Technical Community College

14

Sampson Community College
Clinton, NC

Sampson Community College came in at #14 for registered nursing this year. Set in the town of Clinton, Sampson Community College is a mid-sized public institution. About 58 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Sampson Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $69,040 in their early career. Sampson Community College graduates carry a median of $12,596 in student loans. Get the full registered nursing details for Sampson Community College

15

Richmond Community College
Hamlet, NC

Richmond Community College landed the #15 spot for registered nursing this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Hamlet. About 53 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Richmond Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $70,087 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,722. Read more about the registered nursing program at Richmond Community College

16

Central Piedmont Community College
Charlotte, NC

Central Piedmont Community College earned the #16 position for registered nursing this year. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Central Piedmont Community College awarded about 76 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Central Piedmont Community College earn around $73,310 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,125. More information about a degree in registered nursing from Central Piedmont Community College

17

Isothermal Community College
Spindale, NC

Isothermal Community College placed #17 among the best registered nursing schools. Isothermal Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Spindale. Isothermal Community College awarded about 39 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $67,248 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $6,625. Get the full registered nursing details for Isothermal Community College

18

Surry Community College
Dobson, NC

Surry Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Set in the rural area of Dobson, Surry Community College is a mid-sized public institution. About 40 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Surry Community College in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of Surry Community College earn a median of $69,740 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,574. More information about a degree in registered nursing from Surry Community College

19

Stanly Community College
Albemarle, NC

Stanly Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Albemarle. There were roughly 19 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Stanly Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $76,008 in their early career. More information about a degree in registered nursing from Stanly Community College

20

Campbell University
Buies Creek, NC

Campbell University earned the #20 position for registered nursing this year. Campbell University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Buies Creek. Campbell University graduates 60% of students within six years. There were roughly 45 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Campbell University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Campbell University earn around $70,772 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. Read more about the registered nursing program at Campbell University

21

Winston Salem State University
Winston-Salem, NC

Winston Salem State University placed #21 among the best registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Winston Salem State University is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. Winston Salem State University awarded about 139 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Winston Salem State University earn a median of $84,648 early in their careers. Winston Salem State University graduates carry a median of $24,082 in student loans. Get the full registered nursing details for Winston Salem State University

22

Wake Technical Community College
Raleigh, NC

Wake Technical Community College landed the #22 spot for registered nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Raleigh, Wake Technical Community College is a very large public institution. About 115 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Wake Technical Community College in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of Wake Technical Community College earn a median of $68,266 early in their careers. Wake Technical Community College graduates carry a median of $24,750 in student loans. Get the full registered nursing details for Wake Technical Community College

23

Lenoir Community College
Kinston, NC

Lenoir Community College came in at #23 for registered nursing this year. Lenoir Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kinston. There were roughly 23 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Lenoir Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $67,505 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000. See the full registered nursing program report for Lenoir Community College

24

South Piedmont Community College
Polkton, NC

South Piedmont Community College came in at #24 for registered nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Polkton, South Piedmont Community College is a mid-sized public university. About 39 registered nursing degrees were awarded at South Piedmont Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from South Piedmont Community College earn around $70,497 in the first couple years of their career. South Piedmont Community College graduates carry a median of $10,098 in student loans. More information about a degree in registered nursing from South Piedmont Community College

25

Pitt Community College
Winterville, NC

Pitt Community College came in at #25 for registered nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Winterville, Pitt Community College is a large public institution. About 70 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Pitt Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $67,366 in their early career. Pitt Community College graduates carry a median of $19,354 in student loans. Get the full registered nursing details for Pitt Community College