2027 Best Registered Nursing Schools in North Carolina
Registered Nursing programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their registered nursing programs.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 89 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for registered nursing students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Registered Nursing in North Carolina
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.
Top Schools in Registered Nursing
No school ranked higher than Duke University this year for registered nursing. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Durham. The six-year graduation rate is 97%. About 138 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. Duke University graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Duke University
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in registered nursing, ranking #2. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. 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. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $91,154. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates carry a median of $23,026 in student loans.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Students looking for a strong registered nursing program will find one at University Of North Carolina At Wilmington, which ranked #3. 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 740 registered nursing degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Wilmington in the most recent year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $83,408 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,000.
Get the full registered nursing details for University Of North Carolina At Wilmington
Elon University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #4 spot this year. 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. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Elon University earn around $50,463 in the first couple years of their career. Elon University graduates carry a median of $21,619 in student loans.
See the full registered nursing program report for Elon University
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in registered nursing, ranking #5. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. About 69% of students finish within six years. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte awarded about 149 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $95,753 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,044 to complete this degree.
See the full registered nursing program report for University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
High Point University landed the #6 spot for registered nursing this year. Set in the city of High Point, High Point University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. About 11 registered nursing degrees were awarded at High Point University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from High Point University generally make around $113,352. Students borrow a median of $23,785 to complete this degree.
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East Carolina University placed #7 among the best registered nursing schools. 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 445 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at East Carolina University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from East Carolina University earn around $96,898 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,264 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from East Carolina University
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned the #8 position for registered nursing this year. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public school located in the city of Greensboro. About 56% of students finish within six years. About 297 registered nursing degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Greensboro in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $103,649. Typical student debt for the program is $24,701.
Read more about the registered nursing program at University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Appalachian State University placed #9 among the best registered nursing schools. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. There were roughly 108 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Appalachian State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Appalachian State University earn around $69,420 in the first couple years of their career. Appalachian State University graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Appalachian State University
Forsyth Technical Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. This large public university is located in the city of Winston-Salem. There were roughly 109 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Forsyth Technical Community College 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.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Forsyth Technical Community College
Western Carolina University earned the #11 position for registered nursing this year. This large public university is located in the town of Cullowhee. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. Western Carolina University awarded about 303 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Western Carolina University generally make around $87,701. Typical student debt for the program is $23,163.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Western Carolina University
Rowan Cabarrus Community College came in at #12 for registered nursing this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Salisbury. About 117 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Rowan Cabarrus Community College in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of Rowan Cabarrus Community College earn a median of $67,501 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $12,062 to complete this degree.
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Fayetteville Technical Community College placed #13 among the best registered nursing schools. This large public university is located in the city of Fayetteville. Fayetteville Technical Community College awarded about 124 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.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Fayetteville Technical Community College
Central Piedmont Community College placed #14 among the best registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. About 95 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Central Piedmont Community College in the most recent 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. Central Piedmont Community College graduates carry a median of $16,125 in student loans.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Central Piedmont Community College
Brunswick Community College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the rural area of Bolivia. There were roughly 52 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Brunswick Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Brunswick Community College earn around $71,605 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $5,500.
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Gaston College landed the #16 spot for registered nursing this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Dallas. About 104 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Gaston College in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of Gaston College earn a median of $68,245 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $12,750 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Gaston College
Stanly Community College earned the #17 position for registered nursing this year. Set in the town of Albemarle, Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Stanly Community College awarded about 22 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Stanly Community College earn around $76,008 in the first couple years of their career.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Stanly Community College
Surry Community College came in at #18 for registered nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Dobson, Surry Community College is a mid-sized public institution. About 56 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Surry Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Surry Community College earn around $69,740 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,574.
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Campbell University earned the #19 position for registered nursing this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Buies Creek. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 56 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Campbell University in the most recent 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
Winston Salem State University earned the #20 position for registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Winston Salem State University is a moderately-sized public university. About 47% of students finish within six years. Winston Salem State University awarded about 161 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Winston Salem State University earn around $84,648 in the first couple years of their career. Winston Salem State University graduates carry a median of $24,082 in student loans.
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Sampson Community College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Clinton. About 49 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Sampson Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Sampson Community College generally make around $69,040. Sampson Community College graduates carry a median of $12,596 in student loans.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Sampson Community College
Craven Community College landed the #22 spot for registered nursing this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of New Bern. Craven Community College awarded about 73 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Craven Community College earn a median of $63,478 early in their careers. Craven Community College graduates carry a median of $10,349 in student loans.
See the full registered nursing program report for Craven Community College
Wake Technical Community College came in at #23 for registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Raleigh, Wake Technical Community College is a very large public university. About 116 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Wake Technical Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Wake Technical Community College earn around $68,266 in the first couple years of their career. Wake Technical Community College graduates carry a median of $24,750 in student loans.
See the full registered nursing program report for Wake Technical Community College
North Carolina Wesleyan College came in at #24 for registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Rocky Mount, North Carolina Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit university. About 42% of students finish within six years. North Carolina Wesleyan College awarded about 16 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from North Carolina Wesleyan College earn around $40,202 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,713.
See the full registered nursing program report for North Carolina Wesleyan College
Lenoir Community College landed the #25 spot for registered nursing this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Kinston. There were roughly 34 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. Lenoir Community College graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans.
Get the full registered nursing details for Lenoir Community College
Rest of the Top 50 Registered Nursing Schools
These schools also placed among the best for registered nursing this year:
More Registered Nursing Rankings
View All Registered Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 89 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.