Top 25 Best Nursing Schools and College Programs

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We Can Help You Find the Best Colleges & Universities for Nursing

If you feel a calling to work as a nurse and think you’re the right person to fill this vital role in our healthcare system, the first thing you’re going to need is to find the right program to prepare you for the field. Here you can peruse the best nursing programs in the nation. Whether you’re looking for an excellent program that’s close to you, or you’re more interested in the cost of tuition or a school’s graduation rate, we have you covered. Find the best nursing program that works for you.

Top 25 Colleges

Columbia University in the City of New York

Located in the heart of New York City, Columbia University is one of the state’s oldest colleges. Students interested in pursuing a career in nursing can benefit from an extensive selection of program options at this prestigious college such as MSN, DNP, or PhD degrees. Students who would like to secure a master’s degree in nursing can choose from the Masters Direct Entry Program for non-nurse college graduates, the Masters in Nurse Anesthesia, and the Masters in Advanced Clinical Management and Leadership. In addition, there are several DNP programs for those interested in being a nurse practitioner or midwife. A Doctor of Philosophy is also available for those who see themselves as a nurse scientist. Columbia University nursing graduates report an annual income between $71,000 and $150,000 a year.

Tuition:
- In-State: $61,788
- Out-of-State: $61,788

Rank: #1
Total Enrollment: 31,077
Graduation Rate: 96%
Diplomas Awarded: 249

Yale University

New Haven, Connecticut, is home to Yale University School of Nursing, a top college offering full-time and part-time options for students. The college ensures that students are on the right track toward a nursing career with several unique graduate programs including the master of science in nursing, doctor of nursing practice, and doctor of philosophy. A Graduate Entry Prespecialty in Nursing program is also offered to students who would like to receive knowledge about basic nursing and clinical specialties. As of today, there are roughly 324 students enrolled in the college’s nursing programs. Students who graduate from these nursing programs can earn between $72,000 and $98,000.

Tuition:
- In-State: $55,500
- Out-of-State: $55,500

Rank: #2
Total Enrollment: 13,433
Graduation Rate: 97%
Diplomas Awarded: 118

University of Pennsylvania

At University of Pennsylvania, students are presented with several different nursing options including a traditional four-year bachelor’s, accelerated bachelor’s second degree, a direct entry BSN/MSN program, a wide variety of specialized MSN programs, a doctor of philosophy in nursing, and a doctor of nursing practice program. The university’s primary mission is to prepare students to achieve their career goals, whether they want to be a neonatal nurse practitioner, a registered nurse, a midwife, or to work in nurse education. Graduates of the University of Pennsylvania nursing programs can earn a starting salary of $82,960.

Tuition:
- In-State: $57,770
- Out-of-State: $57,770

Rank: #3
Total Enrollment: 25,860
Graduation Rate: 95%
Diplomas Awarded: 478

Duke University

Duke University, located in Durham, North Carolina, is praised for its commitment in developing the next generation of nursing leaders. The college offers an accelerated bachelor of science nursing program for students who already have an undergraduate degree in another discipline. Students can also choose to purse a master’s, doctorate, or PhD nursing degree. In these programs, students learn exceptional nursing skills in a variety of different settings including modern classrooms, simulation labs, and affiliated medical facilities. The average salary for a Duke University graduate is $84,000.

Tuition:
- In-State: $58,031
- Out-of-State: $58,031

Rank: #4
Total Enrollment: 16,606
Graduation Rate: 96%
Diplomas Awarded: 353

Boston College

Students attending Boston College can greatly benefit from this prominent institution as its goal is to help them achieve success in a multitude of healthcare careers, whichever they choose to pursue. Among the healthcare related programs offered at this excellent college include pre-licensure nursing programs and more advanced degrees including a master’s, and PhD nursing programs. Graduates of the Boston College Connell School of Nursing are qualified to serve in a variety of nursing roles in many different settings. The average salary of a Boston College graduate is $75,000.

Tuition:
- In-State: $57,910
- Out-of-State: $57,910

Rank: #5
Total Enrollment: 14,720
Graduation Rate: 92%
Diplomas Awarded: 109

University of California-Los Angeles

The University of California campus, located in Los Angeles, is a prestigious public university that offers more than 160 areas of study for undergraduate and graduate students. The college’s nursing program is a popular choice for students as it includes degree options such as a traditional four-year bachelor’s, a Masters Entry Clinical Nursing degree, Master of Science in Nursing, a PhD in Nursing, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice program. The UCLA School of Nursing boasts a total enrollment of almost 600 students. After graduating from the nursing program, these students go on to earn an average yearly income of $75,000.

Tuition:
- In-State: $13,240
- Out-of-State: $42,994

Rank: #6
Total Enrollment: 44,537
Graduation Rate: 91%
Diplomas Awarded: 227

Georgetown University

A private, not-for-profit college, Georgetown University has a total of 19,204 students enrolled. The college proudly offers almost 100 undergraduate and graduate programs with bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral nursing programs being among its top studies. The O’Neill Family Foundation Clinical Simulation Center is available to help students hone their nursing skills, whether they are training to become a registered nurse or a family nurse practitioner. Students graduating from Georgetown University state that they earn an average of $78,000 a year.

Tuition:
- In-State: $56,058
- Out-of-State: $56,058

Rank: #7
Total Enrollment: 19,204
Graduation Rate: 94%
Diplomas Awarded: 322

University of Virginia

University of Virginia in Charlottesville is a public institution and a great choice for anyone hoping to study nursing. The university features two undergraduate nursing programs including a traditional four-year bachelor of science in nursing and an RN to BSN program for registered nurses who would like to receive a bachelor’s degree. The college also provides advanced nursing programs for students seeking a master’s or doctoral degree. University of Virginia prides itself on educating students who will earn an annual income of roughly $67,000.

Tuition:
- In-State: $17,798
- Out-of-State: $50,900

Rank: #8
Total Enrollment: 24,639
Graduation Rate: 94%
Diplomas Awarded: 217

Vanderbilt University

Located in Nashville, Tennessee, Vanderbilt University is a private institution that prepares students for various healthcare careers. Students who would like to pursue a nursing career can benefit from several graduate level programs such as a master of science in nursing, doctor of nursing practice, PhD in nursing science, postgraduate certificates, and a postdoctoral program. Students are supported on their nursing journey with a newly opened state-of-the-art simulation and skills lab as well as scholarships providing financial assistance. Graduates of Vanderbilt University can expect to earn an annual income of about $80,000.

Tuition:
- In-State: $52,070
- Out-of-State: $52,070

Rank: #9
Total Enrollment: 12,824
Graduation Rate: 94%
Diplomas Awarded: 325

Chapel Hill is home to the University of North Carolina is a large public university with a total enrollment of 30,011 students. The college offers a few nursing degree programs including a bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD in nursing. These top notch nursing programs prepare students to be regitered nuses, nurse practitioners, healthcare administrators, and nurse researchers/scientists The university is proud to boast a 97%first-time pass rate on a nursing examination known as the NCLEX. Students who graduate fro the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill report earning around $79,400 mid-career.

Tuition:
- In-State: $8,980
- Out-of-State: $36,159

Rank: #10
Total Enrollment: 30,011
Graduation Rate: 89%
Diplomas Awarded: 261

Full Ranking Report

Villanova University

A small, private Roman Catholic institution, Villanova University only enrolls 11,030 but has big goals of producing extremely knowledgeable nursing leaders. Students attending Villanova University have access to several traditional and accelerated nursing programs including a four-year bachelor’s program, a second degree bachelor’s, and an accelerated second degree bachelor’s of nursing. The college also offers master’s programs with a nurse practitioner concentration and doctoral programs to receive a PhD in nursing. Nursing graduates of Villanova University typically earn an average of $63,000 upon starting their career.

Tuition:
- In-State: $55,280
- Out-of-State: $55,280

Rank: #11
Total Enrollment: 11,030
Graduation Rate: 91%
Diplomas Awarded: 314

At the University of Florida in Gainesville, students can obtain nursing degrees at the undergraduate and doctorate levels. Available program options include a traditional BSN, accelerated BSN, RN to BSN, BSN to DNP, MSN to DNP, and a PhD in nursing sciences. The college also ffers a ostgraduate certificate program for students with a master’s or doctorate degree in nuring. University of Florida also boasts 90% passing rate on the NCLEX. Salaries for this college’s graduates are typically aound $72,000 per a year.

Tuition:
- In-State: $6,381
- Out-of-State: $28,659

Rank: #12
Total Enrollment: 52,218
Graduation Rate: 90%
Diplomas Awarded: 223

Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland prepares over 1,000 students each year to serve in professional roles as registered nurses, nurse practitioners, nurse educators, and nurse researchers. Current Johns Hopkins University program options include a master’s of science in nursing for students with a bachelor’s degree in another discipline as well as DNP and PhD doctoral programs. Depending on the concentration, students can pursue the master’s degree program online. Students can also pursue postgraduate certificates to obtain specialization in certain fields. After graduating from this prestigious college, most students earn an average of $49,000 in their early career.

Tuition:
- In-State: $55,350
- Out-of-State: $55,350

Rank: #13
Total Enrollment: 26,152
Graduation Rate: 93%
Diplomas Awarded: 316

University of Washington-Seattle Campus

University of Washington in Seattle offers several degree options for students seeking to pursue or advance their careers in nursing. The college’s school of nursing provides a traditional four-year bachelor’s and accelerated bachelor’s for students would plan to take the NEXCLEX to become registered nurses. Students can also benefit from a master’s or doctorate degree in nursing, preparing them to become nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, nurse educators, or midwives. Graduates of the University of Washington typically make around $59,000 starting out.

Tuition:
- In-State: $11,207
- Out-of-State: $36,588

Rank: #14
Total Enrollment: 47,400
Graduation Rate: 84%
Diplomas Awarded: 165

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

University of Michigan in Ann Arbor prides itself on maintaining an impressive student enrollment of about 41,000 in 19 schools. The college provides students with nursing programs at various educational levels. A traditional, four-year degree is available for freshmen, while a master’s of science in nursing is available for students who already have a bachelor’s in nursing. University of Michigan also offers several doctor of nursing programs and certificate options, which are perfect for students who would like to specialize in certain areas of nursing. After graduating from this college, students report earning an average salary of $61,000.

Tuition:
- In-State: $15,558
- Out-of-State: $51,200

Rank: #15
Total Enrollment: 46,716
Graduation Rate: 92%
Diplomas Awarded: 178

Northeastern University

Northeastern University prepares its students for nursing careers in a variety of settings such as hospice, pediatrics, geriatrics, and research through top notch programs including BSN, MSN, DNP, and PhD. Students who graduate from these programs will be eligible for licensure in Massachusetts and other states. The college also offers continuing nursing education opportunities for students who would like to learn the latest practices and innovations in healthcare. Early in their careers, students of Northeastern University make an average salary of $47,000, but graduates with advanced nursing degrees can earn much higher.

Tuition:
- In-State: $53,506
- Out-of-State: $53,506

Rank: #16
Total Enrollment: 21,627
Graduation Rate: 88%
Diplomas Awarded: 207

Emory University

Situated in Atlanta Georgia, Emory University is a private Ivy League college that maintains a mid-size enrollment of roughly 14,458 students. The college provies an aray of nursing degree options including traditional and accelerated BSN, MSN, and docoral programs. The average starting salry for MSN graduates is $96,000 and 88% of students who received a BSN degree had a job wthin three months of graduation.

Tuition:
- In-State: $53,804
- Out-of-State: $53,804

Rank: #17
Total Enrollment: 14,458
Graduation Rate: 90%
Diplomas Awarded: 394

University of Wisconsin-Madison

The University of Wisconsin ensures that its students obtain the academic support and hands on experience they need to succeed as nurses. The college provides an extensive array of offerings including a traditional, four-year BSN program that admits students each fall as well an accelerated option for students who already have a bachelor’s degree. Students can also choose to pursue an RN to BSN, DNP, or a PhD in nursing. The college offers on-campus and online certificate programs. Most students who graduate from the University of Wisconsin make about $72,000 every year.

Tuition:
- In-State: $10,725
- Out-of-State: $37,785

Rank: #18
Total Enrollment: 43,463
Graduation Rate: 87%
Diplomas Awarded: 210

Case Western Reserve University

Situated on a large 500-acre park, Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio is home to about 11,890 students. Many of these students are interested in careers in nursing, and the college offers several programs to meet this demand. At this college, students can obtain a BSN, MSN, DNP, or a PhD in nursing. These top notch programs are designed to prepare students to work as nurses in various settings such as hospitals, private practice, non-profit agencies, and much more. The average salary for a Case Western Reserve University graduate is roughly $75,000.

Tuition:
- In-State: $50,924
- Out-of-State: $50,924

Rank: #19
Total Enrollment: 11,890
Graduation Rate: 85%
Diplomas Awarded: 175

The College of New Jersey

The College of New Jersey, a public university located in Ewing, is comprised of more than 50 programs including BSN and MSN options. Students interested in a nursing career can enroll in a traditional, four-year bachelor’s program, an RN to BSN program, or an RN to MSN program. The college also offers an MSN program for students who would like to become a clinical nurse leader, a school nurse, or a nurse practitioner. Students graduating from The College of New Jersey can expect to earn roughly $56,200 or more in their first year of working.

Tuition:
- In-State: $16,923
- Out-of-State: $28,901

Rank: #20
Total Enrollment: 7,686
Graduation Rate: 86%
Diplomas Awarded: 103

Ohio State University-Main Campus

Ohio State University in the city of Columbus prides itself on preparing students for careers as registered nurses, clinical researchers, school nurses, and much more. The degree options at this college include a traditional BSN, online RN to BSN, online MSN, BSN to DNP, MSN to DNP, and a PhD in nursing. Students graduating from Ohio State University will usually earn an annual income of $70,000.

Tuition:
- In-State: $11,084
- Out-of-State: $32,061

Rank: #21
Total Enrollment: 61,170
Graduation Rate: 84%
Diplomas Awarded: 490

The University of Texas-Austin

Since 1960, the University of Texas in Austin has opened its doors to a wide variety of nursing students. The university offers undergraduate and graduate options in nursing including a BSN, ADN to BSN, MSN, DNP, and PhD programs. The college also provides a master’s of nursing degree for students who have a bachelor’s in another field. The University of Texas produces graduate who earn a yearly income of about $74,000.

Tuition:
- In-State: $10,824
- Out-of-State: $38,326

Rank: #22
Total Enrollment: 51,832
Graduation Rate: 83%
Diplomas Awarded: 191

Gonzaga University

The School of Nursing & Human Physiology at Gonzaga University is home to several nursing programs including a BSN, online RN to MSN, online MSN, online second master’s degree, and online DNP. These online degrees meet the requirement set forth by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Graduates from Gonzaga University can expect to earn an average of $68,000 a year.

Tuition:
- In-State: $45,140
- Out-of-State: $45,140

Rank: #23
Total Enrollment: 7,563
Graduation Rate: 86%
Diplomas Awarded: 247

New York University

Students attending New York University can benefit from a private institution with a primary goal of preparing nursing leaders who will change the world. The ollege povides the following degree options for students: BS, MS, DNP, and PhD. New York Univesity boasts a 90% pass rate on the NCLEX licening examination. Salaries for graduates of this college are around $75,000 annually.

Tuition:
- In-State: $53,308
- Out-of-State: $53,308

Rank: #24
Total Enrollment: 51,847
Graduation Rate: 85%
Diplomas Awarded: 596

Binghamton University

Binghamton University is recognized for its commitment to providing top notch nursing programs. The college proudly offers undergraduate and graduate degree options through BSN, MSN, DNP, and PhD nursing programs. These programs prepare students to become successful registered nurses, nurse practitioners, and nurse educators. Binghamton University graduates earn roughly $75,000 every year.