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Best Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region

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2023 Best Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region

276 Colleges
$64,238 Avg Salary
$28,730 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Nursing Bachelor's Degree School for You

Nursing is the most popular major in the United States with 77,470 degrees and certificates handed out in 2020-2021.

When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for nursing students. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools that offer fast-track entry to many fields.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Nursing Degree Search has developed this Best Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Our analysis looked at 276 schools in the Southeast Region to see which bachelor's degree programs offered the best educational experiences for nursing students. The factors used to develop this ranking include those related to how in-demand the school is, the overall quality of the school, and post-graduation wages, and more.

View our full ranking methodology.

2023 Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region

The following schools top our list of the Best Nursing Bachelor's Degree Colleges.

Top 25 Top Southeast Region Schools for a Bachelor's in Nursing

Our analysis found West Coast University-Miami to be the best school for nursing students who want to pursue a bachelor’s degree in the Southeast Region . Located in the small city of Doral, West Coast University-Miami is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

After completing their Bachelor's Degree, nursing graduates from West Coast University-Miami carry an average student debtload of $38,539. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $665.

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You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Carolinas College of Health Sciences. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the large city of Charlotte, Carolinas College of Health Sciences is a public school with a fairly small student population.

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A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Chamberlain University - Florida is a great place for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Chamberlain - Florida is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Chamberlain - Florida take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $37,103. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $256, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

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A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Chamberlain University - Georgia is a great place for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in the medium-sized city of Atlanta, Chamberlain - Georgia is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

Nursing majors at Chamberlain - Georgia take out an average of $37,103 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $256, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

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#5

Duke University

Durham, NC

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Duke University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region list. Duke is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham.

While working on their Bachelor's Degree, nursing majors at Duke accumulate an average of around $29,049 in student debt.

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With a ranking of #6, Chamberlain University - Virginia did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in the suburb of Arlington, Chamberlain - Virginia is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

On average, nursing graduates from Chamberlain - Virginia take out $37,103 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $256, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

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With a ranking of #7, Sentara College of Health Sciences did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in the suburb of Chesapeake, Sentara College of Health Sciences is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

On average, nursing graduates from Sentara College of Health Sciences take out $29,312 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $155.

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Cabarrus College of Health Sciences did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #8 on the list. Cabarrus College of Health Sciences is a fairly small private not-for-profit school located in the midsize city of Concord.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Cabarrus College of Health Sciences take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $30,049.

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University of Virginia - Main Campus landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree nursing programs. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University of Virginia is a public college with a very large student population.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at University of Virginia take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $16,880.

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#10

University of Florida

Gainesville, FL

University of Florida came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. UF is a fairly large public school located in the midsize city of Gainesville.

While working on their Bachelor's Degree, nursing majors at UF accumulate an average of around $22,079 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $146.

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#11

Centra College of Nursing

Lynchburg, VA

Centra College of Nursing came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Centra College of Nursing is a small private not-for-profit school located in the small city of Lynchburg.

On average, nursing graduates from Centra College of Nursing take out $17,510 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree.

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#12

Emory University

Atlanta, GA

With a ranking of #12, Emory University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. Emory is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Atlanta.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Emory take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $25,656. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $556, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

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#13

Auburn University

Auburn, AL

Auburn University landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree nursing programs. Located in the city of Auburn, Auburn is a public school with a fairly large student population.

After completing their Bachelor's Degree, nursing graduates from Auburn carry an average student debtload of $19,639. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $562.

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#14

University of Mary Washington

Fredericksburg, VA

With a ranking of #14, University of Mary Washington did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in the suburb of Fredericksburg, UMW is a public school with a small student population.

After completing their Bachelor's Degree, nursing graduates from UMW carry an average student debtload of $19,793.

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#15

James Madison University

Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #15 on the list. JMU is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg.

On average, nursing graduates from JMU take out $21,715 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $329, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

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Virginia Commonwealth University landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree nursing programs. Located in the city of Richmond, VCU is a public college with a fairly large student population.

On average, nursing graduates from VCU take out $27,321 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $238.

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University of South Florida - Main Campus came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. USF Tampa is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa.

After completing their Bachelor's Degree, nursing graduates from USF Tampa carry an average student debtload of $27,078. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $181, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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With a ranking of #18, The University of Tennessee - Knoxville did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. UT Knoxville is a fairly large public school located in the midsize city of Knoxville.

On average, nursing graduates from UT Knoxville take out $20,875 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree.

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With a ranking of #19, University of North Carolina at Charlotte did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. UNC Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte.

On average, nursing graduates from UNC Charlotte take out $23,270 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $166, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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#20

University of Arkansas

Fayetteville, AR

University of Arkansas did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #20 on the list. Located in the small city of Fayetteville, UARK is a public college with a fairly large student population.

After completing their Bachelor's Degree, nursing graduates from UARK carry an average student debtload of $26,161. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $410, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

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University of North Carolina at Greensboro landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree nursing programs. UNC Greensboro is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro.

After completing their Bachelor's Degree, nursing graduates from UNC Greensboro carry an average student debtload of $23,245. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $151.

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#22

Augusta University

Augusta, GA

Augusta University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Augusta University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Augusta.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Augusta University take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $22,117. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $127.

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#23

East Carolina University

Greenville, NC

With a ranking of #23, East Carolina University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in the city of Greenville, ECU is a public school with a fairly large student population.

Nursing majors at ECU take out an average of $24,172 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $261.

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Galen College of Nursing - Louisville came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Galen College of Nursing - Louisville is a small private for-profit school located in the large city of Louisville.

After completing their Bachelor's Degree, nursing graduates from Galen College of Nursing - Louisville carry an average student debtload of $43,752. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $123.

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University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree nursing programs. UNC Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the small city of Chapel Hill.

Nursing majors at UNC Chapel Hill take out an average of $26,237 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree.

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Rest of the Top Best Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region

#26

University of Florida-Online

Gainesville, FL
#29

Georgia Southern University

Statesboro, GA
#30

Old Dominion University

Norfolk, VA
#32

AdventHealth University

Orlando, FL
#33

Clemson University

Clemson, SC
#34

Winston - Salem State University

Winston-Salem, NC
#35

University of North Georgia

Dahlonega, GA
#37

University of North Florida

Jacksonville, FL
#38

Shepherd University

Shepherdstown, WV
#39

University of Miami

Coral Gables, FL
#40

Belmont University

Nashville, TN
#41

University of Mount Olive

Mount Olive, NC

Honorable Mentions

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region award.

Rank College Location
42 University of Louisiana at Monroe Monroe, LA
43 Rasmussen University - Florida Ocala, FL
44 Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing Richmond, VA
45 University of North Carolina at Wilmington Wilmington, NC
46 Shenandoah University Winchester, VA
47 Herzing University - Winter Park Winter Park, FL
48 McNeese State University Lake Charles, LA
49 University of Memphis Memphis, TN
50 Western Carolina University Cullowhee, NC
51 Herzing University - Atlanta Atlanta, GA
52 Eastern Mennonite University Harrisonburg, VA
53 American Public University System Charles Town, WV
54 Berry College Mount Berry, GA
55 North Carolina A & T State University Greensboro, NC

Best Nursing Colleges by State

Explore the best nursing schools for a specific state in the Southeast region.

State Degrees Awarded
Alabama 7,364
Kentucky 6,395
Tennessee 6,004
Louisiana 3,502
Mississippi 2,838
Florida 21,209
Arkansas 2,882
North Carolina 7,425
West Virginia 1,771
Georgia 7,112
South Carolina 3,296
Virginia 6,775

Nursing Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
Registered Nursing 266,651
Family Practice Nurse/Nursing 16,104
Nursing Administration 9,838
Nursing Practice 7,992
Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing 5,092
Nursing Science 4,600
Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing 2,287
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing 2,021
Nurse Anesthetist 1,936
Public Health/Community Nurse/Nursing 1,883
Critical Care Nursing 773
Geriatric Nurse/Nursing 563
School Nursing 553
Nurse Midwife/Nursing Midwifery 509
Clinical Nurse Leader 444
Clinical Nurse Specialist 419
Perioperative/Operating Room and Surgical Nurse/Nursing 331
Maternal/Child Health and Neonatal Nurse/Nursing 181
Occupational and Environmental Health Nursing 57
Emergency Room/Trauma Nursing 53
Palliative Care Nursing 14
Forensic Nursing 14

Related Major Annual Graduates
Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants 84,274

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • 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 the rest 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).
  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Aleksahgabrielle.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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