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Best Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region

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2023 Best Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region

510 Colleges
$67,632 Avg Salary
$24,151 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Nursing 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 assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Nursing Degree Search has created its Best Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. This report analyzed 510 schools in the Southeast Region to see which ones offered the best programs for nursing students.

View our full ranking methodology.

2023 Best Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region

Check out the nursing programs at these schools if you want to get the best education that money can buy.

Top 25 Top Southeast Region Schools in Nursing

Our 2023 rankings named Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia Inc the best school in the Southeast Region for nursing students. Located in the city of Madison, MTSA is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

Read full report on Nursing at Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia Inc

#2

Wake Forest University

Winston-Salem, NC

The excellent programs at Wake Forest University helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in the Southeast Region . Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Winston-Salem.

Read full report on Nursing at Wake Forest University

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Standard Healthcare Services - College of Nursing is a great place for nursing students. Located in the suburb of Falls Church, Standard College of Nursing is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

After completing their degree, nursing graduates from Standard College of Nursing carry an average student debtload of $27,280.

Full Nursing at Standard Healthcare Services - College of Nursing Report

#4

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Vanderbilt University is a great place for nursing students. Vanderbilt is a large private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Nashville.

Read full report on Nursing at Vanderbilt University

Out of the 510 schools in the Southeast Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Frontier Nursing University landed the # 5 spot on the list. Frontier Nursing University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Hyden.

Read full report on Nursing at Frontier Nursing University

#6

Duke University

Durham, NC

Duke University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for nursing students. It came in at #6 on the list. Duke is a large private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Durham.

While working on their degree, nursing majors at Duke accumulate an average of around $25,184 in student debt.

Full Nursing at Duke University Report

West Coast University-Miami ranked #7 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the small city of Doral, West Coast University-Miami is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

Nursing majors at West Coast University-Miami take out an average of $38,146 in student loans while working on their egree. 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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Chamberlain University - Florida ranked #8 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Chamberlain - Florida is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Chamberlain - Florida take out is $38,460. 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 #9, Chamberlain University - Georgia did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students. Located in the midsize city of Atlanta, Chamberlain - Georgia is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

After completing their degree, nursing graduates from Chamberlain - Georgia carry an average student debtload of $38,460. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $256, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Nursing at Chamberlain University - Georgia

Chamberlain University - Virginia came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in the large suburb of Arlington, Chamberlain - Virginia is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Chamberlain - Virginia take out is $38,460. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $256, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

Sentara College of Health Sciences did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for nursing students. It came in at #11 on the list. 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 $27,686 in student loans while working on their degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $155.

Read More…

#12

University of Virginia - Main Campus

Charlottesville, VA

University of Virginia - Main Campus ranked #12 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University of Virginia is a public school with a fairly large student population.

While working on their degree, nursing majors at University of Virginia accumulate an average of around $16,836 in student debt.

Full Nursing at University of Virginia - Main Campus Report

#13

Trident Technical College

Charleston, SC

Trident Technical College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region list. Trident Technical College is a fairly large public school located in the city of Charleston.

On average, nursing graduates from Trident Technical College take out $28,792 in student loans while working on their degree.

Full Nursing at Trident Technical College Report

Cabarrus College of Health Sciences came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. 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 is $27,082.

Read full report on Nursing at Cabarrus College of Health Sciences

#15

University of Florida

Gainesville, FL

With a ranking of #15, University of Florida did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students. UF is a fairly large public school located in the medium-sized city of Gainesville.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at UF take out is $19,458. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $146.

Read full report on Nursing at University of Florida

Carolinas College of Health Sciences ranked #16 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the city of Charlotte, Carolinas College of Health Sciences is a public school with a fairly small student population.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Carolinas College of Health Sciences take out is $23,000.

Full Nursing at Carolinas College of Health Sciences Report

#17

Emory University

Atlanta, GA

Emory University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region list. Emory is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Atlanta.

Nursing majors at Emory take out an average of $25,000 in student loans while working on their egree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $556, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Nursing at Emory University

#18

Eastern Virginia Career College

Fredericksburg, VA

Eastern Virginia Career College landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Eastern Virginia Career College is a small private for-profit school located in the medium-sized suburb of Fredericksburg.

After completing their degree, nursing graduates from Eastern Virginia Career College carry an average student debtload of $22,874.

Read More…

Rasmussen University - Florida ranked #19 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the small city of Ocala, Rasmussen University - Florida is a private for-profit school with a medium-sized student population.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Rasmussen University - Florida take out is $35,539. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $161, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Nursing at Rasmussen University - Florida Report

#20

Centra College of Nursing

Lynchburg, VA

Centra College of Nursing ranked #20 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region list. Centra College of Nursing is a small private not-for-profit school located in the small city of Lynchburg.

Nursing majors at Centra College of Nursing take out an average of $21,076 in student loans while working on their egree.

Read full report on Nursing at Centra College of Nursing

Medical University of South Carolina ranked #21 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the midsize city of Charleston, MUSC is a public college with a small student population.

Nursing majors at MUSC take out an average of $28,354 in student loans while working on their egree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $399.

Read full report on Nursing at Medical University of South Carolina

#22

University of Mary Washington

Fredericksburg, VA

University of Mary Washington did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for nursing students. It came in at #22 on the list. Located in the suburb of Fredericksburg, UMW is a public school with a small student population.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at UMW take out is $15,725.

Full Nursing at University of Mary Washington Report

#23

Auburn University

Auburn, AL

With a ranking of #23, Auburn University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students. Located in the city of Auburn, Auburn is a public school with a very large student population.

After completing their degree, nursing graduates from Auburn carry an average student debtload of $20,500. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $562.

Full Nursing at Auburn University Report

Herzing University - Birmingham landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Herzing University - Birmingham is a fairly small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Birmingham.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Herzing University - Birmingham take out is $33,946. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $107.

Read More…

Virginia Commonwealth University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in the city of Richmond, VCU is a public school with a very large student population.

Nursing majors at VCU take out an average of $26,687 in student loans while working on their egree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $238.

Read More…

Rest of the Top 50 Best Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region

#26

James Madison University

Harrisonburg, VA
#28

Galen College of Nursing - Tampa Bay

Saint Petersburg, FL
#30

Samford University

Birmingham, AL
#31

University of Arkansas

Fayetteville, AR
#32

AdventHealth University

Orlando, FL
#38

University of Florida-Online

Gainesville, FL
#43

Augusta University

Augusta, GA
#44

East Carolina University

Greenville, NC
#47

Georgia Southern University

Statesboro, GA
#48

Clemson University

Clemson, SC
#49

Southside College of Health Sciences

Colonial Heights, VA
#50

University of North Florida

Jacksonville, FL

Additional Award Winners

This list represents the rest of the colleges awarded a Best Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region badge. Showing in this list means the college was ranked in the top 15% of the 510 different Southeast nursing schools we analyzed.

Rank College Location
51 University of Miami Coral Gables, FL
52 Old Dominion University Norfolk, VA
53 The University of Tennessee - Health Science Center Memphis, TN
54 Southern Regional Technical College Thomasville, GA
55 Shenandoah University Winchester, VA
56 Belmont University Nashville, TN
57 University of North Georgia Dahlonega, GA
58 Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University Baton Rouge, LA
59 Florida State University Tallahassee, FL
60 University of South Carolina - Columbia Columbia, SC
61 Winston - Salem State University Winston-Salem, NC
62 Shepherd University Shepherdstown, WV
63 Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing Richmond, VA
64 Galen College of Nursing - ARH Hazard, KY
65 Harding University Searcy, AR
66 University of North Carolina at Wilmington Wilmington, NC
67 Herzing University - Atlanta Atlanta, GA
68 Eastern Mennonite University Harrisonburg, VA
69 Polk State College Winter Haven, FL
70 University of Louisiana at Monroe Monroe, LA
71 Berry College Mount Berry, GA
72 North Carolina A & T State University Greensboro, NC
73 Chamberlain University - North Carolina Charlotte, NC
74 University of Mount Olive Mount Olive, NC
75 Appalachian State University Boone, NC
76 Bellarmine University Louisville, KY

Honorable Mentions

Here are some additional great schools for Nursing students in the Southeast Region that almost earned our Best Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region award.

Rank College Location
77 Florida Gulf Coast University Fort Myers, FL
78 Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Tifton, GA
79 Athens Technical College Athens, GA
80 Georgia College & State University Milledgeville, GA
81 The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga Chattanooga, TN
82 Louisiana Tech University Ruston, LA
83 American Public University System Charles Town, WV
84 Western Carolina University Cullowhee, NC
85 Fayetteville State University Fayetteville, NC
86 North Carolina Central University Durham, NC
87 King University Bristol, TN
88 McNeese State University Lake Charles, LA
89 Albany State University Albany, GA
90 University of Kentucky Lexington, KY
91 University of Memphis Memphis, TN
92 Piedmont College Demorest, GA
93 Georgia State University-Perimeter College Atlanta, GA
94 LaGrange College Lagrange, GA
95 Radford University Radford, VA
96 University of Lynchburg Lynchburg, VA
97 West Virginia University Morgantown, WV
98 The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL
99 Gaston College Dallas, NC
100 Florida International University Miami, FL
101 Chattahoochee Technical College Marietta, GA
102 University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, AL

Best Nursing Colleges by State

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

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