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2023 Most Popular Online Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools

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

Nursing is the most popular major in the United States with 322,592 degrees and certificates handed out in 2020-2021.

There are so many nursing programs in today's world that it can tough to figure out which one is the right one for you. 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 Most Popular Online Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools ranking. Our analysis looked at 226 schools in the United States to see which online bachelor's degree programs were the most popular for nursing students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from schools with online programs.

Check out the online nursing bachelor's degree programs at these schools if you want to attend one of the most popular in the United States.

#1

Western Governors University

Salt Lake City, UT

Our 2023 rankings named Western Governors University the most popular online school in the United States for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. WGU is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City.

About 89% of the students majoring in nursing at the school are women while 11% are male.

While working on their Bachelor's Degree, nursing majors at WGU accumulate an average of around $24,473 in student debt.

Read More…

#2

Capella University

Minneapolis, MN

Out of the 226 online programs at schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Capella University landed the # 2 spot on the list. Capella University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis.

About 90% of the students majoring in nursing at the school are women while 10% are male.

Nursing majors at Capella University take out an average of $28,936 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree.

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A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Southern New Hampshire University is a great place for nursing students working on their online bachelor’s degree. SNHU is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the medium-sized suburb of Manchester.

About 90% of the students majoring in nursing at the school are women while 10% are male.

After completing their Bachelor's Degree, nursing graduates from SNHU carry an average student debtload of $32,255.

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The in-demand online bachelor’s degree programs at American Sentinel University helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in the United States. American Sentinel University is a small private for-profit school located in the midsize suburb of Aurora.

Women make up 91% of the nursing majors at the school.

Nursing majors at American Sentinel University take out an average of $26,198 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree.

Full Nursing at American Sentinel University Report

With a ranking of #6, Purdue University Northwest did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their online bachelor’s degree. Located in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue Northwest is a public school with a medium-sized student population.

Of the 581 students majoring in nursing at Purdue Northwest, 15% are male and 85% are female.

Nursing majors at Purdue Northwest take out an average of $27,233 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $152, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Nursing at Purdue University Northwest Report

University of South Florida - Main Campus came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. Located in the city of Tampa, USF Tampa is a public college with a very large student population.

About 87% of the students majoring in nursing at the school are women while 13% are male.

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.

Full Nursing at University of South Florida - Main Campus Report

Loyola University Chicago came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. Located in the large city of Chicago, Loyola Chicago is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population.

Women make up 87% of the nursing majors at the school.

Nursing majors at Loyola Chicago take out an average of $28,313 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 $767.

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Arizona State University - Skysong landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular online bachelor’s degree nursing programs. Located in the city of Scottsdale, ASU - Skysong is a public school with a very large student population.

Women make up 83% of the nursing majors at the school.

After completing their Bachelor's Degree, nursing graduates from ASU - Skysong carry an average student debtload of $28,439. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $264.

Full Nursing at Arizona State University - Skysong Report

#10

Wilmington University

New Castle, DE

Wilmington University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. Wilmington University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of New Castle.

Women make up 88% of the nursing majors at the school.

While working on their Bachelor's Degree, nursing majors at Wilmington University accumulate an average of around $24,871 in student debt.

Read More…

#11

Purdue University Global

Indianapolis, IN

Purdue University Global came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. Purdue University Global is a fairly large public school located in the city of Indianapolis.

About 90% of the students majoring in nursing at the school are women while 10% are male.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Purdue University Global take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $41,009.

Read full report on Nursing at Purdue University Global

#11

Nova Southeastern University

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Nova Southeastern University landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular online bachelor’s degree nursing programs. NUS Florida is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale.

About 86% of the students majoring in nursing at the school are women while 14% are male.

On average, nursing graduates from NUS Florida take out $33,123 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 $334.

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#13

Liberty University

Lynchburg, VA

With a ranking of #13, Liberty University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their online bachelor’s degree. Liberty University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg.

About 90% of the students majoring in nursing at the school are women while 10% are male.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Liberty University take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $29,474. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $554.

Read More…

#14

National University

La Jolla, CA

National University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. National University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the city of La Jolla.

Women make up 75% of the nursing majors at the school.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at National University take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $35,476. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $198, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Nursing at National University Report

#15

East Carolina University

Greenville, NC

East Carolina University ranked #15 on this year’s Most Popular Online Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. ECU is a fairly large public school located in the small city of Greenville.

Women make up 91% of the nursing majors at the school.

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.

Read More…

#16

Georgia Southern University

Statesboro, GA

With a ranking of #16, Georgia Southern University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their online bachelor’s degree. GaSou is a very large public school located in the distant town of Statesboro.

Women make up 91% of the nursing majors at the school.

After completing their Bachelor's Degree, nursing graduates from GaSou carry an average student debtload of $28,652. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $121, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Nursing at Georgia Southern University Report

University of Michigan - Flint came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. UM Flint is a medium-sized public school located in the city of Flint.

Women make up 83% of the nursing majors at the school.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at UM Flint take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $38,230.

Read More…

#18

University of Memphis

Memphis, TN

University of Memphis came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. UofM is a fairly large public school located in the city of Memphis.

About 91% of the students majoring in nursing at the school are women while 9% are male.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at UofM take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $27,057. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $115.

Read More…

Rutgers University - Camden came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. Rutgers Camden is a medium-sized public school located in the city of Camden.

About 87% of the students majoring in nursing at the school are women while 13% are male.

After completing their Bachelor's Degree, nursing graduates from Rutgers Camden carry an average student debtload of $29,905. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $217.

Full Nursing at Rutgers University - Camden Report

#20

University of Arkansas

Fayetteville, AR

University of Arkansas did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular online places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #20 on the list. UARK is a very large public school located in the city of Fayetteville.

Of the 292 students majoring in nursing at UARK, 11% are male and 89% are female.

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.

Read More…

With a ranking of #21, Northwestern State University of Louisiana did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their online bachelor’s degree. NSU is a large public school located in the remote town of Natchitoches.

About 86% of the students majoring in nursing at the school are women while 14% are male.

While working on their Bachelor's Degree, nursing majors at NSU accumulate an average of around $29,152 in student debt.

Read full report on Nursing at Northwestern State University of Louisiana

Colorado Technical University - Colorado Springs did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular online places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #22 on the list. Located in the city of Colorado Springs, Colorado Technical University - Colorado Springs is a private for-profit college with a fairly large student population.

Women make up 87% of the nursing majors at the school.

On average, nursing graduates from Colorado Technical University - Colorado Springs take out $30,518 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree.

Full Nursing at Colorado Technical University - Colorado Springs Report

University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus ranked #23 on this year’s Most Popular Online Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. CU Anschutz is a very large public school located in the large city of Denver.

About 83% of the students majoring in nursing at the school are women while 17% are male.

Nursing majors at CU Anschutz take out an average of $31,848 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 $191.

Full Nursing at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus Report

University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh ranked #24 on this year’s Most Popular Online Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. UW Oshkosh is a fairly large public school located in the city of Oshkosh.

Of the 269 students majoring in nursing at UW Oshkosh, 10% are male and 90% are female.

While working on their Bachelor's Degree, nursing majors at UW Oshkosh accumulate an average of around $26,175 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $177.

Read More…

#25

Winston - Salem State University

Winston-Salem, NC

Winston - Salem State University ranked #25 on this year’s Most Popular Online Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. WSSU is a medium-sized public school located in the midsize city of Winston-Salem.

Of the 262 students majoring in nursing at WSSU, 10% are male and 90% are female.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at WSSU take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $25,916. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $135.

Read full report on Nursing at Winston - Salem State University

#26

Cleveland State University

Cleveland, OH
#30

Old Dominion University

Norfolk, VA
#32

University of North Florida

Jacksonville, FL
#33

Fayetteville State University

Fayetteville, NC

Additional Noteworthy Schools

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

Rank College Location
34 Central Methodist University - College of Graduate & Extended Studies Fayette, MO
34 University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, NC
36 Sacred Heart University Fairfield, CT
37 Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VA
38 University of Northern Colorado Greeley, CO
39 Auburn University Auburn, AL
40 University of Kansas Lawrence, KS
41 University of Arkansas at Little Rock Little Rock, AR
42 University of Florida Gainesville, FL
43 University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NC
44 Lewis - Clark State College Lewiston, ID
45 California State University - Dominguez Hills Carson, CA

View the Most Popular Online Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

Nursing Focus Areas

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.

  • 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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