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Most Popular Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools

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2023 Most Popular Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools

1,160 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 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.

The Most Popular Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools ranking is one of many tools that Nursing Degree Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 1,160 schools in the United States to see which bachelor's degree programs were the most popular for nursing students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the Nursing program at each school on the list.

The colleges and universities below are the most popular for nursing majors pursuing a bachelor's degree.

#1

Western Governors University

Salt Lake City, UT

Our analysis found Western Governors University to be the most popular school for nursing students who want to pursue a bachelor’s degree in the United States. WGU is a very 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.

Nursing majors at WGU take out an average of $24,473 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree.

Read More…

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Chamberlain University - Illinois is a great place for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. Chamberlain - Illinois is a very large private for-profit school located in the suburb of Addison.

Of the 8,124 students majoring in nursing at Chamberlain - Illinois, 11% are male and 89% are female.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Chamberlain - Illinois 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.

Read More…

#3

Grand Canyon University

Phoenix, AZ

Out of the 1,160 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Grand Canyon University landed the # 3 spot on the list. Grand Canyon University is a fairly large private for-profit school located in the large city of Phoenix.

Women make up 89% of the nursing majors at the school.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Grand Canyon University take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $28,120. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $198, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

The in-demand bachelor’s degree programs at The University of Texas at Arlington helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular nursing schools in the United States. Located in the city of Arlington, UT Arlington is a public school with a very large student population.

Of the 3,456 students majoring in nursing at UT Arlington, 14% are male and 86% are female.

After completing their Bachelor's Degree, nursing graduates from UT Arlington carry an average student debt load of $28,521. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $142.

Read full report on Nursing at The University of Texas at Arlington

#5

Capella University

Minneapolis, MN

Out of the 1,160 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Capella University landed the # 5 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.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Capella University take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $28,936.

Read full report on Nursing at Capella University

Ohio University - Athens Campus ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. Located in the distant town of Athens, OHIO Athens is a public college with a fairly large student population.

Women make up 86% of the nursing majors at the school.

Nursing majors at OHIO Athens take out an average of $30,722 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 $180.

Read More…

#7

Aspen University

Denver, CO

Aspen University ranked #7 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. Located in the city of Denver, Aspen University is a private for-profit college with a moderately-sized student population.

Of the 1,430 students majoring in nursing at Aspen University, 12% are male and 88% are female.

After completing their Bachelor's Degree, nursing graduates from Aspen University carry an average student debt load of $33,836.

Full Nursing at Aspen University Report

West Coast University - Orange County ranked #8 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. Located in the large city of Anaheim, West Coast University - Orange County is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

Women make up 80% of the nursing majors at the school.

While working on their Bachelor's Degree, nursing majors at West Coast University - Orange County accumulate an average of around $38,539 in student debt. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $665.

Full Nursing at West Coast University - Orange County Report

Southern New Hampshire University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #9 on the list. 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.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at SNHU take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $32,255.

Full Nursing at Southern New Hampshire University Report

With a ranking of #10, National University College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in the midsize city of Bayamon, National University College is a private for-profit school with a very large student population.

About 76% of the students majoring in nursing at the school are women while 24% are male.

After completing their Bachelor's Degree, nursing graduates from National University College carry an average student debt load of $19,007.

Full Nursing at National University College Report

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #11 on the list. Located in the large city of Lubbock, TTUHSC is a public college with a medium-sized student population.

Of the 917 students majoring in nursing at TTUHSC, 14% are male and 86% are female.

While working on their Bachelor's Degree, nursing majors at TTUHSC accumulate an average of around $24,106 in student debt. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $242.

Read More…

University of Phoenix - Arizona landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular bachelor’s degree nursing programs. UOPX - Arizona is a fairly large private for-profit school located in the city of Tempe.

About 88% of the students majoring in nursing at the school are women while 12% are male.

While working on their Bachelor's Degree, nursing majors at UOPX - Arizona accumulate an average of around $30,625 in student debt.

Read full report on Nursing at University of Phoenix - Arizona

With a ranking of #14, University of North Carolina at Wilmington did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. UNCW is a large public school located in the medium-sized city of Wilmington.

Women make up 90% of the nursing majors at the school.

While working on their Bachelor's Degree, nursing majors at UNCW accumulate an average of around $23,602 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $212.

Read More…

#15

West Coast University - Los Angeles

North Hollywood, CA

West Coast University - Los Angeles came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. West Coast University - Los Angeles is a small private for-profit school located in the city of North Hollywood.

Of the 778 students majoring in nursing at West Coast University - Los Angeles, 24% are male and 76% are female.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at West Coast University - Los Angeles take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $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.

Read More…

University of Central Florida did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #16 on the list. UCF is a very large public school located in the large suburb of Orlando.

About 88% of the students majoring in nursing at the school are women while 12% are male.

While working on their Bachelor's Degree, nursing majors at UCF accumulate an average of around $23,351 in student debt.

Read full report on Nursing at University of Central Florida

West Coast University - Ontario came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. West Coast University - Ontario is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Ontario.

Of the 698 students majoring in nursing at West Coast University - Ontario, 20% are male and 80% are female.

Nursing majors at West Coast University - Ontario take out an average of $38,539 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 $665.

Full Nursing at West Coast University - Ontario Report

With a ranking of #18, The University of Texas at Tyler did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in the city of Tyler, UT Tyler is a public school with a medium-sized student population.

About 84% of the students majoring in nursing at the school are women while 16% are male.

Nursing majors at UT Tyler take out an average of $24,673 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 $164.

Read More…

Galen College of Nursing - Louisville came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. Located in the city of Louisville, Galen College of Nursing - Louisville is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

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

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

Read full report on Nursing at Galen College of Nursing - Louisville

With a ranking of #20, American Sentinel University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. American Sentinel University is a small private for-profit school located in the medium-sized suburb of Aurora.

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

While working on their Bachelor's Degree, nursing majors at American Sentinel University accumulate an average of around $26,198 in student debt.

Full Nursing at American Sentinel University Report

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #21 on the list. Located in the large city of Indianapolis, IUPUI is a public college with a very large student population.

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

On average, nursing graduates from IUPUI take out $29,663 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $189, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

Purdue University Northwest did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #22 on the list. Located in the large suburb of Hammond, Purdue Northwest is a public college with a medium-sized student population.

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

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

Read full report on Nursing at Purdue University Northwest

#23

East Tennessee State University

Johnson City, TN

East Tennessee State University landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular bachelor’s degree nursing programs. ETSU is a fairly large public school located in the small city of Johnson City.

Of the 563 students majoring in nursing at ETSU, 15% are male and 85% are female.

Nursing majors at ETSU take out an average of $26,540 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $176, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Nursing at East Tennessee State University Report

#24

Drexel University

Philadelphia, PA

Drexel University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #24 on the list. Drexel is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia.

Women make up 89% of the nursing majors at the school.

While working on their Bachelor's Degree, nursing majors at Drexel accumulate an average of around $30,671 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $596.

Read More…

#25

Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, AZ

Northern Arizona University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. NAU is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff.

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

Nursing majors at NAU take out an average of $26,964 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $161, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Nursing at Northern Arizona University

#26

Thomas Jefferson University

Philadelphia, PA
#29

Eastern Michigan University

Ypsilanti, MI
#30

Adelphi University

Garden City, NY
#34

The University of Alabama

Tuscaloosa, AL
#37

Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale, FL
#38

Mercy College

Dobbs Ferry, NY
#42

Oakland University

Rochester Hills, MI
#44

New York University

New York, NY
#47

LIU Post

Brookville, NY
#49

Oak Point University

Chicago, IL

Remaining Award Winners

This list represents the rest of the schools awarded a Most Popular Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools badge. Showing in this list means the school was ranked in the top 15% of the 1160 different United States nursing schools we analyzed.

Rank College Location
50 Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Boston, MA
52 Concordia University, Saint Paul Saint Paul, MN
52 Wilmington University New Castle, DE
54 Denver College of Nursing Denver, CO
55 Universidad Metropolitana San Juan, PR
56 Nova Southeastern University Fort Lauderdale, FL
56 Purdue University Global Indianapolis, IN
58 Weber State University Ogden, UT
59 University of Nebraska Medical Center Omaha, NE
60 University of Maryland - Baltimore Baltimore, MD
61 Oregon Health & Science University Portland, OR
62 Mount Carmel College of Nursing Columbus, OH
63 University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OH
64 Emory University Atlanta, GA
65 California State University - Fullerton Fullerton, CA
66 Liberty University Lynchburg, VA
67 University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, AL
67 Xavier University Cincinnati, OH
67 The University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston, TX
70 Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College Saint Louis, MO
71 University of Massachusetts - Boston Boston, MA
71 Utica College Utica, NY
73 The College of Saint Scholastica Duluth, MN
74 Marian University Indianapolis, IN
75 Rasmussen University - Florida Ocala, FL
76 Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJ
77 University of Rhode Island Kingston, RI
78 Nevada State College Henderson, NV
78 Washington State University Pullman, WA
80 National University La Jolla, CA
81 University of South Alabama Mobile, AL
82 East Carolina University Greenville, NC
83 Molloy College Rockville Centre, NY
84 Chamberlain University - Georgia Atlanta, GA
85 The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio San Antonio, TX
86 Towson University Towson, MD
87 Georgia Southern University Statesboro, GA
88 University of Michigan - Flint Flint, MI
89 University of Oklahoma - Health Sciences Center Oklahoma City, OK
90 South Dakota State University Brookings, SD
91 Jacksonville State University Jacksonville, AL
92 Creighton University Omaha, NE
93 Chamberlain University - Florida Jacksonville, FL
93 Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OH
95 Gwynedd Mercy University Gwynedd Valley, PA
95 University of Memphis Memphis, TN
97 Rutgers University - Camden Camden, NJ
97 Dixie State University Saint George, UT
99 The University of Texas at El Paso El Paso, TX
99 University of Toledo Toledo, OH
101 California State University - San Marcos San Marcos, CA
102 University of Kentucky Lexington, KY
103 University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR
103 University of Mississippi University, MS
105 Roseman University of Health Sciences Henderson, NV
106 University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago, IL
107 University of South Carolina - Upstate Spartanburg, SC
108 Madonna University Livonia, MI
108 Jacksonville University Jacksonville, FL
110 University of Miami Coral Gables, FL
110 Northwestern State University of Louisiana Natchitoches, LA
112 Colorado Technical University - Colorado Springs Colorado Springs, CO
112 Florida International University Miami, FL
112 West Coast University-Miami Doral, FL
112 Mercy College of Health Sciences Des Moines, IA
116 Brigham Young University - Idaho Rexburg, ID
116 West Coast University - Dallas Dallas, TX
116 Duquesne University Pittsburgh, PA
119 Arizona State University - Tempe Tempe, AZ
120 Regis University Denver, CO
120 University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus Denver, CO
122 George Washington University Washington, DC
123 The Christ College of Nursing and Health Sciences Cincinnati, OH
124 University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh Oshkosh, WI
125 Baylor University Waco, TX
126 Minnesota State University - Mankato Mankato, MN
127 University of Louisville Louisville, KY
128 Holy Family University Philadelphia, PA
129 Stony Brook University Stony Brook, NY
130 Winston - Salem State University Winston-Salem, NC
131 Rockhurst University Kansas City, MO
131 University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA
133 Northeastern University Professional Advancement Network Boston, MA
134 College of Mount Saint Vincent Bronx, NY
135 Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center - New Orleans New Orleans, LA
136 California State University - Sacramento Sacramento, CA
136 University of South Carolina - Columbia Columbia, SC
138 Cleveland State University Cleveland, OH
138 James Madison University Harrisonburg, VA
138 South College Knoxville, TN
141 University of Connecticut Storrs, CT
142 Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, FL
143 Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi Corpus Christi, TX
143 Northern Kentucky University Highland Heights, KY
145 University of Detroit Mercy Detroit, MI
146 Chamberlain University - Texas Houston, TX
146 The College at Brockport Brockport, NY
146 University of Maryland Global Campus Adelphi, MD
149 Quinnipiac University Hamden, CT
150 Montana State University Bozeman, MT
151 The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Knoxville, TN
151 St Petersburg College Clearwater, FL
153 University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Milwaukee, WI
154 Old Dominion University Norfolk, VA
155 Curry College Milton, MA
156 San Diego State University San Diego, CA
157 Central Methodist University - College of Graduate & Extended Studies Fayette, MO
158 Concordia University, Texas Lakeway, TX
159 University of San Francisco San Francisco, CA
160 Clemson University Clemson, SC
160 Regis College Weston, MA
162 Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, GA
162 Winona State University Winona, MN
164 University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WI
164 University of Akron Main Campus Akron, OH
164 Miami Dade College Miami, FL
167 Pace University - New York New York, NY
168 Radford University Radford, VA
169 University of North Florida Jacksonville, FL
170 Villanova University Villanova, PA
171 Baker College Owosso, MI
171 University of Missouri - Columbia Columbia, MO
171 University of Alabama in Huntsville Huntsville, AL
174 Seattle University Seattle, WA
174 University of Southern Indiana Evansville, IN
174 Fayetteville State University Fayetteville, NC
174 Stevenson University Stevenson, MD

Additional Noteworthy Schools

Here are some additional popular schools for Nursing students that almost earned our Most Popular Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools award.

Rank College Location
178 SUNY Delhi Delhi, NY
178 University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, NC
180 Illinois State University Normal, IL
181 West Virginia University Morgantown, WV
182 University of Iowa Iowa City, IA
183 Widener University Chester, PA
184 Sacred Heart University Fairfield, CT
185 Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VA
185 Chamberlain University - New Jersey North Brunswick, NJ
187 Chamberlain University - Arizona Phoenix, AZ
188 Grand Valley State University Allendale, MI
188 MidAmerica Nazarene University Olathe, KS
188 University of Northern Colorado Greeley, CO
191 Aurora University Aurora, IL
192 Auburn University Auburn, AL
193 St. John Fisher College Rochester, NY
193 University of Missouri - St Louis Saint Louis, MO
195 Lamar University Beaumont, TX
195 University of Kansas Lawrence, KS
195 Mercer University Macon, GA
198 University of Arkansas at Little Rock Little Rock, AR
198 North Dakota State University - Main Campus Fargo, ND
198 University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, MS
201 University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT
201 University of Southern Maine Portland, ME
201 Florida State College at Jacksonville Jacksonville, FL
201 West Chester University of Pennsylvania West Chester, PA
205 Augusta University Augusta, GA
206 University of Florida Gainesville, FL
207 Saint Louis University Saint Louis, MO
207 Lehman College Bronx, NY
209 University of South Dakota Vermillion, SD
210 University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NC
210 Loma Linda University Loma Linda, CA
210 Linfield University - School of Nursing Portland, OR
210 The Graduate Center, CUNY New York, NY
214 Lewis - Clark State College Lewiston, ID
214 University of Nevada - Las Vegas Las Vegas, NV
214 Indiana State University Terre Haute, IN
217 California State University - Dominguez Hills Carson, CA
218 Hunter College New York, NY
218 Texas Christian University Fort Worth, TX
218 MSU Texas Wichita Falls, TX
218 Binghamton University Vestal, NY
222 Tarleton State University Stephenville, TX
223 Herzing University - Kenosha Kenosha, WI
224 Columbus State University Columbus, GA
225 University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA
225 Thomas Edison State University Trenton, NJ
225 South University’s online programs Savannah, GA
225 Stratford University Fairfax, VA
225 Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TX
230 University of Rochester Rochester, NY
230 University of North Georgia Dahlonega, GA
230 Fairfield University Fairfield, CT

Nursing by Region

View the Most Popular 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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