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Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

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2023 Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

292 Colleges
$78,873 Avg Salary
$26,663 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Nursing School for You

In 2020-2021, 322,592 degrees and certificates were awarded to nursing students, making the major the most popular in the country.

There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which nursing program is right for you. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.

The Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking is one of many tools that Nursing Degree Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. This report analyzed 292 schools in the Middle Atlantic Region to see which ones were the most popular programs 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 .

#1

Excelsior College

Albany, NY

Our 2023 rankings named Excelsior College the most popular school in the Middle Atlantic Region for nursing students. Excelsior College is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the small city of Albany.

While working on their degree, nursing majors at Excelsior College accumulate an average of around $23,176 in student debt.

Full Nursing at Excelsior College Report

#2

Drexel University

Philadelphia, PA

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Drexel University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Located in the large city of Philadelphia, Drexel is a private not-for-profit school with a very large student population.

Nursing majors at Drexel take out an average of $31,000 in student loans while working on their egree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $596, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Nursing at Drexel University Report

#3

Thomas Jefferson University

Philadelphia, PA

Out of the 292 schools in the Middle Atlantic Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Thomas Jefferson University landed the # 3 spot on the list. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Thomas Jefferson University is a private not-for-profit school with a moderately-sized student population.

Nursing majors at Thomas Jefferson University take out an average of $27,852 in student loans while working on their egree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $537.

Read full report on Nursing at Thomas Jefferson University

Out of the 292 schools in the Middle Atlantic Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Maryland - Baltimore landed the # 4 spot on the list. Located in the city of Baltimore, UMB is a public college with a medium-sized student population.

While working on their degree, nursing majors at UMB accumulate an average of around $21,500 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 $318.

Read More…

#5

New York University

New York, NY

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means New York University is a great place for nursing students. NYU is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the large city of New York.

While working on their degree, nursing majors at NYU accumulate an average of around $25,380 in student debt. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $732, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Nursing at New York University

#6

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA

University of Pennsylvania ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. UPenn is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia.

On average, nursing graduates from UPenn take out $20,861 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read More…

#7

Jersey College

Teterboro, NJ

Jersey College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular nursing programs. Jersey College is a small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Teterboro.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Jersey College take out is $36,433. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $89.

Read full report on Nursing at Jersey College

#8

Stony Brook University

Stony Brook, NY

With a ranking of #8, Stony Brook University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students. SUNY Stony Brook is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook.

Nursing majors at SUNY Stony Brook take out an average of $23,301 in student loans while working on their egree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $114.

Full Nursing at Stony Brook University Report

#9

Wilmington University

New Castle, DE

Wilmington University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for nursing students. It came in at #9 on the list. Located in the large suburb of New Castle, Wilmington University is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population.

On average, nursing graduates from Wilmington University take out $23,448 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read More…

#10

LIU Post

Brookville, NY

LIU Post landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular nursing programs. LIU Post is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Brookville.

On average, nursing graduates from LIU Post take out $31,000 in student loans while working on their degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $370.

Read More…

#10

Adelphi University

Garden City, NY

Adelphi University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for nursing students. It came in at #10 on the list. Adelphi is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Garden City.

After completing their degree, nursing graduates from Adelphi carry an average student debt load of $27,000. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $475.

Read full report on Nursing at Adelphi University

Rutgers University - New Brunswick came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking. Located in the small city of New Brunswick, Rutgers New Brunswick is a public school with a fairly large student population.

While working on their degree, nursing majors at Rutgers New Brunswick accumulate an average of around $27,500 in student debt. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $217, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Nursing at Rutgers University - New Brunswick Report

Columbia University in the City of New York did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for nursing students. It came in at #13 on the list. Located in the city of New York, Columbia is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly large student population.

Full Nursing at Columbia University in the City of New York Report

#14

Mercy College

Dobbs Ferry, NY

Mercy College ranked #14 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Mercy is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry.

On average, nursing graduates from Mercy take out $27,000 in student loans while working on their degree.

Full Nursing at Mercy College Report

#15

George Washington University

Washington, DC

George Washington University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for nursing students. It came in at #15 on the list. Located in the large city of Washington, GWU is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at GWU take out is $25,000.

Full Nursing at George Washington University Report

#16

Molloy College

Rockville Centre, NY

Molloy College landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular nursing programs. Located in the suburb of Rockville Centre, Molloy is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

Nursing majors at Molloy take out an average of $31,934 in student loans while working on their egree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $365.

Read full report on Nursing at Molloy College

Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for nursing students. It came in at #17 on the list. Located in the large suburb of Lancaster, PA College is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at PA College take out is $26,106. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $297.

Full Nursing at Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences Report

#18

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular nursing programs. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins is a private not-for-profit school with a very large student population.

Read More…

Delaware Technical Community College - Terry did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for nursing students. It came in at #19 on the list. Delaware Tech is a fairly large public school located in the small city of Dover.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Delaware Tech take out is $14,500.

Full Nursing at Delaware Technical Community College - Terry Report

Helene Fuld College of Nursing did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for nursing students. It came in at #20 on the list. Located in the city of New York, HFCN is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at HFCN take out is $33,485.

Read full report on Nursing at Helene Fuld College of Nursing

With a ranking of #21, Harrisburg Area Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students. HACC is a fairly large public school located in the city of Harrisburg.

On average, nursing graduates from HACC take out $29,839 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read More…

#22

Pace University - New York

New York, NY

With a ranking of #22, Pace University - New York did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students. Located in the large city of New York, Pace University is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly large student population.

After completing their degree, nursing graduates from Pace University carry an average student debt load of $27,000. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $487.

Read full report on Nursing at Pace University - New York

#23

Duquesne University

Pittsburgh, PA

With a ranking of #23, Duquesne University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Duquesne is a private not-for-profit college with a moderately-sized student population.

After completing their degree, nursing graduates from Duquesne carry an average student debt load of $27,000. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $648.

Read full report on Nursing at Duquesne University

#24

Utica College

Utica, NY

With a ranking of #24, Utica College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students. Utica College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the small city of Utica.

After completing their degree, nursing graduates from Utica College carry an average student debt load of $32,361. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $376.

Read More…

University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular nursing programs. Pitt is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh.

After completing their degree, nursing graduates from Pitt carry an average student debt load of $24,500. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $319, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Nursing at University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus

#27

Towson University

Towson, MD
#27

Union County College

Cranford, NJ
#29

Holy Family University

Philadelphia, PA
#30

Georgetown University

Washington, DC
#31

Lehman College

Bronx, NY
#31

Trocaire College

Buffalo, NY
#33

D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY
#35

Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA
#36

Villanova University

Villanova, PA
#37

St. John Fisher College

Rochester, NY
#39

Binghamton University

Vestal, NY
#40

University of Rochester

Rochester, NY
#41

Widener University

Chester, PA
#43

Stevenson University

Stevenson, MD

Honorable Mentions

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also popular but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region award.

Rank College Location
44 SUNY Delhi Delhi, NY
45 Hunter College New York, NY
46 The College at Brockport Brockport, NY
47 University of Maryland Global Campus Adelphi, MD
48 Suffolk County Community College Selden, NY
49 Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA
50 California University of Pennsylvania California, PA
51 Thomas Edison State University Trenton, NJ
52 La Salle University Philadelphia, PA
53 The Graduate Center, CUNY New York, NY
54 West Chester University of Pennsylvania West Chester, PA
55 Felician University Lodi, NJ
56 Chamberlain University - New Jersey North Brunswick, NJ
57 St Paul’s School of Nursing - Staten Island Staten Island, NY
58 Clarion University of Pennsylvania Clarion, PA

Best Nursing Colleges by State

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

State Degrees Awarded
Pennsylvania 11,477
New York 17,708
New Jersey 5,648
Maryland 4,104
Delaware 1,267
District of Columbia 990

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

Majors Similar to Nursing

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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