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Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region

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2023 Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region

581 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 Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. This report analyzed 581 schools in the Southeast 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 following schools top our list of the Most Popular Nursing Colleges.

Our 2023 rankings named Rasmussen University - Florida the most popular school in the Southeast Region for nursing students. Located in the city of Ocala, Rasmussen University - Florida is a private for-profit college with a medium-sized student population.

Nursing majors at Rasmussen University - Florida take out an average of $35,539 in student loans while working on their egree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $161, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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Out of the 581 schools in the Southeast Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of South Alabama landed the # 2 spot on the list. Located in the medium-sized city of Mobile, USA is a public school with a large student population.

Nursing majors at USA take out an average of $26,429 in student loans while working on their egree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $230, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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#3

Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale, FL

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale is a great place for nursing students. Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Lauderdale.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale take out is $38,116. 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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You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend University of Alabama at Birmingham. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the midsize city of Birmingham, UAB is a public college with a very large student population.

After completing their degree, nursing graduates from UAB carry an average student debt load of $22,958. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $307, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

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The excellent programs at University of North Carolina at Wilmington helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in the Southeast Region . Located in the midsize city of Wilmington, UNCW is a public school with a fairly large student population.

Nursing majors at UNCW take out an average of $21,500 in student loans while working on their egree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $212.

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Frontier Nursing University ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region list. Frontier Nursing University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Hyden.

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University of Central Florida did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for nursing students. It came in at #7 on the list. Located in the large suburb of Orlando, UCF is a public school with a fairly large student population.

While working on their degree, nursing majors at UCF accumulate an average of around $21,500 in student debt.

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Galen College of Nursing - Louisville did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for nursing students. It came in at #8 on the list. Galen College of Nursing - Louisville is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Louisville.

After completing their degree, nursing graduates from Galen College of Nursing - Louisville carry an average student debt load of $41,365. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $117, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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#9

Northern Kentucky University

Highland Heights, KY

With a ranking of #9, Northern Kentucky University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students. Located in the large suburb of Highland Heights, NKU is a public college with a large student population.

After completing their degree, nursing graduates from NKU carry an average student debt load of $30,429. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $252.

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#10

Miami Dade College

Miami, FL

Miami Dade College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in the large city of Miami, MDC is a public school with a very large student population.

Nursing majors at MDC take out an average of $14,750 in student loans while working on their egree.

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South University’s online programs came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in the medium-sized city of Savannah, South University's online programs is a private for-profit school with a moderately-sized student population.

After completing their degree, nursing graduates from South University's online programs carry an average student debt load of $40,204. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $250.

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With a ranking of #12, University of South Florida - Main Campus did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students. USF Tampa is a very large public school located in the large city of Tampa.

Nursing majors at USF Tampa take out an average of $24,636 in student loans while working on their egree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $181, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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#13

ECPI University

Virginia Beach, VA

ECPI University ranked #13 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the large city of Virginia Beach, ECPI University is a private for-profit school with a fairly large student population.

While working on their degree, nursing majors at ECPI University accumulate an average of around $30,534 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 $174.

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#14

East Tennessee State University

Johnson City, TN

East Tennessee State University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in the city of Johnson City, ETSU is a public school with a fairly large student population.

While working on their degree, nursing majors at ETSU accumulate an average of around $25,000 in student debt. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $176, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

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#15

Liberty University

Lynchburg, VA

Liberty 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 city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a private not-for-profit college with a very large student population.

While working on their degree, nursing majors at Liberty University accumulate an average of around $28,000 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $554.

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#16

Miami Regional University

Miami Springs, FL

Miami Regional University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for nursing students. It came in at #16 on the list. Miami Regional University is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Miami Springs.

After completing their degree, nursing graduates from Miami Regional University carry an average student debt load of $32,633.

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#17

St Petersburg College

Clearwater, FL

St Petersburg College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. SPC is a fairly large public school located in the city of Clearwater.

While working on their degree, nursing majors at SPC accumulate an average of around $22,934 in student debt.

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Florida State College at Jacksonville ranked #18 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region list. FSCJ is a fairly large public school located in the city of Jacksonville.

While working on their degree, nursing majors at FSCJ accumulate an average of around $17,750 in student debt.

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#19

Nova Southeastern University

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Nova Southeastern University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for nursing students. It came in at #19 on the list. Located in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale, NUS Florida is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly large student population.

While working on their degree, nursing majors at NUS Florida accumulate an average of around $31,538 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 $334.

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#20

The University of Alabama

Tuscaloosa, AL

The University of Alabama ranked #20 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region list. UA is a fairly large public school located in the small city of Tuscaloosa.

While working on their degree, nursing majors at UA accumulate an average of around $25,125 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 $646.

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#21

Duke University

Durham, NC

Duke University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for nursing students. It came in at #21 on the list. Duke is a large private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Durham.

After completing their degree, nursing graduates from Duke carry an average student debt load of $25,184.

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#22

Emory University

Atlanta, GA

Emory University landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular nursing programs. Emory is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Atlanta.

On average, nursing graduates from Emory take out $25,000 in student loans while working on their degree. 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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#23

Galen College of Nursing - Tampa Bay

Saint Petersburg, FL

Galen College of Nursing - Tampa Bay landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular nursing programs. Located in the city of Saint Petersburg, Galen College of Nursing - Tampa Bay is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

After completing their degree, nursing graduates from Galen College of Nursing - Tampa Bay carry an average student debt load of $41,365. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $117, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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With a ranking of #24, The University of West Florida did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students. UWF is a large public school located in the city of Pensacola.

Nursing majors at UWF take out an average of $21,000 in student loans while working on their egree.

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With a ranking of #25, Mississippi University for Women did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students. MUW is a small public school located in the town of Columbus.

While working on their degree, nursing majors at MUW accumulate an average of around $22,680 in student debt.

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#26

University of Miami

Coral Gables, FL
#30

Gaston College

Dallas, NC
#31

East Carolina University

Greenville, NC
#33

Augusta University

Augusta, GA
#34

Jacksonville University

Jacksonville, FL
#37

Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton, FL
#38

Lincoln Memorial University

Harrogate, TN
#39

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN
#40

Broward College

Fort Lauderdale, FL
#41

University of Memphis

Memphis, TN
#43

Valencia College

Orlando, FL
#44

Jacksonville State University

Jacksonville, AL
#46

University of Mississippi

University, MS
#48

Georgia Southern University

Statesboro, GA
#50

Palm Beach State College

Lake Worth, FL

Additional Award Winners

This section represents the rest of the colleges awarded a Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region badge. Showing in this list means the college was ranked in the top 15% of the 581 different Southeast nursing schools we analyzed.

Rank College Location
51 Western Kentucky University Bowling Green, KY
52 University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, NC
53 University of Kentucky Lexington, KY
53 Chamberlain University - Georgia Atlanta, GA
55 Old Dominion University Norfolk, VA
56 University of Louisville Louisville, KY
57 Daytona State College Daytona Beach, FL
58 Seminole State College of Florida Sanford, FL
58 University of North Florida Jacksonville, FL
60 Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center - New Orleans New Orleans, LA
61 The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Knoxville, TN
62 University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR
63 Eastern Kentucky University Richmond, KY
64 State College of Florida - Manatee - Sarasota Bradenton, FL
65 Chamberlain University - Florida Jacksonville, FL
65 South College Knoxville, TN
67 University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, MS
68 Medical University of South Carolina Charleston, SC
69 Columbus State University Columbus, GA
70 University of Florida Gainesville, FL
71 Winston - Salem State University Winston-Salem, NC
71 Santa Fe College Gainesville, FL
73 University of Virginia - Main Campus Charlottesville, VA
74 James Madison University Harrisonburg, VA
75 University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NC
76 Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, GA
77 University of South Carolina - Upstate Spartanburg, SC
78 Clemson University Clemson, SC
79 West Coast University-Miami Doral, FL
80 Samford University Birmingham, AL
81 Delgado Community College New Orleans, LA
81 Troy University Troy, AL
83 Pensacola State College Pensacola, FL
84 West Virginia University Morgantown, WV
85 Auburn University Auburn, AL
86 Indian River State College Fort Pierce, FL
87 George Mason University Fairfax, VA

Honorable Mentions

Here are some additional popular schools for Nursing students in the Southeast Region that almost earned our Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region award.

Rank College Location
88 Pasco-Hernando State College New Port Richey, FL
89 Albany State University Albany, GA
90 Marshall University Huntington, WV
91 AdventHealth University Orlando, FL
92 Middle Georgia State University Macon, GA
92 Radford University Radford, VA
94 Polk State College Winter Haven, FL
95 Mercer University Macon, GA
96 Hillsborough Community College Tampa, FL
96 Union University Jackson, TN
98 Southern Adventist University Collegedale, TN
98 Western Carolina University Cullowhee, NC
100 Barry University Miami, FL
101 University of North Alabama Florence, AL
102 Georgia State University Atlanta, GA
103 Fayetteville State University Fayetteville, NC
104 University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Little Rock, AR
105 Jefferson State Community College Birmingham, AL
106 University of North Georgia Dahlonega, GA
106 Belmont University Nashville, TN
108 Wallace State Community College, Hanceville Hanceville, AL
109 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC
110 University of West Georgia Carrollton, GA
111 Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Tifton, GA
112 John C Calhoun State Community College Tanner, AL
113 Southeastern Louisiana University Hammond, LA
114 Bevill State Community College Jasper, AL
115 Austin Peay State University Clarksville, TN
116 Fairmont State University Fairmont, WV
116 HCI College West Palm Beach, FL

Best Nursing Colleges by State

Explore the best nursing colleges 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.

  • 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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