2026 Best Nursing Schools
Looking for the best Nursing degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 7944 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Nursing Degree Search reviewed 4630 schools to build this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Nursing Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
Leading the list is Wake Forest University, our #1 Nursing school in the United States. Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit school based in Winston-Salem, NC. Wake Forest University posts a six-year graduation rate of 89%. In-state tuition and fees average $67,642. Wake Forest University Nursing students take on a median of $21,577 in debt. Read more about Wake Forest University
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You'll be in good company at Saint Vincent College, which ranked #2 this year. Set in Latrobe, PA, Saint Vincent College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,396. Typical Nursing student debt is $26,986. Get the full Saint Vincent College report
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The strong Nursing programs at University Of Great Falls earned it the #3 place in the United States. Based in Great Falls, MT, University Of Great Falls is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Great Falls graduates 21% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,448. University Of Great Falls Nursing students take on a median of $23,847 in debt. More on University Of Great Falls
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You'll be in good company at University Of Southern California, which ranked #4 this year. Located in Los Angeles, CA, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Southern California posts a six-year graduation rate of 92%. In-state tuition and fees run about $71,647. University Of Southern California Nursing students take on a median of $15,625 in debt. More on University Of Southern California
Request InformationThe strong Nursing programs at Linfield College Adult Degree Program earned it the #5 place in the United States. Linfield College Adult Degree Program Nursing students take on a median of $28,250 in debt. Read more about Linfield College Adult Degree Program
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Vanderbilt University came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit school based in Nashville, TN. About 94% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Typical Nursing student debt is $13,975. Get the full Vanderbilt University report
Request InformationOttawa University Phoenix did well this year, earning the #7 position. Typical Nursing student debt is $30,758. Get the full Ottawa University Phoenix report
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Excelsior College came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Located in Albany, NY, Excelsior College is a private not-for-profit institution. Typical Nursing student debt is $19,311. Read the full report on Excelsior College
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Texas Wesleyan University came in at #9 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Fort Worth, TX. Roughly 32% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,582. The median Nursing program debt is $26,461. More on Texas Wesleyan University
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California State University Monterey Bay did well this year, earning the #10 position. This public school is set in Seaside, CA. California State University Monterey Bay graduates 59% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,779, while out-of-state students pay about $20,379. The median Nursing program debt is $14,622. See the full California State University Monterey Bay profile
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Mount Marty College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Based in Yankton, SD, Mount Marty College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. In-state tuition and fees average $34,600. Mount Marty College Nursing students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Read the full report on Mount Marty College
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Duke University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Based in Durham, NC, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. Duke University posts a six-year graduation rate of 97%. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,758. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete their Nursing program here. Get the full Duke University report
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Aspen University did well this year, earning the #13 position. Aspen University is a private for-profit school based in Phoenix, AZ. About 27% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $6,870. Graduates carry a median of $36,946 in student loans. Get the full Aspen University report
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University Of Pennsylvania landed the #14 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Philadelphia, PA. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Students from in state pay about $68,686 in tuition and fees. University Of Pennsylvania Nursing students take on a median of $16,155 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Pennsylvania
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Cuny Graduate School And University Center came in at #15 in this year's ranking. Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a public school based in New York, NY. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,235, with out-of-state students paying around $15,185. Graduates carry a median of $17,921 in student loans. Read more about Cuny Graduate School And University Center
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Northwest Christian University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Located in Eugene, OR, Northwest Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. Students from in state pay about $35,800 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,735 to complete their Nursing program here. More on Northwest Christian University
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Ottawa University Kansas City came in at #17 in this year's ranking. Ottawa University Kansas City is a private not-for-profit school based in Overland Park, KS. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,296. Ottawa University Kansas City Nursing students take on a median of $30,758 in debt. Read the full report on Ottawa University Kansas City
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University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. This public school is set in Madison, WI. About 90% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. The median Nursing program debt is $21,813. Read the full report on University Of Wisconsin Madison
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Texas A And M University College Station landed the #19 spot in the United States this year. Texas A And M University College Station is a public school based in College Station, TX. About 84% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,995, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Graduates carry a median of $20,031 in student loans. Read more about Texas A And M University College Station
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Ramapo College Of New Jersey did well this year, earning the #20 position. Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a public school based in Mahwah, NJ. Ramapo College Of New Jersey graduates 70% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $16,777 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,708 for out-of-state students. Typical Nursing student debt is $24,014. Read more about Ramapo College Of New Jersey
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Ottawa University Milwaukee landed the #21 spot in the United States this year. Based in Brookfield, WI, Ottawa University Milwaukee is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,296. Graduates carry a median of $31,484 in student loans. See the full Ottawa University Milwaukee profile
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University Of California Davis placed #22 among Nursing schools in the United States. Located in Davis, CA, University Of California Davis is a public institution. University Of California Davis graduates 86% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Typical Nursing student debt is $14,404. Read more about University Of California Davis
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Madison Area Technical College landed the #23 spot in the United States this year. Based in Madison, WI, Madison Area Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,977 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,141. The median Nursing program debt is $16,812. See the full Madison Area Technical College profile
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Sonoma State University placed #24 among Nursing schools in the United States. Based in Rohnert Park, CA, Sonoma State University is a public institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,624, while out-of-state students pay about $21,224. Sonoma State University Nursing students take on a median of $18,031 in debt. Read the full report on Sonoma State University
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Wagner College landed the #25 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Staten Island, NY. Wagner College graduates 65% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,200. Wagner College Nursing students take on a median of $26,997 in debt. See the full Wagner College profile
Request InformationRest of the Top 50 Best Nursing Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
New York University landed the #26 spot in the United States this year. New York University is a private not-for-profit school based in New York, NY. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $62,796. Graduates carry a median of $21,897 in student loans. See the full New York University profile
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Thomas Jefferson University placed #27 among Nursing schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Philadelphia, PA. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. In-state tuition and fees average $47,355. Thomas Jefferson University Nursing students take on a median of $32,256 in debt. See the full Thomas Jefferson University profile
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Gonzaga University ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Gonzaga University is a private not-for-profit school based in Spokane, WA. Gonzaga University graduates 86% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $55,480. Graduates carry a median of $25,188 in student loans. Read more about Gonzaga University
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University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee Flex came in at #29 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Milwaukee, WI. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,750. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee Flex Nursing students take on a median of $23,820 in debt. More on University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee Flex
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University Of Portland placed #30 among Nursing schools in the United States. Located in Portland, OR, University Of Portland is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $58,100. Typical Nursing student debt is $23,169. More on University Of Portland
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Molloy College did well this year, earning the #31 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Rockville Centre, NY. Molloy College posts a six-year graduation rate of 70%. Students from in state pay about $39,790 in tuition and fees. Typical Nursing student debt is $27,420. Get the full Molloy College report
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California State University Dominguez Hills did well this year, earning the #32 position. This public school is set in Carson, CA. California State University Dominguez Hills posts a six-year graduation rate of 43%. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Graduates carry a median of $15,886 in student loans. See the full California State University Dominguez Hills profile
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Western Governors University placed #33 among Nursing schools in the United States. Western Governors University is a private not-for-profit school based in Salt Lake City, UT. About 46% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $8,658 in tuition and fees. Typical Nursing student debt is $23,277. See the full Western Governors University profile
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California State University Stanislaus placed #34 among Nursing schools in the United States. This public school is set in Turlock, CA. California State University Stanislaus graduates 53% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,242, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. California State University Stanislaus Nursing students take on a median of $14,813 in debt. Read more about California State University Stanislaus
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Rider University ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Based in Lawrenceville, NJ, Rider University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $41,120 in tuition and fees. The median Nursing program debt is $26,241. Read the full report on Rider University
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Villanova University placed #36 among Nursing schools in the United States. Set in Villanova, PA, Villanova University is a private not-for-profit institution. Villanova University posts a six-year graduation rate of 92%. Students from in state pay about $67,776 in tuition and fees. The median Nursing program debt is $26,184. Read more about Villanova University
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University Of California Los Angeles came in at #37 in this year's ranking. University Of California Los Angeles is a public school based in Los Angeles, CA. University Of California Los Angeles graduates 93% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. The median Nursing program debt is $16,097. More on University Of California Los Angeles
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Georgetown University ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Located in Washington, DC, Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. In-state tuition and fees average $68,089. Georgetown University Nursing students take on a median of $16,483 in debt. More on Georgetown University
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Saint Marys University Of Minnesota placed #39 among Nursing schools in the United States. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a private not-for-profit school based in Winona, MN. About 66% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $45,080 in tuition and fees. The median Nursing program debt is $27,081. See the full Saint Marys University Of Minnesota profile
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Webster University ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Webster University is a private not-for-profit school based in Saint Louis, MO. Webster University graduates 64% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,750. Webster University Nursing students take on a median of $25,939 in debt. More on Webster University
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Texas Christian University landed the #41 spot in the United States this year. Based in Fort Worth, TX, Texas Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,740. Graduates carry a median of $22,960 in student loans. See the full Texas Christian University profile
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Dominican University Of California came in at #42 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in San Rafael, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 78%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,161. Dominican University Of California Nursing students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. See the full Dominican University Of California profile
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University Of San Francisco ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. University Of San Francisco is a private not-for-profit school based in San Francisco, CA. University Of San Francisco graduates 70% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $60,522 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $23,935 in student loans. Get the full University Of San Francisco report
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College Of Saint Benedict did well this year, earning the #44 position. Located in Saint Joseph, MN, College Of Saint Benedict is a private not-for-profit institution. College Of Saint Benedict graduates 77% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $55,756. The median Nursing program debt is $26,619. More on College Of Saint Benedict
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Delaware Technical Community College Terry landed the #45 spot in the United States this year. Located in Dover, DE, Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,763. Students borrow a median of $11,154 to complete their Nursing program here. Get the full Delaware Technical Community College Terry report
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Mount Wachusett Community College came in at #46 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Gardner, MA. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,160, while out-of-state students pay about $11,080. Graduates carry a median of $11,497 in student loans. Get the full Mount Wachusett Community College report
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Rutgers University Camden did well this year, earning the #47 position. Based in Camden, NJ, Rutgers University Camden is a public institution. Rutgers University Camden graduates 67% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $17,764, while out-of-state students pay about $37,276. Typical Nursing student debt is $24,577. Read the full report on Rutgers University Camden
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California State University Sacramento placed #48 among Nursing schools in the United States. Based in Sacramento, CA, California State University Sacramento is a public institution. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Graduates carry a median of $17,492 in student loans. Get the full California State University Sacramento report
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Mount St Marys College placed #49 among Nursing schools in the United States. Located in Los Angeles, CA, Mount St Marys College is a private not-for-profit institution. Mount St Marys College graduates 48% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,564. Students borrow a median of $27,555 to complete their Nursing program here. Read the full report on Mount St Marys College
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California State University Channel Islands landed the #50 spot in the United States this year. Based in Camarillo, CA, California State University Channel Islands is a public institution. California State University Channel Islands graduates 51% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,159, with out-of-state students paying around $19,759. Students borrow a median of $16,997 to complete their Nursing program here. More on California State University Channel Islands
Request InformationBest Nursing Schools by Degree Level
Compare rankings by degree level:
- Best Nursing Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Nursing Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Nursing Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Nursing Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Nursing Doctoral Degree Schools
Best Nursing Schools by State
Find the best schools in a specific state:
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District Of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Puerto Rico
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Nursing Degree Search (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation · 4630 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 7944 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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