2023 Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools
It's not easy to decide which nursing program to enroll in when you have so many options available. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent. Also there are many trade schools and bpptcamp that offer short-term programs that open up more career options.
Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Nursing Degree Search has created the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools to help you in your search for the best school for you. Our analysis looked at 840 schools in the United States to see which associate degree programs offered the best educational experiences for nursing students. The factors used to develop this ranking include those related to how in-demand the school us, the overall quality of the school, and post-graduation wages, and more.
View our full ranking methodology.
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Top Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Excelsior College the best school in the United States for nursing students working on their associate degree.
On average, associate degree students take out $15,946 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Excelsior College is one of the schools on our list that is primarily online. Each undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.
Out of the 840 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Delaware Technical Community College - Terry landed the # 2 spot on the list.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Delaware Tech is $4,945. Out-of-state students pay an average of $11,808. Associate Degree recipients from Delaware Tech accumulate an average of $12,683 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at Delaware Tech, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 93% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Trident Technical College is a great place for nursing students working on their associate degree.
In-state students pay an average of $5,143 in tuition and fees if they attend Trident Technical College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,690. On average, associate degree students take out $26,670 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Trident Technical College does offer online classes in some areas. In 2019-2020 about 89% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
The excellent associate degree programs at Rasmussen University - Minnesota helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in the United States.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $13,558 to cover tuition and fees at Rasmussen University - Minnesota. The school does not offer an in-state discount. On average, associate degree students take out $27,551 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Rasmussen University - Minnesota does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 99% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Out of the 840 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Rasmussen University - Florida landed the # 5 spot on the list.
The average tuition and fees at Rasmussen University - Florida is $13,635. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from Rasmussen University - Florida accumulate an average of $27,566 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Rasmussen University - Florida does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 100% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Merced College landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs.
In-state students pay an average of $1,180 in tuition and fees if they attend Merced Community College District full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,444. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,503 in student loans.
Merced Community College District does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 97% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Rasmussen University - Illinois ranked #7 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools list.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $13,883 to cover tuition and fees at Rasmussen University - Illinois. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Associate Degree recipients from Rasmussen University - Illinois accumulate an average of $27,566 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Rasmussen University - Illinois does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In fact, around 99% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Columbia Gorge Community College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools ranking.
Full-time students from Oregon pay an average of $4,752 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Columbia Gorge Community College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,468. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,392 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Columbia Gorge Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 76% took at least some of their classes online.
Modesto Junior College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools list.
In-state students pay an average of $1,274 in tuition and fees if they attend MJC full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,550. On average, associate degree students take out $11,121 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at MJC. During the 2019-2020 year, about 84% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #10, Pacific Union College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree.
The average tuition and fees at PUC is $32,103. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $28,513 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at PUC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 95% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Madison Area Technical College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools ranking.
Full-time students from Wisconsin pay an average of $4,600 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Madison College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $6,769. On average, associate degree students take out $21,947 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Madison College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 77% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #12, Butte College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Butte College is $1,368. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,848. Associate Degree recipients from Butte College accumulate an average of $16,685 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at Butte College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 33% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Mount Saint Mary’s University landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs.
The average tuition and fees at MSMU is $45,388. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from MSMU accumulate an average of $24,268 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at MSMU. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 100% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Union County College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #14 on the list.
Associate Degree recipients from Union County College accumulate an average of $15,511 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Union County College does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 99% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
San Joaquin Delta College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools list.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,761 in student loans.
Online courses are available at Delta, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 100% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Bronx Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #16 on the list.
In-state students pay an average of $5,206 in tuition and fees if they attend BCC full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,086. Associate Degree recipients from BCC accumulate an average of $12,530 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at BCC. In fact, around 100% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #16, Cabrillo College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Cabrillo College is $1,262. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,630.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Cabrillo College. In fact, around 53% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Northwest Technical College landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs.
If you want to attend NTC, expect to pay an average of $6,380 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $32,265 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at NTC. In 2019-2020 about 72% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
County College of Morris came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools ranking.
Full-time students from New Jersey pay an average of $9,840 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend County College of Morris. Out-of-state students pay an average of $13,620. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,920 in student loans.
County College of Morris does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 100% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Herzing University - Birmingham ranked #20 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools list.
Herzing University - Birmingham does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $14,200. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from Herzing University - Birmingham accumulate an average of $33,029 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Herzing University - Birmingham does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2019-2020 year, about 58% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #21, Rasmussen University - Kansas did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree.
Rasmussen University - Kansas does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $13,639. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $27,566 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Rasmussen University - Kansas is one of the schools on our list that is primarily online. Each undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.
Cuesta College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools ranking.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Cuesta College is $1,338. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,702. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,466 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Cuesta College. In 2019-2020 about 96% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
South Texas College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools ranking.
In-state students pay an average of $4,530 in tuition and fees if they attend South Texas College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,920. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $8,401 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that South Texas College does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 94% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
West Hills College-Lemoore landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs.
On average, associate degree students take out $13,643 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that West Hills College-Lemoore does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 98% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Yuba College landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs.
Students from California who attend Yuba College full time pay an average of $1,128 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,488. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $9,195 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Yuba College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 39% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the United States
Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
Narrow Schools by Region
Rest of the Top 15% Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the United States
To learn more about the schools below, just click on their names:
Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our best nursing schools ranking:
Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- Read more about our ranking methodology.
- 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 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).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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