2026 Best Nursing Associate’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Nursing associate’s degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 7944 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Nursing Degree Search analyzed 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 Associate’s Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Excelsior College earned the #1 spot in this year's ranking in the United States. Set in Albany, NY, Excelsior College is a private not-for-profit institution. The median Nursing program debt is $19,311. More on Excelsior College
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Delaware Technical Community College Terry came in at #2 on this year's Nursing ranking in the United States. Set 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. Read more about Delaware Technical Community College Terry
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Out of the 4630 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Trident Technical College landed the #3 spot. Based in Charleston, SC, Trident Technical College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,546, compared with $8,620 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $18,116 in student loans. Read the full report on Trident Technical College
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You'll be in good company at Rasmussen College Minnesota, which ranked #4 this year. Set in St. Cloud, MN, Rasmussen College Minnesota is a private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $12,199 in tuition and fees. Typical Nursing student debt is $28,723. More on Rasmussen College Minnesota
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Out of the 4630 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Rasmussen College Florida landed the #5 spot. Rasmussen College Florida is a private for-profit school based in Ocala, FL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,256. Rasmussen College Florida Nursing students take on a median of $28,798 in debt. See the full Rasmussen College Florida profile
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Merced College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Located in Merced, CA, Merced College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,200, compared with $8,520 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $9,024 in student loans. More on Merced College
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Rasmussen College Illinois did well this year, earning the #7 position. Located in Rockford, IL, Rasmussen College Illinois is a private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $16,581 in tuition and fees. The median Nursing program debt is $28,798. More on Rasmussen College Illinois
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Columbia Gorge Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. This public school is set in The Dalles, OR. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,940, while out-of-state students pay about $10,260. Students borrow a median of $17,416 to complete their Nursing program here. More on Columbia Gorge Community College
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Modesto Junior College placed #9 among Nursing schools in the United States. Based in Modesto, CA, Modesto Junior College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,282, compared with $9,264 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $8,575 in student loans. See the full Modesto Junior College profile
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Pacific Union College did well this year, earning the #10 position. Pacific Union College is a private not-for-profit school based in Angwin, CA. Pacific Union College graduates 44% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,173. Typical Nursing student debt is $29,400. See the full Pacific Union College profile
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Madison Area Technical College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Set in Madison, WI, Madison Area Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,977, with out-of-state students paying around $7,141. The median Nursing program debt is $16,812. More on Madison Area Technical College
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Butte College landed the #12 spot in the United States this year. Set in Oroville, CA, Butte College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,356, compared with $9,276 for out-of-state students. The median Nursing program debt is $13,302. Get the full Butte College report
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Mount St Marys College landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Los Angeles, CA. Mount St Marys College posts a six-year graduation rate of 48%. Students from in state pay about $49,564 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $27,555 in student loans. Read the full report on Mount St Marys College
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Union County College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Based in Cranford, NJ, Union County College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,280 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,500. Union County College Nursing students take on a median of $14,218 in debt. Read more about Union County College
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San Joaquin Delta College placed #15 among Nursing schools in the United States. Set in Stockton, CA, San Joaquin Delta College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,772. The median Nursing program debt is $6,382. More on San Joaquin Delta College
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Cabrillo College came in at #16 in this year's ranking. Based in Aptos, CA, Cabrillo College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,270, compared with $9,862 for out-of-state students. Typical Nursing student debt is $10,425. Read more about Cabrillo College
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Cuny Bronx Community College did well this year, earning the #16 position. Cuny Bronx Community College is a public school based in Bronx, NY. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,206, with out-of-state students paying around $8,086. The median Nursing program debt is $8,224. Read more about Cuny Bronx Community College
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Northwest Technical College came in at #18 in this year's ranking. Northwest Technical College is a public school based in Bemidji, MN. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,254. Students borrow a median of $31,053 to complete their Nursing program here. Read more about Northwest Technical College
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County College Of Morris placed #19 among Nursing schools in the United States. Based in Randolph, NJ, County College Of Morris is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,210, while out-of-state students pay about $14,310. Typical Nursing student debt is $9,420. More on County College Of Morris
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Herzing University Birmingham placed #20 among Nursing schools in the United States. Located in Birmingham, AL, Herzing University Birmingham is a private not-for-profit institution. About 25% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,450. Typical Nursing student debt is $29,954. More on Herzing University Birmingham
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Rasmussen College Kansas placed #21 among Nursing schools in the United States. Based in Topeka, KS, Rasmussen College Kansas is a private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $16,316 in tuition and fees. Typical Nursing student debt is $28,798. Get the full Rasmussen College Kansas report
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Cuesta College placed #22 among Nursing schools in the United States. Cuesta College is a public school based in San Luis Obispo, CA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,350, with out-of-state students paying around $11,010. The median Nursing program debt is $18,958. See the full Cuesta College profile
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South Texas College placed #23 among Nursing schools in the United States. Based in McAllen, TX, South Texas College is a public institution. About 20% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. The median Nursing program debt is $6,868. Get the full South Texas College report
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West Hills College Lemoore did well this year, earning the #24 position. Set in Lemoore, CA, West Hills College Lemoore is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,384, while out-of-state students pay about $10,954. West Hills College Lemoore Nursing students take on a median of $9,687 in debt. Get the full West Hills College Lemoore report
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Yuba College came in at #25 in this year's ranking. Based in Marysville, CA, Yuba College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,128, compared with $8,208 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,729 to complete their Nursing program here. See the full Yuba College profile
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These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
Akron Institute Of Herzing University placed #26 among Nursing schools in the United States. Set in Akron, OH, Akron Institute Of Herzing University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,450. Students borrow a median of $32,277 to complete their Nursing program here. See the full Akron Institute Of Herzing University profile
Request InformationBay State College placed #27 among Nursing schools in the United States. Students borrow a median of $33,374 to complete their Nursing program here. More on Bay State College
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Ivy Tech Community College placed #28 among Nursing schools in the United States. Based in Indianapolis, IN, Ivy Tech Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,154, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,889 to complete their Nursing program here. Get the full Ivy Tech Community College report
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James A Rhodes State College landed the #29 spot in the United States this year. Located in Lima, OH, James A Rhodes State College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, compared with $9,120 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,070 to complete their Nursing program here. More on James A Rhodes State College
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Rasmussen College Wisconsin placed #30 among Nursing schools in the United States. Located in Green Bay, WI, Rasmussen College Wisconsin is a private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $16,345 in tuition and fees. Typical Nursing student debt is $28,798. More on Rasmussen College Wisconsin
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Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Set in Santa Rosa, CA, Santa Rosa Junior College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Read more about Santa Rosa Junior College
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University Of Pittsburgh Titusville landed the #32 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Titusville, PA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,918, with out-of-state students paying around $22,210. Graduates carry a median of $20,810 in student loans. More on University Of Pittsburgh Titusville
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Central Arizona College placed #33 among Nursing schools in the United States. This public school is set in Coolidge, AZ. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,250, compared with $4,500 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $11,635 in student loans. Read the full report on Central Arizona College
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Santa Barbara City College landed the #34 spot in the United States this year. Based in Santa Barbara, CA, Santa Barbara City College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,240, compared with $10,432 for out-of-state students. The median Nursing program debt is $21,090. Read more about Santa Barbara City College
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Ventura College came in at #35 in this year's ranking. Located in Ventura, CA, Ventura College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. The median Nursing program debt is $20,250. Read the full report on Ventura College
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Rasmussen College North Dakota ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. This private for-profit school is set in Fargo, ND. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,404. Typical Nursing student debt is $28,798. Read the full report on Rasmussen College North Dakota
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Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg did well this year, earning the #37 position. Set in Harrisburg, PA, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,975, compared with $12,472 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,867 to complete their Nursing program here. Read the full report on Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg
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New England Institute Of Technology placed #38 among Nursing schools in the United States. Set in East Greenwich, RI, New England Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,275. Students borrow a median of $24,586 to complete their Nursing program here. More on New England Institute Of Technology
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Oregon Coast Community College came in at #39 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Newport, OR. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,544. See the full Oregon Coast Community College profile
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Mt San Antonio College ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Located in Walnut, CA, Mt San Antonio College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. The median Nursing program debt is $9,384. More on Mt San Antonio College
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Northeast Texas Community College landed the #41 spot in the United States this year. Based in Mount Pleasant, TX, Northeast Texas Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,980, compared with $5,620 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $15,089 in student loans. Read the full report on Northeast Texas Community College
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North Dakota State College Of Science landed the #42 spot in the United States this year. North Dakota State College Of Science is a public school based in Wahpeton, ND. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,974, compared with $6,973 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,706 to complete their Nursing program here. Read more about North Dakota State College Of Science
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Sacramento City College ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Set in Sacramento, CA, Sacramento City College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Sacramento City College Nursing students take on a median of $13,180 in debt. Read the full report on Sacramento City College
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Chippewa Valley Technical College ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. This public school is set in Eau Claire, WI. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,844, compared with $7,087 for out-of-state students. The median Nursing program debt is $14,234. Get the full Chippewa Valley Technical College report
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Fresno City College ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Fresno City College is a public school based in Fresno, CA. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,234 to complete their Nursing program here. Read more about Fresno City College
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Schoolcraft College did well this year, earning the #46 position. Located in Livonia, MI, Schoolcraft College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,501. The median Nursing program debt is $15,677. See the full Schoolcraft College profile
Request InformationGateway Community College New Haven landed the #47 spot in the United States this year. Students borrow a median of $12,059 to complete their Nursing program here. Get the full Gateway Community College New Haven report
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La Roche College ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Located in Pittsburgh, PA, La Roche College is a private not-for-profit institution. La Roche College graduates 56% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $34,052. Students borrow a median of $27,078 to complete their Nursing program here. See the full La Roche College profile
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Polk State College landed the #49 spot in the United States this year. Set in Winter Haven, FL, Polk State College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,694, while out-of-state students pay about $9,818. Typical Nursing student debt is $14,806. Read the full report on Polk State College
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Suffolk County Community College did well this year, earning the #50 position. Set in Selden, NY, Suffolk County Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Typical Nursing student debt is $11,246. Get the full Suffolk County Community College report
Request InformationRelated Nursing Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Nursing Schools (All Levels)
- Best Nursing Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Nursing Undergraduate Certificate 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
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Nursing Degree Search (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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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