2023 Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the United States
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 analysis found Excelsior University to be the best school for nursing students who want to pursue a associate degree in the United States. Excelsior University is located in Albany, New York and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,240 associate degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,110 in student loans.
Interested in an online degree? Then you definitely want to check out Excelsior University. Every undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Delaware Technical Community College - Terry. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools list. Delaware Tech is located in Dover, Delaware and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,741 associate degrees to qualified students.
In-state students pay an average of $4,945 in tuition and fees if they attend Delaware Tech full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $11,808. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,189 in student loans.
Delaware Tech does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 43% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Trident Technical College. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools list. Charleston, South Carolina is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,438 students in 2021-2022.
Students from South Carolina who attend Trident Technical College full time pay an average of $5,059 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,606. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,444 in student loans.
Trident Technical College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 75% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Out of the 840 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Rasmussen University - Minnesota landed the # 4 spot on the list. Located in St. Cloud, Minnesota, the small private for-profit school awarded 1,328 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Rasmussen University - Minnesota does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $13,765. This amount may 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 $21,089 in student loans.
Rasmussen University - Minnesota does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2020-2021 year, about 87% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
The excellent associate degree programs at Rasmussen University - Florida helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in the United States. Rasmussen University - Florida is a medium-sized private for-profit school situated in Ocala, Florida. It awarded 2,014 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at Rasmussen University - Florida is $13,842. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,089 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Rasmussen University - Florida does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2020-2021 about 93% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Merced College landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs. Located in Merced, California, the fairly large public school awarded 1,615 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Students from California who attend Merced Community College District full time pay an average of $1,194 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,890.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Merced Community College District does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 89% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Rasmussen University - Illinois came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools ranking. Rockford, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 950 students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at Rasmussen University - Illinois is $14,294. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,089 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Rasmussen University - Illinois does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 65% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Columbia Gorge Community College landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs. This small public school is located in The Dalles, Oregon, and it awarded 154 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Oregon pay an average of $5,472 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 $10,008. Associate Degree recipients from Columbia Gorge Community College accumulate an average of $19,352 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Columbia Gorge Community College does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 51% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #9, Modesto Junior College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Modesto, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 2,385 students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $1,276 in tuition and fees if they attend MJC full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,308.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at MJC. In fact, around 84% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Pacific Union College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools ranking. Located in Angwin, California, the very small private not-for-profit school awarded 103 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at PUC is $33,678. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $27,608 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that PUC does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 61% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Madison Area Technical College landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs. Madison Area Technical College is a fairly large public school located in Madison, Wisconsin that handed out 1,366 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $4,607 in tuition and fees if they attend Madison College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $6,812. Associate Degree recipients from Madison College accumulate an average of $17,344 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at Madison College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2020-2021 about 67% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Butte College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools list. Butte College is a public institution located in Oroville, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,193 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from California who attend Butte College full time pay an average of $1,336 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,816. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,921 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that Butte College does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 81% took at least some of their classes online.
Mount Saint Mary’s University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools ranking. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 121 students in 2021-2022.
MSMU does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $46,740. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from MSMU accumulate an average of $19,027 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at MSMU, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2020-2021 about 86% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Union County College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs. Located in Cranford, New Jersey, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,519 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Associate Degree recipients from Union County College accumulate an average of $11,937 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Union County College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 73% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
San Joaquin Delta College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs. Stockton, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 3,631 students in 2021-2022.
Delta 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. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 98% took at least some of their classes online.
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. BCC is a public institution located in Bronx, New York. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,152 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at BCC is $5,206. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,086. Associate Degree recipients from BCC accumulate an average of $11,352 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at BCC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 93% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #16, Cabrillo College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. This medium-sized public school is located in Aptos, California, and it awarded 1,994 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $1,262 in tuition and fees if they attend Cabrillo College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,630.
Cabrillo College 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, 88% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Northwest Technical College landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs. NTC is a public institution located in Bemidji, Minnesota. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 115 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $6,226 to cover tuition and fees at NTC. The school does not offer an in-state discount. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,981 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at NTC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 74% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
County College of Morris landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs. Located in Randolph, New Jersey, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,107 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Students from New Jersey who attend County College of Morris full time pay an average of $10,260 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $14,040. Associate Degree recipients from County College of Morris accumulate an average of $10,222 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at County College of Morris. In 2020-2021 about 43% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Herzing University - Birmingham did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #20 on the list. Herzing University - Birmingham is a private not-for-profit institution located in Birmingham, Alabama. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 90 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $12,750 to cover tuition and fees at Herzing University - Birmingham. The school does not offer an in-state discount. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,896 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Herzing University - Birmingham. During the 2020-2021 year, about 48% 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 is a very small private for-profit school located in Topeka, Kansas that handed out 233 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Rasmussen University - Kansas does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $13,958. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $21,089 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Rasmussen University - Kansas. In 2020-2021 about 92% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Cuesta 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 #22 on the list. Cuesta College is located in San Luis Obispo, California and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,629 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Cuesta College is $1,340. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $9,348. On average, associate degree students take out $17,988 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Cuesta College 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, 75% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
South Texas 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 #23 on the list. Located in McAllen, Texas, the large public school awarded 3,702 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
One thing to take note of is that South Texas College does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 58% took at least some of their classes online.
West Hills College-Lemoore ranked #24 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools list. West Hills College-Lemoore is located in Lemoore, California and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 767 associate degrees to qualified students.
Associate Degree recipients from West Hills College-Lemoore accumulate an average of $12,678 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at West Hills College-Lemoore, 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, 76% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Yuba College landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs. Marysville, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,330 students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $1,128 in tuition and fees if they attend Yuba College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,488.
Yuba College 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, 79% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
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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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