2023 Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region
With all the nursing programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience. Also, there are a number of trade schools and bootcamp with offerings that you might find attractive.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Nursing Degree Search has created its Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Our analysis looked at 265 schools in the Southeast Region 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 Southeast Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Trident Technical College to be the best school for nursing students who want to pursue a associate degree in the Southeast Region .
Students from South Carolina who attend Trident Technical College full time pay an average of $5,143 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,690. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,670 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Trident Technical College does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2019-2020 year, about 89% 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 #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in the Southeast Region .
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. On average, associate degree students take out $27,566 in loans while pursuing 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.
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Herzing University - Birmingham is a great place for nursing students working on their associate degree.
The average tuition and fees at Herzing University - Birmingham is $14,200. 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 $33,029 in student loans.
Online courses are available at Herzing University - Birmingham, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 58% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
The excellent associate degree programs at Polk State College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in the Southeast Region .
Students from Florida who attend Polk State full time pay an average of $3,366 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $12,271. Associate Degree recipients from Polk State accumulate an average of $15,235 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Polk State. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 90% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
The excellent associate degree programs at Southern Regional Technical College helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in the Southeast Region .
Full-time students from Georgia pay an average of $3,002 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Southwest Georgia Technical College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $5,402. On average, associate degree students take out $13,212 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Southwest Georgia Technical College does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 62% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Albany State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #6 on the list.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Albany State is $5,934. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $16,656. Associate Degree recipients from Albany State accumulate an average of $27,860 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Albany State does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 62% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Western Kentucky University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region list.
Associate Degree recipients from WKU accumulate an average of $25,980 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at WKU. In fact, around 86% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural 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 #8 on the list.
Students from Georgia who attend ABAC Tifton full time pay an average of $3,565 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,471. On average, associate degree students take out $18,942 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at ABAC Tifton. In 2019-2020 about 84% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Athens Technical College landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Athens Technical College is $3,062. Out-of-state students pay an average of $5,462. Associate Degree recipients from Athens Technical College accumulate an average of $14,099 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Athens Technical College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 45% took at least some of their classes online.
Louisiana Tech University landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs.
Full-time students from Louisiana pay an average of $10,065 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Louisiana Tech. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $16,806. On average, associate degree students take out $21,122 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Louisiana Tech 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 2019-2020 about 61% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Middle Georgia State University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region list.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Middle Georgia State University is $4,042. Out-of-state students pay an average of $11,389. On average, associate degree students take out $22,403 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Middle Georgia State University 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 70% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Georgia State University-Perimeter College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region list.
Students from Georgia who attend Georgia State University-Perimeter College full time pay an average of $3,360 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,712. Associate Degree recipients from Georgia State University-Perimeter College accumulate an average of $25,755 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at Georgia State University-Perimeter College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 92% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Miami Dade College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking.
In-state students pay an average of $2,838 in tuition and fees if they attend MDC full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,661. On average, associate degree students take out $15,819 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at MDC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 80% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Valencia 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.
Full-time students from Florida pay an average of $2,474 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Valencia College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $9,383. On average, associate degree students take out $17,714 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Valencia College does offer online classes in some areas. In 2019-2020 about 96% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Santa Fe College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region list.
Full-time students from Florida pay an average of $2,563 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Santa Fe College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $9,189. Associate Degree recipients from Santa Fe College accumulate an average of $19,132 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at Santa Fe College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 73% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #16, Chattahoochee Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree.
In-state students pay an average of $3,202 in tuition and fees if they attend Chattahoochee Technical College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $5,602. Associate Degree recipients from Chattahoochee Technical College accumulate an average of $17,365 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Chattahoochee Technical College does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 65% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #17, Sullivan University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,771 in student loans.
Online courses are available at Sullivan University, 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, 73% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #18, Florida SouthWestern State College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree.
In-state students pay an average of $3,401 in tuition and fees if they attend FSW full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $12,979. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,085 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since FSW does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 73% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
North Florida College landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at NFC is $2,994. Out-of-state students pay an average of $11,460. Associate Degree recipients from NFC accumulate an average of $12,980 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at NFC. In fact, around 73% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Southwest Tennessee 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 #20 on the list.
In-state students pay an average of $4,430 in tuition and fees if they attend Southwest full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $17,246. Associate Degree recipients from Southwest accumulate an average of $17,440 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Southwest 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. During the 2019-2020 year, about 78% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Arkansas State University - Newport landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs.
Students from Arkansas who attend ASUN full time pay an average of $2,856 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $4,320. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,938 in student loans.
ASUN 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 2019-2020 academic year, around 62% took at least some of their classes online.
Broward 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.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at BC is $2,830. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,952. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,682 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that BC does offer online classes in some areas. In 2019-2020 about 87% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Jackson State Community College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking.
Students from Tennessee who attend JSCC full time pay an average of $4,618 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $18,076. Associate Degree recipients from JSCC accumulate an average of $10,619 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
JSCC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 81% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #24, State College of Florida - Manatee - Sarasota 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 State College of Florida - Manatee - Sarasota is $3,074. Out-of-state students pay an average of $11,595. Associate Degree recipients from State College of Florida - Manatee - Sarasota accumulate an average of $15,884 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
State College of Florida - Manatee - Sarasota 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, 90% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
ECPI University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $17,479 to cover tuition and fees at ECPI University. 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 $24,838 in student loans.
ECPI University 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, 44% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Rest of the Top 15% Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region of the U.S.
Not only did these schools make the top 40 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
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Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our best nursing schools ranking:
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 41 | Gadsden State Community College | Gadsden, AL |
| 42 | Gordon State College | Barnesville, GA |
| 43 | Wallace Community College, Dothan | Dothan, AL |
| 44 | Bevill State Community College | Jasper, AL |
| 45 | Southern Adventist University | Collegedale, TN |
| 46 | College of the Albemarle | Elizabeth City, NC |
| 47 | Southern Crescent Technical College | Griffin, GA |
| 48 | Davis & Elkins College | Elkins, WV |
| 49 | Germanna Community College | Locust Grove, VA |
| 50 | John Tyler Community College | Chester, VA |
| 51 | Mississippi University for Women | Columbus, MS |
| 52 | Gwinnett Technical College | Lawrenceville, GA |
| 53 | Florida Gateway College | Lake City, FL |
| 54 | Hillsborough Community College | Tampa, FL |
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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