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.
Featured schools near , edit
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 . Trident Technical College is a public institution located in Charleston, South Carolina. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,438 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $5,059 in tuition and fees if they attend Trident Technical College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,606. Associate Degree recipients from Trident Technical College accumulate an average of $19,444 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at Trident Technical 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, 75% 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 Rasmussen University - Florida. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region list. Ocala, Florida is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 2,014 students 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. Associate Degree recipients from Rasmussen University - Florida accumulate an average of $21,089 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Rasmussen University - Florida does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 93% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Herzing University - Birmingham. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in Birmingham, Alabama, the very small private not-for-profit school awarded 90 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students 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. Associate Degree recipients from Herzing University - Birmingham accumulate an average of $23,896 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. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 48% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Out of the 265 schools in the Southeast Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Polk State College landed the # 4 spot on the list. Polk State is a medium-sized public school situated in Winter Haven, Florida. It awarded 1,605 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $3,366 in tuition and fees if they attend Polk State full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $12,271. On average, associate degree students take out $12,473 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Polk State does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 79% took at least some of their classes online.
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 . Southwest Georgia Technical College is a public institution located in Thomasville, Georgia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 356 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Georgia who attend Southwest Georgia Technical College full time pay an average of $3,002 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $5,402.
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 2020-2021 about 59% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Albany State University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Albany State is a medium-sized public school situated in Albany, Georgia. It awarded 698 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Georgia who attend Albany State full time pay an average of $5,484 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $16,206. On average, associate degree students take out $18,958 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Albany State. In 2020-2021 about 70% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #7, Western Kentucky University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Bowling Green, Kentucky is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 166 students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,689 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at WKU. In 2020-2021 about 55% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
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. Located in Tifton, Georgia, the small public school awarded 239 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Students from Georgia who attend ABAC Tifton full time pay an average of $3,165 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,071. Associate Degree recipients from ABAC Tifton accumulate an average of $14,770 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at ABAC Tifton, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 46% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #9, Athens Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Located in Athens, Georgia, the small public school awarded 420 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Georgia pay an average of $3,062 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Athens Technical College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $5,462.
Athens Technical 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. In 2020-2021 about 44% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Louisiana Tech University landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs. Located in Ruston, Louisiana, the fairly large public school awarded 71 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Louisiana Tech is $10,065. Out-of-state students pay an average of $16,806. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,920 in student loans.
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 fact, around 25% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Middle Georgia State University landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs. Located in Macon, Georgia, the medium-sized public school handed out 265 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Georgia pay an average of $3,976 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Middle Georgia State University. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $12,448. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,774 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Middle Georgia State University. During the 2020-2021 year, about 70% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Georgia State University-Perimeter College landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs. Georgia State University-Perimeter College is a fairly large public school located in Atlanta, Georgia that handed out 2,323 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Georgia State University-Perimeter College is $2,960. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,312. On average, associate degree students take out $19,178 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Georgia State University-Perimeter College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 66% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #13, Miami Dade College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. MDC is a public institution located in Miami, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 10,398 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Florida pay an average of $2,838 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend MDC. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,661. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,654 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that MDC does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 82% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
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. This large public school is located in Orlando, Florida, and it awarded 8,600 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Florida pay an average of $2,474 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Valencia College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,383. On average, associate degree students take out $14,788 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Valencia College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 84% took at least some of their classes online.
Santa Fe College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in Gainesville, Florida, the fairly large public school handed out 2,487 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Santa Fe College is $2,563. 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 $14,615 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Santa Fe College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 55% took at least some of their classes online.
Chattahoochee Technical College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in Marietta, Georgia, the medium-sized public school awarded 811 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Georgia pay an average of $3,252 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Chattahoochee Technical College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $5,652.
One thing to take note of is that Chattahoochee Technical College does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 56% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #17, Sullivan University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Sullivan University is a small private for-profit school situated in Louisville, Kentucky. It awarded 348 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, associate degree students take out $23,005 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Sullivan University does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 81% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
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. Located in Fort Myers, Florida, the fairly large public school handed out 2,240 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at FSW is $3,401. Out-of-state students pay an average of $12,979. On average, associate degree students take out $12,150 in loans while pursuing their degree.
FSW 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 2020-2021 about 63% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
North Florida College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Madison, Florida is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 223 students in 2021-2022.
Students from Florida who attend NFC full time pay an average of $2,994 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $11,460.
One thing to take note of is that NFC does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 72% took at least some of their classes online.
Southwest Tennessee Community College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Southwest is a public institution located in Memphis, Tennessee. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 926 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Tennessee who attend Southwest full time pay an average of $4,430 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $17,246.
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. In fact, around 64% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Arkansas State University - Newport landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs. Located in Newport, Arkansas, the small public school handed out 309 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Students from Arkansas who attend ASUN full time pay an average of $2,952 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $4,416. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,181 in student loans.
ASUN does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 54% 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. BC is located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 6,046 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at BC is $2,830. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,952. On average, associate degree students take out $9,156 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at BC, 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.
Jackson State Community College landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs. Located in Jackson, Tennessee, the small public school awarded 532 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Tennessee pay an average of $4,396 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend JSCC. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $18,076.
Some students may be able to take online classes at JSCC. In fact, around 71% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
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. State College of Florida - Manatee - Sarasota is located in Bradenton, Florida and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,631 associate degrees to qualified students.
Full-time students from Florida pay an average of $3,074 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend State College of Florida - Manatee - Sarasota. Out-of-state students pay an average of $11,595. On average, associate degree students take out $11,602 in loans while pursuing their degree.
State College of Florida - Manatee - Sarasota does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 72% took at least some of their classes online.
Read full report on State College of Florida - Manatee - Sarasota
ECPI University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Virginia Beach, Virginia is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 1,812 students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at ECPI University is $18,484. 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 $20,059 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at ECPI University. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 47% took at least some of their classes online.
Narrow Schools by State
View Best Associate Degree Nursing Associate Degree Schools Nationwide >
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.
NursingDegreeSearch.com provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© NursingDegreeSearch.com – All Rights Reserved.