2026 Best Nursing Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best Nursing certificate degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 7944 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Nursing Degree Search evaluated 4630 schools to produce this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Nursing Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
Our analysis found Madison Area Technical College to be the best Nursing school in the United States. Based in Madison, WI, Madison Area Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,977 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,141 for out-of-state students. The median Nursing program debt is $16,812. Get the full Madison Area Technical College report
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Out of the 4630 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Moraine Park Technical College landed the #2 spot. This public school is set in Fond du Lac, WI. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,819, compared with $7,084 for out-of-state students. Typical Nursing student debt is $11,471. Read the full report on Moraine Park Technical College
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Out of the 4630 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Fox Valley Technical College landed the #3 spot. Based in Appleton, WI, Fox Valley Technical College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $7,283. The median Nursing program debt is $13,319. More on Fox Valley Technical College
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A rank of #4 makes Ivy Tech Community College one of the top choices in the United States. This public school is set in Indianapolis, IN. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,154, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Students borrow a median of $11,889 to complete their Nursing program here. See the full Ivy Tech Community College profile
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You'll be in good company at Oakton Community College, which ranked #5 this year. This public school is set in Des Plaines, IL. In-state tuition and fees average $3,985, while out-of-state students pay about $12,462. Oakton Community College Nursing students take on a median of $7,750 in debt. Get the full Oakton Community College report
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Chippewa Valley Technical College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Based in Eau Claire, WI, Chippewa Valley Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,844 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,087 for out-of-state students. The median Nursing program debt is $14,234. See the full Chippewa Valley Technical College profile
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Blackhawk Technical College landed the #7 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Janesville, WI. In-state tuition and fees average $4,747, with out-of-state students paying around $6,803. Students borrow a median of $13,715 to complete their Nursing program here. Read the full report on Blackhawk Technical College
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Red Rocks Community College landed the #8 spot in the United States this year. Based in Lakewood, CO, Red Rocks Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,859, with out-of-state students paying around $17,459. Typical Nursing student debt is $14,471. Get the full Red Rocks Community College report
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Jefferson Community And Technical College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Jefferson Community And Technical College is a public school based in Louisville, KY. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,808, while out-of-state students pay about $6,512. Jefferson Community And Technical College Nursing students take on a median of $13,917 in debt. Read more about Jefferson Community And Technical College
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Harper College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Set in Palatine, IL, Harper College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,894, while out-of-state students pay about $11,874. Graduates carry a median of $10,963 in student loans. Read more about Harper College
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College Of Lake County landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. College Of Lake County is a public school based in Grayslake, IL. In-state tuition and fees average $4,788, while out-of-state students pay about $14,400. College Of Lake County Nursing students take on a median of $9,785 in debt. Get the full College Of Lake County report
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Lake Area Technical Institute placed #12 among Nursing schools in the United States. Based in Watertown, SD, Lake Area Technical Institute is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,718. Graduates carry a median of $13,674 in student loans. Read more about Lake Area Technical Institute
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Century College came in at #13 in this year's ranking. Located in White Bear Lake, MN, Century College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,214. Century College Nursing students take on a median of $21,332 in debt. More on Century College
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Gateway Technical College came in at #14 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Kenosha, WI. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,956, compared with $7,199 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,829 to complete their Nursing program here. More on Gateway Technical College
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Oregon Coast Community College placed #15 among Nursing schools in the United States. Oregon Coast Community College is a public school based in Newport, OR. Students from in state pay about $5,544 in tuition and fees. More on Oregon Coast Community College
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Butte College did well this year, earning the #16 position. This public school is set in Oroville, CA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,356, compared with $9,276 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,302 to complete their Nursing program here. Get the full Butte College report
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Merced College did well this year, earning the #17 position. Set in Merced, CA, Merced College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,200, while out-of-state students pay about $8,520. The median Nursing program debt is $9,024. Read the full report on Merced College
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Northeast Wisconsin Technical College placed #18 among Nursing schools in the United States. Set in Green Bay, WI, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,960, compared with $7,203 for out-of-state students. Typical Nursing student debt is $14,997. Read the full report on Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
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North Central Kansas Technical College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Set in Beloit, KS, North Central Kansas Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,350. More on North Central Kansas Technical College
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College Of The Sequoias came in at #20 in this year's ranking. Set in Visalia, CA, College Of The Sequoias is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,394, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. More on College Of The Sequoias
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Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Located in Santa Rosa, CA, Santa Rosa Junior College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,318, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete their Nursing program here. Read the full report on Santa Rosa Junior College
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Centralia College came in at #22 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Centralia, WA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,266, while out-of-state students pay about $5,651. More on Centralia College
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Anoka Technical College came in at #23 in this year's ranking. Set in Anoka, MN, Anoka Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,267. The median Nursing program debt is $18,408. See the full Anoka Technical College profile
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Cuesta College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Located in San Luis Obispo, CA, Cuesta College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,350, with out-of-state students paying around $11,010. Cuesta College Nursing students take on a median of $18,958 in debt. See the full Cuesta College profile
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North Iowa Area Community College came in at #25 in this year's ranking. North Iowa Area Community College is a public school based in Mason City, IA. In-state tuition and fees average $6,653, with out-of-state students paying around $9,551. Graduates carry a median of $12,043 in student loans. More on North Iowa Area Community College
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These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Bunker Hill Community College came in at #26 in this year's ranking. Based in Boston, MA, Bunker Hill Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,168 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,112 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,893 to complete their Nursing program here. See the full Bunker Hill Community College profile
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Waukesha County Technical College came in at #27 in this year's ranking. Located in Pewaukee, WI, Waukesha County Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,803 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,046. Students borrow a median of $16,595 to complete their Nursing program here. Get the full Waukesha County Technical College report
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Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #28 spot in the United States this year. Set in Columbus, OH, Ohio State University Main Campus is a public institution. Ohio State University Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 88%. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Typical Nursing student debt is $22,053. Read the full report on Ohio State University Main Campus
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Bluegrass Community And Technical College did well this year, earning the #29 position. This public school is set in Lexington, KY. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,808, while out-of-state students pay about $6,512. Students borrow a median of $13,366 to complete their Nursing program here. See the full Bluegrass Community And Technical College profile
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Lone Star College System landed the #30 spot in the United States this year. Set in The Woodlands, TX, Lone Star College System is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,664, while out-of-state students pay about $7,512. Typical Nursing student debt is $10,425. Read the full report on Lone Star College System
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Northeast Texas Community College did well this year, earning the #31 position. Northeast Texas Community College is a public school based in Mount Pleasant, TX. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,980, while out-of-state students pay about $5,620. The median Nursing program debt is $15,089. Read more about Northeast Texas Community College
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Kansas City Kansas Community College ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Kansas City Kansas Community College is a public school based in Kansas City, KS. Students from in state pay about $2,996 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,482. Typical Nursing student debt is $13,129. See the full Kansas City Kansas Community College profile
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Kaskaskia College placed #33 among Nursing schools in the United States. This public school is set in Centralia, IL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800, while out-of-state students pay about $12,570. Graduates carry a median of $7,875 in student loans. Read the full report on Kaskaskia College
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Ohio University Main Campus came in at #34 in this year's ranking. Located in Athens, OH, Ohio University Main Campus is a public institution. Ohio University Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 65%. Students from in state pay about $14,158 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. The median Nursing program debt is $24,546. Get the full Ohio University Main Campus report
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Western Iowa Tech Community College did well this year, earning the #35 position. Located in Sioux City, IA, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,186, compared with $5,330 for out-of-state students. Typical Nursing student debt is $11,886. Get the full Western Iowa Tech Community College report
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Coastal Pines Technical College ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Set in Waycross, GA, Coastal Pines Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,268, compared with $5,836 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $5,812 in student loans. More on Coastal Pines Technical College
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Oconee Fall Line Technical College ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Oconee Fall Line Technical College is a public school based in Sandersville, GA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,380, while out-of-state students pay about $5,948. Oconee Fall Line Technical College Nursing students take on a median of $12,718 in debt. Get the full Oconee Fall Line Technical College report
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Johnson County Community College placed #38 among Nursing schools in the United States. Based in Overland Park, KS, Johnson County Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,424, compared with $5,688 for out-of-state students. Typical Nursing student debt is $13,532. Read the full report on Johnson County Community College
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Flint Hills Technical College placed #39 among Nursing schools in the United States. This public school is set in Emporia, KS. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,944. The median Nursing program debt is $14,690. More on Flint Hills Technical College
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Northland Community And Technical College landed the #40 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Thief River Falls, MN. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,289. Graduates carry a median of $18,550 in student loans. More on Northland Community And Technical College
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Dakota County Technical College landed the #41 spot in the United States this year. Set in Rosemount, MN, Dakota County Technical College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,679. The median Nursing program debt is $13,474. More on Dakota County Technical College
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Inver Hills Community College ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. This public school is set in Inver Grove Heights, MN. In-state tuition and fees average $6,146. Graduates carry a median of $20,160 in student loans. See the full Inver Hills Community College profile
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Minnesota West Community And Technical College placed #43 among Nursing schools in the United States. Minnesota West Community And Technical College is a public school based in Granite Falls, MN. Students from in state pay about $6,491 in tuition and fees. The median Nursing program debt is $13,946. Read more about Minnesota West Community And Technical College
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Gaston College landed the #44 spot in the United States this year. Located in Dallas, NC, Gaston College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,186, with out-of-state students paying around $9,330. Students borrow a median of $10,915 to complete their Nursing program here. See the full Gaston College profile
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Pikes Peak Community College ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. This public school is set in Colorado Springs, CO. Students from in state pay about $4,510 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,110. The median Nursing program debt is $16,066. Read more about Pikes Peak Community College
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City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College came in at #46 in this year's ranking. Set in Chicago, IL, City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College Nursing students take on a median of $12,272 in debt. More on City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College
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Wiregrass Georgia Technical College placed #47 among Nursing schools in the United States. Set in Valdosta, GA, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,480 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,048 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,864 to complete their Nursing program here. More on Wiregrass Georgia Technical College
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Gateway Community College Phoenix came in at #48 in this year's ranking. Set in Phoenix, AZ, Gateway Community College Phoenix is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Typical Nursing student debt is $15,736. More on Gateway Community College Phoenix
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Des Moines Area Community College came in at #49 in this year's ranking. Des Moines Area Community College is a public school based in Ankeny, IA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,790, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Graduates carry a median of $14,956 in student loans. Read more about Des Moines Area Community College
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Western Technical College La Cross placed #50 among Nursing schools in the United States. Based in La Crosse, WI, Western Technical College La Cross is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,820, with out-of-state students paying around $7,078. Graduates carry a median of $13,669 in student loans. See the full Western Technical College La Cross profile
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Explore other degree levels:
- Best Nursing Schools (All Levels)
- Best Nursing Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Nursing Associate’s 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
These rankings are produced by Nursing Degree Search (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs 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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