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Best Nursing Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

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2023 Best Nursing Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

226 Schools Ranked
$44,984 Average Earnings
$21,980 Avg Student Debt

There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which nursing program is right for you. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. Or you may find the programs at a trade school or bootcamp to be a better alternative for you.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Nursing Degree Search has created its Best Nursing Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking. Our analysis looked at 226 schools in the Middle Atlantic Region to see which programs offered the best educational experiences for nursing students.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Nursing Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region of the U.S.

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Saint Vincent College

Latrobe, Pennsylvania
$49,935 Average Earnings
$26,112 Avg Student Debt

Our analysis found Saint Vincent College to be the best school for nursing students in the Middle Atlantic Region .

Degree recipients from Saint Vincent accumulate an average of $26,112 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $392. During the early years of their career, Saint Vincent graduates make an average of $49,935 annually.

Read full report on Saint Vincent College

#2

Excelsior College

Albany, New York
$58,705 Average Earnings
$20,421 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 226 schools in the Middle Atlantic Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Excelsior College landed the # 2 spot on the list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,421 in student loans.After graduating from Excelsior College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $58,705 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Excelsior College

#3

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
$81,207 Average Earnings
$17,262 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend University of Pennsylvania. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list.

Degree recipients from UPenn accumulate an average of $17,262 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $547.After graduating from UPenn, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $81,207 during the early years of their career.

Full University of Pennsylvania Report

#4

The Graduate Center, CUNY

New York, New York
$61,344 Average Earnings
$20,379 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means The Graduate Center, CUNY is a great place for nursing students.

On average, students take out $20,379 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, The Graduate Center graduates make an average of $61,344 annually.

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#5

Ramapo College of New Jersey

Mahwah, New Jersey
$42,404 Average Earnings
$22,964 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 226 schools in the Middle Atlantic Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Ramapo College of New Jersey landed the # 5 spot on the list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,964 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $376 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Ramapo College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $42,404 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Ramapo College of New Jersey

#6

Wagner College

Staten Island, New York
$62,835 Average Earnings
$26,358 Avg Student Debt

Wagner College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,358 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $423, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Wagner, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $62,835 during the early years of their career.

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#7

New York University

New York, New York
$59,064 Average Earnings
$21,688 Avg Student Debt

New York University landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,688 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $754, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, NYU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $59,064 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on New York University

#8

Thomas Jefferson University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
$59,708 Average Earnings
$31,910 Avg Student Debt

Thomas Jefferson University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list.

Degree recipients from Thomas Jefferson University accumulate an average of $31,910 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $535 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Thomas Jefferson University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $59,708 during the early years of their career.

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#9

Molloy College

Rockville Centre, New York
$55,942 Average Earnings
$26,757 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #9, Molloy College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working.

On average, students take out $26,757 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $522, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Molloy graduates make an average of $55,942 annually.

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#10

Rider University

Lawrenceville, New Jersey
$43,094 Average Earnings
$25,127 Avg Student Debt

Rider University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list.

Degree recipients from Rider accumulate an average of $25,127 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $521 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Rider, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,094 during the early years of their career.

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#11

Villanova University

Villanova, Pennsylvania
$62,813 Average Earnings
$26,526 Avg Student Debt

Villanova University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #11 on the list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,526 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $594. Once they receive their degree, Villanova graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $62,813 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Villanova University

#12

Georgetown University

Washington, District of Columbia
$69,885 Average Earnings
$16,335 Avg Student Debt

Georgetown University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,335 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $769.After graduating from Georgetown, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $69,885 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Georgetown University

$35,255 Average Earnings
$13,523 Avg Student Debt

Delaware Technical Community College - Terry ranked #13 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list.

On average, students take out $13,523 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Delaware Tech graduates make an average of $35,255 annually.

Read full report on Delaware Technical Community College - Terry

#14

Rutgers University - Camden

Camden, New Jersey
$47,992 Average Earnings
$24,092 Avg Student Debt

Rutgers University - Camden ranked #14 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list.

Degree recipients from Rutgers Camden accumulate an average of $24,092 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $249 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Rutgers Camden graduates make an average of $47,992 annually.

Read full report on Rutgers University - Camden

#15

The College of New Jersey

Ewing, New Jersey
$48,225 Average Earnings
$22,132 Avg Student Debt

The College of New Jersey came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking.

On average, students take out $22,132 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $327, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from TCNJ, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $48,225 during the early years of their career.

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#16

Eastwick College - Hackensack

Hackensack, New Jersey
$31,686 Average Earnings
$19,378 Avg Student Debt

Eastwick College - Hackensack did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #16 on the list.

On average, students take out $19,378 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $68 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Eastwick College - Hackensack graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $31,686 during the early year of their career.

Full Eastwick College - Hackensack Report

#17

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania
$38,997 Average Earnings
$25,146 Avg Student Debt

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania ranked #17 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,146 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $275 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from SRU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $38,997 during the early years of their career.

Full Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Report

#18

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, Maryland
$68,344 Average Earnings
$18,755 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #18, Johns Hopkins University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working.

Degree recipients from Johns Hopkins accumulate an average of $18,755 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $599 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Johns Hopkins graduates make an average of $68,344 annually.

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#19

Chatham University

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
$59,386 Average Earnings
$25,016 Avg Student Debt

Chatham University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking.

Degree recipients from Chatham accumulate an average of $25,016 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Chatham, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $59,386 during the early years of their career.

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#20

Adelphi University

Garden City, New York
$46,441 Average Earnings
$25,122 Avg Student Debt

Adelphi University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,122 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $564, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Adelphi graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $46,441 during the early year of their career.

Full Adelphi University Report

#21

University of Scranton

Scranton, Pennsylvania
$48,740 Average Earnings
$24,211 Avg Student Debt

University of Scranton landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs.

Degree recipients from University of Scranton accumulate an average of $24,211 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $590.After graduating from University of Scranton, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $48,740 during the early years of their career.

Full University of Scranton Report

#22

Millersville University of Pennsylvania

Millersville, Pennsylvania
$41,464 Average Earnings
$26,212 Avg Student Debt

Millersville University of Pennsylvania did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #22 on the list.

Degree recipients from Millersville accumulate an average of $26,212 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $304 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Millersville graduates make an average of $41,464 annually.

Full Millersville University of Pennsylvania Report

#23

Frostburg State University

Frostburg, Maryland
$38,800 Average Earnings
$24,481 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #23, Frostburg State University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working.

On average, students take out $24,481 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $196. During the early years of their career, Frostburg State graduates make an average of $38,800 annually.

Read full report on Frostburg State University

#24

University of Delaware

Newark, Delaware
$46,231 Average Earnings
$21,866 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #24, University of Delaware did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,866 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $545 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UD graduates make an average of $46,231 annually.

Read More…

#25

Wilmington University

New Castle, Delaware
$52,115 Average Earnings
$27,904 Avg Student Debt

Wilmington University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #25 on the list.

Degree recipients from Wilmington University accumulate an average of $27,904 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Wilmington University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $52,115 during the early years of their career.

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Rest of the Top 15% Best Nursing Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region of the U.S.

Not only did these schools make the top 34 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

#26

Lincoln Technical Institute - Allentown

Allentown, Pennsylvania
#27

York College of Pennsylvania

York, Pennsylvania
#28

College of Saint Elizabeth

Morristown, New Jersey
#29

Bronx Community College

Bronx, New York
#30

Farmingdale State College

Farmingdale, New York
#31

County College of Morris

Randolph, New Jersey
#32

Union County College

Cranford, New Jersey
#33

Immaculata University

Immaculata, Pennsylvania

View Best Nursing Schools Nationwide >

Honorable Mentions

These schools also performed well in our best nursing schools ranking:

Rank School Location
35 Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA
36 Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJ
37 University of Rochester Rochester, NY
38 Teachers College at Columbia University New York, NY
39 University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA
40 Cedar Crest College Allentown, PA
41 Duquesne University Pittsburgh, PA
42 University of Pittsburgh - Titusville Titusville, PA
43 Catholic University of America Washington, DC
44 Drexel University Philadelphia, PA
45 Holy Family University Philadelphia, PA
46 King’s College Wilkes-Barre, PA

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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