2023 Best Nursing Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
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.
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Top Nursing Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Saint Vincent College the best school in the Middle Atlantic Region for nursing students working on their degree. Saint Vincent is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. It awarded 412 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $52,490 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $436.After graduating from Saint Vincent, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $49,935 during the early years of their career.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Excelsior University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Nursing Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Located in Albany, New York, the fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 4,461 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Excelsior University accumulate an average of $20,049 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Excelsior University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $58,705 during the early year of their career.
Out of the 226 schools in the Middle Atlantic Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Pennsylvania landed the # 3 spot on the list. Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the large private not-for-profit school awarded 10,067 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $66,363 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $529 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UPenn graduates make an average of $81,207 annually.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend The Graduate Center, CUNY. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Located in New York, New York, the medium-sized public school awarded 2,945 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $27,546 in student loans. During the early years of their career, The Graduate Center graduates make an average of $61,344 annually.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Ramapo College of New Jersey. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Nursing Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Ramapo College of New Jersey is a medium-sized public school located in Mahwah, New Jersey that handed out 1,463 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $23,083 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $360 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Ramapo College graduates make an average of $42,404 annually.
Wagner College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Wagner is a private not-for-profit institution located in Staten Island, New York. The school has a small population, and it awarded 554 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $33,656 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $686 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Wagner graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $62,835 during the early year of their career.
New York University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Located in New York, New York, the large private not-for-profit school awarded 18,769 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $66,383 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $1,023, 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.
Thomas Jefferson University landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Thomas Jefferson University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 2,809 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $45,943 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $571. Once they receive their degree, Thomas Jefferson University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $59,708 during the early year of their career.
Molloy College landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Located in Rockville Centre, New York, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 1,471 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $32,946 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $586.After graduating from Molloy, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $55,942 during the early years of their career.
Rider University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Rider University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Lawrenceville, New Jersey that handed out 1,373 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $30,049 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $619 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Rider graduates make an average of $43,094 annually.
Villanova University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. This fairly large private not-for-profit school is located in Villanova, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 3,923 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Villanova accumulate an average of $34,312 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 $593 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Villanova graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $62,813 during the early year of their career.
Georgetown University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Georgetown University is a large private not-for-profit school located in Washington, District of Columbia that handed out 7,598 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Georgetown accumulate an average of $70,920 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 $731. Once they receive their degree, Georgetown graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $69,885 during the early year of their career.
Delaware Technical Community College - Terry ranked #13 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Delaware Tech is located in Dover, Delaware and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,999 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from Delaware Tech accumulate an average of $10,697 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Delaware Tech, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $35,255 during the early years of their career.
Read full report on Delaware Technical Community College - Terry
Rutgers University - Camden ranked #14 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Located in Camden, New Jersey, the medium-sized public school awarded 2,024 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Rutgers Camden accumulate an average of $29,939 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $280, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Rutgers Camden graduates make an average of $47,992 annually.
The College of New Jersey landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. TCNJ is located in Ewing, New Jersey and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,224 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,651 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $364 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, TCNJ graduates make an average of $48,225 annually.
Eastwick College - Hackensack came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking. Hackensack, New Jersey is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out degrees to 309 students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $17,508 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $84, assuming you 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.
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #17 on the list. Located in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania, the medium-sized public school awarded 2,338 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from SRU accumulate an average of $28,238 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $291, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, SRU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,997 during the early year of their career.
With a ranking of #18, Johns Hopkins University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working. Johns Hopkins is located in Baltimore, Maryland and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 11,331 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from Johns Hopkins accumulate an average of $48,497 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 $670 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Johns Hopkins, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $68,344 during the early years of their career.
Chatham University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #19 on the list. Chatham is a private not-for-profit institution located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 756 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $54,759 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Chatham graduates make an average of $59,386 annually.
Adelphi University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking. This medium-sized private not-for-profit school is located in Garden City, New York, and it awarded 2,450 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $43,372 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $651. During the early years of their career, Adelphi graduates make an average of $46,441 annually.
University of Scranton did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #21 on the list. University of Scranton is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Scranton, Pennsylvania. It awarded 1,517 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $38,543 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $688, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, University of Scranton graduates make an average of $48,740 annually.
Millersville University of Pennsylvania landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Millersville University of Pennsylvania is a medium-sized public school located in Millersville, Pennsylvania that handed out 1,782 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,358 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $403 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.
Frostburg State University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Frostburg State University is a small public school located in Frostburg, Maryland that handed out 1,215 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,000 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $227, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Frostburg State, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $38,800 during the early years of their career.
University of Delaware ranked #24 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. University of Delaware is a large public school located in Newark, Delaware that handed out 6,477 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from UD accumulate an average of $24,565 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $682, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UD graduates make an average of $46,231 annually.
Wilmington University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking. Wilmington University is located in New Castle, Delaware and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 3,732 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from Wilmington University accumulate an average of $28,753 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Wilmington University graduates make an average of $52,115 annually.
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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.