2026 Best Nursing Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best Nursing undergraduate certificate degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 7944 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh 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 build this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Nursing Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
No school ranked higher than North Shore Community College this year in the United States. This public school is set in Danvers, MA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,352, while out-of-state students pay about $10,920. Graduates carry a median of $14,145 in student loans. Get the full North Shore Community College report
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The strong Nursing programs at Mount Wachusett Community College earned it the #2 place in the United States. Based in Gardner, MA, Mount Wachusett Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,160 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,080 for out-of-state students. Mount Wachusett Community College Nursing students take on a median of $11,497 in debt. More on Mount Wachusett Community College
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Out of the 4630 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Eastwick College Hackensack landed the #3 spot. Located in Hackensack, NJ, Eastwick College Hackensack is a private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,075. Students borrow a median of $18,758 to complete their Nursing program here. Read the full report on Eastwick College Hackensack
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You'll be in good company at Greenfield Community College, which ranked #4 this year. Located in Greenfield, MA, Greenfield Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,810, compared with $11,930 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $12,269 in student loans. Read more about Greenfield Community College
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The strong Nursing programs at Ivy Tech Community College earned it the #5 place in the United States. This public school is set in Indianapolis, IN. Students from in state pay about $5,154 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Typical Nursing student debt is $11,889. More on Ivy Tech Community College
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Rasmussen College Florida came in at #6 in this year's ranking. This private for-profit school is set in Ocala, FL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,256. Students borrow a median of $28,798 to complete their Nursing program here. Get the full Rasmussen College Florida report
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Herzing University Birmingham ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Based in Birmingham, AL, Herzing University Birmingham is a private not-for-profit institution. Herzing University Birmingham graduates 25% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,450. Students borrow a median of $29,954 to complete their Nursing program here. Read the full report on Herzing University Birmingham
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Lincoln Technical Institute Allentown came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Located in Allentown, PA, Lincoln Technical Institute Allentown is a private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $16,528 to complete their Nursing program here. Get the full Lincoln Technical Institute Allentown report
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Delaware Technical Community College Terry landed the #9 spot in the United States this year. Based in Dover, DE, Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,332, while out-of-state students pay about $5,763. Delaware Technical Community College Terry Nursing students take on a median of $11,154 in debt. Read more about Delaware Technical Community College Terry
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Rasmussen College Minnesota ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. This private for-profit school is set in St. Cloud, MN. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,199. Rasmussen College Minnesota Nursing students take on a median of $28,723 in debt. Read more about Rasmussen College Minnesota
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Kellogg Community College landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Battle Creek, MI. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,118, compared with $8,282 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $20,432 in student loans. More on Kellogg Community College
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Chippewa Valley Technical College landed the #12 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Eau Claire, WI. In-state tuition and fees average $4,844, compared with $7,087 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,234 to complete their Nursing program here. Get the full Chippewa Valley Technical College report
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Hannibal Lagrange College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Set in Hannibal, MO, Hannibal Lagrange College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 48% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $26,880 in tuition and fees. Typical Nursing student debt is $21,705. Read more about Hannibal Lagrange College
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Glendale Community College Glendale Ca ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Based in Glendale, CA, Glendale Community College Glendale Ca is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,191, while out-of-state students pay about $10,935. Glendale Community College Glendale Ca Nursing students take on a median of $19,800 in debt. See the full Glendale Community College Glendale Ca profile
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Northern Essex Community College did well this year, earning the #15 position. This public school is set in Haverhill, MA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,732, compared with $12,516 for out-of-state students. Typical Nursing student debt is $11,002. Get the full Northern Essex Community College report
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Northland Community And Technical College placed #16 among Nursing schools in the United States. Based in Thief River Falls, MN, Northland Community And Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,289 in tuition and fees. The median Nursing program debt is $18,550. Get the full Northland Community And Technical College report
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Cuesta College landed the #17 spot in the United States this year. Cuesta College is a public school based in San Luis Obispo, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $1,350, with out-of-state students paying around $11,010. Graduates carry a median of $18,958 in student loans. Get the full Cuesta College report
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Lake Area Technical Institute ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Located in Watertown, SD, Lake Area Technical Institute is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,718. Lake Area Technical Institute Nursing students take on a median of $13,674 in debt. More on Lake Area Technical Institute
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Southeast Technical Institute did well this year, earning the #19 position. Set in Sioux Falls, SD, Southeast Technical Institute is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,650. Graduates carry a median of $18,442 in student loans. Get the full Southeast Technical Institute report
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El Centro College came in at #20 in this year's ranking. Located in Dallas, TX, El Centro College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Typical Nursing student debt is $14,557. Get the full El Centro College report
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Alexandria Technical And Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Based in Alexandria, MN, Alexandria Technical And Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,236. Students borrow a median of $14,054 to complete their Nursing program here. Read more about Alexandria Technical And Community College
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Fox Valley Technical College landed the #22 spot in the United States this year. Based in Appleton, WI, Fox Valley Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,040 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,283. Typical Nursing student debt is $13,319. Get the full Fox Valley Technical College report
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Quinsigamond Community College did well this year, earning the #23 position. This public school is set in Worcester, MA. Students from in state pay about $6,262 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,206 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $18,456 in student loans. Read more about Quinsigamond Community College
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Akron Institute Of Herzing University placed #24 among Nursing schools in the United States. Based in Akron, OH, Akron Institute Of Herzing University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,450. The median Nursing program debt is $32,277. More on Akron Institute Of Herzing University
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Rasmussen College North Dakota landed the #25 spot in the United States this year. This private for-profit school is set in Fargo, ND. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,404. Students borrow a median of $28,798 to complete their Nursing program here. More on Rasmussen College North Dakota
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These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
Union County College placed #26 among Nursing schools in the United States. Union County College is a public school based in Cranford, NJ. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,280, with out-of-state students paying around $9,500. Students borrow a median of $14,218 to complete their Nursing program here. Read more about Union County College
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Madison Area Technical College came in at #27 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Madison, WI. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,977, while out-of-state students pay about $7,141. Madison Area Technical College Nursing students take on a median of $16,812 in debt. More on Madison Area Technical College
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Institute Of Technology Inc came in at #28 in this year's ranking. This private for-profit school is set in Clovis, CA. Students borrow a median of $13,259 to complete their Nursing program here. Read the full report on Institute Of Technology Inc
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College Of Saint Mary placed #29 among Nursing schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Omaha, NE. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. Students from in state pay about $24,510 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $25,539 in student loans. Read the full report on College Of Saint Mary
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Northeast Wisconsin Technical College came in at #30 in this year's ranking. Located in Green Bay, WI, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,960, compared with $7,203 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $14,997 in student loans. Get the full Northeast Wisconsin Technical College report
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Napa Valley College came in at #31 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Napa, CA. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,908 for out-of-state students. Read more about Napa Valley College
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Harper College came in at #32 in this year's ranking. Harper College is a public school based in Palatine, IL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,894, with out-of-state students paying around $11,874. The median Nursing program debt is $10,963. Read more about Harper College
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Trident Technical College came in at #33 in this year's ranking. Located in Charleston, SC, Trident Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,546, compared with $8,620 for out-of-state students. The median Nursing program debt is $18,116. More on Trident Technical College
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Panola College did well this year, earning the #34 position. Located in Carthage, TX, Panola College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,352, compared with $5,232 for out-of-state students. Read the full report on Panola College
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Central Community College ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Based in Grand Island, NE, Central Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,360 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,800. Graduates carry a median of $10,277 in student loans. See the full Central Community College profile
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North Central Kansas Technical College did well this year, earning the #36 position. Located in Beloit, KS, North Central Kansas Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,350. See the full North Central Kansas Technical College profile
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Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar landed the #37 spot in the United States this year. Located in Calmar, IA, Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,780 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,770. Graduates carry a median of $14,348 in student loans. More on Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar
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Southeastern Community College West Burlington came in at #38 in this year's ranking. Southeastern Community College West Burlington is a public school based in West Burlington, IA. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,420, with out-of-state students paying around $6,570. Typical Nursing student debt is $16,126. See the full Southeastern Community College West Burlington profile
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Delta College came in at #39 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in University Center, MI. Students from in state pay about $4,820 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,880. Delta College Nursing students take on a median of $14,075 in debt. Read more about Delta College
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James A Rhodes State College ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Located in Lima, OH, James A Rhodes State College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $9,120. Typical Nursing student debt is $17,070. See the full James A Rhodes State College profile
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St Clair County Community College came in at #41 in this year's ranking. Located in Port Huron, MI, St Clair County Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,212 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,150. The median Nursing program debt is $16,379. Get the full St Clair County Community College report
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Hawkeye Community College placed #42 among Nursing schools in the United States. Hawkeye Community College is a public school based in Waterloo, IA. In-state tuition and fees average $6,525, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Hawkeye Community College Nursing students take on a median of $17,001 in debt. Read the full report on Hawkeye Community College
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Fortis College Centerville placed #43 among Nursing schools in the United States. Set in Centerville, OH, Fortis College Centerville is a private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,440. Graduates carry a median of $24,327 in student loans. Read the full report on Fortis College Centerville
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Joliet Junior College landed the #44 spot in the United States this year. Set in Joliet, IL, Joliet Junior College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,530 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Graduates carry a median of $11,995 in student loans. Read more about Joliet Junior College
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Allegany College Of Maryland placed #45 among Nursing schools in the United States. Allegany College Of Maryland is a public school based in Cumberland, MD. In-state tuition and fees average $4,940, with out-of-state students paying around $12,620. Graduates carry a median of $18,823 in student loans. Get the full Allegany College Of Maryland report
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Dakota County Technical College did well this year, earning the #46 position. Set in Rosemount, MN, Dakota County Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,679. The median Nursing program debt is $13,474. Read the full report on Dakota County Technical College
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Davenport University landed the #47 spot in the United States this year. Based in Grand Rapids, MI, Davenport University is a private not-for-profit institution. Davenport University posts a six-year graduation rate of 55%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $24,466. Students borrow a median of $30,603 to complete their Nursing program here. Get the full Davenport University report
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Utah State University did well this year, earning the #48 position. Set in Logan, UT, Utah State University is a public institution. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,560, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. Students borrow a median of $16,191 to complete their Nursing program here. More on Utah State University
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St Cloud Technical And Community College placed #49 among Nursing schools in the United States. This public school is set in Saint Cloud, MN. Students from in state pay about $6,124 in tuition and fees. Typical Nursing student debt is $16,734. Read more about St Cloud Technical And Community College
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Bevill State Community College ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Based in Jasper, AL, Bevill State Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,734, compared with $8,346 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $11,040 in student loans. See the full Bevill State Community College profile
Request InformationRelated Nursing Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Nursing Schools (All Levels)
- Best Nursing 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
This list is compiled 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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