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2023 Most Popular Online Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools

226 Schools Ranked
$12,835 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$26,268 Avg Student Debt

When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for nursing students. 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. Or you may find the programs at a trade school or bootcamp to be a better alternative for you.

Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Nursing Degree Search has created the Most Popular Online Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 226 schools in the United States to see which ones had the most popular online bachelor's degree programs for nursing students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from schools with online programs.

Learn more about these popular schools with online programs:

#1

Western Governors University

Salt Lake City, Utah
10,730 Total Awards
$7,452 Average Tuition & Fees
$26,218 Avg Student Debt

Our 2023 rankings named Western Governors University the most popular school in the United States for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in Salt Lake City, Utah, the large private not-for-profit school handed out 10,730 bachelor’s degree awards in 2020-2021.

If you want to attend WGU, expect to pay an average of $7,452 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from WGU accumulate an average of $26,218 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 89% were women.

If you are interested in distance education, WGU is an excellent choice, since the school is online.

Full Western Governors University Report

#2

Capella University

Minneapolis, Minnesota
3,199 Total Awards
$36,933 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Capella University is a great place for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. Capella University is a large private for-profit school located in Minneapolis, Minnesota that handed out 3,199 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $36,933 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 90% were women.

Capella University is primarily an online school, so it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.

Read More…

#3

Southern New Hampshire University

Manchester, New Hampshire
945 Total Awards
$15,380 Average Tuition & Fees
$31,825 Avg Student Debt

The excellent bachelor’s degree programs at Southern New Hampshire University helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular nursing schools in the United States. SNHU is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Manchester, New Hampshire. It awarded 945 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

SNHU does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $15,380. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from SNHU accumulate an average of $31,825 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 90% were women.

To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 96% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full Southern New Hampshire University Report

#5

American Sentinel University

Aurora, Connecticut
620 Total Awards
$10,520 Average Tuition & Fees
$26,198 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 226 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, American Sentinel University landed the # 5 spot on the list. Aurora, Connecticut is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 620 students in 2020-2021.

If you want to attend American Sentinel University, expect to pay an average of $10,520 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $26,198 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 91% of those degree recipients were women.

American Sentinel University is one of the schools on our list that is primarily online. Each undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.

Full American Sentinel University Report

#6

Purdue University Northwest

Hammond, Indiana
581 Total Awards
$7,734 Average Tuition & Fees
$27,454 Avg Student Debt

Purdue University Northwest landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular bachelor’s degree nursing programs. Purdue Northwest is located in Hammond, Indiana and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 581 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Purdue Northwest is $7,734. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $14,349. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $27,454 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 85% were women.

During the 2019-2020 year, about 66% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

506 Total Awards
$6,410 Average Tuition & Fees
$24,223 Avg Student Debt

University of South Florida - Main Campus ranked #7 on this year’s Most Popular Online Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. University of South Florida - Main Campus is a large public school located in Tampa, Florida that handed out 506 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Students from Florida who attend USF Tampa full time pay an average of $6,410 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $17,324. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,223 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 87% were women.

Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 97% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#8

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
496 Total Awards
$47,808 Average Tuition & Fees
$23,570 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #8, Loyola University Chicago did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. Loyola Chicago is located in Chicago, Illinois and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 496 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.

If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $47,808 to cover tuition and fees at Loyola Chicago. The school does not offer an in-state discount. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,570 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 87% were women.

Around 97% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full Loyola University Chicago Report

#9

Arizona State University - Skysong

Scottsdale, Arizona
477 Total Awards
$10,818 Average Tuition & Fees
$26,041 Avg Student Debt

Arizona State University - Skysong landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular bachelor’s degree nursing programs. This large public school is located in Scottsdale, Arizona, and it awarded 477 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Full-time students from Arizona pay an average of $10,818 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend ASU - Skysong. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $13,092. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from ASU - Skysong accumulate an average of $26,041 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 83% of those degree recipients were women.

ASU - Skysong is one of the schools on our list that is primarily online. Each undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.

Full Arizona State University - Skysong Report

#10

Wilmington University

New Castle, Delaware
415 Total Awards
$11,760 Average Tuition & Fees
$27,817 Avg Student Debt

Wilmington University ranked #10 on this year’s Most Popular Online Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. Located in New Castle, Delaware, the fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 415 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees at Wilmington University is $11,760. 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 bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $27,817 in student loans. Around 88% of those degree recipients were women.

Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 85% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Wilmington University Report

#11

Nova Southeastern University

Fort Lauderdale, Florida
403 Total Awards
$34,570 Average Tuition & Fees
$27,779 Avg Student Debt

Nova Southeastern University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #11 on the list. Located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the large private not-for-profit school handed out 403 bachelor’s degree awards in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees at NUS Florida is $34,570. 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 bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $27,779 in student loans. Around 86% of those degree recipients were women.

During the 2019-2020 year, about 44% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Nova Southeastern University

#11

Purdue University Global

Indianapolis, Indiana
403 Total Awards
$10,125 Average Tuition & Fees
$42,448 Avg Student Debt

Purdue University Global did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #11 on the list. Indianapolis, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 403 students in 2020-2021.

Full-time students from Indiana pay an average of $10,125 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Purdue University Global. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $14,436. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Purdue University Global accumulate an average of $42,448 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 90% of those degree recipients were women.

Purdue University Global is primarily an online school, so it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.

Full Purdue University Global Report

#13

Liberty University

Lynchburg, Virginia
369 Total Awards
$16,160 Average Tuition & Fees
$31,644 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #13, Liberty University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. Liberty University is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Lynchburg, Virginia. It awarded 369 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Liberty University does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $16,160. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Liberty University accumulate an average of $31,644 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 90% of those degree recipients were women.

During the 2019-2020 year, about 88% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Liberty University Report

#14

National University

La Jolla, California
347 Total Awards
$32,281 Avg Student Debt

National University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. National University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in La Jolla, California that handed out 347 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Bachelor’s Degree recipients from National University accumulate an average of $32,281 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 75% were women.

Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 39% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on National University

#15

East Carolina University

Greenville, North Carolina
343 Total Awards
$7,297 Average Tuition & Fees
$24,531 Avg Student Debt

East Carolina University landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular bachelor’s degree nursing programs. Located in Greenville, North Carolina, the large public school handed out 343 bachelor’s degree awards in 2020-2021.

Full-time students from North Carolina pay an average of $7,297 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend ECU. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $23,574. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,531 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 91% were women.

In 2019-2020 about 96% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full East Carolina University Report

#16

Georgia Southern University

Statesboro, Georgia
321 Total Awards
$6,485 Average Tuition & Fees
$26,373 Avg Student Debt

Georgia Southern University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #16 on the list. Statesboro, Georgia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 321 students in 2020-2021.

Students from Georgia who attend GaSou full time pay an average of $6,485 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $17,539. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $26,373 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 91% of those degree recipients were women.

Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 79% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Georgia Southern University

#17

University of Michigan - Flint

Flint, Michigan
319 Total Awards
$12,322 Average Tuition & Fees
$31,408 Avg Student Debt

University of Michigan - Flint landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular bachelor’s degree nursing programs. University of Michigan - Flint is a medium-sized public school located in Flint, Michigan that handed out 319 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Students from Michigan who attend UM Flint full time pay an average of $12,322 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $24,058. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from UM Flint accumulate an average of $31,408 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 83% of those degree recipients were women.

To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 62% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#18

University of Memphis

Memphis, Tennessee
304 Total Awards
$10,056 Average Tuition & Fees
$28,159 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #18, University of Memphis did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. UofM is located in Memphis, Tennessee and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 304 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.

Students from Tennessee who attend UofM full time pay an average of $10,056 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $14,088. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $28,159 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 91% were women.

Around 53% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full University of Memphis Report

#19

Rutgers University - Camden

Camden, New Jersey
302 Total Awards
$15,657 Average Tuition & Fees
$24,092 Avg Student Debt

Rutgers University - Camden came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. Rutgers Camden is a medium-sized public school situated in Camden, New Jersey. It awarded 302 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In-state students pay an average of $15,657 in tuition and fees if they attend Rutgers Camden full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $32,299. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,092 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 87% were women.

Around 53% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#20

University of Arkansas

Fayetteville, Arkansas
292 Total Awards
$9,574 Average Tuition & Fees
$22,930 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #20, University of Arkansas did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. Fayetteville, Arkansas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 292 students in 2020-2021.

Students from Arkansas who attend UARK full time pay an average of $9,574 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $26,390. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $22,930 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 89% of those degree recipients were women.

Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 99% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#21

Northwestern State University of Louisiana

Natchitoches, Louisiana
279 Total Awards
$8,672 Average Tuition & Fees
$29,391 Avg Student Debt

Northwestern State University of Louisiana did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #21 on the list. Located in Natchitoches, Louisiana, the fairly large public school awarded 279 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.

In-state students pay an average of $8,672 in tuition and fees if they attend NSU full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $19,460. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from NSU accumulate an average of $29,391 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 86% were women.

To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 90% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Northwestern State University of Louisiana

278 Total Awards
$12,581 Average Tuition & Fees
$39,244 Avg Student Debt

Colorado Technical University - Colorado Springs ranked #22 on this year’s Most Popular Online Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. Located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the large private for-profit school awarded 278 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.

Colorado Technical University - Colorado Springs does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $12,581. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $39,244 in student loans. Around 87% of those degree recipients were women.

Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 100% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

274 Total Awards
$9,384 Average Tuition & Fees
$28,030 Avg Student Debt

University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular bachelor’s degree nursing programs. University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is a large public school located in Denver, Colorado that handed out 274 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Students from Colorado who attend CU Anschutz full time pay an average of $9,384 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $26,376. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,030 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 83% were women.

In 2019-2020 about 76% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus Report

#24

University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh

Oshkosh, Wisconsin
269 Total Awards
$7,733 Average Tuition & Fees
$24,363 Avg Student Debt

University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh ranked #24 on this year’s Most Popular Online Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh is a fairly large public school located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin that handed out 269 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at UW Oshkosh is $7,733. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $15,306. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $24,363 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 90% of those degree recipients were women.

During the 2019-2020 year, about 64% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#25

Winston - Salem State University

Winston-Salem, North Carolina
262 Total Awards
$6,247 Average Tuition & Fees
$28,735 Avg Student Debt

Winston - Salem State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #25 on the list. Located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the medium-sized public school awarded 262 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.

In-state students pay an average of $6,247 in tuition and fees if they attend WSSU full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $16,903. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,735 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 90% were women.

Around 96% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full Winston - Salem State University Report

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

#26

Cleveland State University

Cleveland, Ohio
#29

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
#30

Old Dominion University

Norfolk, Virginia
#31

University of Wisconsin - Madison

Madison, Wisconsin
#32

University of North Florida

Jacksonville, Florida
#33

Fayetteville State University

Fayetteville, North Carolina
#34

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Greensboro, North Carolina

Honorable Mentions

These schools also performed well in our most popular online nursing schools ranking:

Rank School Location
36 Sacred Heart University Fairfield, CT
37 Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VA
38 University of Northern Colorado Greeley, CO
39 Auburn University Auburn, AL
40 University of Kansas Lawrence, KS
41 University of Arkansas at Little Rock Little Rock, AR
42 University of Florida Gainesville, FL
43 University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NC
44 Lewis - Clark State College Lewiston, ID
45 California State University - Dominguez Hills Carson, CA
46 Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TX
46 South University’s online programs Savannah, GA

Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

References

  • 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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