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Most Popular Online Nursing Doctor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region

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2023 Most Popular Online Nursing Doctor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region

53 Schools Ranked
$105,471 Avg Student Debt

There are so many nursing programs in today's world that it can tough to figure out which one is the right one 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. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school or bootcamp that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Nursing Degree Search has created its Most Popular Online Nursing Doctor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Our analysis looked at 53 schools in the Southeast Region to see which online doctor's degree programs were the most popular 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

Frontier Nursing University

Versailles, Kentucky
201 Total Awards
$18,073 Average Tuition & Fees
$70,180 Avg Student Debt

Our analysis found Frontier Nursing University to be the most popular school for nursing students who want to pursue a doctor’s degree in the Southeast Region . This small private not-for-profit school is located in Versailles, Kentucky, and it awarded 201 doctor’s degrees in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their doctor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $70,180 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 94% were women.

Since the graduate programs at Frontier Nursing University are online, the school is an excellent choice for graduate students who need more flexibility than what is offered at some other schools.

Read full report on Frontier Nursing University

#2

University of South Alabama

Mobile, Alabama
317 Total Awards
$8,624 Average Tuition & Fees
$97,364 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means University of South Alabama is a great place for nursing students working on their doctor’s degree. Located in Mobile, Alabama, the fairly large public school awarded 317 diplomas to qualifed doctor’s degree students in 2021-2022.

Doctor’s Degree recipients from USA accumulate an average of $97,364 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 75% of those degree recipients were women.

During the 2020-2021 year, about 73% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#3

Samford University

Birmingham, Alabama
428 Total Awards
$21,921 Average Tuition & Fees
$108,427 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 53 schools in the Southeast Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Samford University landed the # 3 spot on the list. Birmingham, Alabama is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctor’s degrees to 428 students in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their doctor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $108,427 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 68% were women.

Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 38% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Samford University Report

#4

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Birmingham, Alabama
670 Total Awards
$97,028 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 53 schools in the Southeast Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Alabama at Birmingham landed the # 4 spot on the list. University of Alabama at Birmingham is a large public school located in Birmingham, Alabama that handed out 670 doctor’s degrees in 2021-2022.

On average, doctor’s degree students take out $97,028 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 59% were women.

Around 59% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read More…

#5

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Greensboro, North Carolina
224 Total Awards
$8,295 Average Tuition & Fees
$40,314 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you attend University of North Carolina at Greensboro. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Most Popular Online Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region list. UNC Greensboro is a fairly large public school situated in Greensboro, North Carolina. It awarded 224 doctor’s degrees in 2021-2022.

Doctor’s Degree recipients from UNC Greensboro accumulate an average of $40,314 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 66% of those degree recipients were women.

During the 2020-2021 year, about 61% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Full University of North Carolina at Greensboro Report

#6

Northern Kentucky University

Highland Heights, Kentucky
206 Total Awards
$10,284 Average Tuition & Fees
$81,964 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #6, Northern Kentucky University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their doctor’s degree. Highland Heights, Kentucky is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctor’s degrees to 206 students in 2021-2022.

Doctor’s Degree recipients from NKU accumulate an average of $81,964 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 68% of those degree recipients were women.

During the 2020-2021 year, about 90% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#7

University of North Florida

Jacksonville, Florida
181 Total Awards
$10,364 Average Tuition & Fees
$70,560 Avg Student Debt

University of North Florida ranked #7 on this year’s Most Popular Online Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in Jacksonville, Florida, the fairly large public school awarded 181 diplomas to qualifed doctor’s degree students in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their doctor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $70,560 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 75% were women.

Around 67% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read full report on University of North Florida

#8

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida
1,906 Total Awards
$12,737 Average Tuition & Fees
$99,964 Avg Student Debt

University of Florida landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular doctor’s degree nursing programs. This large public school is located in Gainesville, Florida, and it awarded 1,906 doctor’s degrees in 2021-2022.

On average, doctor’s degree students take out $99,964 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 56% were women.

To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 49% of graduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read More…

#9

Virginia Commonwealth University

Richmond, Virginia
766 Total Awards
$15,754 Average Tuition & Fees
$129,248 Avg Student Debt

Virginia Commonwealth University landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular doctor’s degree nursing programs. Located in Richmond, Virginia, the large public school awarded 766 diplomas to qualifed doctor’s degree students in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their doctor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $129,248 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 62% were women.

To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 56% of graduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read More…

#10

East Carolina University

Greenville, North Carolina
316 Total Awards
$7,622 Average Tuition & Fees
$71,555 Avg Student Debt

East Carolina University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. ECU is located in Greenville, North Carolina and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 316 doctor’s degrees to qualified students.

Doctor’s Degree recipients from ECU accumulate an average of $71,555 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 69% of those degree recipients were women.

Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 73% took at least some of their classes online.

Full East Carolina University Report

#11

University of Central Florida

Orlando, Florida
603 Total Awards
$8,872 Average Tuition & Fees
$94,552 Avg Student Debt

University of Central Florida did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a doctor’s degree. It came in at #11 on the list. Orlando, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctor’s degrees to 603 students in 2021-2022.

On average, doctor’s degree students take out $94,552 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 54% were women.

During the 2020-2021 year, about 51% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on University of Central Florida

61 Total Awards
$15,840 Average Tuition & Fees
$97,734 Avg Student Debt

South University’s online programs ranked #12 on this year’s Most Popular Online Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region list. South University’s online programs is a medium-sized private for-profit school situated in Savannah, Georgia. It awarded 61 doctor’s degrees in 2021-2022.

On average, doctor’s degree students take out $97,734 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 72% were women.

Since the graduate programs at South University’s online programs are online, the school is an excellent choice for graduate students who need more flexibility than what is offered at some other schools.

Full South University’s online programs Report

#13

Old Dominion University

Norfolk, Virginia
210 Total Awards
$13,704 Average Tuition & Fees
$73,694 Avg Student Debt

Old Dominion University ranked #13 on this year’s Most Popular Online Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in Norfolk, Virginia, the large public school awarded 210 diplomas to qualifed doctor’s degree students in 2021-2022.

On average, doctor’s degree students take out $73,694 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 62% of those degree recipients were women.

Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 72% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#14

University of Alabama in Huntsville

Huntsville, Alabama
60 Total Awards
$11,686 Average Tuition & Fees
$36,828 Avg Student Debt

University of Alabama in Huntsville did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a doctor’s degree. It came in at #14 on the list. This medium-sized public school is located in Huntsville, Alabama, and it awarded 60 doctor’s degrees in 2021-2022.

Doctor’s Degree recipients from UAH accumulate an average of $36,828 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 40% of those degree recipients were women.

During the 2020-2021 year, about 48% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Full University of Alabama in Huntsville Report

#15

University of Kentucky

Lexington, Kentucky
938 Total Awards
$13,946 Average Tuition & Fees
$108,965 Avg Student Debt

University of Kentucky ranked #15 on this year’s Most Popular Online Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region list. Lexington, Kentucky is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctor’s degrees to 938 students in 2021-2022.

On average, doctor’s degree students take out $108,965 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.

To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 44% of graduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Full University of Kentucky Report

#16

Lenoir - Rhyne University

Hickory, North Carolina
25 Total Awards

Lenoir - Rhyne University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a doctor’s degree. It came in at #16 on the list. Located in Hickory, North Carolina, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 25 doctor’s degree awards in 2021-2022.

Around 92% of those degree recipients were women.

Around 62% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Lenoir - Rhyne University

#17

Troy University

Troy, Alabama
26 Total Awards

With a ranking of #17, Troy University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their doctor’s degree. Located in Troy, Alabama, the fairly large public school awarded 26 diplomas to qualifed doctor’s degree students in 2021-2022.

Of those students who received their degree, 69% were women.

During the 2020-2021 year, about 79% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Full Troy University Report

#18

University of Arkansas

Fayetteville, Arkansas
364 Total Awards
$9,066 Average Tuition & Fees
$57,123 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #18, University of Arkansas did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their doctor’s degree. Fayetteville, Arkansas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctor’s degrees to 364 students in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their doctor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $57,123 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 48% were women.

To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 42% of graduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read More…

#19

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
1,167 Total Awards
$12,527 Average Tuition & Fees
$110,643 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #19, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their doctor’s degree. UNC Chapel Hill is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,167 doctor’s degrees to qualified students.

By the time they get their doctor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $110,643 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.

Around 36% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read full report on University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

#20

Loyola University New Orleans

New Orleans, Louisiana
174 Total Awards
$19,791 Average Tuition & Fees
$106,725 Avg Student Debt

Loyola University New Orleans came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. This small private not-for-profit school is located in New Orleans, Louisiana, and it awarded 174 doctor’s degrees in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their doctor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $106,725 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 68% were women.

During the 2020-2021 year, about 59% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Full Loyola University New Orleans Report

#20

Medical University of South Carolina

Charleston, South Carolina
553 Total Awards
$17,702 Average Tuition & Fees
$177,489 Avg Student Debt

Medical University of South Carolina came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. MUSC is a small public school situated in Charleston, South Carolina. It awarded 553 doctor’s degrees in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their doctor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $177,489 in student loans. Around 65% of those degree recipients were women.

To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 20% of graduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read More…

#22

Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, North Carolina
79 Total Awards
$7,566 Average Tuition & Fees
$47,493 Avg Student Debt

Western Carolina University landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular doctor’s degree nursing programs. WCU is a fairly large public school situated in Cullowhee, North Carolina. It awarded 79 doctor’s degrees in 2021-2022.

Doctor’s Degree recipients from WCU accumulate an average of $47,493 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 65% of those degree recipients were women.

To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 63% of graduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Western Carolina University

#23

University of Virginia - Main Campus

Charlottesville, Virginia
859 Total Awards
$21,742 Average Tuition & Fees
$104,197 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #23, University of Virginia - Main Campus did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their doctor’s degree. Charlottesville, Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctor’s degrees to 859 students in 2021-2022.

Doctor’s Degree recipients from University of Virginia accumulate an average of $104,197 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 47% were women.

Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 29% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on University of Virginia - Main Campus

#23

Georgia State University

Atlanta, Georgia
522 Total Awards
$8,484 Average Tuition & Fees
$71,290 Avg Student Debt

Georgia State University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. This large public school is located in Atlanta, Georgia, and it awarded 522 doctor’s degrees in 2021-2022.

Doctor’s Degree recipients from Georgia State accumulate an average of $71,290 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 57% of those degree recipients were women.

In 2020-2021 about 49% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Georgia State University Report

#25

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Charlotte, North Carolina
178 Total Awards
$7,739 Average Tuition & Fees
$70,839 Avg Student Debt

University of North Carolina at Charlotte landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular doctor’s degree nursing programs. Located in Charlotte, North Carolina, the large public school handed out 178 doctor’s degree awards in 2021-2022.

Doctor’s Degree recipients from UNC Charlotte accumulate an average of $70,839 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 54% of those degree recipients were women.

In 2020-2021 about 60% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

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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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