2023 Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools
When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for nursing students. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent. 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 Nursing Associate Degree Schools to help you in your search for the best school for you. Our analysis looked at 1,166 schools in the United States to see which associate degree programs were the most popular for nursing students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.
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Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our analysis found Excelsior College to be the most popular school for nursing students who want to pursue a associate degree in the United States. Excelsior College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Albany, New York. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,522 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, associate degree students take out $15,946 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 84% were women.
If you are interested in distance education, Excelsior College is an excellent choice, since the school is online.
You’ll be in good company if you attend Ivy Tech Community College. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools list. Located in Indianapolis, Indiana, the large public school awarded 1,366 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $4,637 in tuition and fees if they attend Ivy Tech Community College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,927. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,984 in student loans. Around 89% of those degree recipients were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Ivy Tech Community College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 81% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
The excellent associate degree programs at Rasmussen University - Florida helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular nursing schools in the United States. Rasmussen University - Florida is a medium-sized private for-profit school situated in Ocala, Florida. It awarded 1,084 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $13,635 to cover tuition and fees at Rasmussen University - Florida. The school does not offer an in-state discount. On average, associate degree students take out $27,566 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 89% of those degree recipients were women.
Online courses are available at Rasmussen University - Florida, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 100% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Rasmussen University - Minnesota. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools list. Located in St. Cloud, Minnesota, the small private for-profit school handed out 674 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees at Rasmussen University - Minnesota is $13,558. 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 associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $27,551 in student loans. Around 87% of those degree recipients were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Rasmussen University - Minnesota does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 99% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Jersey College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools list. Jersey College is a small private for-profit school located in Teterboro, New Jersey that handed out 618 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, associate degree students take out $35,837 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 93% were women.
Since Jersey College is primarily an online school, it is an excellent choice for undergraduate students who need more flexibility than what is offered at some other schools.
With a ranking of #6, Miami Dade College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Miami, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 614 students in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from Florida pay an average of $2,838 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend MDC. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,661. On average, associate degree students take out $15,819 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 79% of those degree recipients were women.
Online courses are available at MDC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2019-2020 year, about 80% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #7, Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida that handed out 601 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
If you want to attend Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale, expect to pay an average of $22,000 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $27,011 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 85% were women.
Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 45% took at least some of their classes online.
ECPI University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #8 on the list. Located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, the fairly large private for-profit school handed out 574 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
If you want to attend ECPI University, expect to pay an average of $17,479 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from ECPI University accumulate an average of $24,838 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 91% of those degree recipients were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since ECPI University does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2019-2020 year, about 44% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Galen College of Nursing - San Antonio ranked #9 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools list. Galen College of Nursing - San Antonio is a private for-profit institution located in San Antonio, Texas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 502 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, associate degree students take out $35,636 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 88% of those degree recipients were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Galen College of Nursing - San Antonio does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 52% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #10, Rasmussen University - Illinois did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Located in Rockford, Illinois, the small private for-profit school handed out 450 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
Rasmussen University - Illinois does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $13,883. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $27,566 in student loans. Around 92% of those degree recipients were women.
Rasmussen University - Illinois does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 99% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Galen College of Nursing - Tampa Bay did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #11 on the list. Located in Saint Petersburg, Florida, the small private for-profit school handed out 448 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
On average, associate degree students take out $35,636 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 88% of those degree recipients were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Galen College of Nursing - Tampa Bay. During the 2019-2020 year, about 66% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #12, St Petersburg College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Located in Clearwater, Florida, the large public school handed out 446 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
Students from Florida who attend SPC full time pay an average of $2,682 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $9,286. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,838 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 81% were women.
One thing to take note of is that SPC does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 87% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Florida State College at Jacksonville ranked #13 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools list. FSCJ is a public institution located in Jacksonville, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 445 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from Florida pay an average of $2,657 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend FSCJ. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,631. On average, associate degree students take out $18,510 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 82% of those degree recipients were women.
FSCJ does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In fact, around 89% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
AmeriTech College - Draper came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools ranking. Located in Draper, Utah, the small private for-profit school handed out 400 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
If you want to attend AmeriTech College - Draper, expect to pay an average of $12,999 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,725 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 82% were women.
Since AmeriTech College - Draper is primarily an online school, it is an excellent choice for undergraduate students who need more flexibility than what is offered at some other schools.
Harrisburg Area Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #15 on the list. This fairly large public school is located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 395 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from Pennsylvania pay an average of $8,295 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend HACC. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,818. On average, associate degree students take out $22,678 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 88% of those degree recipients were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at HACC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 50% took at least some of their classes online.
Lone Star College System landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree nursing programs. North Harris Montgomery is a public institution located in The Woodlands, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 380 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Students from Texas who attend North Harris Montgomery full time pay an average of $4,848 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,168. On average, associate degree students take out $15,481 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 85% were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at North Harris Montgomery. In 2019-2020 about 72% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Helene Fuld College of Nursing came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools ranking. Helene Fuld College of Nursing is a very small private not-for-profit school located in New York, New York that handed out 373 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
If you want to attend HFCN, expect to pay an average of $21,086 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $27,942 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 93% were women.
Community College of Allegheny County landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree nursing programs. CCAC is a public institution located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 348 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Students from Pennsylvania who attend CCAC full time pay an average of $8,323 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $11,863. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,313 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 82% were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at CCAC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 48% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Weber State University landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree nursing programs. Located in Ogden, Utah, the large public school awarded 335 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at WSU is $6,228. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $16,644. Associate Degree recipients from WSU accumulate an average of $20,128 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 81% of those degree recipients were women.
WSU does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 59% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Union County College landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree nursing programs. Located in Cranford, New Jersey, the medium-sized public school awarded 333 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,511 in student loans. Around 86% of those degree recipients were women.
Union County College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 99% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Cuyahoga Community College District did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #21 on the list. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, the fairly large public school handed out 327 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
On average, associate degree students take out $16,998 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 84% were women.
One thing to take note of is that Cuyahoga Community College District does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 80% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Delaware Technical Community College - Terry landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree nursing programs. This fairly large public school is located in Dover, Delaware, and it awarded 325 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $4,945 in tuition and fees if they attend Delaware Tech full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,808. Associate Degree recipients from Delaware Tech accumulate an average of $12,683 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 91% of those degree recipients were women.
One thing to take note of is that Delaware Tech does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 93% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Read full report on Delaware Technical Community College - Terry
Trocaire College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #23 on the list. Trocaire College is a small private not-for-profit school located in Buffalo, New York that handed out 310 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Trocaire does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $18,700. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $23,225 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 86% were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Trocaire. In fact, around 95% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #23, South Texas College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Located in McAllen, Texas, the large public school awarded 310 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at South Texas College is $4,530. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,920. On average, associate degree students take out $8,401 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 79% were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at South Texas College. During the 2019-2020 year, about 94% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Hondros College of Nursing landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree nursing programs. This small private for-profit school is located in Westerville, Ohio, and it awarded 309 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Hondros College of Nursing does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $20,268. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $40,873 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 93% were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Hondros College of Nursing. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 19% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Rest of the Top 50 Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the United States
Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
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Rest of the Top 15% Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the United States
To learn more about the schools below, just click on their names:
Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our most popular nursing schools ranking:
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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