2023 Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region
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. 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. 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 Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Our analysis looked at 724 schools in the Southeast Region to see which 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.
Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Rasmussen University - Florida the most popular school in the Southeast Region for nursing students working on their degree. Rasmussen University - Florida is located in Ocala, Florida and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 4,205 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from Rasmussen University - Florida accumulate an average of $22,566 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $168, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Rasmussen University - Florida graduates make an average of $41,940 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 87% were women.
Our analysis found ECPI University to be the most popular school for nursing students in the Southeast Region . ECPI University is a fairly large private for-profit school situated in Virginia Beach, Virginia. It awarded 4,022 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,661 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $151 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, ECPI University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $41,263 during the early year of their career. Around 65% of those degree recipients were women.
You’ll be in good company if you attend University of South Alabama. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region list. USA is located in Mobile, Alabama and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 3,705 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $40,396 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $354.After graduating from USA, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $46,663 during the early years of their career. Around 71% of those degree recipients were women.
The programs at Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular nursing schools in the Southeast Region . Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale is a private not-for-profit institution located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 5,706 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $44,751 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $201 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,413 during the early years of their career. Around 72% of those degree recipients were women.
You’ll be in good company if you attend University of Alabama at Birmingham. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in Birmingham, Alabama, the large public school handed out 6,377 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from UAB accumulate an average of $36,139 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 $330.After graduating from UAB, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $51,494 during the early years of their career. Around 66% of those degree recipients were women.
Galen College of Nursing - Louisville ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in Louisville, Kentucky, the small private for-profit school handed out 1,166 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $24,915 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $132 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Galen College of Nursing - Louisville, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $54,363 during the early years of their career. Around 90% of those degree recipients were women.
University of North Carolina at Wilmington came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in Wilmington, North Carolina, the fairly large public school handed out 5,218 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,763 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $343, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UNCW graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $37,326 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 68% were women.
Frontier Nursing University landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular nursing programs. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Versailles, Kentucky, and it awarded 1,020 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $64,715 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Frontier Nursing University graduates make an average of $102,110 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 95% were women.
University of Central Florida did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students. It came in at #9 on the list. Orlando, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 20,166 students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from UCF accumulate an average of $28,349 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 $221.After graduating from UCF, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $44,595 during the early years of their career. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.
Northern Kentucky University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students. It came in at #10 on the list. NKU is a fairly large public school situated in Highland Heights, Kentucky. It awarded 3,792 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $32,046 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $214 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, NKU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $42,837 during the early year of their career. Around 67% of those degree recipients were women.
Miami Dade College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. This large public school is located in Miami, Florida, and it awarded 16,153 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $14,646 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from MDC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,255 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.
South University’s online programs did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students. It came in at #12 on the list. South University’s online programs is a private for-profit institution located in Savannah, Georgia. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,600 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $48,066 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $267 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, South University’s online programs graduates make an average of $44,085 annually. Around 83% of those degree recipients were women.
University of South Florida - Main Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students. It came in at #13 on the list. Located in Tampa, Florida, the large public school handed out 14,285 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from USF Tampa accumulate an average of $30,630 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 $205. During the early years of their career, USF Tampa graduates make an average of $45,747 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 61% were women.
With a ranking of #14, Bluegrass Community and Technical College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working. Bluegrass Community and Technical College is a fairly large public school situated in Lexington, Kentucky. It awarded 5,011 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $14,138 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $124 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Bluegrass Community and Technical College graduates make an average of $39,280 annually. Around 48% of those degree recipients were women.
Read full report on Bluegrass Community and Technical College
With a ranking of #15, East Tennessee State University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working. This fairly large public school is located in Johnson City, Tennessee, and it awarded 3,604 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from ETSU accumulate an average of $36,943 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 $202.After graduating from ETSU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $38,858 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 66% were women.
Liberty University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students. It came in at #16 on the list. Liberty University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Lynchburg, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 25,513 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Liberty University accumulate an average of $34,774 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 $519.After graduating from Liberty University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,489 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.
Florida State College at Jacksonville landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular nursing programs. FSCJ is located in Jacksonville, Florida and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 7,124 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,014 in student loans.After graduating from FSCJ, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $41,241 during the early years of their career. Around 64% of those degree recipients were women.
Miami Regional University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in Miami Springs, Florida, the very small private for-profit school awarded 905 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $27,600 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Miami Regional University graduates make an average of $54,534 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 70% were women.
St Petersburg College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. St. Petersburg, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 6,422 students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,985 in student loans. During the early years of their career, SPC graduates make an average of $40,600 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 61% were women.
Nova Southeastern University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students. It came in at #20 on the list. NUS Florida is a private not-for-profit institution located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 6,259 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from NUS Florida accumulate an average of $103,690 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 $513 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, NUS Florida graduates make an average of $61,266 annually. Around 73% of those degree recipients were women.
Galen College of Nursing - Tampa Bay did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students. It came in at #21 on the list. Saint Petersburg, Florida is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out degrees to 561 students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $24,915 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $132, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Galen College of Nursing - Tampa Bay graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $54,363 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 87% were women.
The University of Alabama ranked #22 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region list. Tuscaloosa, Alabama is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 10,025 students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,884 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $696 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UA, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $44,898 during the early years of their career. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #23, Duke University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working. Duke is located in Durham, North Carolina and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 6,863 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $79,632 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $591 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Duke graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $71,290 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 52% were women.
Emory University landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular nursing programs. Atlanta, Georgia is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 5,171 students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $69,919 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $569. During the early years of their career, Emory graduates make an average of $56,204 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 63% were women.
Jefferson Community and Technical College landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular nursing programs. Located in Louisville, Kentucky, the fairly large public school handed out 4,096 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Jefferson Community and Technical College accumulate an average of $14,442 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Jefferson Community and Technical College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,170 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 41% were women.
Read full report on Jefferson Community and Technical College
Rest of the Top 50 Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region of the U.S.
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 Schools in the Southeast Region of the U.S.
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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