2026 Best Nursing Schools
Looking for the best Nursing programs programs in the United States? We have ranked 2207 institutions 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.
To arm you with the information you need, Healthcare Degree Search evaluated schools to produce this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Nursing Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
Leading the list is Roxborough Memorial Hospital School Of Nursing, our #1 Nursing school in the United States. Located in Philadelphia, PA, Roxborough Memorial Hospital School Of Nursing is a private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,148. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete their Nursing program here. Get the full Roxborough Memorial Hospital School Of Nursing report
You'll be in good company at Holy Name Medical Center School Of Nursing, which ranked #2 this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Englewood Cliffs, NJ. In-state tuition and fees average $23,914. The median Nursing program debt is $28,794. See the full Holy Name Medical Center School Of Nursing profile
Middle Tennessee School Of Anesthesia Inc came in at #3 on this year's Nursing ranking in the United States. Middle Tennessee School Of Anesthesia Inc is a private not-for-profit school based in Madison, TN. See the full Middle Tennessee School Of Anesthesia Inc profile
A rank of #4 makes St Lukes Hospital School Of Nursing one of the top choices in the United States. Located in Bethlehem, PA, St Lukes Hospital School Of Nursing is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,302. St Lukes Hospital School Of Nursing Nursing students take on a median of $24,087 in debt. Get the full St Lukes Hospital School Of Nursing report
The strong Nursing programs at Mayo Medical School earned it the #5 place in the United States. Mayo Medical School is a private not-for-profit school based in Rochester, MN. In-state tuition and fees average $9,040. The median Nursing program debt is $31,000. Get the full Mayo Medical School report
Trinity Health System School Of Nursing placed #6 among Nursing schools in the United States. Located in Steubenville, OH, Trinity Health System School Of Nursing is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $12,415 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,301. Trinity Health System School Of Nursing Nursing students take on a median of $20,689 in debt. More on Trinity Health System School Of Nursing
Western Pennsylvania Hospital School Of Nursing ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Located in Pittsburgh, PA, Western Pennsylvania Hospital School Of Nursing is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,410. Students borrow a median of $19,624 to complete their Nursing program here. More on Western Pennsylvania Hospital School Of Nursing
University Of Pittsburgh Medical Center Shadyside School Of Nursing placed #8 among Nursing schools in the United States. Set in Pittsburgh, PA, University Of Pittsburgh Medical Center Shadyside School Of Nursing is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $16,190. University Of Pittsburgh Medical Center Shadyside School Of Nursing Nursing students take on a median of $29,250 in debt. More on University Of Pittsburgh Medical Center Shadyside School Of Nursing
Citizens School Of Nursing did well this year, earning the #9 position. Located in Tarentum, PA, Citizens School Of Nursing is a private not-for-profit institution. Typical Nursing student debt is $24,146. Read more about Citizens School Of Nursing
Reading Hospital School Of Health Sciences placed #10 among Nursing schools in the United States. Located in Reading, PA, Reading Hospital School Of Health Sciences is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,516. Reading Hospital School Of Health Sciences Nursing students take on a median of $27,140 in debt. Read more about Reading Hospital School Of Health Sciences
Midwestern University Glendale came in at #11 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Glendale, AZ. Read the full report on Midwestern University Glendale
Mercy Hospital School Of Nursing ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Based in Pittsburgh, PA, Mercy Hospital School Of Nursing is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,190. Typical Nursing student debt is $26,366. More on Mercy Hospital School Of Nursing
Jameson Health System landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in New Castle, PA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,498. Graduates carry a median of $24,750 in student loans. Read the full report on Jameson Health System
Samuel Merritt University did well this year, earning the #14 position. Located in Oakland, CA, Samuel Merritt University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $50,138. The median Nursing program debt is $25,000. See the full Samuel Merritt University profile
Washington Hospital School Of Nursing ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Located in Washington, PA, Washington Hospital School Of Nursing is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,637. Students borrow a median of $20,750 to complete their Nursing program here. Read more about Washington Hospital School Of Nursing
Dlp Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Located in Johnstown, PA, Dlp Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center is a private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $28,622 to complete their Nursing program here. More on Dlp Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center
Joseph F Mccloskey School Of Nursing At Schuylkill Health came in at #17 in this year's ranking. Joseph F Mccloskey School Of Nursing At Schuylkill Health is a private not-for-profit school based in Pottsville, PA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,737. Graduates carry a median of $28,250 in student loans. Read more about Joseph F Mccloskey School Of Nursing At Schuylkill Health
Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital School Of Nursing came in at #19 in this year's ranking. Located in Brockton, MA, Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital School Of Nursing is a private not-for-profit institution. Graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Read more about Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital School Of Nursing
Albany Medical College did well this year, earning the #20 position. Set in Albany, NY, Albany Medical College is a private not-for-profit institution. Read more about Albany Medical College
Wake Forest University placed #21 among Nursing schools in the United States. Set in Winston-Salem, NC, Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,642. Wake Forest University Nursing students take on a median of $21,577 in debt. More on Wake Forest University
Graham Hospital School Of Nursing came in at #22 in this year's ranking. Graham Hospital School Of Nursing is a private not-for-profit school based in Canton, IL. In-state tuition and fees average $7,584. Students borrow a median of $28,884 to complete their Nursing program here. See the full Graham Hospital School Of Nursing profile
Helene Fuld College Of Nursing placed #23 among Nursing schools in the United States. Set in New York, NY, Helene Fuld College Of Nursing is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $25,852. Helene Fuld College Of Nursing Nursing students take on a median of $27,775 in debt. More on Helene Fuld College Of Nursing
Saint Elizabeth School Of Nursing came in at #24 in this year's ranking. Saint Elizabeth School Of Nursing is a private not-for-profit school based in Lafayette, IN. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,208. Graduates carry a median of $38,369 in student loans. See the full Saint Elizabeth School Of Nursing profile
Saint Vincent College came in at #25 in this year's ranking. Saint Vincent College is a private not-for-profit school based in Latrobe, PA. About 69% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $42,396. Saint Vincent College Nursing students take on a median of $26,986 in debt. See the full Saint Vincent College profile
Saint Michael College Of Allied Health came in at #26 in this year's ranking. Saint Michael College Of Allied Health is a private for-profit school based in Washington, DC. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,405. Typical Nursing student debt is $23,260. Read more about Saint Michael College Of Allied Health
Rest of the Top 50 Best Nursing Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
Arnot Ogden Medical Center landed the #27 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Elmira, NY. Get the full Arnot Ogden Medical Center report
University Of Great Falls came in at #28 in this year's ranking. Located in Great Falls, MT, University Of Great Falls is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 21%. Students from in state pay about $30,448 in tuition and fees. Typical Nursing student debt is $23,847. More on University Of Great Falls
Stanbridge College placed #29 among Nursing schools in the United States. This private for-profit school is set in Irvine, CA. Graduates carry a median of $36,666 in student loans. Read the full report on Stanbridge College
Ohio Institute Of Allied Health came in at #30 in this year's ranking. Located in Huber Heights, OH, Ohio Institute Of Allied Health is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $27,408. Ohio Institute Of Allied Health Nursing students take on a median of $26,003 in debt. Read more about Ohio Institute Of Allied Health
Gurnick Academy Of Medical Arts ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Set in San Jose, CA, Gurnick Academy Of Medical Arts is a private for-profit institution. Typical Nursing student debt is $25,266. Read more about Gurnick Academy Of Medical Arts
Los Angeles County College Of Nursing And Allied Health came in at #32 in this year's ranking. Located in Los Angeles, CA, Los Angeles County College Of Nursing And Allied Health is a public institution. Graduates carry a median of $19,224 in student loans. More on Los Angeles County College Of Nursing And Allied Health
University Of Southern California did well this year, earning the #33 position. Based in Los Angeles, CA, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. About 92% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $71,647 in tuition and fees. Typical Nursing student debt is $15,625. Read more about University Of Southern California
Pacific College placed #34 among Nursing schools in the United States. Based in Costa Mesa, CA, Pacific College is a private for-profit institution. Pacific College Nursing students take on a median of $16,125 in debt. Read the full report on Pacific College
University Of St Augustine For Health Sciences came in at #35 in this year's ranking. This private for-profit school is set in San Marcos, CA. Read more about University Of St Augustine For Health Sciences
Firelands Regional Medical Center School Of Nursing did well this year, earning the #38 position. Firelands Regional Medical Center School Of Nursing is a private not-for-profit school based in Sandusky, OH. In-state tuition and fees average $8,046. Typical Nursing student debt is $29,535. More on Firelands Regional Medical Center School Of Nursing
Suny Downstate Medical Center landed the #39 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Brooklyn, NY. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,822, compared with $19,662 for out-of-state students. Suny Downstate Medical Center Nursing students take on a median of $22,023 in debt. Read more about Suny Downstate Medical Center
Standard Healthcare Services College Of Nursing did well this year, earning the #40 position. Set in Falls Church, VA, Standard Healthcare Services College Of Nursing is a private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $22,125 to complete their Nursing program here. Get the full Standard Healthcare Services College Of Nursing report
Baylor College Of Medicine came in at #41 in this year's ranking. Baylor College Of Medicine is a private not-for-profit school based in Houston, TX. More on Baylor College Of Medicine
Best Care College placed #42 among Nursing schools in the United States. Based in East Orange, NJ, Best Care College is a private for-profit institution. Graduates carry a median of $13,056 in student loans. Read the full report on Best Care College
Vanderbilt University did well this year, earning the #43 position. Set in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. Vanderbilt University posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,498. Vanderbilt University Nursing students take on a median of $13,975 in debt. See the full Vanderbilt University profile
Loma Linda University ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Set in Loma Linda, CA, Loma Linda University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $29,960 in tuition and fees. Typical Nursing student debt is $31,645. See the full Loma Linda University profile
Frontier Nursing University ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Based in Versailles, KY, Frontier Nursing University is a private not-for-profit institution. Read the full report on Frontier Nursing University
Cochran School Of Nursing placed #46 among Nursing schools in the United States. Cochran School Of Nursing is a private not-for-profit school based in Yonkers, NY. In-state tuition and fees average $10,038. Graduates carry a median of $26,758 in student loans. Read more about Cochran School Of Nursing
Excelsior College landed the #48 spot in the United States this year. Based in Albany, NY, Excelsior College is a private not-for-profit institution. Typical Nursing student debt is $23,809. Read the full report on Excelsior College
Texas Wesleyan University placed #49 among Nursing schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Fort Worth, TX. The six-year graduation rate is 32%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,582. Typical Nursing student debt is $26,461. See the full Texas Wesleyan University profile
Touro University California placed #50 among Nursing schools in the United States. Set in Vallejo, CA, Touro University California is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $20,005 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,002 to complete their Nursing program here. Get the full Touro University California report
Chamberlain College Of Nursing Arizona ranked #51 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Based in Phoenix, AZ, Chamberlain College Of Nursing Arizona is a private for-profit institution. About 50% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $21,520. Graduates carry a median of $39,146 in student loans. See the full Chamberlain College Of Nursing Arizona profile
West Coast University Ontario came in at #52 in this year's ranking. Located in Ontario, CA, West Coast University Ontario is a private for-profit institution. Roughly 39% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,854. Typical Nursing student debt is $38,145. Read more about West Coast University Ontario
West Coast University Los Angeles landed the #53 spot in the United States this year. Based in North Hollywood, CA, West Coast University Los Angeles is a private for-profit institution. West Coast University Los Angeles graduates 31% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,854. Graduates carry a median of $38,145 in student loans. Get the full West Coast University Los Angeles report
Chamberlain College Of Nursing Missouri came in at #54 in this year's ranking. This private for-profit school is set in St. Louis, MO. The six-year graduation rate is 100%. In-state tuition and fees average $20,680. Graduates carry a median of $39,146 in student loans. Read more about Chamberlain College Of Nursing Missouri
Best Nursing Schools by Degree Level
See the best schools at each degree level:
- Best Nursing Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Nursing Undergraduate 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 Healthcare Degree Search (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on 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. *Averages shown above reflect the top 2207 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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