2026 Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Nursing bachelor’s degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 2207 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Healthcare Degree Search evaluated schools to compile this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Samuel Merritt University tops our 2026 ranking of the best Nursing bachelor's degree schools in the United States. Samuel Merritt University is a private not-for-profit school based in Oakland, CA. Students from in state pay about $50,138 in tuition and fees. Typical Nursing student debt is $25,000. Read more about Samuel Merritt University
Out of the 2207 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Stanbridge College landed the #2 spot. Set in Irvine, CA, Stanbridge College is a private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $36,666 to complete their Nursing program here. Get the full Stanbridge College report
You'll be in good company at University Of Great Falls, which ranked #3 this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Great Falls, MT. University Of Great Falls graduates 21% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $30,448. Students borrow a median of $23,847 to complete their Nursing program here. See the full University Of Great Falls profile
Out of the 2207 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Pacific College landed the #4 spot. Set 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. See the full Pacific College profile
Out of the 2207 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Suny Downstate Medical Center landed the #5 spot. Suny Downstate Medical Center is a public school based in Brooklyn, NY. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,822, while out-of-state students pay about $19,662. Suny Downstate Medical Center Nursing students take on a median of $22,023 in debt. Get the full Suny Downstate Medical Center report
Aspen University landed the #8 spot in the United States this year. This private for-profit school is set in Phoenix, AZ. The six-year graduation rate is 27%. Students from in state pay about $6,870 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $36,787 to complete their Nursing program here. Get the full Aspen University report
Loma Linda University placed #9 among Nursing schools in the United States. Loma Linda University is a private not-for-profit school based in Loma Linda, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $29,960. Graduates carry a median of $31,645 in student loans. See the full Loma Linda University profile
Helene Fuld College Of Nursing placed #11 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 run about $25,852. Typical Nursing student debt is $27,775. Read the full report on Helene Fuld College Of Nursing
West Coast University Orange County placed #12 among Nursing schools in the United States. Located in Anaheim, CA, West Coast University Orange County is a private for-profit institution. West Coast University Orange County posts a six-year graduation rate of 60%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,506. Students borrow a median of $38,145 to complete their Nursing program here. Get the full West Coast University Orange County report
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center placed #13 among Nursing schools in the United States. Based in Lubbock, TX, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,214 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,514 for out-of-state students. Typical Nursing student debt is $22,000. Read more about Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Chamberlain College Of Nursing Arizona placed #14 among Nursing schools in the United States. Set in Phoenix, AZ, Chamberlain College Of Nursing Arizona is a private for-profit institution. Chamberlain College Of Nursing Arizona graduates 50% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $21,520. The median Nursing program debt is $39,146. Get the full Chamberlain College Of Nursing Arizona report
West Coast University Ontario landed the #15 spot in the United States this year. Set in Ontario, CA, West Coast University Ontario is a private for-profit institution. About 39% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,854. Graduates carry a median of $38,145 in student loans. Read the full report on West Coast University Ontario
West Coast University Los Angeles landed the #16 spot in the United States this year. This private for-profit school is set in North Hollywood, CA. West Coast University Los Angeles posts a six-year graduation rate of 31%. Students from in state pay about $36,854 in tuition and fees. Typical Nursing student debt is $38,145. See the full West Coast University Los Angeles profile
Gurnick Academy Of Medical Arts did well this year, earning the #17 position. This private for-profit school is set in San Jose, CA. Students borrow a median of $25,266 to complete their Nursing program here. Read more about Gurnick Academy Of Medical Arts
Chamberlain College Of Nursing Missouri did well this year, earning the #19 position. Based in St. Louis, MO, Chamberlain College Of Nursing Missouri is a private for-profit institution. Roughly 100% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,680. Graduates carry a median of $39,146 in student loans. More on Chamberlain College Of Nursing Missouri
Cuny Graduate School And University Center came in at #20 in this year's ranking. Set in New York, NY, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,235 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,185 for out-of-state students. Typical Nursing student debt is $16,593. More on Cuny Graduate School And University Center
California State University Monterey Bay did well this year, earning the #21 position. Set in Seaside, CA, California State University Monterey Bay is a public institution. California State University Monterey Bay posts a six-year graduation rate of 59%. Students from in state pay about $7,779 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,379. Typical Nursing student debt is $9,489. Read the full report on California State University Monterey Bay
Ottawa University Kansas City placed #22 among Nursing schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Overland Park, KS. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,296. Students borrow a median of $34,747 to complete their Nursing program here. See the full Ottawa University Kansas City profile
Northwest Christian University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Eugene, OR. Northwest Christian University posts a six-year graduation rate of 56%. Students from in state pay about $35,800 in tuition and fees. The median Nursing program debt is $28,704. Get the full Northwest Christian University report
Molloy College landed the #24 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Rockville Centre, NY. Molloy College graduates 70% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,790. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete their Nursing program here. Read more about Molloy College
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #25 spot in the United States this year. Set in Los Angeles, CA, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. University Of California Los Angeles graduates 93% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Students borrow a median of $20,800 to complete their Nursing program here. More on University Of California Los Angeles
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public school based in Madison, WI. About 90% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Typical Nursing student debt is $25,000. See the full University Of Wisconsin Madison profile
University Of Nebraska Medical Center landed the #27 spot in the United States this year. Located in Omaha, NE, University Of Nebraska Medical Center is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,973, with out-of-state students paying around $39,962. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete their Nursing program here. Read the full report on University Of Nebraska Medical Center
California State University Dominguez Hills did well this year, earning the #28 position. Located in Carson, CA, California State University Dominguez Hills is a public institution. California State University Dominguez Hills graduates 43% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Typical Nursing student debt is $18,750. Read more about California State University Dominguez Hills
American University Of Health Sciences did well this year, earning the #29 position. This private for-profit school is set in Signal Hill, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. Students from in state pay about $24,575 in tuition and fees. The median Nursing program debt is $48,042. See the full American University Of Health Sciences profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Oregon Health And Science University ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. This public school is set in Portland, OR. Students from in state pay about $24,306 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,338. Oregon Health And Science University Nursing students take on a median of $32,059 in debt. Read more about Oregon Health And Science University
Texas A And M University College Station ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Set in College Station, TX, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. Texas A And M University College Station posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. The median Nursing program debt is $21,500. See the full Texas A And M University College Station profile
Ramapo College Of New Jersey placed #32 among Nursing schools in the United States. Based in Mahwah, NJ, Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a public institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,777, while out-of-state students pay about $27,708. The median Nursing program debt is $26,500. Read more about Ramapo College Of New Jersey
West Coast University Miami did well this year, earning the #33 position. Based in Doral, FL, West Coast University Miami is a private for-profit institution. Roughly 33% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,317. West Coast University Miami Nursing students take on a median of $38,145 in debt. Read the full report on West Coast University Miami
Sonoma State University did well this year, earning the #34 position. Sonoma State University is a public school based in Rohnert Park, CA. Sonoma State University graduates 58% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $8,624, with out-of-state students paying around $21,224. Students borrow a median of $19,750 to complete their Nursing program here. Read more about Sonoma State University
Western Governors University did well this year, earning the #35 position. Western Governors University is a private not-for-profit school based in Salt Lake City, UT. Western Governors University graduates 46% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,658. Students borrow a median of $22,660 to complete their Nursing program here. Read the full report on Western Governors University
Wagner College placed #36 among Nursing schools in the United States. Based in Staten Island, NY, Wagner College is a private not-for-profit institution. Wagner College posts a six-year graduation rate of 65%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,200. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read the full report on Wagner College
Unitek College placed #37 among Nursing schools in the United States. Based in Fremont, CA, Unitek College is a private for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. Unitek College Nursing students take on a median of $27,113 in debt. Read more about Unitek College
West Coast University Dallas did well this year, earning the #38 position. Based in Richardson, TX, West Coast University Dallas is a private for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 11%. Students from in state pay about $16,574 in tuition and fees. Typical Nursing student debt is $38,145. See the full West Coast University Dallas profile
Chamberlain College Of Nursing Texas did well this year, earning the #39 position. This private for-profit school is set in Houston, TX. The six-year graduation rate is 25%. Students from in state pay about $21,100 in tuition and fees. Typical Nursing student debt is $39,146. Read the full report on Chamberlain College Of Nursing Texas
New York University did well this year, earning the #40 position. New York University is a private not-for-profit school based in New York, NY. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. Students from in state pay about $62,796 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete their Nursing program here. See the full New York University profile
Chamberlain University California landed the #41 spot in the United States this year. Chamberlain University California is a private for-profit school based in Rancho Cordova, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $22,024. The median Nursing program debt is $39,146. Read more about Chamberlain University California
The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston landed the #42 spot in the United States this year. Based in Houston, TX, The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,748, compared with $43,132 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Get the full The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston report
Chamberlain University Michigan did well this year, earning the #43 position. This private for-profit school is set in Troy, MI. The six-year graduation rate is 100%. Students from in state pay about $21,520 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $39,146 in student loans. Get the full Chamberlain University Michigan report
Carolinas College Of Health Sciences did well this year, earning the #44 position. Set in Charlotte, NC, Carolinas College Of Health Sciences is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,882. Graduates carry a median of $24,499 in student loans. Read the full report on Carolinas College Of Health Sciences
California State University Sacramento placed #46 among Nursing schools in the United States. Set in Sacramento, CA, California State University Sacramento is a public institution. About 56% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Typical Nursing student debt is $19,000. Read more about California State University Sacramento
Ottawa University Milwaukee came in at #47 in this year's ranking. Based in Brookfield, WI, Ottawa University Milwaukee is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,296. Students borrow a median of $34,747 to complete their Nursing program here. Read more about Ottawa University Milwaukee
Chamberlain College Of Nursing Florida came in at #48 in this year's ranking. Set in Jacksonville, FL, Chamberlain College Of Nursing Florida is a private for-profit institution. About 33% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $20,680. Chamberlain College Of Nursing Florida Nursing students take on a median of $39,146 in debt. Read more about Chamberlain College Of Nursing Florida
Chamberlain College Of Nursing Georgia ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Chamberlain College Of Nursing Georgia is a private for-profit school based in Sandy Springs, GA. Chamberlain College Of Nursing Georgia posts a six-year graduation rate of 50%. In-state tuition and fees average $21,240. Graduates carry a median of $39,146 in student loans. See the full Chamberlain College Of Nursing Georgia profile
University Of San Francisco came in at #50 in this year's ranking. Based in San Francisco, CA, University Of San Francisco is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $60,522 in tuition and fees. The median Nursing program debt is $27,000. See the full University Of San Francisco profile
Chamberlain College Of Nursing Ohio came in at #51 in this year's ranking. Set in Columbus, OH, Chamberlain College Of Nursing Ohio is a private for-profit institution. Roughly 29% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,680. Chamberlain College Of Nursing Ohio Nursing students take on a median of $39,146 in debt. Get the full Chamberlain College Of Nursing Ohio report
Duke University placed #52 among Nursing schools in the United States. Located in Durham, NC, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. Duke University graduates 97% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $68,758 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. See the full Duke University profile
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee Flex did well this year, earning the #53 position. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee Flex is a public school based in Milwaukee, WI. In-state tuition and fees average $6,750. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee Flex Nursing students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. More on University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee Flex
Chamberlain University Indiana came in at #54 in this year's ranking. Set in Indianapolis, IN, Chamberlain University Indiana is a private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,680. Chamberlain University Indiana Nursing students take on a median of $39,146 in debt. More on Chamberlain University Indiana
Chamberlain College Of Nursing Virginia came in at #55 in this year's ranking. Based in Vienna, VA, Chamberlain College Of Nursing Virginia is a private for-profit institution. Chamberlain College Of Nursing Virginia graduates 100% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $21,520 in tuition and fees. The median Nursing program debt is $39,146. More on Chamberlain College Of Nursing Virginia
Related Nursing Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Nursing Schools (All Levels)
- Best Nursing Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Nursing Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Nursing Associate’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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