2023 Best Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools
Finding the Best Nursing Bachelor's Degree School for You
In 2020-2021, 322,592 degrees and certificates were awarded to nursing students, making the major the most popular in the country.
There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which healthcare program is right for you. You can choose a traditional brick and mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school half-way across the country without even leaving your house. Also there are many trade schools that offer short-term programs that open up more career options.
Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Healthcare Degree Search has created the Best Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools to help you in your search for the best school for you. Our analysis looked at 1,016 schools in the United States to see which bachelor's degree programs offered the best educational experiences for healthcare students. Factors related to overall quality of the school, post-graduation earnings, average student debt, and more accumulated were considered when coming up with this list.
View our full ranking methodology.
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2023 Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
Check out the nursing bachelor's degree programs at these schools if you want to get the best education that money can buy.
Top 25 Top Schools for a Bachelor's in Nursing
Our analysis found Samuel Merritt University to be the best school for nursing students who want to pursue a bachelor’s degree in the United States. Located in the large city of Oakland, Samuel Merritt University is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.
After completing their Bachelor's Degree, nursing graduates from Samuel Merritt University carry an average student debtload of $28,570. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $551.
The excellent bachelor’s degree programs at Stanbridge University helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in the United States. Located in the city of Irvine, Stanbridge is a private for-profit college with a small student population.
On average, nursing graduates from Stanbridge take out $32,734 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend University of Providence. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. University of Providence is a fairly small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Great Falls.
After completing their Bachelor's Degree, nursing graduates from University of Providence carry an average student debtload of $23,987.
Out of the 1,016 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Pacific College landed the # 4 spot on the list. Located in the midsize city of Costa Mesa, Pacific College is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.
The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Pacific College take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $15,905.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. SUNY Downstate is a small public school located in the city of Brooklyn.
After completing their Bachelor's Degree, nursing graduates from SUNY Downstate carry an average student debtload of $24,255.
Read full report on Nursing at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University
With a ranking of #6, Linfield University - Online and Continuing Education did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in the town of McMinnville, Linfield OCE is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.
On average, nursing graduates from Linfield OCE take out $34,999 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $346.
Full Nursing at Linfield University - Online and Continuing Education Report
Linfield University - School of Nursing came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. Located in the city of Portland, Linfield Nursing is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly small student population.
The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Linfield Nursing take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $34,999. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $346.
Read full report on Nursing at Linfield University - School of Nursing
Aspen University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #8 on the list. Aspen University is a medium-sized private for-profit school located in the city of Denver.
While working on their Bachelor's Degree, nursing majors at Aspen University accumulate an average of around $33,836 in student debt.
Loma Linda University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. Loma Linda University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Loma Linda.
Nursing majors at Loma Linda University take out an average of $34,125 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $416.
With a ranking of #10, Ottawa University - Phoenix did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. Ottawa University - Phoenix is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Phoenix.
While working on their Bachelor's Degree, nursing majors at Ottawa University - Phoenix accumulate an average of around $29,652 in student debt.
Helene Fuld College of Nursing came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. Located in the city of New York, HFCN is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.
With a ranking of #12, West Coast University - Orange County did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. West Coast University - Orange County is a small private for-profit school located in the large city of Anaheim.
On average, nursing graduates from West Coast University - Orange County take out $38,539 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $665, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
Full Nursing at West Coast University - Orange County Report
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #13 on the list. TTUHSC is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Lubbock.
After completing their Bachelor's Degree, nursing graduates from TTUHSC carry an average student debtload of $24,106. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $242, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
Full Nursing at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Report
Chamberlain University - Arizona did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #14 on the list. Chamberlain - Arizona is a small private for-profit school located in the large city of Phoenix.
While working on their Bachelor's Degree, nursing majors at Chamberlain - Arizona accumulate an average of around $37,103 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $256.
Read full report on Nursing at Chamberlain University - Arizona
West Coast University - Ontario did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #15 on the list. Located in the city of Ontario, West Coast University - Ontario is a private for-profit college with a small student population.
On average, nursing graduates from West Coast University - Ontario take out $38,539 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $665, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
West Coast University - Los Angeles ranked #16 on this year’s Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. Located in the city of North Hollywood, West Coast University - Los Angeles is a private for-profit school with a small student population.
The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at West Coast University - Los Angeles take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $38,539. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $665, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
Read full report on Nursing at West Coast University - Los Angeles
Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts ranked #17 on this year’s Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts is a small private for-profit school located in the city of San Mateo.
American Sentinel University landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree nursing programs. Located in the suburb of Aurora, American Sentinel University is a private for-profit school with a small student population.
After completing their Bachelor's Degree, nursing graduates from American Sentinel University carry an average student debtload of $26,198.
With a ranking of #19, Chamberlain University - Missouri did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Chamberlain - Missouri is a private for-profit school with a small student population.
On average, nursing graduates from Chamberlain - Missouri take out $37,103 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $256.
With a ranking of #20, The Graduate Center, CUNY did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. The Graduate Center is a medium-sized public school located in the city of New York.
On average, nursing graduates from The Graduate Center take out $19,689 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree.
California State University - Monterey Bay landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree nursing programs. Located in the suburb of Seaside, CSUMB is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.
The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at CSUMB take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $16,909.
Full Nursing at California State University - Monterey Bay Report
Ottawa University - Kansas City came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. Ottawa University - Kansas City is a fairly small private not-for-profit school located in the medium-sized city of Overland Park.
Nursing majors at Ottawa University - Kansas City take out an average of $29,652 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree.
Bushnell University landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree nursing programs. Located in the midsize city of Eugene, Bushnell University is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.
After completing their Bachelor's Degree, nursing graduates from Bushnell University carry an average student debtload of $27,534.
Molloy College ranked #24 on this year’s Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. Located in the suburb of Rockville Centre, Molloy is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.
While working on their Bachelor's Degree, nursing majors at Molloy accumulate an average of around $36,125 in student debt. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $365, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
University of California - Los Angeles did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #25 on the list. UCLA is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles.
Full Nursing at University of California - Los Angeles Report
Rest of the Top 50 Best Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools
Additional Award Winners
This section shows the remainder of the colleges awarded a Best Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools badge. Showing in this list means the school was ranked in the top 15% of the 1016 different United States nursing schools we analyzed.
Honorable Mentions
These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools award.
Nursing by Region
View the Best Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools for a specific region near you.
| Region |
|---|
| Southeast |
| New England |
| Rocky Mountains |
| Plains States |
| Middle Atlantic |
| Far Western US |
| Southwest |
| Great Lakes |
More Nursing Rankings
Rankings in Majors Related to Nursing
One of 30 majors within the healthcare area of study, nursing has other similar majors worth exploring.
Nursing Concentrations
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | 266,651 |
| Family Practice Nurse/Nursing | 16,104 |
| Nursing Administration | 9,838 |
| Nursing Practice | 7,992 |
| Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 5,092 |
| Nursing Science | 4,600 |
| Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing | 2,287 |
| Adult Health Nurse/Nursing | 2,021 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | 1,936 |
| Public Health/Community Nurse/Nursing | 1,883 |
| Critical Care Nursing | 773 |
| Geriatric Nurse/Nursing | 563 |
| School Nursing | 553 |
| Nurse Midwife/Nursing Midwifery | 509 |
| Clinical Nurse Leader | 444 |
| Clinical Nurse Specialist | 419 |
| Perioperative/Operating Room and Surgical Nurse/Nursing | 331 |
| Maternal/Child Health and Neonatal Nurse/Nursing | 181 |
| Occupational and Environmental Health Nursing | 57 |
| Emergency Room/Trauma Nursing | 53 |
| Palliative Care Nursing | 14 |
| Forensic Nursing | 14 |
Most Popular Related Majors
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Health & Medical Administrative Services | 89,359 |
| Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services | 84,492 |
| Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants | 84,274 |
| Allied Health Professions | 82,308 |
| Public Health | 40,596 |
Notes and References
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
- Read more about our ranking methodology.
- 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 the rest 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).
- Credit for the banner image above goes to Aleksahgabrielle.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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