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Best Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region

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2023 Best Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region

276 Colleges
$64,238 Avg Salary
$28,730 Avg Student Debt

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.

It's not easy to decide which healthcare program to enroll in when you have so many options available. 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 that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Healthcare Degree Search has developed this Best Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. This report analyzed 276 schools in the Southeast Region to see which ones offered the best bachelor's degree programs for healthcare students. The factors used to develop this ranking include those related to how in-demand the school is, the overall quality of the school, and post-graduation wages, and more.

View our full ranking methodology.

2023 Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region

The following schools top our list of the Best Nursing Bachelor's Degree Colleges.

Top 25 Top Southeast Region Schools for a Bachelor's in Nursing

Our analysis found West Coast University-Miami to be the best school for nursing students who want to pursue a bachelor’s degree in the Southeast Region . West Coast University-Miami is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Doral.

Nursing majors at West Coast University-Miami take out an average of $38,539 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 $665.

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The excellent bachelor’s degree programs at Carolinas College of Health Sciences helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in the Southeast Region . Carolinas College of Health Sciences is a fairly small public school located in the large city of Charlotte.

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Out of the 276 schools in the Southeast Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Chamberlain University - Florida landed the # 3 spot on the list. Chamberlain - Florida is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Jacksonville.

While working on their Bachelor's Degree, nursing majors at Chamberlain - Florida accumulate an average of around $37,103 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $256.

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The excellent bachelor’s degree programs at Chamberlain University - Georgia helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in the Southeast Region . Chamberlain - Georgia is a small private for-profit school located in the midsize city of Atlanta.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Chamberlain - Georgia take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $37,103. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $256.

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#5

Duke University

Durham, NC

The excellent bachelor’s degree programs at Duke University helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in the Southeast Region . Located in the large city of Durham, Duke is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly large student population.

On average, nursing graduates from Duke take out $29,049 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree.

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Chamberlain University - Virginia ranked #6 on this year’s Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region list. Chamberlain - Virginia is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Arlington.

After completing their Bachelor's Degree, nursing graduates from Chamberlain - Virginia carry an average student debtload of $37,103. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $256.

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Sentara College of Health Sciences ranked #7 on this year’s Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region list. Sentara College of Health Sciences is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of Chesapeake.

After completing their Bachelor's Degree, nursing graduates from Sentara College of Health Sciences carry an average student debtload of $29,312. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $155, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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With a ranking of #8, Cabarrus College of Health Sciences did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in the city of Concord, Cabarrus College of Health Sciences is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

While working on their Bachelor's Degree, nursing majors at Cabarrus College of Health Sciences accumulate an average of around $30,049 in student debt.

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University of Virginia - Main Campus came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. University of Virginia is a very large public school located in the small suburb of Charlottesville.

While working on their Bachelor's Degree, nursing majors at University of Virginia accumulate an average of around $16,880 in student debt.

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#10

University of Florida

Gainesville, FL

With a ranking of #10, University of Florida did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in the midsize city of Gainesville, UF is a public college with a very large student population.

On average, nursing graduates from UF take out $22,079 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $146, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

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#11

Centra College of Nursing

Lynchburg, VA

Centra College of Nursing 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 #11 on the list. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Centra College of Nursing is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

After completing their Bachelor's Degree, nursing graduates from Centra College of Nursing carry an average student debtload of $17,510.

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#12

Emory University

Atlanta, GA

Emory 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 #12 on the list. Located in the city of Atlanta, Emory is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly large student population.

While working on their Bachelor's Degree, nursing majors at Emory accumulate an average of around $25,656 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $556.

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#13

Auburn University

Auburn, AL

Auburn University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region list. Auburn is a very large public school located in the city of Auburn.

Nursing majors at Auburn take out an average of $19,639 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 $562.

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#14

University of Mary Washington

Fredericksburg, VA

University of Mary Washington came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. UMW is a small public school located in the suburb of Fredericksburg.

Nursing majors at UMW take out an average of $19,793 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree.

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#15

James Madison University

Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, JMU is a public school with a very large student population.

After completing their Bachelor's Degree, nursing graduates from JMU carry an average student debtload of $21,715. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $329.

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Virginia Commonwealth University landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree nursing programs. VCU is a very large public school located in the medium-sized city of Richmond.

After completing their Bachelor's Degree, nursing graduates from VCU carry an average student debtload of $27,321. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $238, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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University of South Florida - Main Campus came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in the city of Tampa, USF Tampa is a public college with a very large student population.

Nursing majors at USF Tampa take out an average of $27,078 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $181.

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The University of Tennessee - Knoxville came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in the medium-sized city of Knoxville, UT Knoxville is a public college with a very large student population.

After completing their Bachelor's Degree, nursing graduates from UT Knoxville carry an average student debtload of $20,875.

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With a ranking of #19, University of North Carolina at Charlotte did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in the large city of Charlotte, UNC Charlotte is a public college with a fairly large student population.

After completing their Bachelor's Degree, nursing graduates from UNC Charlotte carry an average student debtload of $23,270. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $166.

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#20

University of Arkansas

Fayetteville, AR

University of Arkansas landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree nursing programs. UARK is a very large public school located in the small city of Fayetteville.

Nursing majors at UARK take out an average of $26,161 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 $410.

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University of North Carolina at Greensboro 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 #21 on the list. Located in the large city of Greensboro, UNC Greensboro is a public college with a large student population.

Nursing majors at UNC Greensboro take out an average of $23,245 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 $151.

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#22

Augusta University

Augusta, GA

Augusta University landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree nursing programs. Located in the city of Augusta, Augusta University is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.

While working on their Bachelor's Degree, nursing majors at Augusta University accumulate an average of around $22,117 in student debt. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $127, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

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#23

East Carolina University

Greenville, NC

East Carolina University landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree nursing programs. ECU is a very large public school located in the small city of Greenville.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at ECU take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $24,172. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $261.

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Galen College of Nursing - Louisville 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 #24 on the list. Located in the city of Louisville, Galen College of Nursing - Louisville is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

Nursing majors at Galen College of Nursing - Louisville take out an average of $43,752 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $123, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 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. Located in the small city of Chapel Hill, UNC Chapel Hill is a public college with a fairly large student population.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at UNC Chapel Hill take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $26,237.

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Rest of the Top Best Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region

#26

University of Florida-Online

Gainesville, FL
#29

Georgia Southern University

Statesboro, GA
#30

Old Dominion University

Norfolk, VA
#32

AdventHealth University

Orlando, FL
#33

Clemson University

Clemson, SC
#34

Winston - Salem State University

Winston-Salem, NC
#35

University of North Georgia

Dahlonega, GA
#37

University of North Florida

Jacksonville, FL
#38

Shepherd University

Shepherdstown, WV
#39

University of Miami

Coral Gables, FL
#40

Belmont University

Nashville, TN
#41

University of Mount Olive

Mount Olive, NC

Additional Noteworthy Schools

Here are some additional great schools for Nursing students in the Southeast Region that almost earned our Best Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region award.

Rank College Location
42 University of Louisiana at Monroe Monroe, LA
43 Rasmussen University - Florida Ocala, FL
44 Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing Richmond, VA
45 University of North Carolina at Wilmington Wilmington, NC
46 Shenandoah University Winchester, VA
47 Herzing University - Winter Park Winter Park, FL
48 McNeese State University Lake Charles, LA
49 University of Memphis Memphis, TN
50 Western Carolina University Cullowhee, NC
51 Herzing University - Atlanta Atlanta, GA
52 Eastern Mennonite University Harrisonburg, VA
53 American Public University System Charles Town, WV
54 Berry College Mount Berry, GA
55 North Carolina A & T State University Greensboro, NC

Best Nursing Colleges by State

Explore the best nursing colleges for a specific state in the Southeast region.

State Degrees Awarded
Florida 21,209
North Carolina 7,425
Tennessee 6,004
Kentucky 6,395
Georgia 7,112
West Virginia 1,771
Virginia 6,775
Alabama 7,364
Louisiana 3,502
Mississippi 2,838
South Carolina 3,296
Arkansas 2,882

Nursing is one of 30 different types of healthcare programs to choose from.

Nursing Focus Areas

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

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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