2026 Best Nursing Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best Nursing certificate degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 2207 colleges 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 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 Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Oregon Coast Community College tops our 2026 ranking of the best Nursing certificate degree schools in the United States. Set in Newport, OR, Oregon Coast Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,544. Read the full report on Oregon Coast Community College
A rank of #2 makes Ohio State University Main Campus one of the top choices in the United States. Located in Columbus, OH, Ohio State University Main Campus is a public institution. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $26,240 in student loans. See the full Ohio State University Main Campus profile
A rank of #3 makes Lone Star College System one of the top choices in the United States. This public school is set in The Woodlands, TX. Students from in state pay about $2,664 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,512. The median Nursing program debt is $11,938. Read the full report on Lone Star College System
Out of the 2207 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Ohio University Main Campus landed the #4 spot. Based in Athens, OH, Ohio University Main Campus is a public institution. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. The median Nursing program debt is $26,778. Read more about Ohio University Main Campus
You'll be in good company at Red Rocks Community College, which ranked #5 this year. Red Rocks Community College is a public school based in Lakewood, CO. Students from in state pay about $4,859 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,459. Red Rocks Community College Nursing students take on a median of $14,471 in debt. Get the full Red Rocks Community College report
Gaston College came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Located in Dallas, NC, Gaston College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,186, with out-of-state students paying around $9,330. The median Nursing program debt is $12,750. More on Gaston College
Pikes Peak Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Based in Colorado Springs, CO, Pikes Peak Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,510, compared with $17,110 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,131 to complete their Nursing program here. Get the full Pikes Peak Community College report
Lewis Clark State College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Set in Lewiston, ID, Lewis Clark State College is a public institution. Lewis Clark State College graduates 32% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $7,610 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,028. Typical Nursing student debt is $27,000. Get the full Lewis Clark State College report
Gavilan College did well this year, earning the #9 position. Gavilan College is a public school based in Gilroy, CA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,508, compared with $12,249 for out-of-state students. Typical Nursing student debt is $5,939. See the full Gavilan College profile
Methodist College placed #10 among Nursing schools in the United States. Set in Peoria, IL, Methodist College is a private not-for-profit institution. Methodist College graduates 20% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $18,008 in tuition and fees. Methodist College Nursing students take on a median of $46,375 in debt. Read the full report on Methodist College
Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Based in Warner Robins, GA, Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,448 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,016. Graduates carry a median of $16,120 in student loans. See the full Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins profile
Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Set in Weyers Cave, VA, Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,646, compared with $12,084 for out-of-state students. Typical Nursing student debt is $14,208. More on Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave
Central Virginia Community College placed #13 among Nursing schools in the United States. Located in Lynchburg, VA, Central Virginia Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,157, with out-of-state students paying around $11,595. Graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Get the full Central Virginia Community College report
University Of Michigan Flint placed #14 among Nursing schools in the United States. Based in Flint, MI, University Of Michigan Flint is a public institution. University Of Michigan Flint graduates 40% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,236, while out-of-state students pay about $27,790. Students borrow a median of $39,231 to complete their Nursing program here. More on University Of Michigan Flint
Mesa Community College did well this year, earning the #15 position. Mesa Community College is a public school based in Mesa, AZ. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Mesa Community College Nursing students take on a median of $22,750 in debt. Read more about Mesa Community College
Rappahannock Community College came in at #16 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Glenns, VA. Students from in state pay about $5,102 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,540 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete their Nursing program here. Read more about Rappahannock Community College
Thomas Nelson Community College came in at #17 in this year's ranking. Based in Hampton, VA, Thomas Nelson Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,088, compared with $11,526 for out-of-state students. Typical Nursing student debt is $16,300. Read more about Thomas Nelson Community College
Nhti Concords Community College landed the #18 spot in the United States this year. Nhti Concords Community College is a public school based in Concord, NH. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,200, compared with $15,450 for out-of-state students. Typical Nursing student debt is $25,006. Read the full report on Nhti Concords Community College
Butler Community College did well this year, earning the #19 position. Set in El Dorado, KS, Butler Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,541, while out-of-state students pay about $6,271. Graduates carry a median of $24,750 in student loans. See the full Butler Community College profile
El Paso Community College did well this year, earning the #20 position. Set in El Paso, TX, El Paso Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. El Paso Community College Nursing students take on a median of $17,500 in debt. See the full El Paso Community College profile
Madonna University landed the #21 spot in the United States this year. Located in Livonia, MI, Madonna University is a private not-for-profit institution. Madonna University posts a six-year graduation rate of 60%. Students from in state pay about $28,440 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. See the full Madonna University profile
Gateway Community College Phoenix landed the #22 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Phoenix, AZ. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Typical Nursing student debt is $21,225. More on Gateway Community College Phoenix
John Tyler Community College did well this year, earning the #23 position. This public school is set in Chester, VA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,082, with out-of-state students paying around $11,520. Typical Nursing student debt is $16,960. See the full John Tyler Community College profile
Greenville Technical College placed #24 among Nursing schools in the United States. Based in Greenville, SC, Greenville Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,495, compared with $10,775 for out-of-state students. Typical Nursing student debt is $25,796. Get the full Greenville Technical College report
Delaware County Community College came in at #25 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Media, PA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,930, while out-of-state students pay about $15,540. Typical Nursing student debt is $27,000. Get the full Delaware County Community College report
Rest of the Top 50 Best Nursing Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Sinclair Community College landed the #26 spot in the United States this year. Set in Dayton, OH, Sinclair Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Sinclair Community College Nursing students take on a median of $21,667 in debt. More on Sinclair Community College
Gulf Coast State College ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Set in Panama City, FL, Gulf Coast State College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,370, while out-of-state students pay about $8,635. Typical Nursing student debt is $9,837. See the full Gulf Coast State College profile
Virginia Western Community College did well this year, earning the #28 position. Set in Roanoke, VA, Virginia Western Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,400, with out-of-state students paying around $11,838. Graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Read the full report on Virginia Western Community College
Patrick Henry Community College did well this year, earning the #29 position. Located in Martinsville, VA, Patrick Henry Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,002, while out-of-state students pay about $11,440. Typical Nursing student debt is $16,837. Get the full Patrick Henry Community College report
Paul D Camp Community College ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Based in Franklin, VA, Paul D Camp Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,012, with out-of-state students paying around $11,450. Students borrow a median of $16,612 to complete their Nursing program here. More on Paul D Camp Community College
Germanna Community College landed the #31 spot in the United States this year. Based in Locust Grove, VA, Germanna Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,257 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,648. Students borrow a median of $16,543 to complete their Nursing program here. Read more about Germanna Community College
Central Texas College landed the #32 spot in the United States this year. Central Texas College is a public school based in Killeen, TX. Students from in state pay about $3,750 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,500. The median Nursing program debt is $15,099. Get the full Central Texas College report
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College landed the #33 spot in the United States this year. Based in Richmond, VA, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, compared with $11,718 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,502 to complete their Nursing program here. More on J Sargeant Reynolds Community College
York Technical College ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Based in Rock Hill, SC, York Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,036, while out-of-state students pay about $13,340. Typical Nursing student debt is $12,500. Read more about York Technical College
Pensacola State College did well this year, earning the #35 position. This public school is set in Pensacola, FL. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,361, while out-of-state students pay about $9,463. Typical Nursing student debt is $11,346. Get the full Pensacola State College report
Bryant And Stratton College Albany did well this year, earning the #36 position. Read the full report on Bryant And Stratton College Albany
Central Carolina Technical College came in at #37 in this year's ranking. Read more about Central Carolina Technical College
Danville Area Community College landed the #38 spot in the United States this year. Read the full report on Danville Area Community College
Gustavus Adolphus College landed the #39 spot in the United States this year. Get the full Gustavus Adolphus College report
Northwest Vista College came in at #40 in this year's ranking. See the full Northwest Vista College profile
Ohio University Chillicothe Campus did well this year, earning the #41 position. Get the full Ohio University Chillicothe Campus report
University Of Delaware came in at #42 in this year's ranking. Get the full University Of Delaware report
Wilkes University came in at #43 in this year's ranking. See the full Wilkes University profile
Christian Brothers University landed the #44 spot in the United States this year. Get the full Christian Brothers University report
Glendale Career College North West College Mfson ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Read more about Glendale Career College North West College Mfson
Jefferson Regional Medical Center School Of Nursing came in at #46 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Jefferson Regional Medical Center School Of Nursing
Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College did well this year, earning the #47 position. Read the full report on Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College
The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Read more about The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston
University Of Rio Grande ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Read more about University Of Rio Grande
University Of St Thomas Texas landed the #50 spot in the United States this year. See the full University Of St Thomas Texas profile
Related Nursing Rankings
Compare rankings at other degree levels:
- Best Nursing Schools (All Levels)
- 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
These rankings are produced by Healthcare Degree Search (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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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