2026 Best Nursing Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best Nursing doctoral degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 2207 schools 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.
So you can compare your options, Healthcare Degree Search analyzed 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 Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
Middle Tennessee School Of Anesthesia Inc tops our 2026 ranking of the best Nursing doctoral degree schools in the United States. Based in Madison, TN, Middle Tennessee School Of Anesthesia Inc is a private not-for-profit institution. See the full Middle Tennessee School Of Anesthesia Inc profile
A rank of #2 makes Mayo Medical School one of the top choices in the United States. Located in Rochester, MN, Mayo Medical School is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,040. Graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. See the full Mayo Medical School profile
Out of the 2207 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Midwestern University Glendale landed the #3 spot. Located in Glendale, AZ, Midwestern University Glendale is a private not-for-profit institution. More on Midwestern University Glendale
The strong Nursing programs at Wake Forest University earned it the #4 place in the United States. Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit school based in Winston-Salem, NC. About 89% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,642. Graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans. Read more about Wake Forest University
Out of the 2207 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, University Of St Augustine For Health Sciences landed the #5 spot. Based in San Marcos, CA, University Of St Augustine For Health Sciences is a private for-profit institution. See the full University Of St Augustine For Health Sciences profile
Texas Christian University did well this year, earning the #6 position. Texas Christian University is a private not-for-profit school based in Fort Worth, TX. Texas Christian University posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. Students from in state pay about $61,740 in tuition and fees. The median Nursing program debt is $27,000. See the full Texas Christian University profile
Frontier Nursing University placed #7 among Nursing schools in the United States. Frontier Nursing University is a private not-for-profit school based in Versailles, KY. Get the full Frontier Nursing University report
Bryan College Of Health Sciences did well this year, earning the #8 position. Bryan College Of Health Sciences is a private not-for-profit school based in Lincoln, NE. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,640. Graduates carry a median of $30,125 in student loans. Read the full report on Bryan College Of Health Sciences
Samuel Merritt University landed the #9 spot in the United States this year. Located in Oakland, CA, Samuel Merritt University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $50,138. Samuel Merritt University Nursing students take on a median of $25,000 in debt. More on Samuel Merritt University
The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston came in at #10 in this year's ranking. Located in Houston, TX, The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,748, while out-of-state students pay about $43,132. Typical Nursing student debt is $20,500. See the full The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston profile
University Of Pennsylvania came in at #11 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Philadelphia, PA. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,686. Typical Nursing student debt is $22,410. Read the full report on University Of Pennsylvania
Mount Marty College came in at #12 in this year's ranking. Mount Marty College is a private not-for-profit school based in Yankton, SD. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,600. Mount Marty College Nursing students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Read the full report on Mount Marty College
Villanova University did well this year, earning the #13 position. Located in Villanova, PA, Villanova University is a private not-for-profit institution. Villanova University posts a six-year graduation rate of 92%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,776. The median Nursing program debt is $27,000. More on Villanova University
Baylor College Of Medicine did well this year, earning the #14 position. Set in Houston, TX, Baylor College Of Medicine is a private not-for-profit institution. More on Baylor College Of Medicine
Thomas Jefferson University did well this year, earning the #15 position. Located in Philadelphia, PA, Thomas Jefferson University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. In-state tuition and fees average $47,355. Thomas Jefferson University Nursing students take on a median of $30,000 in debt. Read more about Thomas Jefferson University
Virginia Commonwealth University did well this year, earning the #16 position. This public school is set in Richmond, VA. About 63% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,720, while out-of-state students pay about $39,884. Typical Nursing student debt is $26,250. Read more about Virginia Commonwealth University
Vanderbilt University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Located 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 average $67,498. The median Nursing program debt is $13,975. Get the full Vanderbilt University report
Point Loma Nazarene University placed #18 among Nursing schools in the United States. Point Loma Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit school based in San Diego, CA. Point Loma Nazarene University graduates 77% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,250. Point Loma Nazarene University Nursing students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Read the full report on Point Loma Nazarene University
Texas Wesleyan University did well this year, earning the #19 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Fort Worth, TX. Texas Wesleyan University posts a six-year graduation rate of 32%. Students from in state pay about $39,582 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $26,461 in student loans. See the full Texas Wesleyan University profile
Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Set in Addison, IL, Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois is a private for-profit institution. Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois posts a six-year graduation rate of 42%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,536. Students borrow a median of $39,146 to complete their Nursing program here. More on Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois
University Of California Los Angeles placed #21 among Nursing schools in the United States. This public school is set in Los Angeles, CA. About 93% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. The median Nursing program debt is $20,800. See the full University Of California Los Angeles profile
The University Of Texas Medical Branch landed the #22 spot in the United States this year. The University Of Texas Medical Branch is a public school based in Galveston, TX. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,402, while out-of-state students pay about $28,011. Typical Nursing student debt is $20,500. Get the full The University Of Texas Medical Branch report
University Of Nevada Las Vegas placed #23 among Nursing schools in the United States. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a public school based in Las Vegas, NV. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. Students from in state pay about $9,748 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. The median Nursing program debt is $19,733. Read more about University Of Nevada Las Vegas
Rush University did well this year, earning the #24 position. Rush University is a private not-for-profit school based in Chicago, IL. In-state tuition and fees average $33,751. Rush University Nursing students take on a median of $31,206 in debt. Read the full report on Rush University
Duke University landed the #25 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Durham, NC. Duke University graduates 97% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $68,758 in tuition and fees. The median Nursing program debt is $29,000. See the full Duke University profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best Nursing Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
Mgh Institute Of Health Professions placed #26 among Nursing schools in the United States. Based in Boston, MA, Mgh Institute Of Health Professions is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $95,932. Graduates carry a median of $32,000 in student loans. More on Mgh Institute Of Health Professions
Oregon Health And Science University ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Set in Portland, OR, Oregon Health And Science University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $24,306, compared with $37,338 for out-of-state students. Typical Nursing student debt is $32,059. See the full Oregon Health And Science University profile
Saint Marys College ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Set in Notre Dame, IN, Saint Marys College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 69% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $53,230 in tuition and fees. Saint Marys College Nursing students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Get the full Saint Marys College report
Gonzaga University ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Spokane, WA. Gonzaga University posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $55,480. Gonzaga University Nursing students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. See the full Gonzaga University profile
Touro University California landed the #30 spot in the United States this year. Located in Vallejo, CA, Touro University California is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $20,005. Students borrow a median of $16,002 to complete their Nursing program here. Get the full Touro University California report
Wilkes University did well this year, earning the #31 position. Wilkes University is a private not-for-profit school based in Wilkes-Barre, PA. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $43,496. Graduates carry a median of $28,813 in student loans. Get the full Wilkes University report
Chatham University came in at #32 in this year's ranking. Located in Pittsburgh, PA, Chatham University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. Students from in state pay about $45,001 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More on Chatham University
University Of Virginia Main Campus ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Located in Charlottesville, VA, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $23,118, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,130 to complete their Nursing program here. Read the full report on University Of Virginia Main Campus
University Of Portland landed the #34 spot in the United States this year. Located in Portland, OR, University Of Portland is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Portland posts a six-year graduation rate of 80%. Students from in state pay about $58,100 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,750 to complete their Nursing program here. Read the full report on University Of Portland
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Set in Chapel Hill, NC, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public institution. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill posts a six-year graduation rate of 91%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Typical Nursing student debt is $23,026. Get the full University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill report
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public school based in Pittsburgh, PA. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Students from in state pay about $21,926 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. The median Nursing program debt is $25,500. Read more about University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
University Of California Davis placed #37 among Nursing schools in the United States. Based in Davis, CA, University Of California Davis is a public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $15,804 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Students borrow a median of $14,404 to complete their Nursing program here. Get the full University Of California Davis report
Samford University ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Samford University is a private not-for-profit school based in Birmingham, AL. About 77% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $40,150 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,750 to complete their Nursing program here. Read the full report on Samford University
Webster University landed the #39 spot in the United States this year. Located in Saint Louis, MO, Webster University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $31,750. Webster University Nursing students take on a median of $25,939 in debt. Read the full report on Webster University
Touro University Nevada landed the #40 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Henderson, NV. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,380. The median Nursing program debt is $16,002. See the full Touro University Nevada profile
California State University Fresno landed the #41 spot in the United States this year. Based in Fresno, CA, California State University Fresno is a public institution. California State University Fresno graduates 57% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Students borrow a median of $17,938 to complete their Nursing program here. Read more about California State University Fresno
Catholic University Of America came in at #42 in this year's ranking. Located in Washington, DC, Catholic University Of America is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,378. Typical Nursing student debt is $27,000. Read more about Catholic University Of America
Rosalind Franklin University Of Medicine And Science placed #43 among Nursing schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in North Chicago, IL. See the full Rosalind Franklin University Of Medicine And Science profile
Aspen University ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Aspen University is a private for-profit school based in Phoenix, AZ. Roughly 27% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,870. Students borrow a median of $36,787 to complete their Nursing program here. More on Aspen University
Medical University Of South Carolina did well this year, earning the #45 position. Located in Charleston, SC, Medical University Of South Carolina is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $16,972, while out-of-state students pay about $30,380. Students borrow a median of $29,043 to complete their Nursing program here. Read the full report on Medical University Of South Carolina
University Of Maryland Baltimore ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. This public school is set in Baltimore, MD. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,638, compared with $44,811 for out-of-state students. The median Nursing program debt is $21,500. Get the full University Of Maryland Baltimore report
University Of San Francisco landed the #47 spot in the United States this year. Set in San Francisco, CA, University Of San Francisco is a private not-for-profit institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $60,522. The median Nursing program debt is $27,000. Get the full University Of San Francisco report
University Of Massachusetts Medical School Worcester landed the #48 spot in the United States this year. Set in Worcester, MA, University Of Massachusetts Medical School Worcester is a public institution. Get the full University Of Massachusetts Medical School Worcester report
Bradley University did well this year, earning the #49 position. Set in Peoria, IL, Bradley University is a private not-for-profit institution. Bradley University graduates 76% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,160. The median Nursing program debt is $27,000. Get the full Bradley University report
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #50 in this year's ranking. Purdue University Main Campus is a public school based in West Lafayette, IN. Purdue University Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 83%. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Students borrow a median of $20,455 to complete their Nursing program here. Get the full Purdue University Main Campus report
Related Nursing Rankings
See rankings for 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 Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Nursing Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Healthcare Degree Search (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs 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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