2026 Best Nursing Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best Nursing graduate certificate degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 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 Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Mayo Medical School to be the best Nursing school in the United States. Set in Rochester, MN, Mayo Medical School is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,040. Typical Nursing student debt is $31,000. More on Mayo Medical School
Out of the 2207 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Samuel Merritt University landed the #2 spot. Set in Oakland, CA, Samuel Merritt University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $50,138. Typical Nursing student debt is $25,000. More on Samuel Merritt University
The strong Nursing programs at Frontier Nursing University earned it the #3 place in the United States. Based in Versailles, KY, Frontier Nursing University is a private not-for-profit institution. More on Frontier Nursing University
A rank of #4 makes Thomas Jefferson University one of the top choices in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Philadelphia, PA. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,355. Typical Nursing student debt is $30,000. Get the full Thomas Jefferson University report
Out of the 2207 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Suny Downstate Medical Center landed the #5 spot. Set in Brooklyn, NY, Suny Downstate Medical Center is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,822 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,662 for out-of-state students. Typical Nursing student debt is $22,023. Read more about Suny Downstate Medical Center
Georgetown University came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Set in Washington, DC, Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,089. Graduates carry a median of $17,417 in student loans. Read the full report on Georgetown University
Johns Hopkins University did well this year, earning the #7 position. Set in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. Johns Hopkins University posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. The median Nursing program debt is $13,426. Get the full Johns Hopkins University report
West Coast University Orange County placed #8 among Nursing schools in the United States. Based in Anaheim, CA, West Coast University Orange County is a private for-profit institution. About 60% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $22,506. Graduates carry a median of $38,145 in student loans. Read the full report on West Coast University Orange County
Duke University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Located in Durham, NC, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. Duke University graduates 97% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $68,758. Duke University Nursing students take on a median of $29,000 in debt. See the full Duke University profile
Vanderbilt University came in at #10 in this year's ranking. Based in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. Vanderbilt University graduates 94% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. The median Nursing program debt is $13,975. Read the full report on Vanderbilt University
Texas A And M University College Station ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Based in College Station, TX, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $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
Maryville University Of Saint Louis placed #12 among Nursing schools in the United States. Located in Saint Louis, MO, Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $27,166. Graduates carry a median of $29,881 in student loans. Read more about Maryville University Of Saint Louis
Western University Of Health Sciences landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. Located in Pomona, CA, Western University Of Health Sciences is a private not-for-profit institution. See the full Western University Of Health Sciences profile
University Of St Francis placed #14 among Nursing schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Joliet, IL. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. Students from in state pay about $38,110 in tuition and fees. University Of St Francis Nursing students take on a median of $30,700 in debt. More on University Of St Francis
Mount Marty College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Located in Yankton, SD, Mount Marty College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. In-state tuition and fees average $34,600. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full Mount Marty College report
Clarkson College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Clarkson College is a private not-for-profit school based in Omaha, NE. Roughly 36% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,104. Students borrow a median of $31,289 to complete their Nursing program here. Get the full Clarkson College report
Texas Christian University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Set in Fort Worth, TX, Texas Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution. Texas Christian University graduates 85% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,740. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Nursing program here. Read the full report on Texas Christian University
Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois placed #18 among Nursing schools in the United States. Based 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%. Students from in state pay about $21,536 in tuition and fees. Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois Nursing students take on a median of $39,146 in debt. Read the full report on Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois
West Coast University Dallas came in at #19 in this year's ranking. This private for-profit school is set in Richardson, TX. The six-year graduation rate is 11%. Students from in state pay about $16,574 in tuition and fees. West Coast University Dallas Nursing students take on a median of $38,145 in debt. Read more about West Coast University Dallas
Gannon University placed #20 among Nursing schools in the United States. Based in Erie, PA, Gannon University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 67% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,656. Graduates carry a median of $29,485 in student loans. Read the full report on Gannon University
University Of California San Francisco ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. This public school is set in San Francisco, CA. Get the full University Of California San Francisco report
Winona State University placed #22 among Nursing schools in the United States. Located in Winona, MN, Winona State University is a public institution. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,576, with out-of-state students paying around $17,308. Students borrow a median of $26,252 to complete their Nursing program here. See the full Winona State University profile
Drexel University came in at #23 in this year's ranking. Located in Philadelphia, PA, Drexel University is a private not-for-profit institution. Drexel University graduates 78% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $62,412 in tuition and fees. The median Nursing program debt is $30,750. Get the full Drexel University report
California State University Dominguez Hills placed #24 among Nursing schools in the United States. This public school is set in Carson, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 43%. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. More on California State University Dominguez Hills
University Of Florida placed #25 among Nursing schools in the United States. Based in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. University Of Florida posts a six-year graduation rate of 91%. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $19,934 to complete their Nursing program here. More on University Of Florida
Rest of the Top 50 Best Nursing Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
University Of Nebraska Medical Center placed #26 among Nursing schools in the United States. University Of Nebraska Medical Center is a public school based in Omaha, NE. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,973, compared with $39,962 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete their Nursing program here. See the full University Of Nebraska Medical Center profile
Duquesne University did well this year, earning the #27 position. Duquesne University is a private not-for-profit school based in Pittsburgh, PA. Duquesne University graduates 77% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $48,986. Duquesne University Nursing students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Read more about Duquesne University
Bradley University placed #28 among Nursing schools in the United States. Bradley University is a private not-for-profit school based in Peoria, IL. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. Students from in state pay about $42,160 in tuition and fees. Typical Nursing student debt is $27,000. Read the full report on Bradley University
George Washington University landed the #29 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Washington, DC. George Washington University posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,710. The median Nursing program debt is $26,500. Read more about George Washington University
Augusta University ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Set in Augusta, GA, Augusta University is a public institution. Augusta University graduates 49% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $8,414 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,734. Typical Nursing student debt is $22,956. Get the full Augusta University report
New York University came in at #31 in this year's ranking. Based in New York, NY, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 88% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,796. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete their Nursing program here. More on New York University
Desales University did well this year, earning the #32 position. Located in Center Valley, PA, Desales University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 72% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $46,800. Typical Nursing student debt is $31,000. Read the full report on Desales University
National University ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Set in San Diego, CA, National University is a private not-for-profit institution. National University graduates 50% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,284. National University Nursing students take on a median of $37,375 in debt. Read the full report on National University
University Of North Dakota landed the #34 spot in the United States this year. University Of North Dakota is a public school based in Grand Forks, ND. University Of North Dakota posts a six-year graduation rate of 60%. In-state tuition and fees average $10,951, compared with $15,570 for out-of-state students. Typical Nursing student debt is $25,792. Read the full report on University Of North Dakota
Villanova University placed #35 among Nursing schools in the United States. Villanova University is a private not-for-profit school based in Villanova, PA. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,776. The median Nursing program debt is $27,000. Get the full Villanova University report
University Of Iowa did well this year, earning the #36 position. Based in Iowa City, IA, University Of Iowa is a public institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. The median Nursing program debt is $24,811. Read more about University Of Iowa
University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #37 in this year's ranking. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public school based in Charlottesville, VA. University Of Virginia Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Typical Nursing student debt is $15,130. See the full University Of Virginia Main Campus profile
Concordia University Wisconsin landed the #38 spot in the United States this year. Based in Mequon, WI, Concordia University Wisconsin is a private not-for-profit institution. About 69% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $35,470. Typical Nursing student debt is $28,750. Read the full report on Concordia University Wisconsin
University Of Kansas landed the #39 spot in the United States this year. Based in Lawrence, KS, University Of Kansas is a public institution. University Of Kansas posts a six-year graduation rate of 69%. Students from in state pay about $12,102 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. The median Nursing program debt is $20,500. Get the full University Of Kansas report
Monmouth University ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Set in West Long Branch, NJ, Monmouth University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 72% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,552. The median Nursing program debt is $27,000. Get the full Monmouth University report
Wagner College ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Based in Staten Island, NY, Wagner College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $53,200 in tuition and fees. Wagner College Nursing students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Read more about Wagner College
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center landed the #42 spot in the United States this year. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center is a public school based in Lubbock, TX. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,214, while out-of-state students pay about $22,514. The median Nursing program debt is $22,000. Read the full report on Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
California State University Long Beach did well this year, earning the #43 position. Based in Long Beach, CA, California State University Long Beach is a public institution. California State University Long Beach graduates 69% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Typical Nursing student debt is $18,661. Get the full California State University Long Beach report
Herzing University Madison did well this year, earning the #44 position. Based in Madison, WI, Herzing University Madison is a private not-for-profit institution. Herzing University Madison graduates 22% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $13,450 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $37,747 to complete their Nursing program here. Read the full report on Herzing University Madison
Grand Canyon University placed #45 among Nursing schools in the United States. Set in Phoenix, AZ, Grand Canyon University is a private for-profit institution. Grand Canyon University graduates 44% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,508. The median Nursing program debt is $25,500. Read the full report on Grand Canyon University
Lewis University did well this year, earning the #46 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Romeoville, IL. About 67% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,200. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Nursing program here. Get the full Lewis University report
Emory University came in at #47 in this year's ranking. Based in Atlanta, GA, Emory University is a private not-for-profit institution. Emory University graduates 91% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $64,280 in tuition and fees. The median Nursing program debt is $25,000. Read the full report on Emory University
Yale University ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Located in New Haven, CT, Yale University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,250. The median Nursing program debt is $14,357. Get the full Yale University report
Point Loma Nazarene University placed #49 among Nursing schools in the United States. Point Loma Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit school based in San Diego, CA. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,250. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Nursing program here. Get the full Point Loma Nazarene University report
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #50 in this year's ranking. Based in New York, NY, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Columbia University In The City Of New York Nursing students take on a median of $23,258 in debt. Read more about Columbia University In The City Of New York
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 Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Nursing Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published 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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