2026 Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Nursing master’s degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 2207 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Healthcare Degree Search evaluated schools to build this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
No school ranked higher than Albany Medical College this year in the United States. Based in Albany, NY, Albany Medical College is a private not-for-profit institution. See the full Albany Medical College profile
Out of the 2207 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Midwestern University Glendale landed the #2 spot. Located in Glendale, AZ, Midwestern University Glendale is a private not-for-profit institution. Read more about Midwestern University Glendale
A rank of #3 makes Saint Vincent College one of the top choices in the United States. Based in Latrobe, PA, Saint Vincent College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,396. The median Nursing program debt is $26,986. Get the full Saint Vincent College report
Wake Forest University came in at #4 on this year's Nursing ranking in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Winston-Salem, NC. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $67,642. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete their Nursing program here. Read the full report on Wake Forest University
Out of the 2207 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Samuel Merritt University landed the #5 spot. Set in Oakland, CA, Samuel Merritt University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $50,138. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete their Nursing program here. Read more about Samuel Merritt University
University Of Southern California did well this year, earning the #6 position. University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit school based in Los Angeles, CA. University Of Southern California posts a six-year graduation rate of 92%. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. Graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. More on University Of Southern California
Mount Marty College placed #7 among Nursing schools in the United States. Based in Yankton, SD, Mount Marty College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 52% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $34,600. Mount Marty College Nursing students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. See the full Mount Marty College profile
Vanderbilt University came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Set in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,498. Vanderbilt University Nursing students take on a median of $13,975 in debt. See the full Vanderbilt University profile
Touro University California landed the #9 spot in the United States this year. Set in Vallejo, CA, Touro University California is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $20,005 in tuition and fees. The median Nursing program debt is $16,002. More on Touro University California
Texas Wesleyan University placed #10 among Nursing schools in the United States. Texas Wesleyan University is a private not-for-profit school based in Fort Worth, TX. Texas Wesleyan University posts a six-year graduation rate of 32%. In-state tuition and fees run about $39,582. The median Nursing program debt is $26,461. See the full Texas Wesleyan University profile
Duke University came in at #11 in this year's ranking. Located in Durham, NC, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 97% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,758. The median Nursing program debt is $29,000. Read more about Duke University
University Of California San Francisco ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Set in San Francisco, CA, University Of California San Francisco is a public institution. Read more about University Of California San Francisco
University Of Pennsylvania landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. Based in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. Students borrow a median of $22,410 to complete their Nursing program here. Read more about University Of Pennsylvania
Medical University Of South Carolina ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. This public school is set in Charleston, SC. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,972, compared with $30,380 for out-of-state students. Typical Nursing student debt is $29,043. Read the full report on Medical University Of South Carolina
Suny Downstate Medical Center did well this year, earning the #15 position. Set in Brooklyn, NY, Suny Downstate Medical Center is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,822, compared with $19,662 for out-of-state students. Suny Downstate Medical Center Nursing students take on a median of $22,023 in debt. See the full Suny Downstate Medical Center profile
Adventist University Of Health Sciences ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Adventist University Of Health Sciences is a private not-for-profit school based in Orlando, FL. Adventist University Of Health Sciences posts a six-year graduation rate of 37%. In-state tuition and fees run about $21,420. Typical Nursing student debt is $33,416. Read more about Adventist University Of Health Sciences
Saint Marys University Of Minnesota did well this year, earning the #17 position. Located in Winona, MN, Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,080. The median Nursing program debt is $40,188. More on Saint Marys University Of Minnesota
Frontier Nursing University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Based in Versailles, KY, Frontier Nursing University is a private not-for-profit institution. Read the full report on Frontier Nursing University
The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston came in at #19 in this year's ranking. Based in Houston, TX, The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,748, compared with $43,132 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. More on The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston
Newman University did well this year, earning the #20 position. Located in Wichita, KS, Newman University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $35,500 in tuition and fees. Newman University Nursing students take on a median of $25,500 in debt. Read more about Newman University
Gonzaga University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Set in Spokane, WA, Gonzaga University is a private not-for-profit institution. 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. Read more about Gonzaga University
York College Pennsylvania ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Located in York, PA, York College Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $25,588. York College Pennsylvania Nursing students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. More on York College Pennsylvania
Loma Linda University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Loma Linda, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $29,960. The median Nursing program debt is $31,645. Read the full report on Loma Linda University
Thomas Jefferson University landed the #24 spot in the United States this year. Located in Philadelphia, PA, Thomas Jefferson University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 69% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $47,355 in tuition and fees. Thomas Jefferson University Nursing students take on a median of $30,000 in debt. Read more about Thomas Jefferson University
University Of California Davis ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Set in Davis, CA, University Of California Davis is a public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Graduates carry a median of $14,404 in student loans. Get the full University Of California Davis report
Rest of the Top 50 Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
University Of Great Falls ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Based in Great Falls, MT, University Of Great Falls is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 21%. In-state tuition and fees run about $30,448. The median Nursing program debt is $23,847. Read the full report on University Of Great Falls
Villanova University did well this year, earning the #27 position. Based in Villanova, PA, Villanova University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 92% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,776. The median Nursing program debt is $27,000. See the full Villanova University profile
Touro University Nevada came in at #28 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Henderson, NV. Students from in state pay about $10,380 in tuition and fees. Typical Nursing student debt is $16,002. Read more about Touro University Nevada
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center landed the #29 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Lubbock, TX. Students from in state pay about $10,214 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,514. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Nursing students take on a median of $22,000 in debt. More on Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Gannon University placed #30 among Nursing schools in the United States. Set in Erie, PA, Gannon University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 67% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,656. Students borrow a median of $29,485 to complete their Nursing program here. Get the full Gannon University report
Western University Of Health Sciences landed the #31 spot in the United States this year. Based in Pomona, CA, Western University Of Health Sciences is a private not-for-profit institution. Read more about Western University Of Health Sciences
The University Of Texas Medical Branch placed #32 among Nursing schools in the United States. Located in Galveston, TX, The University Of Texas Medical Branch is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,402 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,011 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete their Nursing program here. See the full The University Of Texas Medical Branch profile
Georgetown University ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Based in Washington, DC, Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $68,089 in tuition and fees. The median Nursing program debt is $17,417. Read the full report on Georgetown University
University Of Nebraska Medical Center came in at #34 in this year's ranking. University Of Nebraska Medical Center is a public school based in Omaha, NE. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,973, with out-of-state students paying around $39,962. University Of Nebraska Medical Center Nursing students take on a median of $25,000 in debt. More on University Of Nebraska Medical Center
Webster University came in at #35 in this year's ranking. Webster University is a private not-for-profit school based in Saint Louis, MO. About 64% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,750. Graduates carry a median of $25,939 in student loans. See the full Webster University profile
University Of St Augustine For Health Sciences came in at #36 in this year's ranking. Based in San Marcos, CA, University Of St Augustine For Health Sciences is a private for-profit institution. More on University Of St Augustine For Health Sciences
Case Western Reserve University landed the #37 spot in the United States this year. Located in Cleveland, OH, Case Western Reserve University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,608. Graduates carry a median of $26,580 in student loans. Read more about Case Western Reserve University
Yale University did well this year, earning the #38 position. Set in New Haven, CT, Yale University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,250. The median Nursing program debt is $14,357. More on Yale University
California State University Stanislaus came in at #39 in this year's ranking. Based in Turlock, CA, California State University Stanislaus is a public institution. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,242, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. The median Nursing program debt is $23,450. More on California State University Stanislaus
Our Lady Of The Lake College did well this year, earning the #40 position. Our Lady Of The Lake College is a private not-for-profit school based in Baton Rouge, LA. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. Students from in state pay about $17,959 in tuition and fees. Our Lady Of The Lake College Nursing students take on a median of $39,565 in debt. Read more about Our Lady Of The Lake College
West Coast University Orange County landed the #41 spot in the United States this year. Set in Anaheim, CA, West Coast University Orange County is a private for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. In-state tuition and fees run about $22,506. Typical Nursing student debt is $38,145. Read more about West Coast University Orange County
The College Of New Jersey placed #42 among Nursing schools in the United States. The College Of New Jersey is a public school based in Ewing, NJ. About 86% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $19,632, while out-of-state students pay about $25,752. Typical Nursing student debt is $26,204. Get the full The College Of New Jersey report
Emory University ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Atlanta, GA. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,280. The median Nursing program debt is $25,000. Read more about Emory University
University Of Virginia Main Campus did well this year, earning the #44 position. This public school is set in Charlottesville, VA. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates 96% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. University Of Virginia Main Campus Nursing students take on a median of $15,130 in debt. See the full University Of Virginia Main Campus profile
Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois landed the #45 spot in the United States this year. Based in Addison, IL, Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois is a private for-profit institution. About 42% of students finish within six years. 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. Read the full report on Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois
University Of California Los Angeles did well this year, earning the #46 position. This public school is set in Los Angeles, CA. About 93% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $20,800 in student loans. Get the full University Of California Los Angeles report
Johns Hopkins University came in at #47 in this year's ranking. Based in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Johns Hopkins University Nursing students take on a median of $13,426 in debt. See the full Johns Hopkins University profile
University Of San Francisco did well this year, earning the #48 position. 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. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full University Of San Francisco profile
New York University did well this year, earning the #49 position. Set in New York, NY, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $62,796. New York University Nursing students take on a median of $25,500 in debt. See the full New York University profile
Clarkson College did well this year, earning the #50 position. Based in Omaha, NE, Clarkson College is a private not-for-profit institution. Clarkson College graduates 36% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,104. Students borrow a median of $31,289 to complete their Nursing program here. See the full Clarkson College profile
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 Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Nursing Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Healthcare Degree Search (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on 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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