2026 Best Nursing Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best Nursing undergraduate certificate degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 2207 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, 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 Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Leading the list is Roxborough Memorial Hospital School Of Nursing, our #1 Nursing school in the United States. Located in Philadelphia, PA, Roxborough Memorial Hospital School Of Nursing is a private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,148. The median Nursing program debt is $20,000. More on Roxborough Memorial Hospital School Of Nursing
A rank of #2 makes Holy Name Medical Center School Of Nursing one of the top choices in the United States. Holy Name Medical Center School Of Nursing is a private not-for-profit school based in Englewood Cliffs, NJ. In-state tuition and fees average $23,914. The median Nursing program debt is $28,794. See the full Holy Name Medical Center School Of Nursing profile
You'll be in good company at St Lukes Hospital School Of Nursing, which ranked #3 this year. Based in Bethlehem, PA, St Lukes Hospital School Of Nursing is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,302. Graduates carry a median of $24,087 in student loans. Read more about St Lukes Hospital School Of Nursing
Trinity Health System School Of Nursing came in at #4 on this year's Nursing ranking in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Steubenville, OH. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,415, with out-of-state students paying around $13,301. Graduates carry a median of $20,689 in student loans. See the full Trinity Health System School Of Nursing profile
A rank of #5 makes Western Pennsylvania Hospital School Of Nursing one of the top choices in the United States. Based in Pittsburgh, PA, Western Pennsylvania Hospital School Of Nursing is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,410. Typical Nursing student debt is $19,624. More on Western Pennsylvania Hospital School Of Nursing
University Of Pittsburgh Medical Center Shadyside School Of Nursing did well this year, earning the #6 position. Set in Pittsburgh, PA, University Of Pittsburgh Medical Center Shadyside School Of Nursing is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,190. The median Nursing program debt is $29,250. Read the full report on University Of Pittsburgh Medical Center Shadyside School Of Nursing
Citizens School Of Nursing landed the #7 spot in the United States this year. Set in Tarentum, PA, Citizens School Of Nursing is a private not-for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $24,146 to complete their Nursing program here. Read more about Citizens School Of Nursing
Reading Hospital School Of Health Sciences placed #8 among Nursing schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Reading, PA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,516. Typical Nursing student debt is $27,140. Read the full report on Reading Hospital School Of Health Sciences
Mercy Hospital School Of Nursing came in at #9 in this year's ranking. Mercy Hospital School Of Nursing is a private not-for-profit school based in Pittsburgh, PA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,190. The median Nursing program debt is $26,366. More on Mercy Hospital School Of Nursing
Jameson Health System landed the #10 spot in the United States this year. Jameson Health System is a private not-for-profit school based in New Castle, PA. Students from in state pay about $15,498 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $24,750 in student loans. Read more about Jameson Health System
Washington Hospital School Of Nursing landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. Washington Hospital School Of Nursing is a private not-for-profit school based in Washington, PA. Students from in state pay about $14,637 in tuition and fees. Typical Nursing student debt is $20,750. See the full Washington Hospital School Of Nursing profile
Dlp Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center placed #12 among Nursing schools in the United States. Based in Johnstown, PA, Dlp Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center is a private for-profit institution. Graduates carry a median of $28,622 in student loans. More on Dlp Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center
Joseph F Mccloskey School Of Nursing At Schuylkill Health landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. Joseph F Mccloskey School Of Nursing At Schuylkill Health is a private not-for-profit school based in Pottsville, PA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,737. Graduates carry a median of $28,250 in student loans. See the full Joseph F Mccloskey School Of Nursing At Schuylkill Health profile
Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital School Of Nursing did well this year, earning the #15 position. Located in Brockton, MA, Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital School Of Nursing is a private not-for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete their Nursing program here. See the full Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital School Of Nursing profile
Graham Hospital School Of Nursing ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Set in Canton, IL, Graham Hospital School Of Nursing is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,584. The median Nursing program debt is $28,884. Read more about Graham Hospital School Of Nursing
Saint Elizabeth School Of Nursing came in at #17 in this year's ranking. Located in Lafayette, IN, Saint Elizabeth School Of Nursing is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,208. Graduates carry a median of $38,369 in student loans. Read the full report on Saint Elizabeth School Of Nursing
Arnot Ogden Medical Center placed #18 among Nursing schools in the United States. Located in Elmira, NY, Arnot Ogden Medical Center is a private not-for-profit institution. See the full Arnot Ogden Medical Center profile
Ohio Institute Of Allied Health did well this year, earning the #19 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Huber Heights, OH. Students from in state pay about $27,408 in tuition and fees. The median Nursing program debt is $26,003. See the full Ohio Institute Of Allied Health profile
Firelands Regional Medical Center School Of Nursing landed the #20 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Sandusky, OH. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,046. Graduates carry a median of $29,535 in student loans. Get the full Firelands Regional Medical Center School Of Nursing report
Tri Rivers Career Center did well this year, earning the #21 position. Located in Marion, OH, Tri Rivers Career Center is a public institution. Graduates carry a median of $26,278 in student loans. See the full Tri Rivers Career Center profile
O C Collins Career Center came in at #22 in this year's ranking. Located in Chesapeake, OH, O C Collins Career Center is a public institution. Students borrow a median of $23,629 to complete their Nursing program here. Get the full O C Collins Career Center report
Sandusky Career Center came in at #23 in this year's ranking. Sandusky Career Center is a public school based in Sandusky, OH. Typical Nursing student debt is $25,055. See the full Sandusky Career Center profile
Ohio Medical Career College landed the #24 spot in the United States this year. Located in Dayton, OH, Ohio Medical Career College is a private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $26,331 to complete their Nursing program here. Read the full report on Ohio Medical Career College
Glendale Community College Glendale Ca came in at #25 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Glendale, CA. Students from in state pay about $1,191 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,935. Typical Nursing student debt is $19,800. Get the full Glendale Community College Glendale Ca report
Athena Career Academy placed #26 among Nursing schools in the United States. Based in Toledo, OH, Athena Career Academy is a private for-profit institution. The median Nursing program debt is $36,820. Get the full Athena Career Academy report
Rest of the Top 50 Best Nursing Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Hawkeye Community College placed #27 among Nursing schools in the United States. Located in Waterloo, IA, Hawkeye Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,525 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Typical Nursing student debt is $23,292. Read the full report on Hawkeye Community College
Mid Eastctc Adult Education came in at #28 in this year's ranking. Located in Zanesville, OH, Mid Eastctc Adult Education is a public institution. The median Nursing program debt is $20,028. See the full Mid Eastctc Adult Education profile
Saddleback College came in at #29 in this year's ranking. Set in Mission Viejo, CA, Saddleback College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Typical Nursing student debt is $5,707. Read more about Saddleback College
Victor Valley College did well this year, earning the #30 position. Located in Victorville, CA, Victor Valley College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,425, compared with $10,125 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,500 to complete their Nursing program here. More on Victor Valley College
Pasadena City College came in at #31 in this year's ranking. Pasadena City College is a public school based in Pasadena, CA. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. The median Nursing program debt is $12,834. See the full Pasadena City College profile
Delaware Technical Community College Terry did well this year, earning the #32 position. This public school is set in Dover, DE. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,332, compared with $5,763 for out-of-state students. Delaware Technical Community College Terry Nursing students take on a median of $16,125 in debt. See the full Delaware Technical Community College Terry profile
Knox County Career Center came in at #33 in this year's ranking. Located in Mount Vernon, OH, Knox County Career Center is a public institution. The median Nursing program debt is $18,950. Read the full report on Knox County Career Center
Columbiana County Career And Technical Center ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Based in Lisbon, OH, Columbiana County Career And Technical Center is a public institution. Students borrow a median of $20,637 to complete their Nursing program here. Read the full report on Columbiana County Career And Technical Center
Ashtabula County Technical And Career Campus ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Set in Jefferson, OH, Ashtabula County Technical And Career Campus is a public institution. Ashtabula County Technical And Career Campus Nursing students take on a median of $16,535 in debt. Get the full Ashtabula County Technical And Career Campus report
Butler Community College did well this year, earning the #36 position. Located 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. Students borrow a median of $24,750 to complete their Nursing program here. Get the full Butler Community College report
Trinidad State Junior College came in at #37 in this year's ranking. Based in Trinidad, CO, Trinidad State Junior College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,608, while out-of-state students pay about $7,318. The median Nursing program debt is $20,801. See the full Trinidad State Junior College profile
Colorado Northwestern Community College landed the #38 spot in the United States this year. Located in Rangely, CO, Colorado Northwestern Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,594, with out-of-state students paying around $7,304. Graduates carry a median of $20,475 in student loans. See the full Colorado Northwestern Community College profile
Lamar Community College ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Lamar Community College is a public school based in Lamar, CO. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,550, compared with $7,260 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $9,300 in student loans. Read more about Lamar Community College
Tarrant County College District ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Based in Fort Worth, TX, Tarrant County College District is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,863, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $16,610 in student loans. See the full Tarrant County College District profile
Capital Community College came in at #41 in this year's ranking. Based in New Britain, CT, Capital Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,338 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,596. Typical Nursing student debt is $17,876. Read more about Capital Community College
Pueblo Community College ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Set in Pueblo, CO, Pueblo Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,049, while out-of-state students pay about $17,649. Students borrow a median of $20,836 to complete their Nursing program here. Get the full Pueblo Community College report
Indian Hills Community College ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Located in Ottumwa, IA, Indian Hills Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $6,120. The median Nursing program debt is $24,142. Read the full report on Indian Hills Community College
Trinity Valley Community College did well this year, earning the #44 position. Set in Athens, TX, Trinity Valley Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,640, while out-of-state students pay about $5,970. Typical Nursing student debt is $16,478. See the full Trinity Valley Community College profile
Delaware County Community College came in at #45 in this year's ranking. Based in Media, PA, Delaware County Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,930, while out-of-state students pay about $15,540. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Nursing program here. Read the full report on Delaware County Community College
Pacific College Of Oriental Medicine New York did well this year, earning the #46 position. This private for-profit school is set in New York, NY. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804. Typical Nursing student debt is $26,712. Read more about Pacific College Of Oriental Medicine New York
Front Range Community College placed #47 among Nursing schools in the United States. Located in Westminster, CO, Front Range Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,663, while out-of-state students pay about $17,263. Front Range Community College Nursing students take on a median of $30,625 in debt. Read more about Front Range Community College
Aims Community College did well this year, earning the #48 position. Aims Community College is a public school based in Greeley, CO. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,258, compared with $11,786 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $20,750 in student loans. Read more about Aims Community College
Icpr Junior College General Institutional came in at #49 in this year's ranking. This private for-profit school is set in Hato Rey, PR. In-state tuition and fees average $8,664. See the full Icpr Junior College General Institutional profile
Bay Path College
Bay Path College came in at #49 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Bay Path College
Crown College
Crown College ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. See the full Crown College profile
Related Nursing Rankings
See rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Nursing Schools (All Levels)
- Best Nursing 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
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).