2023 Most Popular Nursing Schools
Finding the Best Nursing School for You
In 2020-2021, 322,592 degrees and certificates were awarded to nursing students, making the major the most popular in the country.
There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which healthcare program is right for you. You can choose a traditional brick and mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school half-way across the country without even leaving your house. Also there are many trade schools that offer short-term programs that open up more career options.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Healthcare Degree Search has created its Most Popular Nursing Schools ranking. This report analyzed 2,122 schools in the United States to see which ones were the most popular programs for healthcare students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the Nursing program at each school on the list.
2023 Most Popular Nursing Schools in the United States
The colleges and universities below are the most popular for nursing majors pursuing a .
Top 25 Most Popular Schools in Nursing
Our 2023 rankings named Western Governors University the most popular school in the United States for nursing students. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, WGU is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population.
The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at WGU take out is $21,420.
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A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Chamberlain University - Illinois is a great place for nursing students. Located in the suburb of Addison, Chamberlain - Illinois is a private for-profit school with a very large student population.
On average, nursing graduates from Chamberlain - Illinois take out $38,460 in student loans while working on their degree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $256.
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You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Grand Canyon University. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Schools list. Located in the large city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a private for-profit school with a fairly large student population.
Nursing majors at Grand Canyon University take out an average of $24,999 in student loans while working on their egree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $198.
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A rank of #5 on this year’s list means The University of Texas at Arlington is a great place for nursing students. UT Arlington is a fairly large public school located in the city of Arlington.
After completing their degree, nursing graduates from UT Arlington carry an average student debt load of $25,989. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $142, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
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Capella University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Schools ranking. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a private for-profit college with a very large student population.
While working on their degree, nursing majors at Capella University accumulate an average of around $27,599 in student debt.
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Ohio University - Athens Campus came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Schools ranking. OHIO Athens is a fairly large public school located in the distant town of Athens.
After completing their degree, nursing graduates from OHIO Athens carry an average student debt load of $27,632. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $180, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
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Aspen University ranked #8 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Schools list. Aspen University is a medium-sized private for-profit school located in the city of Denver.
While working on their degree, nursing majors at Aspen University accumulate an average of around $35,922 in student debt.
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Excelsior College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for nursing students. It came in at #9 on the list. Excelsior College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Albany.
Nursing majors at Excelsior College take out an average of $23,176 in student loans while working on their egree.
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Maryville University of Saint Louis landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular nursing programs. Maryville U is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis.
While working on their degree, nursing majors at Maryville U accumulate an average of around $31,009 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $416.
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Rasmussen University - Florida came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Schools ranking. Located in the city of Ocala, Rasmussen University - Florida is a private for-profit school with a medium-sized student population.
After completing their degree, nursing graduates from Rasmussen University - Florida carry an average student debt load of $35,539. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $161.
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With a ranking of #12, University of South Alabama did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students. Located in the medium-sized city of Mobile, USA is a public school with a fairly large student population.
After completing their degree, nursing graduates from USA carry an average student debt load of $26,429. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $230.
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With a ranking of #13, Ivy Tech Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students. Ivy Tech Community College is a fairly large public school located in the large city of Indianapolis.
Nursing majors at Ivy Tech Community College take out an average of $17,979 in student loans while working on their egree.
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With a ranking of #14, University of Phoenix - Arizona did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students. Located in the large city of Tempe, UOPX - Arizona is a private for-profit school with a very large student population.
Nursing majors at UOPX - Arizona take out an average of $28,204 in student loans while working on their egree.
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West Coast University - Orange County came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Schools ranking. West Coast University - Orange County is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Anaheim.
Nursing majors at West Coast University - Orange County take out an average of $38,146 in student loans while working on their egree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $665, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
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University of Cincinnati - Main Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for nursing students. It came in at #16 on the list. Located in the city of Cincinnati, UC is a public school with a very large student population.
The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at UC take out is $21,978. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $247.
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Purdue University Global came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Schools ranking. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Purdue University Global is a public college with a fairly large student population.
The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Purdue University Global take out is $39,595. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $157, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
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With a ranking of #18, Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students. Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the medium-sized city of Fort Lauderdale.
Nursing majors at Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale take out an average of $38,116 in student loans while working on their egree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $151, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
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University of Alabama at Birmingham landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular nursing programs. Located in the city of Birmingham, UAB is a public college with a very large student population.
On average, nursing graduates from UAB take out $22,958 in student loans while working on their degree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $307.
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Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular nursing programs. TTUHSC is a moderately-sized public school located in the large city of Lubbock.
Nursing majors at TTUHSC take out an average of $22,250 in student loans while working on their egree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $242, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
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National University College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Schools ranking. National University College is a fairly large private for-profit school located in the city of Bayamon.
Nursing majors at National University College take out an average of $14,252 in student loans while working on their egree.
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With a ranking of #22, Southern New Hampshire University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students. Located in the midsize suburb of Manchester, SNHU is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population.
On average, nursing graduates from SNHU take out $31,500 in student loans while working on their degree.
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With a ranking of #23, University of North Carolina at Wilmington did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students. Located in the city of Wilmington, UNCW is a public school with a fairly large student population.
After completing their degree, nursing graduates from UNCW carry an average student debt load of $21,500. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $212.
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Drexel University landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular nursing programs. Located in the large city of Philadelphia, Drexel is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly large student population.
On average, nursing graduates from Drexel take out $31,000 in student loans while working on their degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $596, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
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Frontier Nursing University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for nursing students. It came in at #25 on the list. Frontier Nursing University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Hyden.
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Rest of the Top 50 Most Popular Nursing Schools
Additional Award Winners
This list shows the remainder of the schools awarded a Most Popular Nursing Schools badge.
Showing in this list means the school was ranked in the top 15% of the 2122 different United States nursing schools we analyzed.
| Rank |
College |
Location |
| 51 |
Kent State University at Kent |
Kent, OH |
| 52 |
St Petersburg College |
Clearwater, FL |
| 53 |
Azusa Pacific University |
Azusa, CA |
| 54 |
Ohio State University - Main Campus |
Columbus, OH |
| 55 |
New York University |
New York, NY |
| 56 |
Florida State College at Jacksonville |
Jacksonville, FL |
| 57 |
Texas Woman’s University |
Denton, TX |
| 58 |
Purdue University Northwest |
Hammond, IN |
| 59 |
Nova Southeastern University |
Fort Lauderdale, FL |
| 60 |
University of Pennsylvania |
Philadelphia, PA |
| 61 |
Jersey College |
Teterboro, NJ |
| 62 |
Stony Brook University |
Stony Brook, NY |
| 63 |
Galen College of Nursing - San Antonio |
San Antonio, TX |
| 64 |
The University of Alabama |
Tuscaloosa, AL |
| 65 |
Loyola University Chicago |
Chicago, IL |
| 66 |
Northern Arizona University |
Flagstaff, AZ |
| 66 |
The University of Texas Medical Branch |
Galveston, TX |
| 68 |
Duke University |
Durham, NC |
| 69 |
Emory University |
Atlanta, GA |
| 69 |
Wilmington University |
New Castle, DE |
| 71 |
LIU Post |
Brookville, NY |
| 71 |
Adelphi University |
Garden City, NY |
| 73 |
Galen College of Nursing - Tampa Bay |
Saint Petersburg, FL |
| 74 |
The University of West Florida |
Pensacola, FL |
| 75 |
AmeriTech College - Draper |
Draper, UT |
| 75 |
Rutgers University - New Brunswick |
New Brunswick, NJ |
| 77 |
Eastern Michigan University |
Ypsilanti, MI |
| 78 |
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville |
Edwardsville, IL |
| 79 |
Mississippi University for Women |
Columbus, MS |
| 80 |
University of Miami |
Coral Gables, FL |
| 81 |
University of Illinois at Chicago |
Chicago, IL |
| 82 |
University of Louisiana at Lafayette |
Lafayette, LA |
| 82 |
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus |
Denver, CO |
| 84 |
Columbia University in the City of New York |
New York, NY |
| 85 |
Oakland University |
Rochester Hills, MI |
| 86 |
University of New Mexico - Main Campus |
Albuquerque, NM |
| 87 |
Mercy College |
Dobbs Ferry, NY |
| 88 |
Florida International University |
Miami, FL |
| 89 |
University of Nebraska Medical Center |
Omaha, NE |
| 90 |
Sacred Heart University |
Fairfield, CT |
| 91 |
Northwestern State University of Louisiana |
Natchitoches, LA |
| 92 |
Boise State University |
Boise, ID |
| 93 |
George Washington University |
Washington, DC |
| 94 |
Pikes Peak Community College |
Colorado Springs, CO |
| 94 |
Gaston College |
Dallas, NC |
| 96 |
Molloy College |
Rockville Centre, NY |
| 97 |
East Carolina University |
Greenville, NC |
| 98 |
Arizona State University - Skysong |
Scottsdale, AZ |
| 99 |
University of South Carolina - Columbia |
Columbia, SC |
| 100 |
Universidad Metropolitana |
San Juan, PR |
| 101 |
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences |
Boston, MA |
| 102 |
University of San Francisco |
San Francisco, CA |
| 103 |
Augusta University |
Augusta, GA |
| 104 |
University of Arizona |
Tucson, AZ |
| 105 |
Jacksonville University |
Jacksonville, FL |
| 105 |
University of Massachusetts - Boston |
Boston, MA |
| 105 |
Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences |
Lancaster, PA |
| 105 |
Xavier University |
Cincinnati, OH |
| 109 |
Oak Point University |
Chicago, IL |
| 110 |
University of Michigan - Flint |
Flint, MI |
| 111 |
Mount Carmel College of Nursing |
Columbus, OH |
| 112 |
United States University |
San Diego, CA |
| 113 |
Rasmussen University - Illinois |
Rockford, IL |
| 114 |
California State University - Fullerton |
Fullerton, CA |
| 114 |
Washington State University |
Pullman, WA |
| 116 |
Spring Arbor University |
Spring Arbor, MI |
| 117 |
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio |
San Antonio, TX |
| 117 |
Johns Hopkins University |
Baltimore, MD |
| 117 |
The University of Texas at El Paso |
El Paso, TX |
| 120 |
Oregon Health & Science University |
Portland, OR |
| 120 |
Denver College of Nursing |
Denver, CO |
| 122 |
Regis University |
Denver, CO |
| 123 |
University of Alabama in Huntsville |
Huntsville, AL |
| 124 |
University of Toledo |
Toledo, OH |
| 124 |
Florida SouthWestern State College |
Fort Myers, FL |
| 126 |
Florida Atlantic University |
Boca Raton, FL |
| 127 |
Lincoln Memorial University |
Harrogate, TN |
| 128 |
Vanderbilt University |
Nashville, TN |
| 129 |
National University |
La Jolla, CA |
| 130 |
Delaware Technical Community College - Terry |
Dover, DE |
| 131 |
Concordia University, Saint Paul |
Saint Paul, MN |
| 132 |
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities |
Minneapolis, MN |
| 133 |
Creighton University |
Omaha, NE |
| 134 |
Arizona State University - Tempe |
Tempe, AZ |
| 135 |
Colorado Technical University - Colorado Springs |
Colorado Springs, CO |
| 135 |
Broward College |
Fort Lauderdale, FL |
| 137 |
University of Memphis |
Memphis, TN |
| 138 |
Marquette University |
Milwaukee, WI |
| 138 |
Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College |
Saint Louis, MO |
| 140 |
The College of Saint Scholastica |
Duluth, MN |
| 141 |
Helene Fuld College of Nursing |
New York, NY |
| 142 |
Harrisburg Area Community College |
Harrisburg, PA |
| 143 |
Pace University - New York |
New York, NY |
| 144 |
Florida National University - Main Campus |
Hialeah, FL |
| 145 |
Rush University |
Chicago, IL |
| 145 |
Herzing University - Madison |
Madison, WI |
| 145 |
Valencia College |
Orlando, FL |
| 148 |
Marian University |
Indianapolis, IN |
| 149 |
Jacksonville State University |
Jacksonville, AL |
| 150 |
University of Arkansas at Little Rock |
Little Rock, AR |
| 151 |
University of Mississippi |
University, MS |
| 152 |
Duquesne University |
Pittsburgh, PA |
| 153 |
University of Rhode Island |
Kingston, RI |
| 154 |
Virginia Commonwealth University |
Richmond, VA |
| 155 |
Laboure College |
Milton, MA |
| 156 |
University of Oklahoma - Health Sciences Center |
Oklahoma City, OK |
| 157 |
Georgia Southern University |
Statesboro, GA |
| 158 |
Butler Community College |
El Dorado, KS |
| 159 |
Utica College |
Utica, NY |
| 160 |
University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus |
Pittsburgh, PA |
| 161 |
California State University - Long Beach |
Long Beach, CA |
| 161 |
Arkansas State University - Main Campus |
Jonesboro, AR |
| 163 |
University of Missouri - Kansas City |
Kansas City, MO |
| 164 |
Quinnipiac University |
Hamden, CT |
| 165 |
Palm Beach State College |
Lake Worth, FL |
| 165 |
Austin Community College District |
Austin, TX |
| 167 |
Community College of Allegheny County |
Pittsburgh, PA |
| 167 |
Madonna University |
Livonia, MI |
| 167 |
Nevada State College |
Henderson, NV |
| 170 |
Western Kentucky University |
Bowling Green, KY |
| 171 |
University of North Carolina at Greensboro |
Greensboro, NC |
| 171 |
South Dakota State University |
Brookings, SD |
| 173 |
Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi |
Corpus Christi, TX |
| 173 |
Columbia Central University - Caguas |
Caguas, PR |
| 175 |
University of Connecticut |
Storrs, CT |
| 176 |
University of Kentucky |
Lexington, KY |
| 176 |
Chamberlain University - Georgia |
Atlanta, GA |
| 178 |
Old Dominion University |
Norfolk, VA |
| 179 |
University of Utah |
Salt Lake City, UT |
| 180 |
University of Louisville |
Louisville, KY |
| 181 |
Union County College |
Cranford, NJ |
| 181 |
Towson University |
Towson, MD |
| 181 |
Daytona State College |
Daytona Beach, FL |
| 184 |
University of Southern Indiana |
Evansville, IN |
| 185 |
University of North Florida |
Jacksonville, FL |
| 185 |
Seminole State College of Florida |
Sanford, FL |
| 187 |
University of Detroit Mercy |
Detroit, MI |
| 187 |
University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh |
Oshkosh, WI |
| 187 |
Cuyahoga Community College District |
Cleveland, OH |
| 190 |
Illinois State University |
Normal, IL |
| 191 |
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center - New Orleans |
New Orleans, LA |
| 192 |
Saint Louis University |
Saint Louis, MO |
| 193 |
Mercy College of Health Sciences |
Des Moines, IA |
| 194 |
Baylor University |
Waco, TX |
| 194 |
California State University - San Marcos |
San Marcos, CA |
| 194 |
Holy Family University |
Philadelphia, PA |
| 197 |
South Texas College |
McAllen, TX |
| 197 |
The University of Tennessee - Knoxville |
Knoxville, TN |
| 197 |
Georgetown University |
Washington, DC |
| 200 |
Rivier University |
Nashua, NH |
| 201 |
Trocaire College |
Buffalo, NY |
| 201 |
Lehman College |
Bronx, NY |
| 203 |
D’Youville College |
Buffalo, NY |
| 204 |
California State University - Sacramento |
Sacramento, CA |
| 204 |
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee |
Milwaukee, WI |
| 206 |
University of Arkansas |
Fayetteville, AR |
| 206 |
Rutgers University - Camden |
Camden, NJ |
| 208 |
Gwynedd Mercy University |
Gwynedd Valley, PA |
| 209 |
Eastern Kentucky University |
Richmond, KY |
| 210 |
Villanova University |
Villanova, PA |
| 211 |
Hondros College of Nursing |
Westerville, OH |
| 211 |
State College of Florida - Manatee - Sarasota |
Bradenton, FL |
| 213 |
Rockhurst University |
Kansas City, MO |
| 214 |
Chamberlain University - Florida |
Jacksonville, FL |
| 214 |
South College |
Knoxville, TN |
| 216 |
Goodwin College |
East Hartford, CT |
| 217 |
MGH Institute of Health Professions |
Boston, MA |
| 218 |
St. John Fisher College |
Rochester, NY |
| 218 |
Dixie State University |
Saint George, UT |
| 220 |
Seattle University |
Seattle, WA |
| 220 |
College of Mount Saint Vincent |
Bronx, NY |
| 222 |
University of Akron Main Campus |
Akron, OH |
| 222 |
University of Southern Mississippi |
Hattiesburg, MS |
| 222 |
University of Kansas |
Lawrence, KS |
| 225 |
West Coast University - Dallas |
Dallas, TX |
| 225 |
Medical University of South Carolina |
Charleston, SC |
| 227 |
Columbus State University |
Columbus, GA |
| 228 |
Cleveland State University |
Cleveland, OH |
| 228 |
University of Florida |
Gainesville, FL |
| 230 |
Winston - Salem State University |
Winston-Salem, NC |
| 230 |
Santa Fe College |
Gainesville, FL |
| 230 |
Tarrant County College District |
Fort Worth, TX |
| 233 |
University of Virginia - Main Campus |
Charlottesville, VA |
| 234 |
Texas Christian University |
Fort Worth, TX |
| 234 |
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor |
Ann Arbor, MI |
| 236 |
James Madison University |
Harrisonburg, VA |
| 237 |
University of North Carolina at Charlotte |
Charlotte, NC |
| 237 |
University of Iowa |
Iowa City, IA |
| 239 |
Kennesaw State University |
Kennesaw, GA |
| 239 |
Roseman University of Health Sciences |
Henderson, NV |
| 239 |
Binghamton University |
Vestal, NY |
| 242 |
University of Missouri - Columbia |
Columbia, MO |
| 243 |
Minnesota State University - Mankato |
Mankato, MN |
| 244 |
University of South Carolina - Upstate |
Spartanburg, SC |
| 244 |
Bradley University |
Peoria, IL |
| 244 |
Indiana State University |
Terre Haute, IN |
| 247 |
Montana State University |
Bozeman, MT |
| 248 |
Clemson University |
Clemson, SC |
| 248 |
St Catherine University |
Saint Paul, MN |
| 250 |
West Coast University-Miami |
Doral, FL |
| 250 |
Wayne State University |
Detroit, MI |
| 252 |
Samford University |
Birmingham, AL |
| 253 |
EDP University - San Juan |
San Juan, PR |
| 254 |
Brigham Young University - Idaho |
Rexburg, ID |
| 255 |
Troy University |
Troy, AL |
| 255 |
Delgado Community College |
New Orleans, LA |
| 255 |
University of Rochester |
Rochester, NY |
| 255 |
Winona State University |
Winona, MN |
| 259 |
New York City College of Technology |
Brooklyn, NY |
| 259 |
Widener University |
Chester, PA |
| 261 |
Pensacola State College |
Pensacola, FL |
| 261 |
Northeastern University Professional Advancement Network |
Boston, MA |
| 263 |
GateWay Community College |
Phoenix, AZ |
| 263 |
Graceland University - Lamoni |
Lamoni, IA |
| 265 |
Stevenson University |
Stevenson, MD |
| 265 |
West Virginia University |
Morgantown, WV |
| 267 |
The Christ College of Nursing and Health Sciences |
Cincinnati, OH |
| 268 |
Cox College |
Springfield, MO |
| 268 |
SUNY Delhi |
Delhi, NY |
| 270 |
Auburn University |
Auburn, AL |
| 271 |
Indian River State College |
Fort Pierce, FL |
| 272 |
George Mason University |
Fairfax, VA |
| 273 |
Case Western Reserve University |
Cleveland, OH |
| 274 |
Pasco-Hernando State College |
New Port Richey, FL |
| 275 |
California State University - Dominguez Hills |
Carson, CA |
| 275 |
Hunter College |
New York, NY |
| 277 |
Albany State University |
Albany, GA |
| 278 |
University of Washington - Seattle Campus |
Seattle, WA |
| 279 |
Marshall University |
Huntington, WV |
| 279 |
University of Wisconsin - Madison |
Madison, WI |
| 281 |
AdventHealth University |
Orlando, FL |
| 281 |
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs |
Colorado Springs, CO |
| 283 |
Middle Georgia State University |
Macon, GA |
| 283 |
Radford University |
Radford, VA |
| 285 |
University of Missouri - St Louis |
Saint Louis, MO |
| 285 |
University of Nevada - Las Vegas |
Las Vegas, NV |
| 287 |
Lewis University |
Romeoville, IL |
| 288 |
The College at Brockport |
Brockport, NY |
| 288 |
Curry College |
Milton, MA |
| 288 |
University of California - Los Angeles |
Los Angeles, CA |
| 291 |
Central Methodist University - College of Graduate & Extended Studies |
Fayette, MO |
| 291 |
Baker College |
Owosso, MI |
| 291 |
San Diego State University |
San Diego, CA |
| 294 |
University of Maryland Global Campus |
Adelphi, MD |
| 294 |
Polk State College |
Winter Haven, FL |
| 294 |
Chamberlain University - Texas |
Houston, TX |
| 294 |
Houston Baptist University |
Houston, TX |
| 298 |
University of Massachusetts Amherst |
Amherst, MA |
| 299 |
Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science |
Los Angeles, CA |
| 299 |
California State University - Los Angeles |
Los Angeles, CA |
| 301 |
Salt Lake Community College |
Salt Lake City, UT |
| 302 |
Nightingale College |
Salt Lake City, UT |
| 303 |
The University of Texas at Austin |
Austin, TX |
| 303 |
University of Northern Colorado |
Greeley, CO |
| 305 |
University of Nevada - Reno |
Reno, NV |
| 305 |
Grand Valley State University |
Allendale, MI |
| 305 |
Fairfield University |
Fairfield, CT |
| 308 |
Mercer University |
Macon, GA |
| 309 |
California Baptist University |
Riverside, CA |
| 310 |
DePaul University |
Chicago, IL |
| 311 |
Suffolk County Community College |
Selden, NY |
| 311 |
Mercy College of Ohio |
Toledo, OH |
| 313 |
Oklahoma City Community College |
Oklahoma City, OK |
| 313 |
Wilkes University |
Wilkes-Barre, PA |
| 313 |
University of Southern Maine |
Portland, ME |
| 316 |
El Paso Community College |
El Paso, TX |
| 316 |
Concordia University, Texas |
Lakeway, TX |
| 316 |
Union University |
Jackson, TN |
| 316 |
Hillsborough Community College |
Tampa, FL |
Honorable Mentions
These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also popular but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Most Popular Nursing Schools award.
| Rank |
College |
Location |
| 320 |
Baptist Health System School of Health Professions |
San Antonio, TX |
| 321 |
California University of Pennsylvania |
California, PA |
| 321 |
MidAmerica Nazarene University |
Olathe, KS |
| 323 |
Western Carolina University |
Cullowhee, NC |
| 323 |
Southern Adventist University |
Collegedale, TN |
| 323 |
Boston College |
Chestnut Hill, MA |
| 326 |
Michigan State University |
East Lansing, MI |
| 326 |
Purdue University - Main Campus |
West Lafayette, IN |
| 326 |
Gonzaga University |
Spokane, WA |
| 329 |
Barry University |
Miami, FL |
| 329 |
Galen College of Nursing - Cincinnati |
Cincinnati, OH |
| 329 |
Community College of Rhode Island |
Warwick, RI |
| 332 |
University of North Alabama |
Florence, AL |
| 332 |
San Jacinto Community College |
Pasadena, TX |
| 334 |
Loma Linda University |
Loma Linda, CA |
| 334 |
Georgia State University |
Atlanta, GA |
| 336 |
Benedictine University |
Lisle, IL |
| 336 |
Thomas Edison State University |
Trenton, NJ |
| 336 |
Viterbo University |
La Crosse, WI |
| 339 |
Olivet Nazarene University |
Bourbonnais, IL |
| 339 |
Lamar University |
Beaumont, TX |
| 341 |
Washburn University |
Topeka, KS |
| 342 |
Fayetteville State University |
Fayetteville, NC |
| 343 |
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences |
Little Rock, AR |
| 343 |
North Dakota State University - Main Campus |
Fargo, ND |
| 345 |
EDP University - San Sebastian |
San Sebastian, PR |
| 345 |
MSU Texas |
Wichita Falls, TX |
| 345 |
La Salle University |
Philadelphia, PA |
| 348 |
San Jose State University |
San Jose, CA |
| 348 |
Mount Saint Mary’s University |
Los Angeles, CA |
| 348 |
Jefferson State Community College |
Birmingham, AL |
| 348 |
Clarkson College |
Omaha, NE |
| 348 |
Texas A&M University - College Station |
College Station, TX |
| 348 |
Northern Illinois University |
Dekalb, IL |
| 348 |
The Graduate Center, CUNY |
New York, NY |
| 355 |
Belmont University |
Nashville, TN |
| 355 |
West Chester University of Pennsylvania |
West Chester, PA |
| 355 |
University of North Georgia |
Dahlonega, GA |
| 358 |
Owens Community College |
Perrysburg, OH |
| 358 |
Wallace State Community College, Hanceville |
Hanceville, AL |
| 360 |
Felician University |
Lodi, NJ |
| 361 |
Lewis - Clark State College |
Lewiston, ID |
| 361 |
University of St Francis |
Joliet, IL |
| 361 |
University of Indianapolis |
Indianapolis, IN |
| 361 |
Chamberlain University - New Jersey |
North Brunswick, NJ |
| 365 |
Chamberlain University - Arizona |
Phoenix, AZ |
| 365 |
St Paul’s School of Nursing - Staten Island |
Staten Island, NY |
| 365 |
Utah Valley University |
Orem, UT |
| 368 |
Mesa Community College |
Mesa, AZ |
| 368 |
Clarion University of Pennsylvania |
Clarion, PA |
| 370 |
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
Chapel Hill, NC |
| 371 |
University of West Georgia |
Carrollton, GA |
| 371 |
Wagner College |
Staten Island, NY |
| 371 |
Ball State University |
Muncie, IN |
| 371 |
Southwest Baptist University |
Bolivar, MO |
| 375 |
California State University - East Bay |
Hayward, CA |
| 375 |
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College |
Tifton, GA |
| 375 |
Southwestern Oklahoma State University |
Weatherford, OK |
| 375 |
Bryant & Stratton College - Wauwatosa |
Wauwatosa, WI |
| 375 |
Allen College |
Waterloo, IA |
| 375 |
Aurora University |
Aurora, IL |
| 375 |
Ursuline College |
Pepper Pike, OH |
| 382 |
Wright State University - Main Campus |
Dayton, OH |
| 382 |
Tyler Junior College |
Tyler, TX |
| 384 |
Delaware County Community College |
Media, PA |
| 384 |
St Paul’s School of Nursing - Queens |
Rego Park, NY |
| 384 |
University of Saint Francis - Fort Wayne |
Fort Wayne, IN |
| 384 |
John C Calhoun State Community College |
Tanner, AL |
| 388 |
Saint Louis Community College |
Saint Louis, MO |
| 388 |
Amarillo College |
Amarillo, TX |
| 388 |
SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University |
Brooklyn, NY |
| 388 |
Tulsa Community College |
Tulsa, OK |
| 392 |
El Centro College |
Dallas, TX |
| 392 |
Research College of Nursing |
Kansas City, MO |
| 392 |
Southeastern Louisiana University |
Hammond, LA |
| 395 |
Fresno City College |
Fresno, CA |
| 395 |
Bevill State Community College |
Jasper, AL |
| 395 |
Metropolitan State University |
Saint Paul, MN |
| 395 |
Universidad del Turabo |
Gurabo, PR |
| 399 |
Northeastern University |
Boston, MA |
| 399 |
Henry Ford College |
Dearborn, MI |
| 401 |
Rhode Island College |
Providence, RI |
| 401 |
University at Buffalo |
Buffalo, NY |
| 401 |
Dominican College of Blauvelt |
Orangeburg, NY |
| 401 |
Grayson College |
Denison, TX |
| 405 |
Tarleton State University |
Stephenville, TX |
| 405 |
College of Staten Island CUNY |
Staten Island, NY |
| 405 |
Austin Peay State University |
Clarksville, TN |
| 408 |
Lansing Community College |
Lansing, MI |
| 408 |
HCI College |
West Palm Beach, FL |
| 408 |
Fairmont State University |
Fairmont, WV |
| 408 |
University of South Dakota |
Vermillion, SD |
| 412 |
Pima Community College |
Tucson, AZ |
| 412 |
Idaho State University |
Pocatello, ID |
| 412 |
Linfield University - School of Nursing |
Portland, OR |
| 415 |
Davenport University |
Grand Rapids, MI |
| 415 |
Millersville University of Pennsylvania |
Millersville, PA |
| 417 |
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College |
Green Bay, WI |
| 417 |
San Antonio College |
San Antonio, TX |
| 419 |
University of Central Arkansas |
Conway, AR |
| 419 |
College of Southern Nevada |
Las Vegas, NV |
| 419 |
New England Institute of Technology |
East Greenwich, RI |
| 419 |
University of Delaware |
Newark, DE |
| 423 |
Queens University of Charlotte |
Charlotte, NC |
| 423 |
King University |
Bristol, TN |
| 423 |
San Francisco State University |
San Francisco, CA |
Nursing by Region
View the Most Popular Nursing Schools for a specific region near you.
One of 30 majors within the healthcare area of study, nursing has other similar majors worth exploring.
Nursing Concentrations
| Major |
Annual Graduates |
| Registered Nursing |
266,651 |
| Family Practice Nurse/Nursing |
16,104 |
| Nursing Administration |
9,838 |
| Nursing Practice |
7,992 |
| Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing |
5,092 |
| Nursing Science |
4,600 |
| Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing |
2,287 |
| Adult Health Nurse/Nursing |
2,021 |
| Nurse Anesthetist |
1,936 |
| Public Health/Community Nurse/Nursing |
1,883 |
| Critical Care Nursing |
773 |
| Geriatric Nurse/Nursing |
563 |
| School Nursing |
553 |
| Nurse Midwife/Nursing Midwifery |
509 |
| Clinical Nurse Leader |
444 |
| Clinical Nurse Specialist |
419 |
| Perioperative/Operating Room and Surgical Nurse/Nursing |
331 |
| Maternal/Child Health and Neonatal Nurse/Nursing |
181 |
| Occupational and Environmental Health Nursing |
57 |
| Emergency Room/Trauma Nursing |
53 |
| Palliative Care Nursing |
14 |
| Forensic Nursing |
14 |
Notes and References
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of the rest of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Credit for the banner image above goes to Aleksahgabrielle.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
