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2023 Most Popular Online Nursing Schools

417 Colleges
$70,916 Avg Salary
$25,426 Avg Student Debt

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 help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Healthcare Degree Search has developed this Most Popular Online Nursing Schools ranking. Our analysis looked at 417 schools in the United States to see which online programs were the most popular for healthcare students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from schools with online programs.

The colleges and universities below are the most popular for nursing majors pursuing an online .

#1

Western Governors University

Salt Lake City, UT

Our analysis found Western Governors University to be the most popular school for nursing students who want to pursue an online degree in the United States. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, WGU is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly large student population.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at WGU take out is $21,420.

Read More…

#2

Capella University

Minneapolis, MN

The excellent online programs at Capella University helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in the United States. Located in the large city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a private for-profit college with a fairly large student population.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Capella University take out is $27,599.

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#3

Excelsior College

Albany, NY

Out of the 417 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Excelsior College landed the # 3 spot on the list. Excelsior College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the small city of Albany.

Nursing majors at Excelsior College take out an average of $23,176 in student loans while working on their egree.

Full Nursing at Excelsior College Report

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Southern New Hampshire University is a great place for nursing students pursuing an online degree. Located in the midsize suburb of Manchester, SNHU is a private not-for-profit college with a very large student population.

Nursing majors at SNHU take out an average of $31,500 in student loans while working on their egree.

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American Sentinel University landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Located in the midsize suburb of Aurora, American Sentinel University is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

On average, nursing graduates from American Sentinel University take out $24,075 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read full report on Nursing at American Sentinel University

Chamberlain University - Illinois ranked #7 on this year’s Most Popular Online Nursing Schools list. Located in the large suburb of Addison, Chamberlain - Illinois is a private for-profit college with a fairly large student population.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Chamberlain - Illinois take out is $38,460. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $256.

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Purdue University Northwest ranked #8 on this year’s Most Popular Online Nursing Schools list. Purdue Northwest is a medium-sized public school located in the suburb of Hammond.

After completing their degree, nursing graduates from Purdue Northwest carry an average student debtload of $25,000. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $152.

Read full report on Nursing at Purdue University Northwest

#9

Purdue University Global

Indianapolis, IN

With a ranking of #9, Purdue University Global did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Purdue University Global is a public school 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.

Full Nursing at Purdue University Global Report

University of South Florida - Main Campus landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. USF Tampa is a fairly large public school located in the large city of Tampa.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at USF Tampa take out is $24,636. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $181.

Read full report on Nursing at University of South Florida - Main Campus

Loyola University Chicago came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Nursing Schools ranking. Loyola Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Chicago.

On average, nursing graduates from Loyola Chicago take out $26,000 in student loans while working on their degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $767, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Nursing at Loyola University Chicago

Arizona State University - Skysong did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for nursing students. It came in at #12 on the list. ASU - Skysong is a very large public school located in the midsize city of Scottsdale.

After completing their degree, nursing graduates from ASU - Skysong carry an average student debtload of $25,937. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $264.

Read full report on Nursing at Arizona State University - Skysong

#13

Liberty University

Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University ranked #13 on this year’s Most Popular Online Nursing Schools list. Located in the small city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a private not-for-profit school with a very large student population.

Nursing majors at Liberty University take out an average of $28,000 in student loans while working on their egree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $554.

Full Nursing at Liberty University Report

#14

Wilmington University

New Castle, DE

Wilmington University landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Located in the suburb of New Castle, Wilmington University is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly large student population.

Nursing majors at Wilmington University take out an average of $23,448 in student loans while working on their egree.

Full Nursing at Wilmington University Report

#15

Grand Canyon University

Phoenix, AZ

Grand Canyon University landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Located in the large city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a private for-profit college with a very large student population.

On average, nursing graduates from Grand Canyon University take out $24,999 in student loans while working on their degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $198.

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Maryville University of Saint Louis landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Maryville U is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of Saint Louis.

After completing their degree, nursing graduates from Maryville U carry an average student debtload of $31,009. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $416.

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#17

Nova Southeastern University

Fort Lauderdale, FL

With a ranking of #17, Nova Southeastern University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students. Located in the large suburb of Fort Lauderdale, NUS Florida is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly large student population.

On average, nursing graduates from NUS Florida take out $31,538 in student loans while working on their degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $334, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Nursing at Nova Southeastern University Report

#18

East Carolina University

Greenville, NC

East Carolina University ranked #18 on this year’s Most Popular Online Nursing Schools list. Located in the city of Greenville, ECU is a public school with a fairly large student population.

On average, nursing graduates from ECU take out $26,000 in student loans while working on their degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $261, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Nursing at East Carolina University Report

#19

National University

La Jolla, CA

National University ranked #19 on this year’s Most Popular Online Nursing Schools list. Located in the large city of La Jolla, National University is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population.

On average, nursing graduates from National University take out $37,500 in student loans while working on their degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $198.

Full Nursing at National University Report

University of Michigan - Flint ranked #20 on this year’s Most Popular Online Nursing Schools list. Located in the small city of Flint, UM Flint is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.

While working on their degree, nursing majors at UM Flint accumulate an average of around $40,680 in student debt.

Read More…

#21

Georgia Southern University

Statesboro, GA

Georgia Southern University ranked #21 on this year’s Most Popular Online Nursing Schools list. Located in the town of Statesboro, GaSou is a public college with a fairly large student population.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at GaSou take out is $28,000. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $121.

Read full report on Nursing at Georgia Southern University

#22

University of Arkansas

Fayetteville, AR

With a ranking of #22, University of Arkansas did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students. Located in the city of Fayetteville, UARK is a public college with a very large student population.

On average, nursing graduates from UARK take out $26,625 in student loans while working on their degree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $410.

Full Nursing at University of Arkansas Report

#23

University of Memphis

Memphis, TN

University of Memphis did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for nursing students. It came in at #23 on the list. Located in the city of Memphis, UofM is a public school with a fairly large student population.

While working on their degree, nursing majors at UofM accumulate an average of around $26,625 in student debt. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $115, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Nursing at University of Memphis Report

Frontier Nursing University landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Frontier Nursing University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Hyden.

Full Nursing at Frontier Nursing University Report

Rutgers University - Camden came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Nursing Schools ranking. Located in the city of Camden, Rutgers Camden is a public college with a medium-sized student population.

Nursing majors at Rutgers Camden take out an average of $27,500 in student loans while working on their egree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $217, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Nursing at Rutgers University - Camden

#27

University of North Florida

Jacksonville, FL
#30

University of Florida

Gainesville, FL
#31

Old Dominion University

Norfolk, VA
#37

Winston - Salem State University

Winston-Salem, NC
#39

University of Kansas

Lawrence, KS
#40

Cleveland State University

Cleveland, OH
#41

Polk State College

Winter Haven, FL
#45

Sacred Heart University

Fairfield, CT
#46

Fayetteville State University

Fayetteville, NC

Additional Award Winners

This list represents the rest of the colleges awarded a Most Popular Online Nursing Schools badge. Showing in this list means the college was ranked in the top 15% of the 417 different United States nursing schools we analyzed.

Rank College Location
51 Utah Valley University Orem, UT
52 Auburn University Auburn, AL
53 Amarillo College Amarillo, TX
54 University of Arkansas at Little Rock Little Rock, AR
55 California State University - Dominguez Hills Carson, CA
56 Washburn University Topeka, KS
56 Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TX
58 Western Carolina University Cullowhee, NC
59 Wichita State University Wichita, KS
60 Davenport University Grand Rapids, MI
61 ECPI University Virginia Beach, VA
62 Southwestern Oklahoma State University Weatherford, OK

Honorable Mentions

Here are some additional great schools for online Nursing students that almost earned our Most Popular Online Nursing Schools award.

Rank College Location
63 California University of Pennsylvania California, PA
63 Southeastern Louisiana University Hammond, LA
65 State College of Florida - Manatee - Sarasota Bradenton, FL
66 Vermont Technical College Randolph, VT
67 Bemidji State University Bemidji, MN
68 Fort Hays State University Hays, KS
69 Nicholls State University Thibodaux, LA
70 Millersville University of Pennsylvania Millersville, PA
71 Brandman University Irvine, CA
71 University of Central Missouri Warrensburg, MO
71 Fitchburg State University Fitchburg, MA
74 Sam Houston State University Huntsville, TX
75 University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Eau Claire, WI
76 The University of Texas at Arlington Arlington, TX
76 Frostburg State University Frostburg, MD
78 University of Louisiana at Monroe Monroe, LA
79 Daytona State College Daytona Beach, FL
79 University of Southern Indiana Evansville, IN
81 Indian River State College Fort Pierce, FL
82 AmeriTech College - Draper Draper, UT
83 Ramapo College of New Jersey Mahwah, NJ
83 American Public University System Charles Town, WV

View the Most Popular Online Nursing Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

More Nursing Rankings

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

Related Major Annual Graduates
Health & Medical Administrative Services 89,359
Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services 84,492
Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants 84,274
Allied Health Professions 82,308
Public Health 40,596

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.

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