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Most Popular Online Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools

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2023 Most Popular Online Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools

226 Colleges
$64,238 Avg Salary
$28,730 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 assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Healthcare Degree Search has created its Most Popular Online Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools ranking. Our analysis looked at 226 schools in the United States to see which online bachelor's degree 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 bachelor's degree.

#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 bachelor’s degree in the United States. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, WGU is a private not-for-profit school with a very large student population.

Of the 10,730 students majoring in nursing at WGU, 11% are male and 89% are female.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at WGU take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $24,473.

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#2

Capella University

Minneapolis, MN

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Capella University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Popular Online Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. Located in the large city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a private for-profit college with a very large student population.

Of the 3,199 students majoring in nursing at Capella University, 10% are male and 90% are female.

After completing their Bachelor's Degree, nursing graduates from Capella University carry an average student debtload of $28,936.

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Out of the 226 online programs at schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Southern New Hampshire University landed the # 3 spot on the list. Located in the suburb of Manchester, SNHU is a private not-for-profit school with a very large student population.

Of the 945 students majoring in nursing at SNHU, 10% are male and 90% are female.

On average, nursing graduates from SNHU take out $32,255 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree.

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Out of the 226 online programs at schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, American Sentinel University landed the # 5 spot on the list. Located in the suburb of Aurora, American Sentinel University is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

About 91% of the students majoring in nursing at the school are women while 9% are male.

After completing their Bachelor's Degree, nursing graduates from American Sentinel University carry an average student debtload of $26,198.

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Purdue University Northwest came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. Purdue Northwest is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Hammond.

Women make up 85% of the nursing majors at the school.

After completing their Bachelor's Degree, nursing graduates from Purdue Northwest carry an average student debtload of $27,233. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $152.

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University of South Florida - Main Campus came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. USF Tampa is a fairly large public school located in the city of Tampa.

Of the 506 students majoring in nursing at USF Tampa, 13% are male and 87% are female.

On average, nursing graduates from USF Tampa take out $27,078 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $181.

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Loyola University Chicago landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular online bachelor’s degree nursing programs. Loyola Chicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Chicago.

About 87% of the students majoring in nursing at the school are women while 13% are male.

After completing their Bachelor's Degree, nursing graduates from Loyola Chicago carry an average student debtload of $28,313. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $767, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

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Arizona State University - Skysong ranked #9 on this year’s Most Popular Online Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. ASU - Skysong is a fairly large public school located in the medium-sized city of Scottsdale.

About 83% of the students majoring in nursing at the school are women while 17% are male.

On average, nursing graduates from ASU - Skysong take out $28,439 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $264.

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#10

Wilmington University

New Castle, DE

Wilmington University ranked #10 on this year’s Most Popular Online Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. Located in the suburb of New Castle, Wilmington University is a private not-for-profit school with a large student population.

About 88% of the students majoring in nursing at the school are women while 12% are male.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Wilmington University take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $24,871.

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#11

Nova Southeastern University

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Nova Southeastern University ranked #11 on this year’s Most Popular Online Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. Located in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale, NUS Florida is a private not-for-profit college with a very large student population.

Of the 403 students majoring in nursing at NUS Florida, 14% are male and 86% are female.

While working on their Bachelor's Degree, nursing majors at NUS Florida accumulate an average of around $33,123 in student debt. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $334, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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#11

Purdue University Global

Indianapolis, IN

Purdue University Global came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Purdue University Global is a public school with a very large student population.

Of the 403 students majoring in nursing at Purdue University Global, 10% are male and 90% are female.

Nursing majors at Purdue University Global take out an average of $41,009 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree.

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#13

Liberty University

Lynchburg, VA

With a ranking of #13, Liberty University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their online bachelor’s degree. Located in the small city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a private not-for-profit college with a very large student population.

Of the 369 students majoring in nursing at Liberty University, 10% are male and 90% are female.

Nursing majors at Liberty University take out an average of $29,474 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree. 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

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#14

National University

La Jolla, CA

With a ranking of #14, National University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their online bachelor’s degree. Located in the city of La Jolla, National University is a private not-for-profit college with a large student population.

About 75% of the students majoring in nursing at the school are women while 25% are male.

Nursing majors at National University take out an average of $35,476 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $198.

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#15

East Carolina University

Greenville, NC

With a ranking of #15, East Carolina University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their online bachelor’s degree. Located in the small city of Greenville, ECU is a public school with a very large student population.

About 91% of the students majoring in nursing at the school are women while 9% are male.

After completing their Bachelor's Degree, nursing graduates from ECU carry an average student debtload of $24,172. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $261, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Nursing at East Carolina University Report

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#16

Georgia Southern University

Statesboro, GA

With a ranking of #16, Georgia Southern University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their online bachelor’s degree. Located in the town of Statesboro, GaSou is a public school with a fairly large student population.

About 91% of the students majoring in nursing at the school are women while 9% are male.

On average, nursing graduates from GaSou take out $28,652 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $121.

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University of Michigan - Flint ranked #17 on this year’s Most Popular Online Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. Located in the small city of Flint, UM Flint is a public school with a medium-sized student population.

About 83% of the students majoring in nursing at the school are women while 17% are male.

Nursing majors at UM Flint take out an average of $38,230 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree.

Full Nursing at University of Michigan - Flint Report

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#18

University of Memphis

Memphis, TN

University of Memphis did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular online places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #18 on the list. Located in the city of Memphis, UofM is a public college with a fairly large student population.

Of the 304 students majoring in nursing at UofM, 9% are male and 91% are female.

Nursing majors at UofM take out an average of $27,057 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $115, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

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With a ranking of #19, Rutgers University - Camden did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their online bachelor’s degree. Located in the city of Camden, Rutgers Camden is a public school with a medium-sized student population.

Of the 302 students majoring in nursing at Rutgers Camden, 13% are male and 87% are female.

On average, nursing graduates from Rutgers Camden take out $29,905 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $217, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

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#20

University of Arkansas

Fayetteville, AR

University of Arkansas ranked #20 on this year’s Most Popular Online Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. Located in the city of Fayetteville, UARK is a public college with a very large student population.

Women make up 89% of the nursing majors at the school.

On average, nursing graduates from UARK take out $26,161 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $410.

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Northwestern State University of Louisiana came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. Located in the town of Natchitoches, NSU is a public college with a fairly large student population.

Of the 279 students majoring in nursing at NSU, 14% are male and 86% are female.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at NSU take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $29,152.

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Colorado Technical University - Colorado Springs came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. Colorado Technical University - Colorado Springs is a fairly large private for-profit school located in the large city of Colorado Springs.

About 87% of the students majoring in nursing at the school are women while 13% are male.

While working on their Bachelor's Degree, nursing majors at Colorado Technical University - Colorado Springs accumulate an average of around $30,518 in student debt.

Full Nursing at Colorado Technical University - Colorado Springs Report

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University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. Located in the city of Denver, CU Anschutz is a public school with a very large student population.

Of the 274 students majoring in nursing at CU Anschutz, 17% are male and 83% are female.

After completing their Bachelor's Degree, nursing graduates from CU Anschutz carry an average student debtload of $31,848. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $191, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

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University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh ranked #24 on this year’s Most Popular Online Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. Located in the city of Oshkosh, UW Oshkosh is a public school with a fairly large student population.

Women make up 90% of the nursing majors at the school.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at UW Oshkosh take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $26,175. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $177.

Full Nursing at University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh Report

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#25

Winston - Salem State University

Winston-Salem, NC

Winston - Salem State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular online places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #25 on the list. Located in the medium-sized city of Winston-Salem, WSSU is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.

Women make up 90% of the nursing majors at the school.

Nursing majors at WSSU take out an average of $25,916 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $135, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Nursing at Winston - Salem State University Report

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#26

Cleveland State University

Cleveland, OH
#30

Old Dominion University

Norfolk, VA
#32

University of North Florida

Jacksonville, FL
#33

Fayetteville State University

Fayetteville, NC

Honorable Mentions

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

Rank College Location
34 University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, NC
34 Central Methodist University - College of Graduate & Extended Studies Fayette, MO
36 Sacred Heart University Fairfield, CT
37 Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VA
38 University of Northern Colorado Greeley, CO
39 Auburn University Auburn, AL
40 University of Kansas Lawrence, KS
41 University of Arkansas at Little Rock Little Rock, AR
42 University of Florida Gainesville, FL
43 University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NC
44 Lewis - Clark State College Lewiston, ID
45 California State University - Dominguez Hills Carson, CA

View the Most Popular Online Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools for a specific region near you.

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

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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