2021 Most Popular Nursing Schools
Finding the Best Nursing School for You
In 2018-2019, 305,309 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 2,151 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.
2021 Most Popular Nursing Schools in the United States
The following schools top our list of the Most Popular Nursing Colleges.
Top 25 Most Popular Schools in Nursing
Our 2021 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.
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The excellent programs at Chamberlain University - Illinois helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of Addison, Chamberlain - Illinois is a private for-profit school with a very large student population.
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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 city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a private for-profit college with a fairly large student population.
While working on their degree, nursing majors at Grand Canyon University accumulate an average of around $32,934 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $378.
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A rank of #4 on this year’s list means The University of Texas at Arlington is a great place for nursing students. UT Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington.
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Out of the 2,151 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Walden University landed the # 5 spot on the list. Walden University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis.
Nursing majors at Walden University take out an average of $53,556 in student loans while working on their egree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $614.
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Ohio University - Athens Campus ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Schools list. OHIO Athens is a very large public school located in the distant town of Athens.
While working on their degree, nursing majors at OHIO Athens accumulate an average of around $23,749 in student debt. 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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Capella University ranked #7 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Schools list. Located in the large city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a private for-profit college with a fairly large student population.
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With a ranking of #8, National University College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students. National University College is a large private for-profit school located in the medium-sized city of Bayamon.
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South University’s online programs landed the #9 spot in the 2021 rankings for the most popular nursing programs. Located in the medium-sized city of Savannah, South University's online programs is a private for-profit college with a medium-sized student population.
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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 #10 on the list. Excelsior College is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the small city of Albany.
On average, nursing graduates from Excelsior College take out $18,138 in student loans while working on their degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $200.
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Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for nursing students. It came in at #11 on the list. TTUHSC is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Lubbock.
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Ivy Tech Community College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Schools ranking. Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis.
After completing their degree, nursing graduates from Ivy Tech Community College carry an average student debt load of $13,328. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $138.
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University of Phoenix - Arizona landed the #13 spot in the 2021 rankings for the most popular nursing programs. Located in the city of Tempe, UOPX - Arizona is a private for-profit school with a very large student population.
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University of South Alabama ranked #14 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Schools list. Located in the city of Mobile, USA is a public school with a large student population.
The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at USA take out is $44,057. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $506.
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Maryville University of Saint Louis landed the #15 spot in the 2021 rankings for the most popular nursing programs. Maryville U is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis.
Nursing majors at Maryville U take out an average of $42,102 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 $482.
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Kaplan University-Indianapolis landed the #16 spot in the 2021 rankings for the most popular nursing programs. Located in the large city of Indianapolis, Kaplan University-Indianapolis is a public college with a fairly large student population.
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University of Cincinnati - Main Campus landed the #17 spot in the 2021 rankings for the most popular nursing programs. Located in the city of Cincinnati, UC is a public school with a fairly large student population.
The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at UC take out is $30,200. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $334, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
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Rasmussen College - Florida did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for nursing students. It came in at #18 on the list. Located in the small city of Ocala, Rasmussen College - Florida is a private for-profit school with a medium-sized student population.
After completing their degree, nursing graduates from Rasmussen College - Florida carry an average student debt load of $22,498. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $233, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
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Drexel University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Schools ranking. Located in the large city of Philadelphia, Drexel is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population.
The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Drexel take out is $34,810. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $394.
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University of Alabama at Birmingham ranked #20 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Schools list. Located in the midsize city of Birmingham, UAB is a public college with a fairly large student population.
On average, nursing graduates from UAB take out $34,419 in student loans while working on their degree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $394.
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Southern New Hampshire University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Schools ranking. Located in the suburb of Manchester, SNHU is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population.
After completing their degree, nursing graduates from SNHU carry an average student debt load of $13,608. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $141.
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American Sentinel University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Schools ranking. American Sentinel University is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Aurora.
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With a ranking of #23, Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students. IWU is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Marion.
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University of North Carolina at Wilmington ranked #24 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Schools list. Located in the city of Wilmington, UNCW is a public school with a large student population.
The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at UNCW take out is $24,452. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $274.
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University of South Florida - Main Campus came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Schools ranking. USF Tampa is a fairly large public school located in the city of Tampa.
The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at USF Tampa take out is $39,975. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $458.
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Rest of the Top 50 for Most Popular Nursing Schools
Additional Award Winners
This section represents the rest 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 2151 different United States nursing schools we analyzed.
| Rank |
College |
Location |
| 51 |
Stony Brook University |
Stony Brook, NY |
| 51 |
The University of Texas Medical Branch |
Galveston, TX |
| 53 |
University of Louisiana at Lafayette |
Lafayette, LA |
| 54 |
The University of Texas at Tyler |
Tyler, TX |
| 55 |
West Coast University - Los Angeles |
North Hollywood, CA |
| 55 |
Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis |
Indianapolis, IN |
| 57 |
Wilmington University |
New Castle, DE |
| 58 |
Jacksonville University |
Jacksonville, FL |
| 59 |
Molloy College |
Rockville Centre, NY |
| 60 |
Nova Southeastern University |
Fort Lauderdale, FL |
| 61 |
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville |
Edwardsville, IL |
| 62 |
George Washington University |
Washington, DC |
| 63 |
Rutgers University - New Brunswick |
New Brunswick, NJ |
| 64 |
Ohio State University - Main Campus |
Columbus, OH |
| 65 |
Liberty University |
Lynchburg, VA |
| 66 |
University of Pennsylvania |
Philadelphia, PA |
| 67 |
Regis College |
Weston, MA |
| 68 |
Sacred Heart University |
Fairfield, CT |
| 69 |
Thomas Jefferson University |
Philadelphia, PA |
| 70 |
Adelphi University |
Garden City, NY |
| 70 |
St Petersburg College |
Clearwater, FL |
| 72 |
Duke University |
Durham, NC |
| 73 |
The University of Alabama |
Tuscaloosa, AL |
| 74 |
Regis University |
Denver, CO |
| 75 |
East Carolina University |
Greenville, NC |
| 76 |
University of Miami |
Coral Gables, FL |
| 77 |
University of New Mexico - Main Campus |
Albuquerque, NM |
| 78 |
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus |
Denver, CO |
| 79 |
Oregon Health & Science University |
Portland, OR |
| 80 |
Universidad Metropolitana |
San Juan, PR |
| 80 |
Oakland University |
Rochester Hills, MI |
| 82 |
Florida International University |
Miami, FL |
| 83 |
University of South Carolina - Columbia |
Columbia, SC |
| 84 |
Washington State University |
Pullman, WA |
| 85 |
East Tennessee State University |
Johnson City, TN |
| 86 |
Galen College of Nursing - Tampa Bay |
Saint Petersburg, FL |
| 87 |
Florida State College at Jacksonville |
Jacksonville, FL |
| 88 |
University of San Francisco |
San Francisco, CA |
| 89 |
Emory University |
Atlanta, GA |
| 89 |
University of Nebraska Medical Center |
Omaha, NE |
| 91 |
Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College |
Saint Louis, MO |
| 92 |
Mississippi University for Women |
Columbus, MS |
| 93 |
Olivet Nazarene University |
Bourbonnais, IL |
| 94 |
University of Arizona |
Tucson, AZ |
| 95 |
Vanderbilt University |
Nashville, TN |
| 96 |
University of Illinois at Chicago |
Chicago, IL |
| 97 |
EDP University - San Juan |
San Juan, PR |
| 98 |
Northwestern State University of Louisiana |
Natchitoches, LA |
| 99 |
Virginia Commonwealth University |
Richmond, VA |
| 100 |
Florida Atlantic University |
Boca Raton, FL |
| 101 |
Unitek College |
Fremont, CA |
| 102 |
University of Massachusetts - Boston |
Boston, MA |
| 103 |
Eastern Kentucky University |
Richmond, KY |
| 104 |
Galen College of Nursing - San Antonio |
San Antonio, TX |
| 105 |
Harrisburg Area Community College |
Harrisburg, PA |
| 106 |
University of Rhode Island |
Kingston, RI |
| 106 |
Hondros College of Nursing |
Westerville, OH |
| 106 |
Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences |
Lancaster, PA |
| 109 |
The College of Saint Scholastica |
Duluth, MN |
| 110 |
Eastern Michigan University |
Ypsilanti, MI |
| 111 |
Augusta University |
Augusta, GA |
| 112 |
Resurrection University |
Chicago, IL |
| 112 |
Mount Carmel College of Nursing |
Columbus, OH |
| 114 |
Gwynedd Mercy University |
Gwynedd Valley, PA |
| 115 |
LIU Post |
Brookville, NY |
| 116 |
University of Arkansas at Little Rock |
Little Rock, AR |
| 117 |
Lincoln Memorial University |
Harrogate, TN |
| 118 |
Loyola University Chicago |
Chicago, IL |
| 119 |
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio |
San Antonio, TX |
| 120 |
Johns Hopkins University |
Baltimore, MD |
| 121 |
California State University - Fullerton |
Fullerton, CA |
| 121 |
University of Michigan - Flint |
Flint, MI |
| 123 |
Winston - Salem State University |
Winston-Salem, NC |
| 124 |
University of Memphis |
Memphis, TN |
| 125 |
Broward College |
Fort Lauderdale, FL |
| 126 |
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences |
Boston, MA |
| 126 |
Rush University |
Chicago, IL |
| 128 |
Arkansas State University - Main Campus |
Jonesboro, AR |
| 128 |
Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi |
Corpus Christi, TX |
| 130 |
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee |
Milwaukee, WI |
| 131 |
National University |
La Jolla, CA |
| 132 |
Denver College of Nursing |
Denver, CO |
| 132 |
University of Mississippi |
University, MS |
| 134 |
University of Alabama in Huntsville |
Huntsville, AL |
| 134 |
Roseman University of Health Sciences |
Henderson, NV |
| 136 |
Utica College |
Utica, NY |
| 137 |
Georgia Southern University |
Statesboro, GA |
| 138 |
University of Connecticut |
Storrs, CT |
| 139 |
University of Kentucky |
Lexington, KY |
| 140 |
Pace University - New York |
New York, NY |
| 141 |
West Coast University - Ontario |
Ontario, CA |
| 142 |
Saint Louis University |
Saint Louis, MO |
| 143 |
Butler Community College |
El Dorado, KS |
| 144 |
Hunter College |
New York, NY |
| 145 |
University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh |
Oshkosh, WI |
| 145 |
Wilkes University |
Wilkes-Barre, PA |
| 147 |
South Dakota State University |
Brookings, SD |
| 147 |
University of Detroit Mercy |
Detroit, MI |
| 149 |
Laboure College |
Milton, MA |
| 150 |
Universidad del Sagrado Corazon |
Santurce, PR |
| 150 |
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities |
Minneapolis, MN |
| 152 |
Western Kentucky University |
Bowling Green, KY |
| 153 |
Daytona State College |
Daytona Beach, FL |
| 154 |
Pikes Peak Community College |
Colorado Springs, CO |
| 155 |
University of North Florida |
Jacksonville, FL |
| 156 |
University of Oklahoma - Health Sciences Center |
Oklahoma City, OK |
| 157 |
Palm Beach State College |
Lake Worth, FL |
| 157 |
Holy Family University |
Philadelphia, PA |
| 159 |
University of North Carolina at Greensboro |
Greensboro, NC |
| 159 |
Community College of Allegheny County |
Pittsburgh, PA |
| 161 |
Florida National University - Main Campus |
Hialeah, FL |
| 161 |
Marian University |
Indianapolis, IN |
| 163 |
Chamberlain University - Georgia |
Atlanta, GA |
| 163 |
Villanova University |
Villanova, PA |
| 165 |
University of South Carolina - Upstate |
Spartanburg, SC |
| 165 |
University of North Carolina at Charlotte |
Charlotte, NC |
| 165 |
Boise State University |
Boise, ID |
| 168 |
Delaware Technical Community College - Terry |
Dover, DE |
| 168 |
Georgetown University |
Washington, DC |
| 170 |
Marquette University |
Milwaukee, WI |
| 171 |
Quinnipiac University |
Hamden, CT |
| 171 |
AmeriTech College - Draper |
Draper, UT |
| 173 |
Medical University of South Carolina |
Charleston, SC |
| 173 |
Jacksonville State University |
Jacksonville, AL |
| 175 |
Columbia Central University - Caguas |
Caguas, PR |
| 175 |
University of Southern Indiana |
Evansville, IN |
| 177 |
Xavier University |
Cincinnati, OH |
| 178 |
Creighton University |
Omaha, NE |
| 178 |
Chamberlain University - Texas |
Houston, TX |
| 178 |
Chamberlain University - Florida |
Jacksonville, FL |
| 181 |
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center - New Orleans |
New Orleans, LA |
| 182 |
Graceland University - Lamoni |
Lamoni, IA |
| 182 |
Duquesne University |
Pittsburgh, PA |
| 184 |
Northeastern University Professional Advancement Network |
Boston, MA |
| 184 |
MGH Institute of Health Professions |
Boston, MA |
| 186 |
University of Utah |
Salt Lake City, UT |
| 186 |
Thomas Edison State University |
Trenton, NJ |
| 188 |
University of Arkansas |
Fayetteville, AR |
| 189 |
Arizona State University - Downtown Phoenix |
Phoenix, AZ |
| 189 |
University of Toledo |
Toledo, OH |
| 191 |
Florida SouthWestern State College |
Fort Myers, FL |
| 192 |
Tarrant County College District |
Fort Worth, TX |
| 192 |
California State University - Long Beach |
Long Beach, CA |
| 194 |
Troy University |
Troy, AL |
| 195 |
The Christ College of Nursing and Health Sciences |
Cincinnati, OH |
| 196 |
State College of Florida - Manatee - Sarasota |
Bradenton, FL |
| 196 |
Old Dominion University |
Norfolk, VA |
| 196 |
Rivier University |
Nashua, NH |
| 196 |
Cuyahoga Community College District |
Cleveland, OH |
| 200 |
University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus |
Pittsburgh, PA |
| 201 |
Miami Regional University |
Miami Springs, FL |
| 202 |
University of Southern Mississippi |
Hattiesburg, MS |
| 203 |
Winona State University |
Winona, MN |
| 204 |
California State University - Sacramento |
Sacramento, CA |
| 205 |
University of Florida |
Gainesville, FL |
| 205 |
Northern Kentucky University |
Highland Heights, KY |
| 207 |
University of Kansas |
Lawrence, KS |
| 207 |
Gonzaga University |
Spokane, WA |
| 207 |
Union County College |
Cranford, NJ |
| 207 |
University of Rochester |
Rochester, NY |
| 211 |
The University of Tennessee - Knoxville |
Knoxville, TN |
| 211 |
University of Akron Main Campus |
Akron, OH |
| 211 |
Mercy College of Ohio |
Toledo, OH |
| 214 |
Baylor University |
Waco, TX |
| 214 |
Southern Adventist University |
Collegedale, TN |
| 216 |
Mount Saint Mary’s University |
Los Angeles, CA |
| 216 |
University of Washington - Seattle Campus |
Seattle, WA |
| 218 |
Barry University |
Miami, FL |
| 219 |
Indiana State University |
Terre Haute, IN |
| 220 |
Lehman College |
Bronx, NY |
| 220 |
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
Chapel Hill, NC |
| 222 |
California University of Pennsylvania |
California, PA |
| 222 |
St Catherine University |
Saint Paul, MN |
| 224 |
Towson University |
Towson, MD |
| 225 |
Texas Christian University |
Fort Worth, TX |
| 226 |
Marshall University |
Huntington, WV |
| 226 |
University of Louisville |
Louisville, KY |
| 226 |
Columbia University in the City of New York |
New York, NY |
| 226 |
University of Iowa |
Iowa City, IA |
| 230 |
University of Phoenix - California |
Costa Mesa, CA |
| 231 |
Michigan State University |
East Lansing, MI |
| 232 |
Western Carolina University |
Cullowhee, NC |
| 233 |
Clarkson College |
Omaha, NE |
| 233 |
Benedictine University |
Lisle, IL |
| 233 |
Goodwin College |
East Hartford, CT |
| 236 |
Columbus State University |
Columbus, GA |
| 237 |
Arizona State University - Skysong |
Scottsdale, AZ |
| 238 |
Grand Valley State University |
Allendale, MI |
| 238 |
Southwestern Oklahoma State University |
Weatherford, OK |
| 240 |
Baptist Health System School of Health Professions |
San Antonio, TX |
| 241 |
University of Missouri - Columbia |
Columbia, MO |
| 242 |
James Madison University |
Harrisonburg, VA |
| 243 |
Ball State University |
Muncie, IN |
| 243 |
D’Youville College |
Buffalo, NY |
| 243 |
Montana State University |
Bozeman, MT |
| 246 |
Wayne State University |
Detroit, MI |
| 247 |
Union University |
Jackson, TN |
| 248 |
Central Methodist University - College of Graduate & Extended Studies |
Fayette, MO |
| 248 |
Brigham Young University - Idaho |
Rexburg, ID |
| 250 |
Loma Linda University |
Loma Linda, CA |
| 250 |
Binghamton University |
Vestal, NY |
| 252 |
University of North Dakota |
Grand Forks, ND |
| 253 |
Auburn University |
Auburn, AL |
| 253 |
Minnesota State University - Mankato |
Mankato, MN |
| 253 |
University of Northern Colorado |
Greeley, CO |
| 256 |
St. John Fisher College |
Rochester, NY |
| 257 |
Austin Community College District |
Austin, TX |
| 257 |
Rutgers University - Camden |
Camden, NJ |
| 257 |
South Texas College |
McAllen, TX |
| 257 |
Nevada State College |
Henderson, NV |
| 257 |
Georgia State University |
Atlanta, GA |
| 262 |
Santa Fe College |
Gainesville, FL |
| 263 |
Baptist Health College - Little Rock |
Little Rock, AR |
| 263 |
Case Western Reserve University |
Cleveland, OH |
| 263 |
Widener University |
Chester, PA |
| 263 |
Indian River State College |
Fort Pierce, FL |
| 267 |
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley |
Edinburg, TX |
| 268 |
University of Massachusetts Amherst |
Amherst, MA |
| 268 |
Metropolitan State University |
Saint Paul, MN |
| 268 |
GateWay Community College - Phoenix |
Phoenix, AZ |
| 271 |
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs |
Colorado Springs, CO |
| 271 |
Community College of Rhode Island |
Warwick, RI |
| 271 |
University of Wisconsin - Madison |
Madison, WI |
| 271 |
University of Indianapolis |
Indianapolis, IN |
| 275 |
Lamar University |
Beaumont, TX |
| 275 |
Seattle University |
Seattle, WA |
| 277 |
Wright State University - Main Campus |
Dayton, OH |
| 278 |
West Virginia University |
Morgantown, WV |
| 278 |
California State University - Los Angeles |
Los Angeles, CA |
| 278 |
Spring Arbor University |
Spring Arbor, MI |
| 281 |
SUNY Empire State College |
Saratoga Springs, NY |
| 281 |
Curry College |
Milton, MA |
| 283 |
DePaul University |
Chicago, IL |
| 283 |
Saginaw Valley State University |
University Center, MI |
| 285 |
Pasco-Hernando State College |
New Port Richey, FL |
| 285 |
University of Virginia - Main Campus |
Charlottesville, VA |
| 287 |
Saint Luke’s College of Health Sciences |
Kansas City, MO |
| 287 |
Herzing University - Madison |
Madison, WI |
| 287 |
University of Missouri - St Louis |
Saint Louis, MO |
| 287 |
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences |
Little Rock, AR |
| 287 |
Central New Mexico Community College |
Albuquerque, NM |
| 287 |
Yale University |
New Haven, CT |
| 287 |
Daemen College |
Amherst, NY |
| 287 |
Hillsborough Community College |
Tampa, FL |
| 295 |
Oakland Community College |
Bloomfield Hills, MI |
| 296 |
Middle Georgia State University |
Macon, GA |
| 297 |
Rasmussen College - Illinois |
Rockford, IL |
| 297 |
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor |
Ann Arbor, MI |
| 299 |
Lewis University |
Romeoville, IL |
| 299 |
University of Saint Francis - Fort Wayne |
Fort Wayne, IN |
| 299 |
George Mason University |
Fairfax, VA |
| 299 |
Colorado Technical University - Colorado Springs |
Colorado Springs, CO |
| 303 |
University of California - Los Angeles |
Los Angeles, CA |
| 303 |
Nightingale College |
Salt Lake City, UT |
| 305 |
California Baptist University |
Riverside, CA |
| 305 |
The College at Brockport |
Brockport, NY |
| 307 |
Valencia College |
Orlando, FL |
| 307 |
Albany State University |
Albany, GA |
| 307 |
Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing |
Peoria, IL |
| 310 |
North Dakota State University - Main Campus |
Fargo, ND |
| 311 |
Owens Community College |
Perrysburg, OH |
| 311 |
Stevenson University |
Stevenson, MD |
| 313 |
Polk State College |
Winter Haven, FL |
| 313 |
University of Missouri - Kansas City |
Kansas City, MO |
| 313 |
Saint Xavier University |
Chicago, IL |
| 316 |
SUNY Delhi |
Delhi, NY |
| 316 |
Chamberlain University - Arizona |
Phoenix, AZ |
| 316 |
Trocaire College |
Buffalo, NY |
| 319 |
EDP University - San Sebastian |
San Sebastian, PR |
| 320 |
Illinois State University |
Normal, IL |
| 320 |
MidAmerica Nazarene University |
Olathe, KS |
| 320 |
University of Delaware |
Newark, DE |
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 |
| 323 |
Carlow University |
Pittsburgh, PA |
| 323 |
University of South Dakota |
Vermillion, SD |
| 325 |
El Paso Community College |
El Paso, TX |
| 325 |
New Jersey City University |
Jersey City, NJ |
| 325 |
Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health |
Omaha, NE |
| 328 |
Samford University |
Birmingham, AL |
| 329 |
Baker College |
Flint, MI |
| 330 |
Northeastern University |
Boston, MA |
| 330 |
The University of Texas at Austin |
Austin, TX |
| 330 |
Clemson University |
Clemson, SC |
| 333 |
Cox College |
Springfield, MO |
| 334 |
University of Portland |
Portland, OR |
| 335 |
Allen College |
Waterloo, IA |
| 335 |
Trident Technical College |
Charleston, SC |
| 335 |
MSU Texas |
Wichita Falls, TX |
| 335 |
Oklahoma City Community College |
Oklahoma City, OK |
| 339 |
Pensacola State College |
Pensacola, FL |
| 339 |
SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University |
Brooklyn, NY |
| 339 |
Seminole State College of Florida |
Sanford, FL |
| 339 |
Ferris State University |
Big Rapids, MI |
| 343 |
University of St Francis |
Joliet, IL |
| 343 |
Southeastern Louisiana University |
Hammond, LA |
| 343 |
Delgado Community College |
New Orleans, LA |
| 346 |
Inter American University of Puerto Rico - Metro |
San Juan, PR |
| 347 |
Mesa Community College |
Mesa, AZ |
| 347 |
Wichita State University |
Wichita, KS |
| 347 |
Salt Lake Community College |
Salt Lake City, UT |
| 347 |
Community College of Baltimore County |
Baltimore, MD |
| 351 |
Kennesaw State University |
Kennesaw, GA |
| 351 |
San Antonio College |
San Antonio, TX |
| 353 |
College of Southern Nevada |
Las Vegas, NV |
| 354 |
Washburn University |
Topeka, KS |
| 355 |
College of Staten Island CUNY |
Staten Island, NY |
| 355 |
Pima Community College |
Tucson, AZ |
| 357 |
University of Washington - Bothell Campus |
Bothell, WA |
| 357 |
California State University - Dominguez Hills |
Carson, CA |
| 359 |
The University of Tennessee - Health Science Center |
Memphis, TN |
| 359 |
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College |
Perkinston, MS |
| 359 |
University at Buffalo |
Buffalo, NY |
| 359 |
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College |
Green Bay, WI |
| 363 |
Mount Saint Mary College |
Newburgh, NY |
| 363 |
Texas A&M University - College Station |
College Station, TX |
| 365 |
Southwest Baptist University |
Bolivar, MO |
| 365 |
San Jose State University |
San Jose, CA |
| 365 |
South University, Tampa |
Tampa, FL |
| 368 |
Saddleback College |
Mission Viejo, CA |
| 368 |
Delaware County Community College |
Media, PA |
| 370 |
Collin County Community College District |
McKinney, TX |
| 370 |
Lorain County Community College |
Elyria, OH |
| 372 |
University of West Georgia |
Carrollton, GA |
| 372 |
Chamberlain University - New Jersey |
North Brunswick, NJ |
| 374 |
Helene Fuld College of Nursing |
New York, NY |
| 374 |
University of Mary Hardin - Baylor |
Belton, TX |
| 374 |
Aurora University |
Aurora, IL |
| 374 |
Cleveland State University |
Cleveland, OH |
| 374 |
Utah Valley University |
Orem, UT |
| 374 |
Jefferson State Community College |
Birmingham, AL |
| 380 |
University of Nevada - Reno |
Reno, NV |
| 381 |
King University |
Bristol, TN |
| 381 |
University of Central Missouri |
Warrensburg, MO |
| 383 |
Oklahoma City University |
Oklahoma City, OK |
| 384 |
Fairfield University |
Fairfield, CT |
| 384 |
Seton Hall University |
South Orange, NJ |
| 386 |
Riverside City College |
Riverside, CA |
| 386 |
Colorado Mesa University |
Grand Junction, CO |
| 386 |
Rhode Island College |
Providence, RI |
| 389 |
Greenville Technical College |
Greenville, SC |
| 389 |
Fresno City College |
Fresno, CA |
| 389 |
Mount St. Joseph University |
Cincinnati, OH |
| 392 |
Pennsylvania State University - World Campus |
University Park, PA |
| 392 |
Suffolk County Community College |
Selden, NY |
| 394 |
Belmont University |
Nashville, TN |
| 394 |
San Diego State University |
San Diego, CA |
| 394 |
Galen College of Nursing - Cincinnati |
Cincinnati, OH |
| 397 |
University of North Georgia |
Dahlonega, GA |
| 397 |
Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science |
Los Angeles, CA |
| 397 |
Meridian Community College |
Meridian, MS |
| 400 |
Gardner - Webb University |
Boiling Springs, NC |
| 400 |
Bemidji State University |
Bemidji, MN |
| 400 |
University of Maryland Global Campus |
Adelphi, MD |
| 400 |
California State University - Fresno |
Fresno, CA |
| 400 |
Tarleton State University |
Stephenville, TX |
| 400 |
Appalachian State University |
Boone, NC |
| 406 |
Salem State University |
Salem, MA |
| 407 |
University of North Alabama |
Florence, AL |
| 407 |
Lewis - Clark State College |
Lewiston, ID |
| 407 |
West Chester University of Pennsylvania |
West Chester, PA |
| 410 |
Wagner College |
Staten Island, NY |
| 411 |
University of Providence |
Great Falls, MT |
| 411 |
Dixie State University |
Saint George, UT |
| 411 |
Fayetteville State University |
Fayetteville, NC |
| 411 |
Viterbo University |
La Crosse, WI |
| 411 |
University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth |
North Dartmouth, MA |
| 416 |
Concordia University, Wisconsin |
Mequon, WI |
| 416 |
Research College of Nursing |
Kansas City, MO |
| 416 |
Purdue University - Main Campus |
West Lafayette, IN |
| 419 |
Central Ohio Technical College |
Newark, OH |
| 419 |
Adventist University of Health Sciences |
Orlando, FL |
| 419 |
San Francisco State University |
San Francisco, CA |
| 422 |
Linfield College - School of Nursing |
Portland, OR |
| 422 |
Ursuline College |
Pepper Pike, OH |
| 424 |
Amarillo College |
Amarillo, TX |
| 424 |
San Jacinto Community College |
Pasadena, TX |
| 424 |
Fort Hays State University |
Hays, KS |
| 424 |
Bradley University |
Peoria, IL |
| 424 |
Mississippi College |
Clinton, MS |
| 424 |
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University |
Baton Rouge, LA |
| 424 |
Chamberlain University - Ohio |
Columbus, OH |
Nursing by Region
View the Most Popular Nursing Schools for a specific region near you.
Nursing is one of 34 different types of healthcare programs to choose from.
Nursing Concentrations
| Major |
Annual Graduates |
| Registered Nursing |
251,279 |
| Family Practice Nurse/Nursing |
15,536 |
| Nursing Administration |
9,071 |
| Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing |
6,319 |
| Nursing Practice |
6,250 |
| Nursing Science |
4,704 |
| Nurse Anesthetist |
2,031 |
| Adult Health Nurse/Nursing |
2,012 |
| Nursing Education |
1,991 |
| Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing |
1,266 |
| Public Health/Community Nurse/Nursing |
1,022 |
| Critical Care Nursing |
643 |
| Clinical Nurse Leader |
527 |
| School Nursing |
523 |
| Nurse Midwife/Nursing Midwifery |
475 |
| Geriatric Nurse/Nursing |
464 |
| Clinical Nurse Specialist |
428 |
| Perioperative/Operating Room and Surgical Nurse/Nursing |
236 |
| Maternal/Child Health and Neonatal Nurse/Nursing |
211 |
| Emergency Room/Trauma Nursing |
37 |
| Occupational and Environmental Health Nursing |
35 |
| Palliative Care Nursing |
23 |
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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