2023 Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools
Finding the Best Nursing Associate Degree 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.
Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Healthcare Degree Search has created the Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools to help you in your search for the best school for you. Our analysis looked at 1,123 schools in the United States to see which associate degree programs were the most popular for healthcare students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the Nursing program at each school on the list.
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2023 Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the United States
Check out the nursing associate degree programs at these schools if you want to attend one of the most popular in the United States.
Top 25 Most Popular Schools for an Associate in Nursing
Our analysis found Excelsior College to be the most popular school for nursing students who want to pursue a associate degree in the United States. Excelsior College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Albany.
Of the 1,522 students majoring in nursing at Excelsior College, 16% are male and 84% are female.
The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Excelsior College take out while working on their Associate Degree is $23,429.
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Ivy Tech Community College is a great place for nursing students working on their associate degree. Ivy Tech Community College is a fairly large public school located in the city of Indianapolis.
Of the 1,366 students majoring in nursing at Ivy Tech Community College, 11% are male and 89% are female.
While working on their Associate Degree, nursing majors at Ivy Tech Community College accumulate an average of around $20,860 in student debt.
The in-demand associate degree programs at Rasmussen University - Florida helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular nursing schools in the United States. Located in the city of Ocala, Rasmussen University - Florida is a private for-profit college with a medium-sized student population.
Of the 1,084 students majoring in nursing at Rasmussen University - Florida, 11% are male and 89% are female.
While working on their Associate Degree, nursing majors at Rasmussen University - Florida accumulate an average of around $32,326 in student debt. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $175, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
The in-demand associate degree programs at Rasmussen University - Minnesota helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular nursing schools in the United States. Located in the small city of St. Cloud, Rasmussen University - Minnesota is a private for-profit college with a small student population.
Women make up 87% of the nursing majors at the school.
Nursing majors at Rasmussen University - Minnesota take out an average of $32,326 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $175, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Jersey College is a great place for nursing students working on their associate degree. Jersey College is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Teterboro.
About 93% of the students majoring in nursing at the school are women while 7% are male.
After completing their Associate Degree, nursing graduates from Jersey College carry an average student debt load of $35,837. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $89.
Miami Dade College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a associate degree. It came in at #6 on the list. Located in the city of Miami, MDC is a public school with a fairly large student population.
Of the 614 students majoring in nursing at MDC, 21% are male and 79% are female.
The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at MDC take out while working on their Associate Degree is $19,338.
Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools ranking. Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale is a large private not-for-profit school located in the medium-sized city of Fort Lauderdale.
Of the 601 students majoring in nursing at Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale, 15% are male and 85% are female.
The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale take out while working on their Associate Degree is $32,396. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $139.
ECPI University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools ranking. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, ECPI University is a private for-profit college with a large student population.
About 91% of the students majoring in nursing at the school are women while 9% are male.
The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at ECPI University take out while working on their Associate Degree is $35,025. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $174, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
With a ranking of #9, Galen College of Nursing - San Antonio did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Galen College of Nursing - San Antonio is a small private for-profit school located in the city of San Antonio.
Of the 502 students majoring in nursing at Galen College of Nursing - San Antonio, 12% are male and 88% are female.
After completing their Associate Degree, nursing graduates from Galen College of Nursing - San Antonio carry an average student debt load of $35,636. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $111, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
Full Nursing at Galen College of Nursing - San Antonio Report
Rasmussen University - Illinois came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools ranking. Located in the city of Rockford, Rasmussen University - Illinois is a private for-profit college with a small student population.
Women make up 92% of the nursing majors at the school.
On average, nursing graduates from Rasmussen University - Illinois take out $32,326 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $175, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
Galen College of Nursing - Tampa Bay came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools ranking. Located in the large city of Saint Petersburg, Galen College of Nursing - Tampa Bay is a private for-profit college with a small student population.
Of the 448 students majoring in nursing at Galen College of Nursing - Tampa Bay, 12% are male and 88% are female.
After completing their Associate Degree, nursing graduates from Galen College of Nursing - Tampa Bay carry an average student debt load of $35,636. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $111, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
Read full report on Nursing at Galen College of Nursing - Tampa Bay
St Petersburg College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a associate degree. It came in at #12 on the list. SPC is a very large public school located in the city of Clearwater.
Women make up 81% of the nursing majors at the school.
Nursing majors at SPC take out an average of $25,206 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.
Florida State College at Jacksonville came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools ranking. FSCJ is a very large public school located in the large city of Jacksonville.
Women make up 82% of the nursing majors at the school.
While working on their Associate Degree, nursing majors at FSCJ accumulate an average of around $21,396 in student debt.
Full Nursing at Florida State College at Jacksonville Report
With a ranking of #14, AmeriTech College - Draper did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. AmeriTech College - Draper is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Draper.
Women make up 82% of the nursing majors at the school.
After completing their Associate Degree, nursing graduates from AmeriTech College - Draper carry an average student debt load of $28,725. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $267.
Harrisburg Area Community College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree nursing programs. HACC is a large public school located in the small city of Harrisburg.
Of the 395 students majoring in nursing at HACC, 12% are male and 88% are female.
Nursing majors at HACC take out an average of $31,597 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.
Read full report on Nursing at Harrisburg Area Community College
Lone Star College System did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a associate degree. It came in at #16 on the list. North Harris Montgomery is a very large public school located in the midsize city of The Woodlands.
Women make up 85% of the nursing majors at the school.
Nursing majors at North Harris Montgomery take out an average of $19,210 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.
Helene Fuld College of Nursing did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a associate degree. It came in at #17 on the list. Located in the large city of New York, HFCN is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly small student population.
About 93% of the students majoring in nursing at the school are women while 7% are male.
Nursing majors at HFCN take out an average of $27,942 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.
Read full report on Nursing at Helene Fuld College of Nursing
Community College of Allegheny County landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree nursing programs. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, CCAC is a public college with a fairly large student population.
About 82% of the students majoring in nursing at the school are women while 18% are male.
After completing their Associate Degree, nursing graduates from CCAC carry an average student debt load of $24,892.
Full Nursing at Community College of Allegheny County Report
Weber State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a associate degree. It came in at #19 on the list. Located in the city of Ogden, WSU is a public school with a fairly large student population.
Women make up 81% of the nursing majors at the school.
While working on their Associate Degree, nursing majors at WSU accumulate an average of around $19,725 in student debt.
Union County College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools ranking. Union County College is a moderately-sized public school located in the large suburb of Cranford.
Women make up 86% of the nursing majors at the school.
After completing their Associate Degree, nursing graduates from Union County College carry an average student debt load of $28,481.
Cuyahoga Community College District ranked #21 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools list. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a public college with a fairly large student population.
Women make up 84% of the nursing majors at the school.
On average, nursing graduates from Cuyahoga Community College District take out $21,617 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.
Read full report on Nursing at Cuyahoga Community College District
Delaware Technical Community College - Terry did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a associate degree. It came in at #22 on the list. Delaware Tech is a large public school located in the small city of Dover.
Of the 325 students majoring in nursing at Delaware Tech, 9% are male and 91% are female.
While working on their Associate Degree, nursing majors at Delaware Tech accumulate an average of around $18,104 in student debt.
Trocaire College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools ranking. Located in the city of Buffalo, Trocaire is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.
Women make up 86% of the nursing majors at the school.
South Texas College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a associate degree. It came in at #23 on the list. Located in the medium-sized city of McAllen, South Texas College is a public school with a very large student population.
About 79% of the students majoring in nursing at the school are women while 21% are male.
After completing their Associate Degree, nursing graduates from South Texas College carry an average student debt load of $11,425.
Hondros College of Nursing did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a associate degree. It came in at #25 on the list. Located in the large suburb of Westerville, Hondros College of Nursing is a private for-profit school with a small student population.
Women make up 93% of the nursing majors at the school.
Nursing majors at Hondros College of Nursing take out an average of $40,873 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $125, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
Rest of the Top 50 Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools
Additional Award Winners
This section shows the rest of the schools awarded a Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools badge. Showing in this list means the college was ranked in the top 15% of the 1123 different United States nursing schools we analyzed.
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 Associate Degree Schools award.
Nursing by Region
View the Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools for a specific region near you.
| Region |
|---|
| Southeast |
| New England |
| Rocky Mountains |
| Plains States |
| Middle Atlantic |
| Far Western US |
| Southwest |
| Great Lakes |
Nursing Related Majors
One of 30 majors within the healthcare area of study, nursing has other similar majors worth exploring.
Nursing Concentrations
Most Popular Related Majors
| 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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