2021 Best Nursing Schools
Finding the Best Nursing School for You
With 305,309 degrees and certificates handed out in 2018-2019, nursing is the #3 most popular major in the United States.
There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which program is right for you. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses. Also, there are a number of trade schools with offerings that you might find attractive.
The Best Nursing Schools ranking is one of many tools that Course Advisor has developed to help you make your educational decision. This report analyzed 1,729 schools in the United States to see which ones offered the best programs for students. Factors related to overall quality of the school, post-graduation earnings, average student debt, and more accumulated were considered when coming up with this list.
View our full ranking methodology.
Featured schools near , edit
2021 Best Nursing Schools in the United States
The following schools top our list of the Best Nursing Colleges.
Top 25 Top Schools in Nursing
Our analysis found Holy Name Medical Center School of Nursing to be the best school for nursing students who want to pursue a degree in the United States. Located in the large suburb of Teaneck, Holy Name Medical Center School of Nursing is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.
After completing their degree, nursing graduates from Holy Name Medical Center School of Nursing carry an average student debtload of $20,000. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $208.
Read full report on Nursing at Holy Name Medical Center School of Nursing
Request Information
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend St Lukes Hospital School of Nursing. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools list. St Lukes Hospital School of Nursing is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bethlehem.
The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at St Lukes Hospital School of Nursing take out is $16,500. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $171, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
Request Information
The excellent programs at Samuel Merritt University helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in the United States. Samuel Merritt University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Oakland.
After completing their degree, nursing graduates from Samuel Merritt University carry an average student debtload of $84,868. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $977.
Read full report on Nursing at Samuel Merritt University
Request Information
The excellent programs at Aria Health School of Nursing helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in the United States. Aria Health School of Nursing is a fairly small private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of Trevose.
Nursing majors at Aria Health School of Nursing take out an average of $26,205 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 $272.
Read full report on Nursing at Aria Health School of Nursing
Request Information
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Unitek College is a great place for nursing students. Located in the suburb of Fremont, Unitek College is a private for-profit school with a small student population.
Request Information
With a ranking of #6, Lutheran School of Nursing did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students. Lutheran School of Nursing is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Saint Louis.
While working on their degree, nursing majors at Lutheran School of Nursing accumulate an average of around $8,100 in student debt. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $84, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
Full Nursing at Lutheran School of Nursing Report
Request Information
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center-Shadyside School of Nursing did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for nursing students. It came in at #7 on the list. University of Pittsburgh Medical Center-Shadyside School of Nursing is a fairly small private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Pittsburgh.
Nursing majors at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center-Shadyside School of Nursing take out an average of $12,400 in student loans while working on their egree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $129.
Read full report on Nursing at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center-Shadyside School of Nursing
Request Information
With a ranking of #8, Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia Inc did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students. MTSA is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Madison.
Full Nursing at Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia Inc Report
Request Information
Reading Hospital School of Health Sciences came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools ranking. Located in the city of Reading, RHSHS is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.
Nursing majors at RHSHS take out an average of $15,835 in student loans while working on their egree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $164.
Full Nursing at Reading Hospital School of Health Sciences Report
Request Information
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for nursing students. It came in at #10 on the list. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center is a public college with a medium-sized student population.
Read full report on Nursing at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Request Information
With a ranking of #11, Citizens School of Nursing did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students. Located in the large suburb of New Kensington, Citizens School of Nursing is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly small student population.
On average, nursing graduates from Citizens School of Nursing take out $15,250 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 $158.
Request Information
With a ranking of #12, Baylor College of Medicine did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students. Baylor College of Medicine is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Houston.
Read full report on Nursing at Baylor College of Medicine
Request Information
With a ranking of #13, Mercy Hospital School of Nursing did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students. Mercy Hospital School of Nursing is a fairly small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh.
Read full report on Nursing at Mercy Hospital School of Nursing
Request Information
Trinity Health System School of Nursing came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools ranking. Located in the city of Steubenville, Trinity Health System School of Nursing is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.
While working on their degree, nursing majors at Trinity Health System School of Nursing accumulate an average of around $15,350 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 $159.
Full Nursing at Trinity Health System School of Nursing Report
Request Information
Western Pennsylvania Hospital School of Nursing came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools ranking. West Penn Hospital School of Nursing is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh.
On average, nursing graduates from West Penn Hospital School of Nursing take out $13,371 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 $139.
Request Information
Midwestern University - Glendale did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for nursing students. It came in at #16 on the list. Located in the suburb of Glendale, Midwestern University - Glendale is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.
Request Information
University of Providence landed the #17 spot in the 2021 rankings for the best nursing programs. Located in the city of Great Falls, University of Providence is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.
On average, nursing graduates from University of Providence take out $12,500 in student loans while working on their degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $130, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
Request Information
With a ranking of #18, Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital School of Nursing did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students. Located in the suburb of Brockton, Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital School of Nursing is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly small student population.
The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital School of Nursing take out is $20,000. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $208.
Read full report on Nursing at Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital School of Nursing
Request Information
Concordia University - Saint Paul did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for nursing students. It came in at #19 on the list. Concordia University - Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Saint Paul.
While working on their degree, nursing majors at Concordia University - Saint Paul accumulate an average of around $17,499 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $182.
Full Nursing at Concordia University - Saint Paul Report
Request Information
Stanbridge University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools ranking. Stanbridge is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Irvine.
Request Information
Loma Linda University landed the #21 spot in the 2021 rankings for the best nursing programs. Located in the suburb of Loma Linda, Loma Linda University is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.
Nursing majors at Loma Linda University take out an average of $49,206 in student loans while working on their egree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $557, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
Request Information
With a ranking of #22, Mayo Clinic School of Medicine did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students. Mayo Clinic School of Medicine is a small private not-for-profit school located in the midsize city of Rochester.
Nursing majors at Mayo Clinic School of Medicine take out an average of $46,519 in student loans while working on their egree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $537.
Request Information
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston ranked #23 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools list. Located in the large city of Houston, UTHealth is a public college with a medium-sized student population.
Read full report on Nursing at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Request Information
Jameson Health System landed the #24 spot in the 2021 rankings for the best nursing programs. Located in the fringe town of New Castle, Jameson Health System is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly small student population.
Nursing majors at Jameson Health System take out an average of $15,500 in student loans while working on their egree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $161, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
Full Nursing at Jameson Health System Report
Request Information
With a ranking of #25, Saint Vincent College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students. Saint Vincent is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of Latrobe.
While working on their degree, nursing majors at Saint Vincent accumulate an average of around $114,902 in student debt. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $1,339, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
Read full report on Nursing at Saint Vincent College
Request InformationRest of the Top 50 Schools for Best Nursing Schools
Remaining Award Winners
This list shows the remainder of the colleges awarded a Best Nursing Schools badge. Showing in this list means the school was ranked in the top 15% of the 1729 different United States nursing schools we analyzed.
Additional Noteworthy Schools
Here are some additional great schools for Nursing students that almost earned our Best Nursing Schools award.
Nursing by Region
View the Best Nursing 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 Rankings by Major
One of 34 majors within the area of study, nursing has other similar majors worth exploring.
Most Popular Related Majors
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services | 99,641 |
| Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants | 93,192 |
| Allied Health Professions | 86,697 |
| Health & Medical Administrative Services | 82,868 |
| Public Health | 36,569 |
Notes and References
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
- Read more about our ranking methodology.
- 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.
Featured Schools
Request Info
|
Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More > |
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.