2026 Best Nursing Schools
Looking for the best Nursing programs programs in the United States? This list ranks 2207 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor reviewed schools to compile this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Nursing Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
Roxborough Memorial Hospital School Of Nursing earned the #1 spot in this year's ranking in the United States. Based in Philadelphia, PA, Roxborough Memorial Hospital School Of Nursing is a private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $17,148. Typical Nursing student debt is $20,000. More on Roxborough Memorial Hospital School Of Nursing
The strong Nursing programs at Holy Name Medical Center School Of Nursing earned it the #2 place in the United States. Holy Name Medical Center School Of Nursing is a private not-for-profit school based in Englewood Cliffs, NJ. In-state tuition and fees average $23,914. Holy Name Medical Center School Of Nursing Nursing students take on a median of $28,794 in debt. Get the full Holy Name Medical Center School Of Nursing report
Out of the 2207 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Middle Tennessee School Of Anesthesia Inc landed the #3 spot. Middle Tennessee School Of Anesthesia Inc is a private not-for-profit school based in Madison, TN. Read more about Middle Tennessee School Of Anesthesia Inc
Out of the 2207 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, St Lukes Hospital School Of Nursing landed the #4 spot. St Lukes Hospital School Of Nursing is a private not-for-profit school based in Bethlehem, PA. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,302. Typical Nursing student debt is $24,087. Get the full St Lukes Hospital School Of Nursing report
A rank of #5 makes Mayo Medical School one of the top choices in the United States. Located in Rochester, MN, Mayo Medical School is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,040. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete their Nursing program here. Get the full Mayo Medical School report
Trinity Health System School Of Nursing ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Set in Steubenville, OH, Trinity Health System School Of Nursing is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,415, compared with $13,301 for out-of-state students. Trinity Health System School Of Nursing Nursing students take on a median of $20,689 in debt. See the full Trinity Health System School Of Nursing profile
Western Pennsylvania Hospital School Of Nursing came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Located in Pittsburgh, PA, Western Pennsylvania Hospital School Of Nursing is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,410. Graduates carry a median of $19,624 in student loans. Read the full report on Western Pennsylvania Hospital School Of Nursing
University Of Pittsburgh Medical Center Shadyside School Of Nursing placed #8 among Nursing schools in the United States. Set in Pittsburgh, PA, University Of Pittsburgh Medical Center Shadyside School Of Nursing is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,190. Students borrow a median of $29,250 to complete their Nursing program here. Read the full report on University Of Pittsburgh Medical Center Shadyside School Of Nursing
Citizens School Of Nursing ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Tarentum, PA. Students borrow a median of $24,146 to complete their Nursing program here. Read more about Citizens School Of Nursing
Reading Hospital School Of Health Sciences came in at #10 in this year's ranking. Set in Reading, PA, Reading Hospital School Of Health Sciences is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,516. Graduates carry a median of $27,140 in student loans. See the full Reading Hospital School Of Health Sciences profile
Midwestern University Glendale placed #11 among Nursing schools in the United States. Located in Glendale, AZ, Midwestern University Glendale is a private not-for-profit institution. Get the full Midwestern University Glendale report
Mercy Hospital School Of Nursing landed the #12 spot in the United States this year. Based in Pittsburgh, PA, Mercy Hospital School Of Nursing is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $16,190 in tuition and fees. Mercy Hospital School Of Nursing Nursing students take on a median of $26,366 in debt. Read more about Mercy Hospital School Of Nursing
Jameson Health System landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. Jameson Health System is a private not-for-profit school based in New Castle, PA. Students from in state pay about $15,498 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $24,750 in student loans. More on Jameson Health System
Samuel Merritt University did well this year, earning the #14 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Oakland, CA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,138. The median Nursing program debt is $25,000. See the full Samuel Merritt University profile
Washington Hospital School Of Nursing landed the #15 spot in the United States this year. Based in Washington, PA, Washington Hospital School Of Nursing is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,637. Washington Hospital School Of Nursing Nursing students take on a median of $20,750 in debt. See the full Washington Hospital School Of Nursing profile
Dlp Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center came in at #16 in this year's ranking. Based in Johnstown, PA, Dlp Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center is a private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $28,622 to complete their Nursing program here. More on Dlp Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center
Joseph F Mccloskey School Of Nursing At Schuylkill Health did well this year, earning the #17 position. Located in Pottsville, PA, Joseph F Mccloskey School Of Nursing At Schuylkill Health is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,737. Graduates carry a median of $28,250 in student loans. Get the full Joseph F Mccloskey School Of Nursing At Schuylkill Health report
Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital School Of Nursing came in at #19 in this year's ranking. Based in Brockton, MA, Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital School Of Nursing is a private not-for-profit institution. The median Nursing program debt is $26,750. See the full Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital School Of Nursing profile
Albany Medical College came in at #20 in this year's ranking. Albany Medical College is a private not-for-profit school based in Albany, NY. Read the full report on Albany Medical College
Wake Forest University did well this year, earning the #21 position. Based in Winston-Salem, NC, Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit institution. Wake Forest University graduates 89% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,642. The median Nursing program debt is $21,577. See the full Wake Forest University profile
Graham Hospital School Of Nursing came in at #22 in this year's ranking. Based in Canton, IL, Graham Hospital School Of Nursing is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,584. Graham Hospital School Of Nursing Nursing students take on a median of $28,884 in debt. Get the full Graham Hospital School Of Nursing report
Helene Fuld College Of Nursing landed the #23 spot in the United States this year. Helene Fuld College Of Nursing is a private not-for-profit school based in New York, NY. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,852. Helene Fuld College Of Nursing Nursing students take on a median of $27,775 in debt. Read the full report on Helene Fuld College Of Nursing
Saint Elizabeth School Of Nursing ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Based in Lafayette, IN, Saint Elizabeth School Of Nursing is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $20,208. Typical Nursing student debt is $38,369. Read more about Saint Elizabeth School Of Nursing
Saint Vincent College placed #25 among Nursing schools in the United States. Based in Latrobe, PA, Saint Vincent College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 69% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,396. Typical Nursing student debt is $26,986. Read more about Saint Vincent College
Saint Michael College Of Allied Health placed #26 among Nursing schools in the United States. Based in Washington, DC, Saint Michael College Of Allied Health is a private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $19,405 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $23,260 in student loans. Get the full Saint Michael College Of Allied Health report
Rest of the Top 50 Best Nursing Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Arnot Ogden Medical Center landed the #27 spot in the United States this year. Located in Elmira, NY, Arnot Ogden Medical Center is a private not-for-profit institution. Read the full report on Arnot Ogden Medical Center
University Of Great Falls came in at #28 in this year's ranking. University Of Great Falls is a private not-for-profit school based in Great Falls, MT. The six-year graduation rate is 21%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,448. The median Nursing program debt is $23,847. See the full University Of Great Falls profile
Stanbridge College landed the #29 spot in the United States this year. Based in Irvine, CA, Stanbridge College is a private for-profit institution. The median Nursing program debt is $36,666. Read the full report on Stanbridge College
Ohio Institute Of Allied Health ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Based in Huber Heights, OH, Ohio Institute Of Allied Health is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,408. Graduates carry a median of $26,003 in student loans. Read the full report on Ohio Institute Of Allied Health
Gurnick Academy Of Medical Arts ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. This private for-profit school is set in San Jose, CA. The median Nursing program debt is $25,266. More on Gurnick Academy Of Medical Arts
Los Angeles County College Of Nursing And Allied Health ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Based in Los Angeles, CA, Los Angeles County College Of Nursing And Allied Health is a public institution. Graduates carry a median of $19,224 in student loans. More on Los Angeles County College Of Nursing And Allied Health
University Of Southern California placed #33 among Nursing schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Los Angeles, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. The median Nursing program debt is $15,625. Read more about University Of Southern California
Pacific College placed #34 among Nursing schools in the United States. Located in Costa Mesa, CA, Pacific College is a private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $16,125 to complete their Nursing program here. Read more about Pacific College
University Of St Augustine For Health Sciences did well this year, earning the #35 position. Located in San Marcos, CA, University Of St Augustine For Health Sciences is a private for-profit institution. Get the full University Of St Augustine For Health Sciences report
Firelands Regional Medical Center School Of Nursing placed #38 among Nursing schools in the United States. Firelands Regional Medical Center School Of Nursing is a private not-for-profit school based in Sandusky, OH. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,046. Graduates carry a median of $29,535 in student loans. See the full Firelands Regional Medical Center School Of Nursing profile
Suny Downstate Medical Center did well this year, earning the #39 position. Suny Downstate Medical Center is a public school based in Brooklyn, NY. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,822, while out-of-state students pay about $19,662. Graduates carry a median of $22,023 in student loans. See the full Suny Downstate Medical Center profile
Standard Healthcare Services College Of Nursing ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. This private for-profit school is set in Falls Church, VA. Standard Healthcare Services College Of Nursing Nursing students take on a median of $22,125 in debt. Read the full report on Standard Healthcare Services College Of Nursing
Baylor College Of Medicine placed #41 among Nursing schools in the United States. Located in Houston, TX, Baylor College Of Medicine is a private not-for-profit institution. More on Baylor College Of Medicine
Best Care College landed the #42 spot in the United States this year. Best Care College is a private for-profit school based in East Orange, NJ. The median Nursing program debt is $13,056. Read more about Best Care College
Vanderbilt University landed the #43 spot in the United States this year. Set in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. Vanderbilt University posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Vanderbilt University Nursing students take on a median of $13,975 in debt. More on Vanderbilt University
Loma Linda University ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Based in Loma Linda, CA, Loma Linda University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $29,960 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $31,645 in student loans. Get the full Loma Linda University report
Frontier Nursing University placed #45 among Nursing schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Versailles, KY. See the full Frontier Nursing University profile
Cochran School Of Nursing came in at #46 in this year's ranking. Set in Yonkers, NY, Cochran School Of Nursing is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,038. Typical Nursing student debt is $26,758. More on Cochran School Of Nursing
Excelsior College placed #48 among Nursing schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Albany, NY. Graduates carry a median of $23,809 in student loans. Read the full report on Excelsior College
Texas Wesleyan University came in at #49 in this year's ranking. Based in Fort Worth, TX, Texas Wesleyan University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 32% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $39,582. Typical Nursing student debt is $26,461. More on Texas Wesleyan University
Touro University California came in at #50 in this year's ranking. Based in Vallejo, CA, Touro University California is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,005. Touro University California Nursing students take on a median of $16,002 in debt. Read more about Touro University California
Chamberlain College Of Nursing Arizona placed #51 among Nursing schools in the United States. Set in Phoenix, AZ, Chamberlain College Of Nursing Arizona is a private for-profit institution. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,520. Graduates carry a median of $39,146 in student loans. Read the full report on Chamberlain College Of Nursing Arizona
West Coast University Ontario ranked #52 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. West Coast University Ontario is a private for-profit school based in Ontario, CA. West Coast University Ontario graduates 39% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,854. West Coast University Ontario Nursing students take on a median of $38,145 in debt. Get the full West Coast University Ontario report
West Coast University Los Angeles came in at #53 in this year's ranking. Located in North Hollywood, CA, West Coast University Los Angeles is a private for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 31%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,854. The median Nursing program debt is $38,145. See the full West Coast University Los Angeles profile
Chamberlain College Of Nursing Missouri ranked #54 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Based in St. Louis, MO, Chamberlain College Of Nursing Missouri is a private for-profit institution. Chamberlain College Of Nursing Missouri posts a six-year graduation rate of 100%. In-state tuition and fees average $20,680. The median Nursing program debt is $39,146. Read more about Chamberlain College Of Nursing Missouri
Best Nursing Schools by Degree Level
Compare rankings by degree level:
- Best Nursing Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Nursing Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Nursing Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Nursing Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Nursing Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 2207 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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