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Best Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools

2023 Best Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools

1,016 Colleges
$64,238 Avg Salary
$28,730 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Nursing Bachelor's Degree School for You

With 322,592 degrees and certificates handed out in 2020-2021, nursing is the #3 most popular major in the United States.

With all the programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best 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 Bachelor's Degree Schools ranking is one of many tools that Course Advisor has developed to help you make your educational decision. This report analyzed 1,016 schools in the United States to see which ones offered the best bachelor's degree 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.

2023 Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States

Check out the nursing bachelor's degree programs at these schools if you want to get the best education that money can buy.

Top 25 Top Schools for a Bachelor's in Nursing

Our 2023 rankings named Samuel Merritt University the best school in the United States for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. Samuel Merritt University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Oakland.

On average, nursing graduates from Samuel Merritt University take out $28,570 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $551, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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#2

Stanbridge University

Irvine, CA

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Stanbridge University. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. Stanbridge is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Irvine.

While working on their Bachelor's Degree, nursing majors at Stanbridge accumulate an average of around $32,734 in student debt.

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#3

University of Providence

Great Falls, MT

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Providence. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. Located in the city of Great Falls, University of Providence is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

On average, nursing graduates from University of Providence take out $23,987 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree.

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#4

Pacific College

Costa Mesa, CA

Out of the 1,016 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Pacific College landed the # 4 spot on the list. Pacific College is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of Costa Mesa.

Nursing majors at Pacific College take out an average of $15,905 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree.

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The excellent bachelor’s degree programs at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in the United States. Located in the large city of Brooklyn, SUNY Downstate is a public college with a small student population.

On average, nursing graduates from SUNY Downstate take out $24,255 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree.

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Linfield University - Online and Continuing Education came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. Linfield OCE is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of McMinnville.

While working on their Bachelor's Degree, nursing majors at Linfield OCE accumulate an average of around $34,999 in student debt. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $346, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

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Linfield University - School of Nursing landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree nursing programs. Linfield Nursing is a fairly small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Portland.

Nursing majors at Linfield Nursing take out an average of $34,999 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $346, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

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#8

Aspen University

Denver, CO

Aspen University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. Located in the large city of Denver, Aspen University is a private for-profit college with a medium-sized student population.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Aspen University take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $33,836.

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#9

Loma Linda University

Loma Linda, CA

Loma Linda University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #9 on the list. Located in the large suburb of Loma Linda, Loma Linda University is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

After completing their Bachelor's Degree, nursing graduates from Loma Linda University carry an average student debtload of $34,125. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $416.

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Ottawa University - Phoenix ranked #10 on this year’s Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. Located in the city of Phoenix, Ottawa University - Phoenix is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Ottawa University - Phoenix take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $29,652.

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Helene Fuld College of Nursing did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #11 on the list. HFCN is a fairly small private not-for-profit school located in the large city of New York.

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With a ranking of #12, West Coast University - Orange County did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in the large city of Anaheim, West Coast University - Orange County is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

While working on their Bachelor's Degree, nursing majors at West Coast University - Orange County accumulate an average of around $38,539 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $665.

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Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center ranked #13 on this year’s Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. Located in the large city of Lubbock, TTUHSC is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.

On average, nursing graduates from TTUHSC take out $24,106 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 $242.

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Chamberlain University - Arizona came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. Located in the large city of Phoenix, Chamberlain - Arizona is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Chamberlain - Arizona take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $37,103. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $256.

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West Coast University - Ontario ranked #15 on this year’s Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. West Coast University - Ontario is a small private for-profit school located in the midsize city of Ontario.

While working on their Bachelor's Degree, nursing majors at West Coast University - Ontario accumulate an average of around $38,539 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $665.

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#16

West Coast University - Los Angeles

North Hollywood, CA

West Coast University - Los Angeles landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree nursing programs. West Coast University - Los Angeles is a small private for-profit school located in the city of North Hollywood.

Nursing majors at West Coast University - Los Angeles take out an average of $38,539 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 $665.

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With a ranking of #17, Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in the medium-sized city of San Mateo, Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

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American Sentinel University landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree nursing programs. American Sentinel University is a small private for-profit school located in the midsize suburb of Aurora.

On average, nursing graduates from American Sentinel University take out $26,198 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree.

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Chamberlain University - Missouri did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #19 on the list. Chamberlain - Missouri is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of St. Louis.

While working on their Bachelor's Degree, nursing majors at Chamberlain - Missouri accumulate an average of around $37,103 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 $256.

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#20

The Graduate Center, CUNY

New York, NY

The Graduate Center, CUNY came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. Located in the large city of New York, The Graduate Center is a public school with a medium-sized student population.

While working on their Bachelor's Degree, nursing majors at The Graduate Center accumulate an average of around $19,689 in student debt.

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California State University - Monterey Bay landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree nursing programs. CSUMB is a medium-sized public school located in the midsize suburb of Seaside.

Nursing majors at CSUMB take out an average of $16,909 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree.

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#22

Ottawa University - Kansas City

Overland Park, KS

Ottawa University - Kansas City landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree nursing programs. Located in the midsize city of Overland Park, Ottawa University - Kansas City is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

After completing their Bachelor's Degree, nursing graduates from Ottawa University - Kansas City carry an average student debtload of $29,652.

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#23

Bushnell University

Eugene, OR

Bushnell University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. Bushnell University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Eugene.

On average, nursing graduates from Bushnell University take out $27,534 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree.

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#24

Molloy College

Rockville Centre, NY

Molloy College ranked #24 on this year’s Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. Molloy is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rockville Centre.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Molloy take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $36,125. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $365.

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University of California - Los Angeles came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. Located in the city of Los Angeles, UCLA is a public college with a fairly large student population.

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Rest of the Top 50 Best Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools

#34

Sonoma State University

Rohnert Park, CA
#35

Western Governors University

Salt Lake City, UT
#36

Wagner College

Staten Island, NY
#37

Unitek College

Fremont, CA
#40

New York University

New York, NY
#41

Chamberlain University - California

Rancho Cordova, CA
#45

Bay State College

Boston, MA
#47

Ottawa University - Milwaukee

Brookfield, WI
#48

Chamberlain University - Florida

Jacksonville, FL
#50

University of San Francisco

San Francisco, CA

Remaining Award Winners

This section represents the rest of the schools awarded a Best Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools badge. Showing in this list means the school was ranked in the top 15% of the 1016 different United States nursing schools we analyzed.

Rank College Location
51 Chamberlain University - Ohio Columbus, OH
52 Duke University Durham, NC
53 University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Flex Milwaukee, WI
54 Chamberlain University - Indiana Indianapolis, IN
55 Chamberlain University - Virginia Arlington, VA
56 Chamberlain University - Nevada Las Vegas, NV
57 University of Portland Portland, OR
58 Sentara College of Health Sciences Chesapeake, VA
59 Roseman University of Health Sciences Henderson, NV
60 California State University - Stanislaus Turlock, CA
61 Georgetown University Washington, DC
62 Cabarrus College of Health Sciences Concord, NC
63 Rider University Lawrenceville, NJ
64 Thomas Jefferson University Philadelphia, PA
65 University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA
66 Mount Saint Mary’s University Los Angeles, CA
67 Dominican University of California San Rafael, CA
68 Rutgers University - Camden Camden, NJ
69 Azusa Pacific University Azusa, CA
70 College of Saint Benedict Saint Joseph, MN
71 Chamberlain University - Illinois Addison, IL
72 University of Virginia - Main Campus Charlottesville, VA
73 New England Institute of Technology East Greenwich, RI
74 Baptist Health System School of Health Professions San Antonio, TX
75 Villanova University Villanova, PA
76 Gonzaga University Spokane, WA
77 National University La Jolla, CA
78 California State University - Channel Islands Camarillo, CA
79 University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Eau Claire, WI
80 Wilmington University New Castle, DE
81 University of Florida Gainesville, FL
82 Centra College of Nursing Lynchburg, VA
83 The College of New Jersey Ewing, NJ
84 Millersville University of Pennsylvania Millersville, PA
85 Chamberlain University - New Jersey North Brunswick, NJ
86 The University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston, TX
87 Webster University Saint Louis, MO
88 University of Washington - Tacoma Campus Tacoma, WA
89 Point Loma Nazarene University San Diego, CA
90 Texas A & M University - Central Texas Killeen, TX
91 Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Slippery Rock, PA
92 California State University - San Marcos San Marcos, CA
93 Loyola University Chicago Chicago, IL
94 San Jose State University San Jose, CA
95 Adelphi University Garden City, NY
96 Capella University Minneapolis, MN
97 Vanguard University of Southern California Costa Mesa, CA
98 University of Scranton Scranton, PA
99 Frostburg State University Frostburg, MD
100 San Diego State University San Diego, CA
101 Bemidji State University Bemidji, MN
102 Emory University Atlanta, GA
103 Illinois Wesleyan University Bloomington, IL
104 California State University - Chico Chico, CA
105 Purdue University Northwest Hammond, IN
106 Delaware Technical Community College - Terry Dover, DE
107 Immaculata University Immaculata, PA
108 Gustavus Adolphus College Saint Peter, MN
109 Mayville State University Mayville, ND
110 Central Methodist University - College of Graduate & Extended Studies Fayette, MO
111 Upstate Medical University Syracuse, NY
112 Saint Anthony College of Nursing Rockford, IL
113 California State University - East Bay Hayward, CA
114 University of Washington - Bothell Campus Bothell, WA
115 The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX
116 Auburn University Auburn, AL
117 University of Delaware Newark, DE
118 Fairfield University Fairfield, CT
119 University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh Oshkosh, WI
120 University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WA
121 Pacific Union College Angwin, CA
122 Touro University Nevada Henderson, NV
123 University of Kansas Lawrence, KS
124 College of Saint Elizabeth Morristown, NJ
124 University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI
126 Minnesota State University - Moorhead Moorhead, MN
127 MGH Institute of Health Professions Boston, MA
128 Seattle University Seattle, WA
129 San Francisco State University San Francisco, CA
130 University of Wisconsin - Green Bay Green Bay, WI
130 Southwest Minnesota State University Marshall, MN
132 University of Mary Washington Fredericksburg, VA
133 George Fox University Newberg, OR
134 Farmingdale State College Farmingdale, NY
135 Simpson University Redding, CA
136 Walden University Minneapolis, MN
137 Herzing University - Minneapolis Minneapolis, MN
138 Cedar Crest College Allentown, PA
139 Creighton University Omaha, NE
140 Marquette University Milwaukee, WI
141 Excelsior College Albany, NY
142 Grantham University Lenexa, KS
143 Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College Saint Louis, MO
144 California University of Pennsylvania California, PA
145 York College of Pennsylvania York, PA
146 St Olaf College Northfield, MN
147 Arizona State University - Skysong Scottsdale, AZ
148 James Madison University Harrisonburg, VA
149 Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VA
150 Sacred Heart University Fairfield, CT
150 Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJ
152 Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZ

Additional Noteworthy Schools

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

Rank College Location
153 University of South Florida - Main Campus Tampa, FL
154 The College of Saint Scholastica Duluth, MN
155 California State University - Long Beach Long Beach, CA
156 Augsburg University Minneapolis, MN
157 Saint Mary’s College Notre Dame, IN
158 University of Rochester Rochester, NY
159 Fresno Pacific University Fresno, CA
160 The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Knoxville, TN
161 University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NC
162 Winona State University Winona, MN
163 Texas Christian University Fort Worth, TX
164 St Luke’s College Sioux City, IA
165 California State University - Fullerton Fullerton, CA
166 University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR
167 California State University - Fresno Fresno, CA
168 University of Maryland - Baltimore Baltimore, MD
169 Ohio Northern University Ada, OH
170 Boston College Chestnut Hill, MA
171 Maine College of Health Professions Lewiston, ME
172 University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, NC
173 St. Joseph’s College - New York Brooklyn, NY
174 The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio San Antonio, TX
175 Holy Family University Philadelphia, PA
176 Washington State University Pullman, WA
177 Clarkson College Omaha, NE
178 Oak Point University Chicago, IL
179 Augusta University Augusta, GA
180 College of Mount Saint Vincent Bronx, NY
181 University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Milwaukee, WI
182 Biola University La Mirada, CA
183 East Carolina University Greenville, NC
184 Kean University Union, NJ
185 Galen College of Nursing - Louisville Louisville, KY
186 Duquesne University Pittsburgh, PA
187 Warner Pacific University Portland, OR
188 Luther College Decorah, IA
189 Northwestern College Orange City, IA
190 Laboure College Milton, MA
191 Catholic University of America Washington, DC
192 University of California - Irvine Irvine, CA
193 King’s College Wilkes-Barre, PA
194 University of Phoenix - California Costa Mesa, CA
195 Homestead Schools Torrance, CA
196 University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN
197 Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences Lancaster, PA
198 Minnesota State University - Mankato Mankato, MN
199 Drexel University Philadelphia, PA
200 Towson University Towson, MD
201 Ball State University Muncie, IN
202 Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, OH
203 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC

Nursing by Region

View the Best 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

Nursing is one of 30 different types of programs to choose from.

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.

  • 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.

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