2026 Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Nursing bachelor’s degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 2207 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor analyzed schools to produce this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
No school ranked higher than Samuel Merritt University this year in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Oakland, CA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,138. Typical Nursing student debt is $25,000. See the full Samuel Merritt University profile
The strong Nursing programs at Stanbridge College earned it the #2 place in the United States. Based in Irvine, CA, Stanbridge College is a private for-profit institution. Stanbridge College Nursing students take on a median of $36,666 in debt. See the full Stanbridge College profile
The strong Nursing programs at University Of Great Falls earned it the #3 place in the United States. Based in Great Falls, MT, University Of Great Falls is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Great Falls graduates 21% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,448. The median Nursing program debt is $23,847. Get the full University Of Great Falls report
Pacific College came in at #4 on this year's Nursing ranking in the United States. Based in Costa Mesa, CA, Pacific College is a private for-profit institution. Typical Nursing student debt is $16,125. Get the full Pacific College report
A rank of #5 makes Suny Downstate Medical Center one of the top choices in the United States. Suny Downstate Medical Center is a public school based in Brooklyn, NY. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,822, compared with $19,662 for out-of-state students. Suny Downstate Medical Center Nursing students take on a median of $22,023 in debt. See the full Suny Downstate Medical Center profile
Aspen University did well this year, earning the #8 position. This private for-profit school is set in Phoenix, AZ. Aspen University graduates 27% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,870. Aspen University Nursing students take on a median of $36,787 in debt. Read more about Aspen University
Loma Linda University came in at #9 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Loma Linda, CA. In-state tuition and fees run about $29,960. Graduates carry a median of $31,645 in student loans. Read more about Loma Linda University
Helene Fuld College Of Nursing placed #11 among Nursing schools in the United States. Set in New York, NY, Helene Fuld College Of Nursing is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $25,852. Typical Nursing student debt is $27,775. Read more about Helene Fuld College Of Nursing
West Coast University Orange County landed the #12 spot in the United States this year. Based in Anaheim, CA, West Coast University Orange County is a private for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. Students from in state pay about $22,506 in tuition and fees. Typical Nursing student debt is $38,145. Read more about West Coast University Orange County
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center is a public school based in Lubbock, TX. Students from in state pay about $10,214 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,514 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete their Nursing program here. More on Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Chamberlain College Of Nursing Arizona came in at #14 in this year's ranking. Located 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. In-state tuition and fees average $21,520. Students borrow a median of $39,146 to complete their Nursing program here. More on Chamberlain College Of Nursing Arizona
West Coast University Ontario placed #15 among Nursing schools in the United States. Set in Ontario, CA, West Coast University Ontario is a private for-profit institution. Roughly 39% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $36,854. Students borrow a median of $38,145 to complete their Nursing program here. Read the full report on West Coast University Ontario
West Coast University Los Angeles placed #16 among Nursing schools in the United States. Set in North Hollywood, CA, West Coast University Los Angeles is a private for-profit institution. West Coast University Los Angeles posts a six-year graduation rate of 31%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,854. Students borrow a median of $38,145 to complete their Nursing program here. See the full West Coast University Los Angeles profile
Gurnick Academy Of Medical Arts did well this year, earning the #17 position. Set in San Jose, CA, Gurnick Academy Of Medical Arts is a private for-profit institution. The median Nursing program debt is $25,266. Get the full Gurnick Academy Of Medical Arts report
Chamberlain College Of Nursing Missouri did well this year, earning the #19 position. Set 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%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,680. Typical Nursing student debt is $39,146. Read the full report on Chamberlain College Of Nursing Missouri
Cuny Graduate School And University Center landed the #20 spot in the United States this year. Set in New York, NY, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,235, with out-of-state students paying around $15,185. The median Nursing program debt is $16,593. See the full Cuny Graduate School And University Center profile
California State University Monterey Bay placed #21 among Nursing schools in the United States. Based in Seaside, CA, California State University Monterey Bay is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 59%. Students from in state pay about $7,779 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,379. The median Nursing program debt is $9,489. Read the full report on California State University Monterey Bay
Ottawa University Kansas City ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Located in Overland Park, KS, Ottawa University Kansas City is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,296. The median Nursing program debt is $34,747. More on Ottawa University Kansas City
Northwest Christian University placed #23 among Nursing schools in the United States. Northwest Christian University is a private not-for-profit school based in Eugene, OR. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,800. Students borrow a median of $28,704 to complete their Nursing program here. More on Northwest Christian University
Molloy College placed #24 among Nursing schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Rockville Centre, NY. Molloy College posts a six-year graduation rate of 70%. In-state tuition and fees run about $39,790. The median Nursing program debt is $31,000. Get the full Molloy College report
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #25 spot in the United States this year. Set in Los Angeles, CA, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. University Of California Los Angeles posts a six-year graduation rate of 93%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. University Of California Los Angeles Nursing students take on a median of $20,800 in debt. Read the full report on University Of California Los Angeles
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #26 among Nursing schools in the United States. Located in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. See the full University Of Wisconsin Madison profile
University Of Nebraska Medical Center placed #27 among Nursing schools in the United States. Based in Omaha, NE, University Of Nebraska Medical Center is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,973 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $39,962. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete their Nursing program here. See the full University Of Nebraska Medical Center profile
California State University Dominguez Hills placed #28 among Nursing schools in the United States. This public school is set in Carson, CA. California State University Dominguez Hills graduates 43% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. See the full California State University Dominguez Hills profile
American University Of Health Sciences landed the #29 spot in the United States this year. This private for-profit school is set in Signal Hill, CA. American University Of Health Sciences graduates 50% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $24,575. Typical Nursing student debt is $48,042. Get the full American University Of Health Sciences report
Rest of the Top 50 Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Oregon Health And Science University landed the #30 spot in the United States this year. Located in Portland, OR, Oregon Health And Science University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $24,306, compared with $37,338 for out-of-state students. Typical Nursing student debt is $32,059. Read the full report on Oregon Health And Science University
Texas A And M University College Station came in at #31 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in College Station, TX. Texas A And M University College Station posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete their Nursing program here. Get the full Texas A And M University College Station report
Ramapo College Of New Jersey came in at #32 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Mahwah, NJ. Ramapo College Of New Jersey posts a six-year graduation rate of 70%. In-state tuition and fees average $16,777, with out-of-state students paying around $27,708. The median Nursing program debt is $26,500. See the full Ramapo College Of New Jersey profile
West Coast University Miami did well this year, earning the #33 position. Set in Doral, FL, West Coast University Miami is a private for-profit institution. West Coast University Miami graduates 33% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $23,317 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $38,145 in student loans. See the full West Coast University Miami profile
Sonoma State University landed the #34 spot in the United States this year. Set in Rohnert Park, CA, Sonoma State University is a public institution. Sonoma State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 58%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,624, compared with $21,224 for out-of-state students. Sonoma State University Nursing students take on a median of $19,750 in debt. Read the full report on Sonoma State University
Western Governors University placed #35 among Nursing schools in the United States. Located in Salt Lake City, UT, Western Governors University is a private not-for-profit institution. Western Governors University posts a six-year graduation rate of 46%. In-state tuition and fees average $8,658. Typical Nursing student debt is $22,660. Read more about Western Governors University
Wagner College ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Located in Staten Island, NY, Wagner College is a private not-for-profit institution. Wagner College posts a six-year graduation rate of 65%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,200. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Nursing program here. More on Wagner College
Unitek College placed #37 among Nursing schools in the United States. Located in Fremont, CA, Unitek College is a private for-profit institution. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. Unitek College Nursing students take on a median of $27,113 in debt. See the full Unitek College profile
West Coast University Dallas did well this year, earning the #38 position. This private for-profit school is set in Richardson, TX. West Coast University Dallas graduates 11% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $16,574. Graduates carry a median of $38,145 in student loans. Read more about West Coast University Dallas
Chamberlain College Of Nursing Texas came in at #39 in this year's ranking. Set in Houston, TX, Chamberlain College Of Nursing Texas is a private for-profit institution. Chamberlain College Of Nursing Texas graduates 25% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $21,100. Typical Nursing student debt is $39,146. More on Chamberlain College Of Nursing Texas
New York University placed #40 among Nursing schools in the United States. New York University is a private not-for-profit school based in New York, NY. New York University graduates 88% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $62,796. New York University Nursing students take on a median of $25,500 in debt. More on New York University
Chamberlain University California did well this year, earning the #41 position. Located in Rancho Cordova, CA, Chamberlain University California is a private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,024. Students borrow a median of $39,146 to complete their Nursing program here. Read more about Chamberlain University California
The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston came in at #42 in this year's ranking. The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston is a public school based in Houston, TX. Students from in state pay about $15,748 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,132 for out-of-state students. The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston Nursing students take on a median of $20,500 in debt. Get the full The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston report
Chamberlain University Michigan ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Based in Troy, MI, Chamberlain University Michigan is a private for-profit institution. About 100% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $21,520. Typical Nursing student debt is $39,146. Read the full report on Chamberlain University Michigan
Carolinas College Of Health Sciences ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Located in Charlotte, NC, Carolinas College Of Health Sciences is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,882 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $24,499 in student loans. See the full Carolinas College Of Health Sciences profile
California State University Sacramento placed #46 among Nursing schools in the United States. Based in Sacramento, CA, California State University Sacramento is a public institution. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. The median Nursing program debt is $19,000. More on California State University Sacramento
Ottawa University Milwaukee did well this year, earning the #47 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Brookfield, WI. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,296. Typical Nursing student debt is $34,747. Read more about Ottawa University Milwaukee
Chamberlain College Of Nursing Florida ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Based in Jacksonville, FL, Chamberlain College Of Nursing Florida is a private for-profit institution. About 33% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $20,680. Graduates carry a median of $39,146 in student loans. More on Chamberlain College Of Nursing Florida
Chamberlain College Of Nursing Georgia did well this year, earning the #49 position. Located in Sandy Springs, GA, Chamberlain College Of Nursing Georgia is a private for-profit institution. Chamberlain College Of Nursing Georgia posts a six-year graduation rate of 50%. In-state tuition and fees run about $21,240. Graduates carry a median of $39,146 in student loans. Get the full Chamberlain College Of Nursing Georgia report
University Of San Francisco placed #50 among Nursing schools in the United States. Located in San Francisco, CA, University Of San Francisco is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of San Francisco graduates 70% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $60,522. Typical Nursing student debt is $27,000. See the full University Of San Francisco profile
Chamberlain College Of Nursing Ohio ranked #51 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. This private for-profit school is set in Columbus, OH. The six-year graduation rate is 29%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,680. The median Nursing program debt is $39,146. More on Chamberlain College Of Nursing Ohio
Duke University ranked #52 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Located in Durham, NC, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 97% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $68,758 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete their Nursing program here. More on Duke University
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee Flex landed the #53 spot in the United States this year. Set in Milwaukee, WI, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee Flex is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,750 in tuition and fees. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee Flex Nursing students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. More on University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee Flex
Chamberlain University Indiana ranked #54 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Chamberlain University Indiana is a private for-profit school based in Indianapolis, IN. Students from in state pay about $20,680 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $39,146 to complete their Nursing program here. More on Chamberlain University Indiana
Chamberlain College Of Nursing Virginia landed the #55 spot in the United States this year. Chamberlain College Of Nursing Virginia is a private for-profit school based in Vienna, VA. Chamberlain College Of Nursing Virginia posts a six-year graduation rate of 100%. In-state tuition and fees average $21,520. Typical Nursing student debt is $39,146. See the full Chamberlain College Of Nursing Virginia profile
Related Nursing Rankings
See rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Nursing Schools (All Levels)
- Best Nursing Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Nursing Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Nursing Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Nursing Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Nursing Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published 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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