2026 Best Nursing Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best Nursing doctoral degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 2207 colleges 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.
So you can compare your options, 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 Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
Middle Tennessee School Of Anesthesia Inc earned the #1 spot in this year's ranking in the United States. Middle Tennessee School Of Anesthesia Inc is a private not-for-profit school based in Madison, TN. More on Middle Tennessee School Of Anesthesia Inc
Out of the 2207 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Mayo Medical School landed the #2 spot. Set in Rochester, MN, Mayo Medical School is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $9,040 in tuition and fees. Typical Nursing student debt is $31,000. See the full Mayo Medical School profile
You'll be in good company at Midwestern University Glendale, which ranked #3 this year. Located in Glendale, AZ, Midwestern University Glendale is a private not-for-profit institution. See the full Midwestern University Glendale profile
Out of the 2207 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Wake Forest University landed the #4 spot. Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit school based in Winston-Salem, NC. About 89% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,642. The median Nursing program debt is $21,577. Read more about Wake Forest University
The strong Nursing programs at University Of St Augustine For Health Sciences earned it the #5 place in the United States. Located in San Marcos, CA, University Of St Augustine For Health Sciences is a private for-profit institution. Read more about University Of St Augustine For Health Sciences
Texas Christian University landed the #6 spot in the United States this year. Based in Fort Worth, TX, Texas Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution. Texas Christian University graduates 85% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,740. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Nursing program here. Read the full report on Texas Christian University
Frontier Nursing University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Set in Versailles, KY, Frontier Nursing University is a private not-for-profit institution. Read the full report on Frontier Nursing University
Bryan College Of Health Sciences landed the #8 spot in the United States this year. Set in Lincoln, NE, Bryan College Of Health Sciences is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. In-state tuition and fees average $20,640. Students borrow a median of $30,125 to complete their Nursing program here. Get the full Bryan College Of Health Sciences report
Samuel Merritt University did well this year, earning the #9 position. Located in Oakland, CA, Samuel Merritt University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $50,138. Samuel Merritt University Nursing students take on a median of $25,000 in debt. See the full Samuel Merritt University profile
The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston came in at #10 in this year's ranking. Set in Houston, TX, The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,748, while out-of-state students pay about $43,132. The median Nursing program debt is $20,500. Read more about The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston
University Of Pennsylvania came in at #11 in this year's ranking. University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit school based in Philadelphia, PA. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. Typical Nursing student debt is $22,410. Get the full University Of Pennsylvania report
Mount Marty College placed #12 among Nursing schools in the United States. Located in Yankton, SD, Mount Marty College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $34,600. Mount Marty College Nursing students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Read the full report on Mount Marty College
Villanova University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Based in Villanova, PA, Villanova University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,776. The median Nursing program debt is $27,000. See the full Villanova University profile
Baylor College Of Medicine came in at #14 in this year's ranking. Located in Houston, TX, Baylor College Of Medicine is a private not-for-profit institution. More on Baylor College Of Medicine
Thomas Jefferson University placed #15 among Nursing schools in the United States. Based in Philadelphia, PA, Thomas Jefferson University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $47,355. Typical Nursing student debt is $30,000. Get the full Thomas Jefferson University report
Virginia Commonwealth University placed #16 among Nursing schools in the United States. Located in Richmond, VA, Virginia Commonwealth University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. In-state tuition and fees average $16,720, with out-of-state students paying around $39,884. Graduates carry a median of $26,250 in student loans. Read more about Virginia Commonwealth University
Vanderbilt University did well this year, earning the #17 position. 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 run about $67,498. Vanderbilt University Nursing students take on a median of $13,975 in debt. Read more about Vanderbilt University
Point Loma Nazarene University came in at #18 in this year's ranking. Point Loma Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit school based in San Diego, CA. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,250. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More on Point Loma Nazarene University
Texas Wesleyan University landed the #19 spot in the United States this year. Based in Fort Worth, TX, Texas Wesleyan University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 32%. In-state tuition and fees average $39,582. Texas Wesleyan University Nursing students take on a median of $26,461 in debt. More on Texas Wesleyan University
Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois did well this year, earning the #20 position. Based in Addison, IL, Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois is a private for-profit institution. Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois graduates 42% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,536. Graduates carry a median of $39,146 in student loans. Read more about Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois
University Of California Los Angeles placed #21 among Nursing schools in the United States. Set in Los Angeles, CA, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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 more about University Of California Los Angeles
The University Of Texas Medical Branch did well this year, earning the #22 position. The University Of Texas Medical Branch is a public school based in Galveston, TX. In-state tuition and fees average $12,402, compared with $28,011 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete their Nursing program here. Read the full report on The University Of Texas Medical Branch
University Of Nevada Las Vegas landed the #23 spot in the United States this year. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a public school based in Las Vegas, NV. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Graduates carry a median of $19,733 in student loans. See the full University Of Nevada Las Vegas profile
Rush University landed the #24 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Chicago, IL. In-state tuition and fees average $33,751. Graduates carry a median of $31,206 in student loans. Read the full report on Rush University
Duke University placed #25 among Nursing schools in the United States. Based in Durham, NC, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 97%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,758. Graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Read the full report on Duke University
Rest of the Top 50 Best Nursing Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Mgh Institute Of Health Professions came in at #26 in this year's ranking. Located in Boston, MA, Mgh Institute Of Health Professions is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $95,932 in tuition and fees. Typical Nursing student debt is $32,000. Get the full Mgh Institute Of Health Professions report
Oregon Health And Science University landed the #27 spot in the United States this year. Oregon Health And Science University is a public school based in Portland, OR. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $24,306, compared with $37,338 for out-of-state students. Oregon Health And Science University Nursing students take on a median of $32,059 in debt. More on Oregon Health And Science University
Saint Marys College came in at #28 in this year's ranking. Located in Notre Dame, IN, Saint Marys College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,230. Saint Marys College Nursing students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Read the full report on Saint Marys College
Gonzaga University did well this year, earning the #29 position. Set in Spokane, WA, Gonzaga University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $55,480 in tuition and fees. Typical Nursing student debt is $27,000. Get the full Gonzaga University report
Touro University California ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Based in Vallejo, CA, Touro University California is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $20,005. The median Nursing program debt is $16,002. See the full Touro University California profile
Wilkes University came in at #31 in this year's ranking. Set in Wilkes-Barre, PA, Wilkes University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $43,496. Graduates carry a median of $28,813 in student loans. Read the full report on Wilkes University
Chatham University came in at #32 in this year's ranking. Set in Pittsburgh, PA, Chatham University is a private not-for-profit institution. Chatham University graduates 63% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,001. The median Nursing program debt is $27,000. Read more about Chatham University
University Of Virginia Main Campus did well this year, earning the #33 position. Located in Charlottesville, VA, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,118, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. University Of Virginia Main Campus Nursing students take on a median of $15,130 in debt. Get the full University Of Virginia Main Campus report
University Of Portland ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Portland, OR. University Of Portland posts a six-year graduation rate of 80%. In-state tuition and fees run about $58,100. Typical Nursing student debt is $28,750. More on University Of Portland
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #35 in this year's ranking. Set in Chapel Hill, NC, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $23,026 in student loans. See the full University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill profile
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus landed the #36 spot in the United States this year. Set in Pittsburgh, PA, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus Nursing students take on a median of $25,500 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
University Of California Davis did well this year, earning the #37 position. University Of California Davis is a public school based in Davis, CA. University Of California Davis graduates 86% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Graduates carry a median of $14,404 in student loans. Read more about University Of California Davis
Samford University landed the #38 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Birmingham, AL. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $40,150. Typical Nursing student debt is $25,750. Read more about Samford University
Webster University came in at #39 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Saint Louis, MO. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $31,750 in tuition and fees. Typical Nursing student debt is $25,939. Get the full Webster University report
Touro University Nevada landed the #40 spot in the United States this year. Located in Henderson, NV, Touro University Nevada is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,380. Graduates carry a median of $16,002 in student loans. Read more about Touro University Nevada
California State University Fresno placed #41 among Nursing schools in the United States. Set in Fresno, CA, California State University Fresno is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. The median Nursing program debt is $17,938. See the full California State University Fresno profile
Catholic University Of America landed the #42 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Washington, DC. About 80% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,378. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Nursing program here. See the full Catholic University Of America profile
Rosalind Franklin University Of Medicine And Science landed the #43 spot in the United States this year. Located in North Chicago, IL, Rosalind Franklin University Of Medicine And Science is a private not-for-profit institution. Get the full Rosalind Franklin University Of Medicine And Science report
Aspen University landed the #44 spot in the United States this year. Set in Phoenix, AZ, Aspen University is a private for-profit institution. Roughly 27% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $6,870 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $36,787 to complete their Nursing program here. Get the full Aspen University report
Medical University Of South Carolina did well this year, earning the #45 position. Medical University Of South Carolina is a public school based in Charleston, SC. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,972, compared with $30,380 for out-of-state students. Medical University Of South Carolina Nursing students take on a median of $29,043 in debt. More on Medical University Of South Carolina
University Of Maryland Baltimore placed #46 among Nursing schools in the United States. Located in Baltimore, MD, University Of Maryland Baltimore is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,638, compared with $44,811 for out-of-state students. University Of Maryland Baltimore Nursing students take on a median of $21,500 in debt. Read more about University Of Maryland Baltimore
University Of San Francisco placed #47 among Nursing schools in the United States. Based in San Francisco, CA, University Of San Francisco is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. Students from in state pay about $60,522 in tuition and fees. Typical Nursing student debt is $27,000. Read more about University Of San Francisco
University Of Massachusetts Medical School Worcester came in at #48 in this year's ranking. Located in Worcester, MA, University Of Massachusetts Medical School Worcester is a public institution. More on University Of Massachusetts Medical School Worcester
Bradley University placed #49 among Nursing schools in the United States. Bradley University is a private not-for-profit school based in Peoria, IL. Bradley University posts a six-year graduation rate of 76%. In-state tuition and fees average $42,160. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More on Bradley University
Purdue University Main Campus did well this year, earning the #50 position. Set in West Lafayette, IN, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $20,455 in student loans. Read more about Purdue University Main Campus
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 Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Nursing Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced 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).
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.