2026 Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Nursing master’s degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 2207 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor evaluated schools to build this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Leading the list is Albany Medical College, our #1 Nursing school in the United States. Set in Albany, NY, Albany Medical College is a private not-for-profit institution. See the full Albany Medical College profile
The strong Nursing programs at Midwestern University Glendale earned it the #2 place in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Glendale, AZ. Read the full report on Midwestern University Glendale
Out of the 2207 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Saint Vincent College landed the #3 spot. Located in Latrobe, PA, Saint Vincent College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $42,396 in tuition and fees. The median Nursing program debt is $26,986. Read more about Saint Vincent College
Wake Forest University came in at #4 on this year's Nursing ranking in the United States. Set in Winston-Salem, NC, Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,642. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete their Nursing program here. More on Wake Forest University
The strong Nursing programs at Samuel Merritt University earned it the #5 place in the United States. Located in Oakland, CA, Samuel Merritt University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $50,138. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete their Nursing program here. Read more about Samuel Merritt University
University Of Southern California placed #6 among Nursing schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Los Angeles, CA. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. Typical Nursing student debt is $15,625. More on University Of Southern California
Mount Marty College placed #7 among Nursing schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Yankton, SD. Mount Marty College posts a six-year graduation rate of 52%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,600. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Nursing program here. Read the full report on Mount Marty College
Vanderbilt University did well this year, earning the #8 position. Based in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. Vanderbilt University posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete their Nursing program here. Read the full report on Vanderbilt University
Touro University California placed #9 among Nursing schools in the United States. Based in Vallejo, CA, Touro University California is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $20,005. The median Nursing program debt is $16,002. Get the full Touro University California report
Texas Wesleyan University landed the #10 spot in the United States this year. Set in Fort Worth, TX, Texas Wesleyan University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 32% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $39,582 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $26,461 in student loans. More on Texas Wesleyan University
Duke University placed #11 among Nursing schools in the United States. Based in Durham, NC, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 97% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,758. Duke University Nursing students take on a median of $29,000 in debt. Read more about Duke University
University Of California San Francisco placed #12 among Nursing schools in the United States. Set in San Francisco, CA, University Of California San Francisco is a public institution. See the full University Of California San Francisco profile
University Of Pennsylvania landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. Based in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Pennsylvania posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,686. Graduates carry a median of $22,410 in student loans. Get the full University Of Pennsylvania report
Medical University Of South Carolina did well this year, earning the #14 position. Based in Charleston, SC, Medical University Of South Carolina is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $16,972, compared with $30,380 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,043 to complete their Nursing program here. See the full Medical University Of South Carolina profile
Suny Downstate Medical Center came in at #15 in this year's ranking. Based in Brooklyn, NY, Suny Downstate Medical Center is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Read more about Suny Downstate Medical Center
Adventist University Of Health Sciences came in at #16 in this year's ranking. Adventist University Of Health Sciences is a private not-for-profit school based in Orlando, FL. About 37% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $21,420 in tuition and fees. Adventist University Of Health Sciences Nursing students take on a median of $33,416 in debt. Read more about Adventist University Of Health Sciences
Saint Marys University Of Minnesota landed the #17 spot in the United States this year. Based in Winona, MN, Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a private not-for-profit institution. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota graduates 66% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $45,080. Typical Nursing student debt is $40,188. See the full Saint Marys University Of Minnesota profile
Frontier Nursing University landed the #18 spot in the United States this year. Located in Versailles, KY, Frontier Nursing University is a private not-for-profit institution. More on Frontier Nursing University
The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston came in at #19 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Houston, TX. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,748, while out-of-state students pay about $43,132. The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston Nursing students take on a median of $20,500 in debt. Read more about The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston
Newman University came in at #20 in this year's ranking. Based in Wichita, KS, Newman University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $35,500. Typical Nursing student debt is $25,500. More on Newman University
Gonzaga University landed the #21 spot in the United States this year. Located in Spokane, WA, Gonzaga University is a private not-for-profit institution. Gonzaga University posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $55,480. The median Nursing program debt is $27,000. Get the full Gonzaga University report
York College Pennsylvania landed the #22 spot in the United States this year. Set in York, PA, York College Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. In-state tuition and fees run about $25,588. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More on York College Pennsylvania
Loma Linda University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Located in Loma Linda, CA, Loma Linda University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $29,960. Graduates carry a median of $31,645 in student loans. More on Loma Linda University
Thomas Jefferson University placed #24 among Nursing schools in the United States. Thomas Jefferson University is a private not-for-profit school based in Philadelphia, PA. Thomas Jefferson University posts a six-year graduation rate of 69%. In-state tuition and fees run about $47,355. Graduates carry a median of $30,000 in student loans. Read more about Thomas Jefferson University
University Of California Davis came in at #25 in this year's ranking. Based in Davis, CA, University Of California Davis is a public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. University Of California Davis Nursing students take on a median of $14,404 in debt. Read more about University Of California Davis
Rest of the Top 50 Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
University Of Great Falls ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Set in Great Falls, MT, University Of Great Falls is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 21% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $30,448. Typical Nursing student debt is $23,847. More on University Of Great Falls
Villanova University came in at #27 in this year's ranking. Villanova University is a private not-for-profit school based in Villanova, PA. Villanova University posts a six-year graduation rate of 92%. In-state tuition and fees average $67,776. Villanova University Nursing students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. See the full Villanova University profile
Touro University Nevada did well this year, earning the #28 position. Set in Henderson, NV, Touro University Nevada is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,380. Graduates carry a median of $16,002 in student loans. Read more about Touro University Nevada
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center came in at #29 in this year's ranking. Set in Lubbock, TX, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,214, while out-of-state students pay about $22,514. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Nursing students take on a median of $22,000 in debt. Get the full Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center report
Gannon University did well this year, earning the #30 position. Set in Erie, PA, Gannon University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,656. Typical Nursing student debt is $29,485. Get the full Gannon University report
Western University Of Health Sciences came in at #31 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Pomona, CA. Read the full report on Western University Of Health Sciences
The University Of Texas Medical Branch ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. This public school is set in Galveston, TX. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,402, while out-of-state students pay about $28,011. The University Of Texas Medical Branch Nursing students take on a median of $20,500 in debt. See the full The University Of Texas Medical Branch profile
Georgetown University landed the #33 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Washington, DC. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,089. Georgetown University Nursing students take on a median of $17,417 in debt. Read the full report on Georgetown University
University Of Nebraska Medical Center landed the #34 spot in the United States this year. Set in Omaha, NE, University Of Nebraska Medical Center is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,973, with out-of-state students paying around $39,962. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete their Nursing program here. Get the full University Of Nebraska Medical Center report
Webster University placed #35 among Nursing schools in the United States. Webster University is a private not-for-profit school based in Saint Louis, MO. About 64% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,750. Typical Nursing student debt is $25,939. Read more about Webster University
University Of St Augustine For Health Sciences placed #36 among Nursing schools in the United States. 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
Case Western Reserve University placed #37 among Nursing schools in the United States. Based in Cleveland, OH, Case Western Reserve University is a private not-for-profit institution. Case Western Reserve University graduates 87% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,608. Graduates carry a median of $26,580 in student loans. More on Case Western Reserve University
Yale University placed #38 among Nursing schools in the United States. Located in New Haven, CT, Yale University is a private not-for-profit institution. Yale University graduates 96% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $67,250 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete their Nursing program here. Get the full Yale University report
California State University Stanislaus landed the #39 spot in the United States this year. Based in Turlock, CA, California State University Stanislaus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. Students from in state pay about $8,242 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. California State University Stanislaus Nursing students take on a median of $23,450 in debt. Read more about California State University Stanislaus
Our Lady Of The Lake College placed #40 among Nursing schools in the United States. Located in Baton Rouge, LA, Our Lady Of The Lake College is a private not-for-profit institution. Our Lady Of The Lake College graduates 44% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $17,959. The median Nursing program debt is $39,565. Read the full report on Our Lady Of The Lake College
West Coast University Orange County did well this year, earning the #41 position. This private for-profit school is set in Anaheim, CA. West Coast University Orange County posts a six-year graduation rate of 60%. Students from in state pay about $22,506 in tuition and fees. Typical Nursing student debt is $38,145. Get the full West Coast University Orange County report
The College Of New Jersey placed #42 among Nursing schools in the United States. This public school is set in Ewing, NJ. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,632, with out-of-state students paying around $25,752. The median Nursing program debt is $26,204. More on The College Of New Jersey
Emory University ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Based in Atlanta, GA, Emory University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $64,280. Emory University Nursing students take on a median of $25,000 in debt. See the full Emory University profile
University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #44 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Charlottesville, VA. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. Students borrow a median of $15,130 to complete their Nursing program here. See the full University Of Virginia Main Campus profile
Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Located in Addison, IL, Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois is a private for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 42%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,536. Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois Nursing students take on a median of $39,146 in debt. Read the full report on Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois
University Of California Los Angeles did well this year, earning the #46 position. This public school is set in Los Angeles, CA. University Of California Los Angeles posts a six-year graduation rate of 93%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $20,800 in student loans. More on University Of California Los Angeles
Johns Hopkins University landed the #47 spot in the United States this year. Located in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. In-state tuition and fees run about $64,730. Johns Hopkins University Nursing students take on a median of $13,426 in debt. Read more about Johns Hopkins University
University Of San Francisco came in at #48 in this year's ranking. Located in San Francisco, CA, University Of San Francisco is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. In-state tuition and fees average $60,522. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Nursing program here. More on University Of San Francisco
New York University did well this year, earning the #49 position. Located in New York, NY, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. New York University posts a six-year graduation rate of 88%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,796. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete their Nursing program here. More on New York University
Clarkson College landed the #50 spot in the United States this year. Set in Omaha, NE, Clarkson College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 36% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,104. Typical Nursing student debt is $31,289. Read more about Clarkson College
Related Nursing Rankings
Explore 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 Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on 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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