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Best Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region

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2023 Best Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region

510 Colleges
$67,632 Avg Salary
$24,151 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Nursing School for You

In 2020-2021, 322,592 nursing students received a degree or certificate, making the major the #3 most popular in the country.

There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which program is right 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 Schools in the Southeast Region ranking is one of many tools that Course Advisor has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 510 schools in the Southeast Region to see which programs offered the best educational experiences for students.

View our full ranking methodology.

2023 Best Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region

The following schools top our list of the Best Nursing Colleges.

Top 25 Top Southeast Region Schools in Nursing

Our 2023 rankings named Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia Inc the best school in the Southeast Region for nursing students. MTSA is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Madison.

Read More…

#2

Wake Forest University

Winston-Salem, NC

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Wake Forest University. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the midsize city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit college with a medium-sized student population.

Read full report on Nursing at Wake Forest University

Out of the 510 schools in the Southeast Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Standard Healthcare Services - College of Nursing landed the # 3 spot on the list. Standard College of Nursing is a small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Falls Church.

While working on their degree, nursing majors at Standard College of Nursing accumulate an average of around $27,280 in student debt.

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#4

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Vanderbilt University. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt is a private not-for-profit school with a large student population.

Read full report on Nursing at Vanderbilt University

Out of the 510 schools in the Southeast Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Frontier Nursing University landed the # 5 spot on the list. Located in the rural area of Hyden, Frontier Nursing University is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

Read full report on Nursing at Frontier Nursing University

#6

Duke University

Durham, NC

Duke University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in the city of Durham, Duke is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly large student population.

Nursing majors at Duke take out an average of $25,184 in student loans while working on their egree.

Read full report on Nursing at Duke University

With a ranking of #7, West Coast University-Miami did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students. West Coast University-Miami is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Doral.

On average, nursing graduates from West Coast University-Miami take out $38,146 in student loans while working on their degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $665.

Full Nursing at West Coast University-Miami Report

Chamberlain University - Florida landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Chamberlain - Florida is a small private for-profit school located in the large city of Jacksonville.

After completing their degree, nursing graduates from Chamberlain - Florida carry an average student debtload of $38,460. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $256.

Full Nursing at Chamberlain University - Florida Report

Chamberlain University - Georgia landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Chamberlain - Georgia is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Atlanta.

While working on their degree, nursing majors at Chamberlain - Georgia accumulate an average of around $38,460 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.

Read full report on Nursing at Chamberlain University - Georgia

Chamberlain University - Virginia landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Chamberlain - Virginia is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Arlington.

After completing their degree, nursing graduates from Chamberlain - Virginia carry an average student debtload of $38,460. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $256.

Full Nursing at Chamberlain University - Virginia Report

Sentara College of Health Sciences came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Sentara College of Health Sciences is a fairly small private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of Chesapeake.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Sentara College of Health Sciences take out is $27,686. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $155.

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#12

University of Virginia - Main Campus

Charlottesville, VA

With a ranking of #12, University of Virginia - Main Campus did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students. University of Virginia is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville.

Nursing majors at University of Virginia take out an average of $16,836 in student loans while working on their egree.

Full Nursing at University of Virginia - Main Campus Report

#13

Trident Technical College

Charleston, SC

Trident Technical College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in the medium-sized city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a public school with a large student population.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Trident Technical College take out is $28,792.

Full Nursing at Trident Technical College Report

Cabarrus College of Health Sciences did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for nursing students. It came in at #14 on the list. Located in the midsize city of Concord, Cabarrus College of Health Sciences is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

After completing their degree, nursing graduates from Cabarrus College of Health Sciences carry an average student debtload of $27,082.

Read full report on Nursing at Cabarrus College of Health Sciences

#15

University of Florida

Gainesville, FL

University of Florida did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for nursing students. It came in at #15 on the list. Located in the medium-sized city of Gainesville, UF is a public college with a very large student population.

After completing their degree, nursing graduates from UF carry an average student debtload of $19,458. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $146, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Nursing at University of Florida

Carolinas College of Health Sciences ranked #16 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region list. Carolinas College of Health Sciences is a fairly small public school located in the large city of Charlotte.

After completing their degree, nursing graduates from Carolinas College of Health Sciences carry an average student debtload of $23,000.

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#17

Emory University

Atlanta, GA

Emory University landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Located in the city of Atlanta, Emory is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly large student population.

On average, nursing graduates from Emory take out $25,000 in student loans while working on their degree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $556.

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#18

Eastern Virginia Career College

Fredericksburg, VA

Eastern Virginia Career College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in the midsize suburb of Fredericksburg, Eastern Virginia Career College is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

While working on their degree, nursing majors at Eastern Virginia Career College accumulate an average of around $22,874 in student debt.

Full Nursing at Eastern Virginia Career College Report

With a ranking of #19, Rasmussen University - Florida did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students. Rasmussen University - Florida is a moderately-sized private for-profit school located in the city of Ocala.

After completing their degree, nursing graduates from Rasmussen University - Florida carry an average student debtload of $35,539. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $161, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Nursing at Rasmussen University - Florida Report

#20

Centra College of Nursing

Lynchburg, VA

Centra College of Nursing came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in the small city of Lynchburg, Centra College of Nursing is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

On average, nursing graduates from Centra College of Nursing take out $21,076 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read full report on Nursing at Centra College of Nursing

Medical University of South Carolina did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for nursing students. It came in at #21 on the list. MUSC is a small public school located in the city of Charleston.

On average, nursing graduates from MUSC take out $28,354 in student loans while working on their degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $399, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Nursing at Medical University of South Carolina

#22

University of Mary Washington

Fredericksburg, VA

University of Mary Washington came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. UMW is a small public school located in the midsize suburb of Fredericksburg.

After completing their degree, nursing graduates from UMW carry an average student debtload of $15,725.

Full Nursing at University of Mary Washington Report

#23

Auburn University

Auburn, AL

Auburn University landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Auburn is a very large public school located in the small city of Auburn.

While working on their degree, nursing majors at Auburn accumulate an average of around $20,500 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $562.

Full Nursing at Auburn University Report

Herzing University - Birmingham did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for nursing students. It came in at #24 on the list. Located in the suburb of Birmingham, Herzing University - Birmingham is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

After completing their degree, nursing graduates from Herzing University - Birmingham carry an average student debtload of $33,946. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $107.

Read full report on Nursing at Herzing University - Birmingham

Virginia Commonwealth University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for nursing students. It came in at #25 on the list. VCU is a very large public school located in the city of Richmond.

On average, nursing graduates from VCU take out $26,687 in student loans while working on their degree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $238.

Read More…

Rest of the Top 50 Best Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region

#26

James Madison University

Harrisonburg, VA
#28

Galen College of Nursing - Tampa Bay

Saint Petersburg, FL
#30

Samford University

Birmingham, AL
#31

University of Arkansas

Fayetteville, AR
#32

AdventHealth University

Orlando, FL
#38

University of Florida-Online

Gainesville, FL
#43

Augusta University

Augusta, GA
#44

East Carolina University

Greenville, NC
#47

Georgia Southern University

Statesboro, GA
#48

Clemson University

Clemson, SC
#49

Southside College of Health Sciences

Colonial Heights, VA
#50

University of North Florida

Jacksonville, FL

Remaining Award Winners

This section represents the remainder of the colleges awarded a Best Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region badge. Showing in this list means the college was ranked in the top 15% of the 510 different Southeast nursing schools we analyzed.

Rank College Location
51 University of Miami Coral Gables, FL
52 Old Dominion University Norfolk, VA
53 The University of Tennessee - Health Science Center Memphis, TN
54 Southern Regional Technical College Thomasville, GA
55 Shenandoah University Winchester, VA
56 Belmont University Nashville, TN
57 University of North Georgia Dahlonega, GA
58 Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University Baton Rouge, LA
59 Florida State University Tallahassee, FL
60 University of South Carolina - Columbia Columbia, SC
61 Winston - Salem State University Winston-Salem, NC
62 Shepherd University Shepherdstown, WV
63 Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing Richmond, VA
64 Galen College of Nursing - ARH Hazard, KY
65 Harding University Searcy, AR
66 University of North Carolina at Wilmington Wilmington, NC
67 Herzing University - Atlanta Atlanta, GA
68 Eastern Mennonite University Harrisonburg, VA
69 Polk State College Winter Haven, FL
70 University of Louisiana at Monroe Monroe, LA
71 Berry College Mount Berry, GA
72 North Carolina A & T State University Greensboro, NC
73 Chamberlain University - North Carolina Charlotte, NC
74 University of Mount Olive Mount Olive, NC
75 Appalachian State University Boone, NC
76 Bellarmine University Louisville, KY

Additional Noteworthy Schools

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region award.

Rank College Location
77 Florida Gulf Coast University Fort Myers, FL
78 Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Tifton, GA
79 Athens Technical College Athens, GA
80 Georgia College & State University Milledgeville, GA
81 The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga Chattanooga, TN
82 Louisiana Tech University Ruston, LA
83 American Public University System Charles Town, WV
84 Western Carolina University Cullowhee, NC
85 Fayetteville State University Fayetteville, NC
86 North Carolina Central University Durham, NC
87 King University Bristol, TN
88 McNeese State University Lake Charles, LA
89 Albany State University Albany, GA
90 University of Kentucky Lexington, KY
91 University of Memphis Memphis, TN
92 Piedmont College Demorest, GA
93 Georgia State University-Perimeter College Atlanta, GA
94 LaGrange College Lagrange, GA
95 Radford University Radford, VA
96 University of Lynchburg Lynchburg, VA
97 West Virginia University Morgantown, WV
98 The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL
99 Gaston College Dallas, NC
100 Florida International University Miami, FL
101 Chattahoochee Technical College Marietta, GA
102 University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, AL

Best Nursing Colleges by State

Explore the best nursing schools for a specific state in the Southeast region.

State Degrees Awarded
Georgia 7,112
Virginia 6,775
North Carolina 7,425
Florida 21,209
Tennessee 6,004
Kentucky 6,395
South Carolina 3,296
Louisiana 3,502
Arkansas 2,882
Alabama 7,364
Mississippi 2,838
West Virginia 1,771

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

Majors Similar to Nursing

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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