2026 Best Nursing Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best Nursing undergraduate certificate degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 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 reviewed schools to compile this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Nursing Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Roxborough Memorial Hospital School Of Nursing earned the #1 spot in this year's ranking in the United States. Roxborough Memorial Hospital School Of Nursing is a private for-profit school based in Philadelphia, PA. In-state tuition and fees run about $17,148. Roxborough Memorial Hospital School Of Nursing Nursing students take on a median of $20,000 in debt. Read more about Roxborough Memorial Hospital School Of Nursing
You'll be in good company at Holy Name Medical Center School Of Nursing, which ranked #2 this year. Holy Name Medical Center School Of Nursing is a private not-for-profit school based in Englewood Cliffs, NJ. In-state tuition and fees average $23,914. Students borrow a median of $28,794 to complete their Nursing program here. Read the full report on Holy Name Medical Center School Of Nursing
St Lukes Hospital School Of Nursing came in at #3 on this year's Nursing ranking in the United States. Located in Bethlehem, PA, St Lukes Hospital School Of Nursing is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,302. Students borrow a median of $24,087 to complete their Nursing program here. Read more about St Lukes Hospital School Of Nursing
Trinity Health System School Of Nursing came in at #4 on this year's Nursing ranking in the United States. Located in Steubenville, OH, Trinity Health System School Of Nursing is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $12,415 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,301. Trinity Health System School Of Nursing Nursing students take on a median of $20,689 in debt. Get the full Trinity Health System School Of Nursing report
You'll be in good company at Western Pennsylvania Hospital School Of Nursing, which ranked #5 this year. Based in Pittsburgh, PA, Western Pennsylvania Hospital School Of Nursing is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,410. Western Pennsylvania Hospital School Of Nursing Nursing students take on a median of $19,624 in debt. Get the full Western Pennsylvania Hospital School Of Nursing report
University Of Pittsburgh Medical Center Shadyside School Of Nursing came in at #6 in this year's ranking. University Of Pittsburgh Medical Center Shadyside School Of Nursing is a private not-for-profit school based in Pittsburgh, PA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,190. Typical Nursing student debt is $29,250. Read the full report on University Of Pittsburgh Medical Center Shadyside School Of Nursing
Citizens School Of Nursing came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Located in Tarentum, PA, Citizens School Of Nursing is a private not-for-profit institution. Graduates carry a median of $24,146 in student loans. See the full Citizens School Of Nursing profile
Reading Hospital School Of Health Sciences landed the #8 spot in the United States this year. Set in Reading, PA, Reading Hospital School Of Health Sciences is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,516. Reading Hospital School Of Health Sciences Nursing students take on a median of $27,140 in debt. Read more about Reading Hospital School Of Health Sciences
Mercy Hospital School Of Nursing did well this year, earning the #9 position. Located in Pittsburgh, PA, Mercy Hospital School Of Nursing is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $16,190. Students borrow a median of $26,366 to complete their Nursing program here. Get the full Mercy Hospital School Of Nursing report
Jameson Health System placed #10 among Nursing schools in the United States. Located in New Castle, PA, Jameson Health System is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,498. The median Nursing program debt is $24,750. Read more about Jameson Health System
Washington Hospital School Of Nursing landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. Set in Washington, PA, Washington Hospital School Of Nursing is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $14,637 in tuition and fees. Washington Hospital School Of Nursing Nursing students take on a median of $20,750 in debt. Read the full report on Washington Hospital School Of Nursing
Dlp Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center landed the #12 spot in the United States this year. Dlp Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center is a private for-profit school based in Johnstown, PA. Dlp Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center Nursing students take on a median of $28,622 in debt. Read the full report on Dlp Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center
Joseph F Mccloskey School Of Nursing At Schuylkill Health came in at #13 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Pottsville, PA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,737. The median Nursing program debt is $28,250. Get the full Joseph F Mccloskey School Of Nursing At Schuylkill Health report
Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital School Of Nursing ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Based in Brockton, MA, Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital School Of Nursing is a private not-for-profit institution. Typical Nursing student debt is $26,750. More on Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital School Of Nursing
Graham Hospital School Of Nursing landed the #16 spot in the United States this year. Set in Canton, IL, Graham Hospital School Of Nursing is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,584. Graham Hospital School Of Nursing Nursing students take on a median of $28,884 in debt. Read the full report on Graham Hospital School Of Nursing
Saint Elizabeth School Of Nursing did well this year, earning the #17 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Lafayette, IN. Students from in state pay about $20,208 in tuition and fees. The median Nursing program debt is $38,369. Read more about Saint Elizabeth School Of Nursing
Arnot Ogden Medical Center ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Set in Elmira, NY, Arnot Ogden Medical Center is a private not-for-profit institution. See the full Arnot Ogden Medical Center profile
Ohio Institute Of Allied Health did well this year, earning the #19 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Huber Heights, OH. Students from in state pay about $27,408 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,003 to complete their Nursing program here. More on Ohio Institute Of Allied Health
Firelands Regional Medical Center School Of Nursing ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Set in Sandusky, OH, Firelands Regional Medical Center School Of Nursing is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $8,046 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,535 to complete their Nursing program here. More on Firelands Regional Medical Center School Of Nursing
Tri Rivers Career Center ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. This public school is set in Marion, OH. Tri Rivers Career Center Nursing students take on a median of $26,278 in debt. Get the full Tri Rivers Career Center report
O C Collins Career Center placed #22 among Nursing schools in the United States. Based in Chesapeake, OH, O C Collins Career Center is a public institution. Typical Nursing student debt is $23,629. More on O C Collins Career Center
Sandusky Career Center placed #23 among Nursing schools in the United States. Set in Sandusky, OH, Sandusky Career Center is a public institution. Graduates carry a median of $25,055 in student loans. Get the full Sandusky Career Center report
Ohio Medical Career College landed the #24 spot in the United States this year. This private for-profit school is set in Dayton, OH. Typical Nursing student debt is $26,331. Get the full Ohio Medical Career College report
Glendale Community College Glendale Ca ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. This public school is set in Glendale, CA. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,191, while out-of-state students pay about $10,935. Glendale Community College Glendale Ca Nursing students take on a median of $19,800 in debt. Read more about Glendale Community College Glendale Ca
Athena Career Academy ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Located in Toledo, OH, Athena Career Academy is a private for-profit institution. Typical Nursing student debt is $36,820. Get the full Athena Career Academy report
Rest of the Top 50 Best Nursing Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
Hawkeye Community College landed the #27 spot in the United States this year. Based in Waterloo, IA, Hawkeye Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,525, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $23,292 in student loans. More on Hawkeye Community College
Mid Eastctc Adult Education did well this year, earning the #28 position. This public school is set in Zanesville, OH. Graduates carry a median of $20,028 in student loans. See the full Mid Eastctc Adult Education profile
Saddleback College did well this year, earning the #29 position. Based in Mission Viejo, CA, Saddleback College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete their Nursing program here. Get the full Saddleback College report
Victor Valley College did well this year, earning the #30 position. Victor Valley College is a public school based in Victorville, CA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,425, while out-of-state students pay about $10,125. The median Nursing program debt is $8,500. Get the full Victor Valley College report
Pasadena City College landed the #31 spot in the United States this year. Pasadena City College is a public school based in Pasadena, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,834 to complete their Nursing program here. See the full Pasadena City College profile
Delaware Technical Community College Terry landed the #32 spot in the United States this year. Based in Dover, DE, Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,763 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $16,125 in student loans. See the full Delaware Technical Community College Terry profile
Knox County Career Center ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. This public school is set in Mount Vernon, OH. Knox County Career Center Nursing students take on a median of $18,950 in debt. Read the full report on Knox County Career Center
Columbiana County Career And Technical Center placed #34 among Nursing schools in the United States. Columbiana County Career And Technical Center is a public school based in Lisbon, OH. Columbiana County Career And Technical Center Nursing students take on a median of $20,637 in debt. More on Columbiana County Career And Technical Center
Ashtabula County Technical And Career Campus did well this year, earning the #35 position. Set in Jefferson, OH, Ashtabula County Technical And Career Campus is a public institution. Graduates carry a median of $16,535 in student loans. See the full Ashtabula County Technical And Career Campus profile
Butler Community College placed #36 among Nursing schools in the United States. Set in El Dorado, KS, Butler Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,541 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,271 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,750 in student loans. Read the full report on Butler Community College
Trinidad State Junior College landed the #37 spot in the United States this year. Located in Trinidad, CO, Trinidad State Junior College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,608, compared with $7,318 for out-of-state students. Typical Nursing student debt is $20,801. Read the full report on Trinidad State Junior College
Colorado Northwestern Community College landed the #38 spot in the United States this year. Colorado Northwestern Community College is a public school based in Rangely, CO. Students from in state pay about $4,594 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,304. Students borrow a median of $20,475 to complete their Nursing program here. Get the full Colorado Northwestern Community College report
Lamar Community College placed #39 among Nursing schools in the United States. Lamar Community College is a public school based in Lamar, CO. In-state tuition and fees average $4,550, compared with $7,260 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,300 to complete their Nursing program here. Read the full report on Lamar Community College
Tarrant County College District landed the #40 spot in the United States this year. Set in Fort Worth, TX, Tarrant County College District is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,863, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Students borrow a median of $16,610 to complete their Nursing program here. Read the full report on Tarrant County College District
Capital Community College did well this year, earning the #41 position. Set in New Britain, CT, Capital Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,338, while out-of-state students pay about $15,596. Typical Nursing student debt is $17,876. See the full Capital Community College profile
Pueblo Community College ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Located in Pueblo, CO, Pueblo Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,049, compared with $17,649 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $20,836 in student loans. See the full Pueblo Community College profile
Indian Hills Community College came in at #43 in this year's ranking. Based in Ottumwa, IA, Indian Hills Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, compared with $6,120 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,142 in student loans. Read more about Indian Hills Community College
Trinity Valley Community College placed #44 among Nursing schools in the United States. Located in Athens, TX, Trinity Valley Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,640, while out-of-state students pay about $5,970. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete their Nursing program here. Read more about Trinity Valley Community College
Delaware County Community College landed the #45 spot in the United States this year. Based in Media, PA, Delaware County Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,930 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,540. Delaware County Community College Nursing students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Read the full report on Delaware County Community College
Pacific College Of Oriental Medicine New York landed the #46 spot in the United States this year. Located in New York, NY, Pacific College Of Oriental Medicine New York is a private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804. Pacific College Of Oriental Medicine New York Nursing students take on a median of $26,712 in debt. Read the full report on Pacific College Of Oriental Medicine New York
Front Range Community College placed #47 among Nursing schools in the United States. Based in Westminster, CO, Front Range Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,663, compared with $17,263 for out-of-state students. Front Range Community College Nursing students take on a median of $30,625 in debt. Read more about Front Range Community College
Aims Community College did well this year, earning the #48 position. Set in Greeley, CO, Aims Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,258, with out-of-state students paying around $11,786. Aims Community College Nursing students take on a median of $20,750 in debt. More on Aims Community College
Icpr Junior College General Institutional came in at #49 in this year's ranking. Located in Hato Rey, PR, Icpr Junior College General Institutional is a private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,664. See the full Icpr Junior College General Institutional profile
Central New Mexico Community College landed the #49 spot in the United States this year. Read the full report on Central New Mexico Community College
Cleveland State Community College did well this year, earning the #50 position. Read more about Cleveland State Community College
Related Nursing Rankings
See rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Nursing Schools (All Levels)
- Best Nursing 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
- Best Nursing Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published 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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