2026 Most Popular Online Nursing Schools
There are 53 schools that offer a degree in Nursing mostly online. Ranked by yearly graduations, here are the most popular below:
Finding the Most Popular Online Nursing School for You
Today’s Nursing students have lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. You can choose a traditional brick-and-mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school halfway across the country without even leaving your house.
The Most Popular Online Nursing Schools ranking is one of many tools that Course Advisor has developed to help you make your educational decision. This report analyzed 53 schools in the United States to see which mostly-online Nursing programs were the most popular. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from schools with mostly-online programs.
Featured schools near , edit
2026 Most Popular Online Nursing Schools in the United States
Check out the online Nursing programs at these schools if you want to attend one of the most popular in the United States.
Top 25 Most Popular Online Nursing Schools
Our 2026 rankings named Chamberlain University-Illinois the most popular online school in the U.S. for Nursing majors. Chamberlain University-Illinois is a private for-profit school located in Addison, IL. Roughly 92% of this program’s degrees are awarded to online students. During the most recent year for which we have data, 13,367 people earned their degree in Nursing from this school. About 90% of the students earning this degree here are women. The median salary of the school’s graduates early in their careers is $83,585. Read More…
Capella University comes in at #2 on our 2026 list of the most popular online colleges for Nursing majors. Capella University is a private for-profit school located in Minneapolis, MN. Roughly 100% of this program’s degrees are awarded to online students. This school awarded 8,953 degrees in Nursing in the most recent reporting year. Women make up 89% of the Nursing students at the school. Early-career graduates of the school earn a median salary of $79,233. Full Nursing at Capella University Report
Western Governors University comes in at #3 on our 2026 list of the most popular online colleges for Nursing majors. Western Governors University is a private nonprofit school located in Salt Lake City, UT. Roughly 100% of this program’s degrees are awarded to online students. This school awarded 7,799 degrees in Nursing in the most recent reporting year. Women make up 89% of the Nursing students at the school. The median salary of the school’s graduates early in their careers is $74,978. Read More…
Grand Canyon University landed the #4 spot in the 2026 edition of our Most Popular Online Nursing Schools ranking. Grand Canyon University is a private for-profit school located in Phoenix, AZ. About 90% of degrees in Nursing here are earned online. During the most recent year for which we have data, 5,116 people earned their degree in Nursing from this school. About 87% of the students earning this degree here are women. Early-career graduates of the school earn a median salary of $62,543. Read full report on Nursing at Grand Canyon University
Walden University comes in at #5 on our 2026 list of the most popular online colleges for Nursing majors. Located in Minneapolis, MN, this is a private for-profit institution. Roughly 100% of this program’s degrees are awarded to online students. During the most recent year for which we have data, 4,948 people earned their degree in Nursing from this school. About 85% of the students earning this degree here are women. The median salary of the school’s graduates early in their careers is $76,759. Full Nursing at Walden University Report
Aspen University landed the #6 spot in the 2026 edition of our Most Popular Online Nursing Schools ranking. Located in Phoenix, AZ, this is a private for-profit institution. About 67% of degrees in Nursing here are earned online. This school awarded 1,999 degrees in Nursing in the most recent reporting year. About 89% of the students earning this degree here are women. The median salary of the school’s graduates early in their careers is $78,528. Full Nursing at Aspen University Report
West Coast University-Orange County landed the #7 spot in the 2026 edition of our Most Popular Online Nursing Schools ranking. West Coast University-Orange County is a private for-profit school located in Anaheim, CA. About 86% of degrees in Nursing here are earned online. This school awarded 1,760 degrees in Nursing in the most recent reporting year. Women make up 80% of the Nursing students at the school. Early-career graduates of the school earn a median salary of $95,294. Full Nursing at West Coast University-Orange County Report
University of South Alabama landed the #8 spot in the 2026 edition of our Most Popular Online Nursing Schools ranking. Located in Mobile, AL, this is a public institution. Roughly 83% of this program’s degrees are awarded to online students. During the most recent year for which we have data, 1,440 people earned their degree in Nursing from this school. About 89% of the students earning this degree here are women. Early-career graduates of the school earn a median salary of $46,120. Read More…
Purdue University Global comes in at #9 on our 2026 list of the most popular online colleges for Nursing majors. Located in West Lafayette, IN, this is a public institution. About 91% of degrees in Nursing here are earned online. During the most recent year for which we have data, 1,160 people earned their degree in Nursing from this school. Women make up 88% of the Nursing students at the school. The median salary of the school’s graduates early in their careers is $45,209. Read More…
Frontier Nursing University landed the #10 spot in the 2026 edition of our Most Popular Online Nursing Schools ranking. Frontier Nursing University is a private nonprofit school located in Versailles, KY. Roughly 100% of this program’s degrees are awarded to online students. During the most recent year for which we have data, 1,021 people earned their degree in Nursing from this school. Women make up 94% of the Nursing students at the school. The median salary of the school’s graduates early in their careers is $106,311. Read More…
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus comes in at #11 on our 2026 list of the most popular online colleges for Nursing majors. Located in Cincinnati, OH, this is a public institution. About 61% of degrees in Nursing here are earned online. This school awarded 1,014 degrees in Nursing in the most recent reporting year. About 87% of the students earning this degree here are women. The median salary of the school’s graduates early in their careers is $53,819. Full Nursing at University of Cincinnati-Main Campus Report
University of North Carolina Wilmington comes in at #12 on our 2026 list of the most popular online colleges for Nursing majors. Located in Wilmington, NC, this is a public institution. About 60% of degrees in Nursing here are earned online. This school awarded 960 degrees in Nursing in the most recent reporting year. About 92% of the students earning this degree here are women. The median salary of the school’s graduates early in their careers is $44,355. Read More…
University of Phoenix-Arizona comes in at #13 on our 2026 list of the most popular online colleges for Nursing majors. Located in Phoenix, AZ, this is a private for-profit institution. About 100% of degrees in Nursing here are earned online. During the most recent year for which we have data, 935 people earned their degree in Nursing from this school. About 87% of the students earning this degree here are women. The median salary of the school’s graduates early in their careers is $52,226. Full Nursing at University of Phoenix-Arizona Report
Maryville University of Saint Louis comes in at #14 on our 2026 list of the most popular online colleges for Nursing majors. Maryville University of Saint Louis is a private nonprofit school located in Saint Louis, MO. Roughly 93% of this program’s degrees are awarded to online students. During the most recent year for which we have data, 918 people earned their degree in Nursing from this school. About 91% of the students earning this degree here are women. Early-career graduates of the school earn a median salary of $63,561. Read More…
Nightingale College landed the #15 spot in the 2026 edition of our Most Popular Online Nursing Schools ranking. Located in Salt Lake City, UT, this is a private for-profit institution. About 100% of degrees in Nursing here are earned online. During the most recent year for which we have data, 912 people earned their degree in Nursing from this school. About 88% of the students earning this degree here are women. The median salary of the school’s graduates early in their careers is $68,158. Read full report on Nursing at Nightingale College
Weber State University comes in at #16 on our 2026 list of the most popular online colleges for Nursing majors. Located in Ogden, UT, this is a public institution. Roughly 71% of this program’s degrees are awarded to online students. During the most recent year for which we have data, 842 people earned their degree in Nursing from this school. About 85% of the students earning this degree here are women. The median salary of the school’s graduates early in their careers is $54,227. Read More…
Excelsior University landed the #17 spot in the 2026 edition of our Most Popular Online Nursing Schools ranking. Excelsior University is a private nonprofit school located in Albany, NY. About 100% of degrees in Nursing here are earned online. During the most recent year for which we have data, 838 people earned their degree in Nursing from this school. Women make up 86% of the Nursing students at the school. The median salary of the school’s graduates early in their careers is $68,971. Read full report on Nursing at Excelsior University
United States University landed the #18 spot in the 2026 edition of our Most Popular Online Nursing Schools ranking. Located in San Diego, CA, this is a private for-profit institution. Roughly 67% of this program’s degrees are awarded to online students. During the most recent year for which we have data, 821 people earned their degree in Nursing from this school. About 83% of the students earning this degree here are women. Early-career graduates of the school earn a median salary of $116,503. Read More…
Texas Woman's University comes in at #19 on our 2026 list of the most popular online colleges for Nursing majors. Located in Denton, TX, this is a public institution. Roughly 57% of this program’s degrees are awarded to online students. During the most recent year for which we have data, 783 people earned their degree in Nursing from this school. Women make up 92% of the Nursing students at the school. Early-career graduates of the school earn a median salary of $53,225. Read More…
Southern New Hampshire University landed the #20 spot in the 2026 edition of our Most Popular Online Nursing Schools ranking. Located in Manchester, NH, this is a private nonprofit institution. About 100% of degrees in Nursing here are earned online. This school awarded 759 degrees in Nursing in the most recent reporting year. About 88% of the students earning this degree here are women. The median salary of the school’s graduates early in their careers is $54,644. Full Nursing at Southern New Hampshire University Report
South University-Savannah Online comes in at #21 on our 2026 list of the most popular online colleges for Nursing majors. Located in Savannah, GA, this is a private for-profit institution. Roughly 100% of this program’s degrees are awarded to online students. This school awarded 737 degrees in Nursing in the most recent reporting year. About 84% of the students earning this degree here are women. Early-career graduates of the school earn a median salary of $55,439. Read full report on Nursing at South University-Savannah Online
Liberty University landed the #22 spot in the 2026 edition of our Most Popular Online Nursing Schools ranking. Liberty University is a private nonprofit school located in Lynchburg, VA. About 71% of degrees in Nursing here are earned online. During the most recent year for which we have data, 619 people earned their degree in Nursing from this school. Women make up 89% of the Nursing students at the school. The median salary of the school’s graduates early in their careers is $44,414. Read More…
Post University landed the #23 spot in the 2026 edition of our Most Popular Online Nursing Schools ranking. Post University is a private for-profit school located in Waterbury, CT. Roughly 100% of this program’s degrees are awarded to online students. During the most recent year for which we have data, 585 people earned their degree in Nursing from this school. Women make up 89% of the Nursing students at the school. The median salary of the school’s graduates early in their careers is $47,677. Read full report on Nursing at Post University
University of Oklahoma-Health Sciences Center comes in at #24 on our 2026 list of the most popular online colleges for Nursing majors. University of Oklahoma-Health Sciences Center is a public school located in Oklahoma City, OK. Roughly 67% of this program’s degrees are awarded to online students. This school awarded 526 degrees in Nursing in the most recent reporting year. About 89% of the students earning this degree here are women. Early-career graduates of the school earn a median salary of $53,164. Read More…
East Carolina University landed the #25 spot in the 2026 edition of our Most Popular Online Nursing Schools ranking. East Carolina University is a public school located in Greenville, NC. About 92% of degrees in Nursing here are earned online. This school awarded 506 degrees in Nursing in the most recent reporting year. About 90% of the students earning this degree here are women. Early-career graduates of the school earn a median salary of $44,602. Full Nursing at East Carolina University Report
Rest of the Top Most Popular Online Nursing Schools
Additional Noteworthy Schools
These are some additional schools worth mentioning that also deliver this program mostly online.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 51 | Western Carolina University | Cullowhee, NC |
| 52 | Clarkson College | Omaha, NE |
| 53 | University of Louisiana at Lafayette | Lafayette, LA |
Most Popular Online Nursing by Region
View the Most Popular Online Nursing Schools ranking for a specific region near you.
| Region |
|---|
| New England |
| Middle Atlantic |
| Great Lakes |
| Plains States |
| Southeast |
| Southwest |
| Rocky Mountains |
| Far Western US |
More Nursing Rankings
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this Most Popular Online Nursing Schools list, to help you choose the best school for you.
Majors Related to Nursing
Nursing Concentrations
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | 256,965 |
| Family Practice Nursing | 14,847 |
| Nursing Practice | 9,206 |
| Nursing Administration | 7,911 |
| Mental Health Nursing | 4,379 |
| Nursing Science | 4,245 |
| Nursing Research & Other | 4,125 |
| Adult Health Nursing | 2,457 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | 1,960 |
| Public Health Nursing | 1,505 |
| Geriatric Nursing | 641 |
| Critical Care Nursing | 596 |
| Nurse Midwifery | 559 |
| School Nursing | 441 |
| Clinical Nurse Leader | 434 |
| Women’s Health Nursing | 323 |
| Clinical Nurse Specialist | 321 |
| Surgical Nursing | 190 |
| Maternal & Neonatal Nursing | 160 |
| ER/Trauma Nursing | 57 |
| Environmental Health Nursing | 22 |
| Forensic Nursing | 21 |
| Palliative Care Nursing | 7 |
Most Popular Related Majors
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Nursing & Nursing Assistants | 99,987 |
| Allied Health Professions | 90,379 |
| Health/Medical Admin Services | 90,166 |
| Allied Health Services | 80,693 |
| Public Health | 41,086 |
References
*The average salary above is for the top 25 schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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.