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Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region

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2023 Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region

345 Colleges
$57,601 Avg Salary
$21,889 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Nursing Associate Degree 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.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. This report analyzed 345 schools in the Southeast Region to see which ones were the most popular associate degree programs for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the Nursing program at each school on the list.

The following schools top our list of the Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Colleges.

Our analysis found Rasmussen University - Florida to be the most popular school for nursing students who want to pursue a associate degree in the Southeast Region . Rasmussen University - Florida is a moderately-sized private for-profit school located in the small city of Ocala.

Women make up 89% of the nursing majors at the school.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Rasmussen University - Florida take out while working on their Associate Degree is $32,326. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $175.

Read More…

#2

Miami Dade College

Miami, FL

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Miami Dade College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region list. MDC is a very large public school located in the city of Miami.

Women make up 79% of the nursing majors at the school.

Nursing majors at MDC take out an average of $19,338 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

Read More…

#3

Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale, FL

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale is a great place for nursing students working on their associate degree. Located in the medium-sized city of Fort Lauderdale, Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale is a private not-for-profit school with a large student population.

Women make up 85% of the nursing majors at the school.

Nursing majors at Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale take out an average of $32,396 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $139.

Full Nursing at Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale Report

#4

ECPI University

Virginia Beach, VA

Out of the 345 schools in the Southeast Region that were part of this year’s ranking, ECPI University landed the # 4 spot on the list. ECPI University is a large private for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach.

Of the 574 students majoring in nursing at ECPI University, 9% are male and 91% are female.

Nursing majors at ECPI University take out an average of $35,025 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $174.

Full Nursing at ECPI University Report

#5

Galen College of Nursing - Tampa Bay

Saint Petersburg, FL

Out of the 345 schools in the Southeast Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Galen College of Nursing - Tampa Bay landed the # 5 spot on the list. Galen College of Nursing - Tampa Bay is a small private for-profit school located in the large city of Saint Petersburg.

Women make up 88% of the nursing majors at the school.

On average, nursing graduates from Galen College of Nursing - Tampa Bay take out $35,636 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $111.

Read full report on Nursing at Galen College of Nursing - Tampa Bay

#6

St Petersburg College

Clearwater, FL

St Petersburg College ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the large city of Clearwater, SPC is a public college with a fairly large student population.

About 81% of the students majoring in nursing at the school are women while 19% are male.

After completing their Associate Degree, nursing graduates from SPC carry an average student debt load of $25,206.

Full Nursing at St Petersburg College Report

Florida State College at Jacksonville landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree nursing programs. Located in the city of Jacksonville, FSCJ is a public college with a very large student population.

About 82% of the students majoring in nursing at the school are women while 18% are male.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at FSCJ take out while working on their Associate Degree is $21,396.

Read full report on Nursing at Florida State College at Jacksonville

#8

Broward College

Fort Lauderdale, FL

With a ranking of #8, Broward College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Located in the midsize city of Fort Lauderdale, BC is a public college with a very large student population.

Women make up 84% of the nursing majors at the school.

On average, nursing graduates from BC take out $17,192 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

Full Nursing at Broward College Report

#9

Valencia College

Orlando, FL

Valencia College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Valencia College is a fairly large public school located in the large city of Orlando.

About 89% of the students majoring in nursing at the school are women while 11% are male.

While working on their Associate Degree, nursing majors at Valencia College accumulate an average of around $20,231 in student debt.

Read full report on Nursing at Valencia College

#10

Delgado Community College

New Orleans, LA

Delgado Community College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree nursing programs. Delgado Community College is a large public school located in the city of New Orleans.

Women make up 93% of the nursing majors at the school.

While working on their Associate Degree, nursing majors at Delgado Community College accumulate an average of around $33,854 in student debt.

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Florida SouthWestern State College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a associate degree. It came in at #11 on the list. FSW is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers.

Women make up 83% of the nursing majors at the school.

After completing their Associate Degree, nursing graduates from FSW carry an average student debt load of $16,895.

Full Nursing at Florida SouthWestern State College Report

Seminole State College of Florida landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree nursing programs. Located in the small city of Sanford, Seminole State is a public school with a fairly large student population.

Of the 265 students majoring in nursing at Seminole State, 13% are male and 87% are female.

After completing their Associate Degree, nursing graduates from Seminole State carry an average student debt load of $21,016.

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With a ranking of #13, Galen College of Nursing - Louisville did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Located in the large city of Louisville, Galen College of Nursing - Louisville is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

Women make up 92% of the nursing majors at the school.

Nursing majors at Galen College of Nursing - Louisville take out an average of $35,636 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $111.

Full Nursing at Galen College of Nursing - Louisville Report

#14

Palm Beach State College

Lake Worth, FL

Palm Beach State College ranked #14 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the suburb of Lake Worth, Palm Beach State College is a public school with a fairly large student population.

About 78% of the students majoring in nursing at the school are women while 22% are male.

Nursing majors at Palm Beach State College take out an average of $17,552 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

Full Nursing at Palm Beach State College Report

Hillsborough Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a associate degree. It came in at #15 on the list. HCC is a large public school located in the large city of Tampa.

Women make up 80% of the nursing majors at the school.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at HCC take out while working on their Associate Degree is $21,224.

Read More…

#16

Pensacola State College

Pensacola, FL

Pensacola State College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a associate degree. It came in at #16 on the list. Pensacola State is a moderately-sized public school located in the small city of Pensacola.

Of the 229 students majoring in nursing at Pensacola State, 18% are male and 82% are female.

On average, nursing graduates from Pensacola State take out $14,432 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

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Jefferson State Community College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Jeff State is a medium-sized public school located in the city of Birmingham.

Of the 216 students majoring in nursing at Jeff State, 18% are male and 82% are female.

Nursing majors at Jeff State take out an average of $18,621 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

Full Nursing at Jefferson State Community College Report

Wallace State Community College, Hanceville landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree nursing programs. Wallace State, Hanceville is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Hanceville.

Women make up 88% of the nursing majors at the school.

On average, nursing graduates from Wallace State, Hanceville take out $17,546 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

Read full report on Nursing at Wallace State Community College, Hanceville

With a ranking of #19, John C Calhoun State Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Calhoun Community College is a medium-sized public school located in the rural area of Tanner.

Women make up 86% of the nursing majors at the school.

While working on their Associate Degree, nursing majors at Calhoun Community College accumulate an average of around $21,416 in student debt.

Read full report on Nursing at John C Calhoun State Community College

#20

Santa Fe College

Gainesville, FL

With a ranking of #20, Santa Fe College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Santa Fe College is a fairly large public school located in the midsize suburb of Gainesville.

Women make up 79% of the nursing majors at the school.

On average, nursing graduates from Santa Fe College take out $19,386 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

Read full report on Nursing at Santa Fe College

Bevill State Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a associate degree. It came in at #21 on the list. Bevill State Community College is a small public school located in the distant town of Jasper.

Of the 202 students majoring in nursing at Bevill State Community College, 10% are male and 90% are female.

After completing their Associate Degree, nursing graduates from Bevill State Community College carry an average student debt load of $19,834.

Full Nursing at Bevill State Community College Report

#22

Daytona State College

Daytona Beach, FL

Daytona State College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in the small city of Daytona Beach, Daytona State College is a public college with a fairly large student population.

Women make up 85% of the nursing majors at the school.

On average, nursing graduates from Daytona State College take out $19,292 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

Read More…

#23

HCI College

West Palm Beach, FL

HCI College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in the suburb of West Palm Beach, HCI College is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

Women make up 95% of the nursing majors at the school.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at HCI College take out while working on their Associate Degree is $34,870.

Read full report on Nursing at HCI College

#24

Trident Technical College

Charleston, SC

Trident Technical College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a public school with a large student population.

Women make up 88% of the nursing majors at the school.

Nursing majors at Trident Technical College take out an average of $29,278 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

Read More…

Coastal Alabama Community College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in the distant town of Bay Minette, Coastal Alabama Community College is a public school with a medium-sized student population.

Of the 181 students majoring in nursing at Coastal Alabama Community College, 9% are male and 91% are female.

While working on their Associate Degree, nursing majors at Coastal Alabama Community College accumulate an average of around $19,905 in student debt.

Full Nursing at Coastal Alabama Community College Report

#26

Pasco-Hernando State College

New Port Richey, FL
#29

Universal Career School

Sweetwater, FL
#31

Lincoln Memorial University

Harrogate, TN
#33

Polk State College

Winter Haven, FL
#34

Miami Regional University

Miami Springs, FL
#34

Gwinnett Institute

Orlando, FL
#36

Albany State University

Albany, GA
#37

Hinds Community College

Raymond, MS
#39

Midlands Technical College

West Columbia, SC
#39

Meridian Community College

Meridian, MS
#44

Indian River State College

Fort Pierce, FL
#45

Greenville Technical College

Greenville, SC
#46

Germanna Community College

Locust Grove, VA
#46

Fairmont State University

Fairmont, WV

Remaining Award Winners

This list shows the rest of the schools awarded a Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region badge. Showing in this list means the school was ranked in the top 15% of the 345 different Southeast nursing schools we analyzed.

Rank College Location
51 Forsyth Technical Community College Winston-Salem, NC

Additional Noteworthy Schools

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

Rank College Location
52 Wallace Community College, Dothan Dothan, AL
53 Pitt Community College Winterville, NC
53 Reynolds Community College Richmond, VA
53 Gulf Coast State College Panama City, FL
56 Eastern Florida State College Cocoa, FL
56 Dyersburg State Community College Dyersburg, TN
58 Galen College of Nursing - ARH Hazard, KY
58 John Tyler Community College Chester, VA
60 Georgia State University-Perimeter College Atlanta, GA
60 Tallahassee Community College Tallahassee, FL
62 Marshall University Huntington, WV
63 Sullivan University Louisville, KY
63 Holmes Community College Goodman, MS
63 Beckfield College - Florence Florence, KY
66 Gadsden State Community College Gadsden, AL
66 Lord Fairfax Community College Middletown, VA
68 Southern Regional Technical College Thomasville, GA
68 Bluegrass Community and Technical College Lexington, KY

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.

  • 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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