Top Nursing Schools

Nursing schools train students in patient care, evidence-based practice, and nursing specialties. After earning an accredited nursing degree, graduates earn their RN license and pursue nursing careers.

A bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) prepares graduates for high-paying careers in many nursing specialties. During a BSN program, learners gain hands-on clinical skills while strengthening their nursing leadership skills. Many BSN programs offer an accelerated RN-to-BSN path for current nurses and admit students new to nursing.

Our guide of nursing programs by state helps students find a nursing program that matches their schedule, budget, and goals.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Nursing Schools

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Q. What is the difference between an RN and a BSN?

A registered nurse (RN) meets the requirements to become a nurse in doctors' offices and hospitals. A BSN meets the educational requirements to earn an RN license.

Q. What degree do I need to become a nurse?

A nursing diploma, associate of science in nursing (ASN), or BSN meet the requirements to become an RN. RNs with a two-year degree can enroll in an RN-to-BSN program to complete a bachelor's degree.

Q. What kind of nurses get paid the most?

Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) report the highest salaries. Examples include nurse practitioners and nurse anesthetists. These nursing careers require a master's degree.

Why Get a Nursing Degree?

Nurses benefit from a positive job outlook. With a high earning potential and strong demand, nursing careers pay off. Prospective nurses can enter the field with a two-year degree. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), nursing will add over 275,000 new jobs between 2020-2030.

Many nursing programs feature online classes, appealing to busy students and those who prefer a flexible schedule. Online nursing students complete coursework through a distance learning system while meeting clinical requirements locally. Students who find a fully online nursing program do not need to search nursing programs by state.

How Much Does a Nursing Degree Cost?

Nursing degrees cost $2,500-$100,000, depending on the degree level and school. Many nurses start their career with a two-year ASN or diploma at a community college or hospital. According to National Center for Education Statistics 2019-2020 data, community college tuition and fees average $3,380 per year. The cheapest community colleges in California cost $1,270 per year.

A four-year BSN averages $9,350 per year at in-state public colleges or $32,770 per year at private colleges. Besides tuition, nursing students pay for textbooks, living expenses, lab fees, and other nursing supplies.

How Much Do Nursing Degree Majors Make?

Nursing careers are in-demand and pay above-average salaries, making a nursing degree a good investment. With an ASN or BSN, graduates work as registered nurses. RNs earn a median annual salary of over $75,000. The BLS projects 9% job growth from 2020-2030.

Salaries vary by specialty, location, and experience. Some nursing specialties offer above-average nursing salaries. High cost of living states tend to pay more. Like other careers, nurses typically earn higher salaries as they gain experience. Advanced degrees increase nurses' earning potential. Nurse practitioners and nurse anesthetists earn a median salary of $117,670 annually.

Top Nursing Programs by State - Pick a Program Within Your Area

Nursing Programs Popular Cities

Popular Nursing Programs

Courses in Nursing

Nursing classes teach foundational knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology. Students take classes designed to build nursing skills. Courses in proven practice and health assessment train nurses to evaluate information, care for patients, and improve health outcomes. Many programs include specialized courses. Examples include pediatric nursing, geriatric nursing, and medical surgical nursing.

Nursing programs require practicum hours and hospital rotations to strengthen clinical skills. Labs, simulations, and other experiential learning prepare nursing students for future careers. This section introduces common nursing courses.

• Health Assessment

  Health assessment classes train nurses to examine patients. Students learn how to take a comprehensive health assessment using techniques that reflect client preferences and needs. Classes integrate medical terms, patient care methods, and assessment techniques. Nursing students learn how to assess patient health with an awareness of each patient's unique circumstances.

• Community Health Nursing

  Learners examine population-level health and wellness issues, including diseases. Students strengthen their health promotion skills while learning proven disease prevention techniques. While studying individual and group approaches to health, students learn to improve health outcomes. The class focuses on applied community health skills and often includes clinical hours.

• Medical-Surgical Nursing

  Nursing students strengthen their medical-surgical skills by treating acute, chronic, and complex medical conditions. Learners explore the roles of nurses in surgical settings, evidence-based patient care, and coordinating care in medical-surgical settings. The course prepares nurses for specialties requiring medical-surgical training, including critical care nursing. Other examples include emergency nursing and perioperative nursing.

Nursing Specializations

Nurses can specialize in emergency care, neonatal nursing, and cardiovascular care. Many nursing programs train learners in specializations. Students who do not find a nursing program with specializations can focus their education with electives and clinical training.

Specializing gives nursing students the knowledge and skills needed for focused career paths. Many nurses earn certifications in their specialty area. This section introduces possible nursing specializations.

• Critical Care

  Critical care nurses provide emergency care for patients experiencing a serious injury or illness. Students do rotations in ICUs to strengthen their patient care and nursing skills. Nurses specializing in critical care become ICU nurses, emergency nurses, or critical care nurses.

• Pediatrics

  Pediatric nurses care for children from birth through young adulthood. Within pediatrics, nurses train in primary care and specialized care. Students learn how to conduct health assessments on children. Courses cover educating parents about medical conditions and communicating with child patients effectively. The specialization prepares graduates to become pediatric nurses in doctors' offices, hospitals, and other medical settings.

• Perioperative Care

  Perioperative care nurses, also called surgical or OR nurses, specialize in caring for surgical patients. They prep surgical rooms and assist surgeons during medical procedures. They also care for patients before and after surgery. BSN nursing students take electives in perioperative nursing. They complete rotations in surgical settings.

How to Become a Nurse

Nurses enter the profession with various educational backgrounds. Registered nurses earn their nursing license with an ASN or nursing diploma. Nurses can advance by earning a BSN. Prospective nurses can search nursing programs by state or enroll in an online program.

During a nursing program, learners study human anatomy, proven nursing practices, and patient care. In addition to coursework, nurses complete rotations in medical settings. After their nursing program, graduates take the NCLEX-RN exam to earn licensure.

RNs gain experience working in doctors' offices, outpatient clinics, and hospitals. With experience, nurses move into specialized and leadership roles. Nurses can also pursue graduate degrees.

Licensure for Nursing

Nurses must hold a state board-issued nursing license. Requirements vary by state.

RNs must complete an accredited nursing program with state approval. RN license candidates must also pass the NCLEX-RN exam. Some states require a criminal background check or drug testing. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing lists information on licensure requirements and nursing programs by state.

Besides RN licensure, nurses may also hold licensure as a certified nurse assistant (CNA), licensed practical nurse (LPN), or APRN. These licenses feature different education and testing requirements. LPNs typically complete a 1-2 year program and take the NCLEX-PN exam. APRNs earn a graduate degree in nursing and pursue national certification.

Because the requirements vary by nursing degree and type, prospective nurses should research the licensure process in their state.

Top Nursing Schools

Top Nursing Schools

RANK	SCHOOL	SCORE	TUITION	STUDENT/TEACHER RATIO	PROGRAM COUNT	GRADUATION RATE
1	University at Buffalo	100		13:1	14	72%
2	University of Iowa	99.75		16:1	24	70%
3	Stony Brook University	98.25		16:1	17	69%
4	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	98		13:1	6	90%
5	University of Michigan-Ann Arbor	97.25		12:1	10	91%
6	CUNY Hunter College	96.5		11:1	13	52%
7	Allen College	95.25		9:1	16	75%
8	SUNY at Binghamton	94.25		20:1	16	81%
9	Mount Carmel College of Nursing	94.25		12:1	10	64%
10	University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus	93.5		14:1	13	82%
11	University of Connecticut	92.5		16:1	9	81%
12	University of Washington-Seattle Campus	92		18:1	10	84%
13	Ball State University	91.75		15:1	9	59%
14	University of Kansas	90.5		17:1	10	60%
15	University of South Carolina-Columbia	90		18:1	9	73%
16	Washington State University	90		15:1	8	67%
17	Rutgers University-New Brunswick	89.75		16:1	8	81%
18	University of Cincinnati-Main Campus	89.75		18:1	18	60%
19	Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus	100		17:1	9	86%
20	Clarkson College	89.25		11:1	8	59%
21	University of Utah	89		17:1	5	62%
22	University of Wyoming	88.75		15:1	5	54%
23	University of Minnesota-Twin Cities	88.5		17:1	8	78%
24	George Mason University	88.5		16:1	5	67%
25	Southern Connecticut State University	88.5		14:1	8	53%
26	University of Mississippi	88		18:1	5	61%
27	South Dakota State University	88		17:1	7	57%
28	Madonna University	87.75		11:1	21	50%
29	East Carolina University	87.25		18:1	5	59%
30	Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health	86.75		12:1	5	66%
31	Temple University	85.75		14:1	5	69%
32	Winona State University	85.75		20:1	12	57%
33	University of Hawaii at Manoa	85.75		13:1	5	56%
34	University of Alabama at Birmingham	84.5		18:1	5	56%
35	University of Missouri-Columbia	84		20:1	5	69%
36	William Carey University	84		15:1	5	58%
37	University of Kentucky	83.75		18:1	5	61%
38	Virginia Commonwealth University	83.5		17:1	7	59%
39	University of Arizona	83.25		20:1	8	60%
40	University of North Dakota	82.75		19:1	7	55%
41	Illinois State University	82		19:1	6	72%
42	Missouri State University-Springfield	81.75		20:1	5	55%
43	University of Illinois at Chicago	80.75		17:1	5	60%
44	University of Massachusetts-Lowell	80.25		18:1	8	54%
45	Northern Arizona University	80.25		18:1	6	52%