2026 Best Critical Care Nursing Master’s Degree Schools

1

New York University
New York, NY

New York University tops our 2026 ranking of the best critical care nursing schools. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. New York University graduates 88% of students within six years. New York University awarded about 42 critical care nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their critical care nursing degree from New York University earn around $141,353 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete this degree. See the full critical care nursing program report for New York University

2

Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in critical care nursing, ranking #2. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 48 critical care nursing students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt University in the most recent data year. Critical Care Nursing graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $109,840 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,975. More information about a degree in critical care nursing from Vanderbilt University

3

University Of South Carolina Columbia
Columbia, SC

Students looking for a strong critical care nursing program will find one at University Of South Carolina Columbia, which ranked #3. University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. About 79% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 29 critical care nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of South Carolina Columbia in the most recent data year. Students who receive their critical care nursing degree from University Of South Carolina Columbia earn around $105,149 in the first couple years of their career. University Of South Carolina Columbia graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Read more about the critical care nursing program at University Of South Carolina Columbia

4

University Of Rochester
Rochester, NY

A rank of #4 makes University Of Rochester one of the top schools for critical care nursing. Located in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 critical care nursing degrees were awarded at University Of Rochester in the most recent year. Students who receive their critical care nursing degree from University Of Rochester earn around $104,483 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in critical care nursing from University Of Rochester

5

Seton Hall University
South Orange, NJ

Seton Hall University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in critical care nursing, ranking #5. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of South Orange. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 31 critical care nursing degrees were awarded at Seton Hall University in the most recent year. Graduates of the critical care nursing program make about $111,063 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full critical care nursing details for Seton Hall University

6

Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZ

Grand Canyon University placed #6 among the best critical care nursing schools. Located in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. About 68 critical care nursing degrees were awarded at Grand Canyon University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, critical care nursing degree recipients from Grand Canyon University generally make around $111,869. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete this degree. See the full critical care nursing program report for Grand Canyon University

7

Maryville University Of Saint Louis
Saint Louis, MO

Maryville University Of Saint Louis placed #7 among the best critical care nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. Maryville University Of Saint Louis graduates 66% of students within six years. There were roughly 59 critical care nursing students who graduated with this degree at Maryville University Of Saint Louis in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, critical care nursing degree recipients from Maryville University Of Saint Louis generally make around $106,615. Typical student debt for the program is $29,881. More information about a degree in critical care nursing from Maryville University Of Saint Louis

8

Youngstown State University
Youngstown, OH

Youngstown State University earned the #8 position for critical care nursing this year. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. Youngstown State University awarded about 11 critical care nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Critical Care Nursing graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $146,348 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the critical care nursing program at Youngstown State University

9

Barry University
Miami, FL

Barry University placed #9 among the best critical care nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Miami, Barry University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Barry University graduates 37% of students within six years. Barry University awarded about 20 critical care nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the critical care nursing program make about $149,750 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete this degree. See the full critical care nursing program report for Barry University

10

Universidad Metropolitana
San Juan, PR

Universidad Metropolitana placed #10 among the best critical care nursing schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of San Juan. The six-year graduation rate is 30%. About 41 critical care nursing degrees were awarded at Universidad Metropolitana in the most recent year. Graduates of the critical care nursing program make about $49,103 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,824 to complete this degree. Read more about the critical care nursing program at Universidad Metropolitana