Nursing is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
College Factual analyzed 2207 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best nursing schools.
San Diego State University tops our 2026 ranking of the best nursing schools. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. There were roughly 200 nursing students who graduated with this degree at San Diego State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $100,221 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,875.
See the full nursing program report for San Diego State University
The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Set in the city of Houston, The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 500 nursing students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston earn a median of $82,043 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500.
More information about a degree in nursing from The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston
Stony Brook University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. Stony Brook University graduates 76% of students within six years. Stony Brook University awarded about 367 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $94,853 early in their careers. Stony Brook University graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in nursing from Stony Brook University
University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 210 nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $86,212. Typical student debt for the program is $18,750.
See the full nursing program report for University Of Washington Seattle Campus
University Of Pennsylvania is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 443 nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from University Of Pennsylvania earn around $80,943 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,945 to complete this degree.
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Pennsylvania State University Main Campus placed #6 among the best nursing schools. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 133 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent data year.
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California State University Fullerton came in at #7 for nursing this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fullerton. California State University Fullerton graduates 70% of students within six years. About 341 nursing degrees were awarded at California State University Fullerton in the most recent year. Nursing graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $103,028 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,375.
More information about a degree in nursing from California State University Fullerton
San Jose State University placed #8 among the best nursing schools. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. San Jose State University awarded about 163 nursing degrees in the most recent data year.
See the full nursing program report for San Jose State University
Cuny Graduate School And University Center landed the #9 spot for nursing this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public institution. About 151 nursing degrees were awarded at Cuny Graduate School And University Center in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Cuny Graduate School And University Center earn around $109,744 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,593.
More information about a degree in nursing from Cuny Graduate School And University Center
California State University Long Beach placed #10 among the best nursing schools. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. About 243 nursing degrees were awarded at California State University Long Beach in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing degree from California State University Long Beach earn around $100,178 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,661 to complete this degree.
Get the full nursing details for California State University Long Beach
California State University Northridge came in at #11 for nursing this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. California State University Northridge graduates 57% of students within six years. About 125 nursing degrees were awarded at California State University Northridge in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $106,780 in their early career. California State University Northridge graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans.
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California State University Chico earned the #12 position for nursing this year. California State University Chico is a large public school located in the city of Chico. About 63% of students finish within six years. About 94 nursing degrees were awarded at California State University Chico in the most recent year. Nursing graduates of California State University Chico earn a median of $113,181 early in their careers. California State University Chico graduates carry a median of $20,125 in student loans.
See the full nursing program report for California State University Chico
California State University Sacramento landed the #13 spot for nursing this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Sacramento. About 56% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 212 nursing students who graduated with this degree at California State University Sacramento in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $116,001 early in their careers. California State University Sacramento graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans.
See the full nursing program report for California State University Sacramento
New York University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best 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. About 583 nursing degrees were awarded at New York University in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing degree from New York University earn around $111,360 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,500.
More information about a degree in nursing from New York University
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Ann Arbor. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. There were roughly 338 nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $75,458 in their early career. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans.
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Suny Downstate Medical Center came in at #16 for nursing this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Suny Downstate Medical Center is a mid-sized public institution. Suny Downstate Medical Center awarded about 287 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Suny Downstate Medical Center earn around $112,670 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,023 to complete this degree.
See the full nursing program report for Suny Downstate Medical Center
Suny At Binghamton ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Suny At Binghamton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Vestal. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. Suny At Binghamton awarded about 216 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Suny At Binghamton generally make around $86,404. Students borrow a median of $23,750 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in nursing from Suny At Binghamton
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center earned the #18 position for nursing this year. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Lubbock. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center awarded about 1,132 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center earn a median of $77,083 early in their careers. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in nursing from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
The University Of Texas Medical Branch came in at #19 for nursing this year. Located in the city of Galveston, The University Of Texas Medical Branch is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 476 nursing students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas Medical Branch in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of The University Of Texas Medical Branch earn a median of $80,433 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in nursing from The University Of Texas Medical Branch
University Of California Irvine landed the #20 spot for nursing this year. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. University Of California Irvine graduates 87% of students within six years. About 93 nursing degrees were awarded at University Of California Irvine in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $87,715 in their early career. University Of California Irvine graduates carry a median of $13,400 in student loans.
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California State University East Bay landed the #21 spot for nursing this year. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. California State University East Bay graduates 48% of students within six years. About 140 nursing degrees were awarded at California State University East Bay in the most recent year. Nursing graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $124,392 early in their careers. California State University East Bay graduates carry a median of $18,875 in student loans.
See the full nursing program report for California State University East Bay
University Of San Francisco earned the #22 position for nursing this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of San Francisco. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of San Francisco awarded about 423 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of University Of San Francisco earn a median of $101,731 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
Read more about the nursing program at University Of San Francisco
California State University San Bernardino came in at #23 for nursing this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Bernardino. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University San Bernardino awarded about 139 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $93,142 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,116.
Get the full nursing details for California State University San Bernardino
Quinnipiac University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Hamden, Quinnipiac University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Quinnipiac University graduates 76% of students within six years. Quinnipiac University awarded about 381 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Quinnipiac University earn around $84,856 in the first couple years of their career. Quinnipiac University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in nursing from Quinnipiac University
Boston College came in at #25 for nursing this year. Located in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. Boston College awarded about 184 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $78,934 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,250.
Get the full nursing details for Boston College
Rest of the Top 50 Nursing Schools
These schools also placed among the best for nursing this year:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 2207 schools evaluated.
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 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).
