2025 Best Nursing Practice Doctor's Degree Schools

Nursing Practice is of the hottest doctor's degree programs in the United States, coming in as the #7 most popular major in the country. This means there are lots of options to choose from when you decide to get your degree.

In 2025, College Factual analyzed 161 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Nursing Practice Doctor's Degree Schools ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 7,474 doctor's degrees in nursing practice during the <nil> academic year.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Our Methodology

• Best Doctor’s Degree Schools List

Choosing a Great Nursing Practice School for Your Doctor's Degree

Your choice of nursing practice for getting your doctor's degree school matters. This section explores some of the factors we include in our ranking and how much they vary depending on the school you select. To make it into this list, a school must excel in the following areas.

A Great Overall School

The overall quality of a doctor's degree school is important to ensure a good education, not just how well they do in a particular major. To make it into this list a school must rank well in our overall Best Colleges for a Doctor's Degree ranking. This ranking considered factors such as graduation rates, overall graduate earnings and other educational resources to identify great colleges and universities.

Other Factors We Consider

In addition to the above, you should consider some of the following factors:

• Major Focus - How much a school focuses on nursing practice students vs. other majors.
• Major Demand - How many other nursing practice students want to attend this school to pursue a doctor's degree.
• Educational Resources - The amount of money and other resources allocated to students while they are pursuing their degree. These resources include such things as number of students per instructor and education expenditures per student.
• Accreditation - Whether a school is regionally accredited and/or accredited by a recognized nursing practice related body.

Our complete ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best schools for nursing practice students working on their doctor's degree.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we've developed the Best Nursing Practice Doctor's Degree Schools ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

Best Schools for Doctorate Students to Study Nursing Practice in the United States

Below you'll see a list of the best colleges and universities for pursuing a doctor's degree in nursing practice. Only those schools that rank in the top 20% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Top Schools for a Doctorate in Nursing Practice

1

Samuel Merritt University
Oakland, CA

Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

33 Annual Graduates

It's difficult to beat Samuel Merritt University if you wish to pursue a doctor's degree in nursing practice. Located in the city of Oakland, Samuel Merritt University is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population.More information about a doctorate in nursing practice from Samuel Merritt University

2

Duke University
Durham, NC

Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

48 Annual Graduates

It is hard to beat Duke University if you wish to pursue a doctor's degree in nursing practice. Located in the city of Durham, Duke is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population.More information about a doctorate in nursing practice from Duke University

3

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Houston, TX

Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

43 Annual Graduates

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston is a good choice for students pursuing a doctor's degree in nursing practice. UTHealth is a medium-sized public university located in the city of Houston.More information about a doctorate in nursing practice from The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

4

University of Maryland - Baltimore
Baltimore, MD

Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

141 Annual Graduates

It is hard to beat University of Maryland - Baltimore if you wish to pursue a doctor's degree in nursing practice. Located in the large city of Baltimore, UMB is a public university with a medium-sized student population.More information about a doctorate in nursing practice from University of Maryland - Baltimore

5

Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH

Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

39 Annual Graduates

Case Western is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Cleveland.More information about a doctorate in nursing practice from Case Western Reserve University

6

The University of Texas Medical Branch
Galveston, TX

Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

24 Annual Graduates

UTMB Galveston is a small public university located in the small city of Galveston.More information about a doctorate in nursing practice from The University of Texas Medical Branch

7

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Lubbock, TX

Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

6 Annual Graduates

Located in the city of Lubbock, TTUHSC is a public university with a small student population.More information about a doctorate in nursing practice from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

8

Villanova University
Villanova, PA

Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

34 Annual Graduates

Located in the large suburb of Villanova, Villanova is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population.More information about a doctorate in nursing practice from Villanova University

9

Creighton University
Omaha, NE

Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

21 Annual Graduates

Creighton is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university located in the city of Omaha.More information about a doctorate in nursing practice from Creighton University

10

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus
Cincinnati, OH

Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

34 Annual Graduates

UC is a very large public university located in the city of Cincinnati.More information about a doctorate in nursing practice from University of Cincinnati - Main Campus

11

Emory University
Atlanta, GA

Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

34 Annual Graduates

Located in the city of Atlanta, Emory is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population.More information about a doctorate in nursing practice from Emory University

12

University of Connecticut
Storrs, CT

Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

15 Annual Graduates

Located in the town of Storrs, UCONN is a public university with a very large student population.More information about a doctorate in nursing practice from University of Connecticut

13

Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA

Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

13 Annual Graduates

Located in the midsize city of Richmond, VCU is a public university with a fairly large student population.More information about a doctorate in nursing practice from Virginia Commonwealth University

14

Samford University
Birmingham, AL

Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

13 Annual Graduates

Located in the suburb of Birmingham, Samford is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population.More information about a doctorate in nursing practice from Samford University

15

The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
San Antonio, TX

Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

8 Annual Graduates

UT Health San Antonio is a small public university located in the large city of San Antonio.More information about a doctorate in nursing practice from The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

16

University of Miami
Coral Gables, FL

Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

46 Annual Graduates

U Miami is a large private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Coral Gables.More information about a doctorate in nursing practice from University of Miami

17

The University of Tennessee - Health Science Center
Memphis, TN

Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

76 Annual Graduates

UTHSC is a small public university located in the large city of Memphis.More information about a doctorate in nursing practice from The University of Tennessee - Health Science Center

18

Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA

Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

28 Annual Graduates

Boston College is a large private not-for-profit college located in the city of Chestnut Hill.More information about a doctorate in nursing practice from Boston College

19

Thomas Jefferson University
Philadelphia, PA

Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

44 Annual Graduates

Located in the large city of Philadelphia, Thomas Jefferson University is a private not-for-profit university with a moderately-sized student population.More information about a doctorate in nursing practice from Thomas Jefferson University

20

MGH Institute of Health Professions
Boston, MA

Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

11 Annual Graduates

Located in the large city of Boston, MGH Institute of Health Professions is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.More information about a doctorate in nursing practice from MGH Institute of Health Professions

21

Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZ

Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

202 Annual Graduates

Located in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a private for-profit university with a very large student population.More information about a doctorate in nursing practice from Grand Canyon University

22

Quinnipiac University
Hamden, CT

Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

40 Annual Graduates

Located in the large suburb of Hamden, Quinnipiac is a private not-for-profit university with a moderately-sized student population.More information about a doctorate in nursing practice from Quinnipiac University

23

La Salle University
Philadelphia, PA

Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

6 Annual Graduates

La Salle is a small private not-for-profit university located in the city of Philadelphia.More information about a doctorate in nursing practice from La Salle University

24

University of Wisconsin - Madison
Madison, WI

Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

25 Annual Graduates

Located in the city of Madison, UW - Madison is a public university with a very large student population.More information about a doctorate in nursing practice from University of Wisconsin - Madison

25

Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA

Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

10 Annual Graduates

Located in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population.More information about a doctorate in nursing practice from Drexel University

Rest of the Top Best Nursing Practice Doctor's Degree Schools

26

Simmons University
Boston, MA

27

Wagner College
Staten Island, NY

28

University of California - Irvine
Irvine, CA

29

University of California - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

30

Gonzaga University
Spokane, WA

31

California State University - Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

32

University of Florida
Gainesville, FL

Additional Noteworthy Schools

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Nursing Practice Doctor's Degree Schools award.

Rank	College	Location
33	University of Arizona	Tucson, AZ
34	Union University	Jackson, TN
35	Loyola University Chicago	Chicago, IL
36	Marquette University	Milwaukee, WI
37	Baylor University	Waco, TX
38	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	Chapel Hill, NC
39	Rush University	Chicago, IL
40	Southern Illinois University Edwardsville	Edwardsville, IL
41	Michigan State University	East Lansing, MI
42	Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center - New Orleans	New Orleans, LA
43	Maryville University of Saint Louis	Saint Louis, MO
44	University of Oklahoma - Health Sciences Center	Oklahoma City, OK
45	University of Kansas	Lawrence, KS
46	Bradley University	Peoria, IL
47	The University of Texas at Austin	Austin, TX
48	University of Nevada - Reno	Reno, NV
49	Touro University Nevada	Henderson, NV
50	Saint Louis University	Saint Louis, MO
51	Medical University of South Carolina	Charleston, SC
52	University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences	Little Rock, AR
53	Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis	Indianapolis, IN

Nursing Practice by Region

View the Best Nursing Practice Doctor's Degree Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Other U.S. Territories
Great Lakes

View All Rankings >

Rankings in Majors Related to Nursing Practice

Nursing Practice is one of 23 different types of Nursing programs to choose from.

Majors Similar to Nursing Practice

Related Major	Annual Graduates
Nurse Anesthetist	1,403
Registered Nursing	976
Nursing Science	927
Nursing Administration	725
Family Practice Nurse/Nursing	683
Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing	339
Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing	193
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing	88
Critical Care Nursing	55
School Nursing	43

Notes and References

• The bars on the spread charts above show the distribution of the schools on this list +/- one standard deviation from the mean.
• 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.