2026 Best Nursing Practice Master’s Degree Schools

1

Columbia University In The City Of New York
New York, NY

Leading the list is Columbia University In The City Of New York, our #1 school for nursing practice. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 125 nursing practice degrees were awarded at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent year. Nursing Practice graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $132,715 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete this degree. Get the full nursing practice details for Columbia University In The City Of New York

2

The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston
Houston, TX

The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in nursing practice, ranking #2. Located in the city of Houston, The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston is a moderately-sized public university. About 44 nursing practice degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston generally make around $110,523. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500. See the full nursing practice program report for The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston

3

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best nursing practice schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 11 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing practice degree from University Of California Los Angeles earn around $112,065 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $20,800 in student loans. More information about a degree in nursing practice from University Of California Los Angeles

4

Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA

Boston College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in nursing practice, ranking #4. Boston College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chestnut Hill. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. Boston College awarded about 85 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing practice degree from Boston College earn around $111,763 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,250. Get the full nursing practice details for Boston College

5

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in nursing practice, landing the #5 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fullerton. About 70% of students finish within six years. About 51 nursing practice degrees were awarded at California State University Fullerton in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing practice degree from California State University Fullerton earn around $193,133 in the first couple years of their career. California State University Fullerton graduates carry a median of $17,375 in student loans. See the full nursing practice program report for California State University Fullerton

6

Emory University
Atlanta, GA

Emory University landed the #6 spot for nursing practice this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Emory University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 29 nursing practice degrees were awarded at Emory University in the most recent year. Nursing Practice graduates of Emory University earn a median of $107,880 early in their careers. Emory University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in nursing practice from Emory University

7

Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC

Wake Forest University earned the #7 position for nursing practice this year. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. Wake Forest University awarded about 16 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing Practice graduates of Wake Forest University earn a median of $202,919 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,577. Read more about the nursing practice program at Wake Forest University

8

Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University landed the #8 spot for nursing practice this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Nashville. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 55 nursing practice degrees were awarded at Vanderbilt University in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $109,840 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete this degree. Read more about the nursing practice program at Vanderbilt University

9

Samuel Merritt University
Oakland, CA

Samuel Merritt University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best nursing practice schools. Samuel Merritt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Oakland. Samuel Merritt University awarded about 46 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $141,819 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Read more about the nursing practice program at Samuel Merritt University

10

The University Of Texas Medical Branch
Galveston, TX

The University Of Texas Medical Branch came in at #10 for nursing practice this year. Located in the city of Galveston, The University Of Texas Medical Branch is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 24 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas Medical Branch in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing practice degree from The University Of Texas Medical Branch earn around $116,723 in the first couple years of their career. The University Of Texas Medical Branch graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Read more about the nursing practice program at The University Of Texas Medical Branch

11

University Of California San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

University Of California San Francisco placed #11 among the best nursing practice schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of San Francisco. University Of California San Francisco awarded about 72 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of California San Francisco earn a median of $138,842 early in their careers. Read more about the nursing practice program at University Of California San Francisco

12

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine came in at #12 for nursing practice this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 26 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Irvine in the most recent data year. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $87,217 early in their careers. University Of California Irvine graduates carry a median of $13,400 in student loans. More information about a degree in nursing practice from University Of California Irvine

13

Quinnipiac University
Hamden, CT

Quinnipiac University landed the #13 spot for nursing practice this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Hamden. About 76% of students finish within six years. About 52 nursing practice degrees were awarded at Quinnipiac University in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing practice degree from Quinnipiac University earn around $116,250 in the first couple years of their career. Quinnipiac University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the nursing practice program at Quinnipiac University

14

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Lubbock, TX

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center earned the #14 position for nursing practice 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 53 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing Practice graduates of Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center earn a median of $110,624 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,000. Read more about the nursing practice program at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

15

University Of Connecticut
Storrs, CT

University Of Connecticut landed the #15 spot for nursing practice this year. This very large public university is located in the town of Storrs. University Of Connecticut graduates 83% of students within six years. About 65 nursing practice degrees were awarded at University Of Connecticut in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $128,877 in their early career. University Of Connecticut graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full nursing practice details for University Of Connecticut

16

Fairfield University
Fairfield, CT

Fairfield University placed #16 among the best nursing practice schools. Located in the suburb of Fairfield, Fairfield University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Fairfield University awarded about 12 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $118,169 in their early career. Fairfield University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full nursing practice program report for Fairfield University

17

Villanova University
Villanova, PA

Villanova University placed #17 among the best nursing practice schools. Set in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 92% of students finish within six years. About 46 nursing practice degrees were awarded at Villanova University in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing practice degree from Villanova University earn around $125,417 in the first couple years of their career. Villanova University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full nursing practice program report for Villanova University

18

University Of Maryland Baltimore
Baltimore, MD

University Of Maryland Baltimore landed the #18 spot for nursing practice this year. University Of Maryland Baltimore is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Baltimore. University Of Maryland Baltimore awarded about 156 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from University Of Maryland Baltimore generally make around $85,488. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in nursing practice from University Of Maryland Baltimore

19

Duke University
Durham, NC

Duke University placed #19 among the best nursing practice schools. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 97%. There were roughly 59 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at Duke University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $109,702 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the nursing practice program at Duke University

20

Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH

Case Western Reserve University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best nursing practice schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cleveland. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. About 29 nursing practice degrees were awarded at Case Western Reserve University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Case Western Reserve University generally make around $115,009. Students borrow a median of $26,580 to complete this degree. Get the full nursing practice details for Case Western Reserve University

21

University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL

University Of Miami landed the #21 spot for nursing practice this year. Located in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 84% of students finish within six years. University Of Miami awarded about 48 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing practice degree from University Of Miami earn around $107,332 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,750 to complete this degree. Get the full nursing practice details for University Of Miami

22

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University earned the #22 position for nursing practice this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tempe. Arizona State University graduates 68% of students within six years. Arizona State University awarded about 73 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $96,796. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete this degree. Get the full nursing practice details for Arizona State University

23

Medical University Of South Carolina
Charleston, SC

Medical University Of South Carolina landed the #23 spot for nursing practice this year. Medical University Of South Carolina is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Charleston. About 57 nursing practice degrees were awarded at Medical University Of South Carolina in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Medical University Of South Carolina generally make around $113,286. Students borrow a median of $29,043 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in nursing practice from Medical University Of South Carolina

24

University Of Rhode Island
Kingston, RI

University Of Rhode Island landed the #24 spot for nursing practice this year. Located in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public university. University Of Rhode Island graduates 72% of students within six years. University Of Rhode Island awarded about 10 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $109,305 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,390. Read more about the nursing practice program at University Of Rhode Island

25

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
Charlotte, NC

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #25 for nursing practice this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Charlotte. About 69% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 25 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $118,061 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,044. Read more about the nursing practice program at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte