2026 Best Nursing Practice Schools in the Southeast Region

1

Emory University
Atlanta, GA

Emory University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in nursing practice. Located in the city of Atlanta, Emory University is a large private not-for-profit university. Emory University graduates 91% of students within six years. About 48 nursing practice degrees were awarded at Emory University in the most recent year. Nursing Practice graduates of Emory University earn a median of $98,673 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

2

Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best nursing practice schools. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. About 94% of students finish within six years. Vanderbilt University awarded about 55 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing Practice graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $125,565 early in their careers. Vanderbilt University graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Read more about the nursing practice program at Vanderbilt University

3

Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC

Students looking for a strong nursing practice program will find one at Wake Forest University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Wake Forest University graduates 89% of students within six years. About 16 nursing practice degrees were awarded at Wake Forest University in the most recent 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. More information about a degree in nursing practice from Wake Forest University

4

Duke University
Durham, NC

Students looking for a strong nursing practice program will find one at Duke University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 97% of students finish within six years. Duke University awarded about 59 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing practice degree from Duke University earn around $116,855 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $29,000. See the full nursing practice program report for Duke University

5

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

A rank of #5 makes University Of Florida one of the top schools for nursing practice. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 94 nursing practice degrees were awarded at University Of Florida in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $90,433. University Of Florida graduates carry a median of $19,934 in student loans. More information about a degree in nursing practice from University Of Florida

6

University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL

University Of Miami landed the #6 spot for nursing practice this year. University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Coral Gables. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 48 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at University Of Miami in the most recent data year. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of Miami earn a median of $116,541 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,750 to complete this degree. Get the full nursing practice details for University Of Miami

7

George Mason University
Fairfax, VA

George Mason University came in at #7 for nursing practice this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 21 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at George Mason University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $99,718 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,750. See the full nursing practice program report for George Mason University

8

James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University earned the #8 position for nursing practice this year. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. About 80% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 11 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at James Madison University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $87,152 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,347 to complete this degree. See the full nursing practice program report for James Madison University

9

Clemson University
Clemson, SC

Clemson University placed #9 among the best nursing practice schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Clemson. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. There were roughly 13 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at Clemson University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Clemson University generally make around $85,508. Clemson University graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Get the full nursing practice details for Clemson University

10

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Florida International University landed the #10 spot for nursing practice this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Miami. Florida International University graduates 74% of students within six years. About 81 nursing practice degrees were awarded at Florida International University in the most recent year. Nursing Practice graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $96,525 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,895. See the full nursing practice program report for Florida International University

11

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington
Wilmington, NC

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington came in at #11 for nursing practice this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Wilmington. About 71% of students finish within six years. About 61 nursing practice degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Wilmington in the most recent year. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earn a median of $83,408 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,000. Read more about the nursing practice program at University Of North Carolina At Wilmington

12

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #12 spot for nursing practice this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tampa. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 87 nursing practice degrees were awarded at University Of South Florida Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $105,610. University Of South Florida Main Campus graduates carry a median of $22,452 in student loans. Get the full nursing practice details for University Of South Florida Main Campus

13

University Of North Florida
Jacksonville, FL

University Of North Florida ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best nursing practice schools. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. About 63 nursing practice degrees were awarded at University Of North Florida in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $116,277 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,750. More information about a degree in nursing practice from University Of North Florida

14

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #14 position for nursing practice this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 35 nursing practice degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent year. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $91,154 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,026. Read more about the nursing practice program at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

15

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
Charlotte, NC

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte landed the #15 spot for nursing practice this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. About 69% of students finish within six years. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte awarded about 25 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing practice degree from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn around $95,753 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,044. See the full nursing practice program report for University Of North Carolina At Charlotte

16

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University landed the #16 spot for nursing practice this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 27 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at Florida State University in the most recent data year. Nursing Practice graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $127,776 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,546. More information about a degree in nursing practice from Florida State University

17

The University Of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, AL

The University Of Alabama came in at #17 for nursing practice this year. The University Of Alabama is a very large public school located in the city of Tuscaloosa. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 50 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Alabama in the most recent data year. Nursing Practice graduates of The University Of Alabama earn a median of $103,352 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,006 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in nursing practice from The University Of Alabama

18

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University earned the #18 position for nursing practice this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Boca Raton. Florida Atlantic University graduates 63% of students within six years. There were roughly 32 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at Florida Atlantic University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $96,397 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,070 to complete this degree. Read more about the nursing practice program at Florida Atlantic University

19

Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA

Virginia Commonwealth University came in at #19 for nursing practice this year. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. About 63% of students finish within six years. About 86 nursing practice degrees were awarded at Virginia Commonwealth University in the most recent year. Nursing Practice graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $128,772 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,250 to complete this degree. See the full nursing practice program report for Virginia Commonwealth University

20

University Of Alabama At Birmingham
Birmingham, AL

University Of Alabama At Birmingham landed the #20 spot for nursing practice this year. Set in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. University Of Alabama At Birmingham awarded about 178 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $98,091 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,911. See the full nursing practice program report for University Of Alabama At Birmingham

21

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida came in at #21 for nursing practice this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. University Of Central Florida graduates 78% of students within six years. University Of Central Florida awarded about 65 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $88,414 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,000. Read more about the nursing practice program at University Of Central Florida

22

East Carolina University
Greenville, NC

East Carolina University placed #22 among the best nursing practice schools. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. About 63% of students finish within six years. East Carolina University awarded about 81 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $96,898. Students borrow a median of $25,264 to complete this degree. Read more about the nursing practice program at East Carolina University

23

The University Of Tennessee
Knoxville, TN

The University Of Tennessee landed the #23 spot for nursing practice this year. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. There were roughly 61 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Tennessee in the most recent data year. Nursing Practice graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $97,755 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,292. More information about a degree in nursing practice from The University Of Tennessee

24

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Greensboro, NC

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned the #24 position for nursing practice this year. This large public university is located in the city of Greensboro. About 56% of students finish within six years. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro awarded about 57 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $103,649 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,701. Get the full nursing practice details for University Of North Carolina At Greensboro

25

The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center
Memphis, TN

The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center placed #25 among the best nursing practice schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Memphis. The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center awarded about 84 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $96,631 in their early career. The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center graduates carry a median of $29,537 in student loans. Read more about the nursing practice program at The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center