2026 Best Nursing Practice Schools in North Carolina

1

Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC

Leading the list is Wake Forest University, our #1 school for nursing practice. Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Winston-Salem. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. There were roughly 16 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at Wake Forest University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $202,919 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,577. Read more about the nursing practice program at Wake Forest University

2

Duke University
Durham, NC

A rank of #2 makes Duke University one of the top schools for nursing practice. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. Duke University graduates 97% of students within six years. About 59 nursing practice degrees were awarded at Duke University in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $116,855 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $29,000. See the full nursing practice program report for Duke University

3

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington
Wilmington, NC

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in nursing practice, ranking #3. This very large public university is located in the city of Wilmington. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington awarded about 61 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Wilmington generally make around $83,408. Typical student debt for the program is $22,000. Read more about the nursing practice program at University Of North Carolina At Wilmington

4

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

A rank of #4 makes University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill one of the top schools for nursing practice. 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. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill awarded about 35 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data 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

5

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
Charlotte, NC

A rank of #5 makes University Of North Carolina At Charlotte one of the top schools for nursing practice. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte graduates 69% of students within six years. About 25 nursing practice degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $95,753 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,044 to complete this degree. See the full nursing practice program report for University Of North Carolina At Charlotte

6

East Carolina University
Greenville, NC

East Carolina University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best nursing practice schools. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 81 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at East Carolina University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing practice degree from East Carolina University earn around $96,898 in the first couple years of their career. East Carolina University graduates carry a median of $25,264 in student loans. See the full nursing practice program report for East Carolina University

7

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Greensboro, NC

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #7 among the best nursing practice schools. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. About 56% of students finish within six years. About 57 nursing practice degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Greensboro in the most recent year. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $103,649 early in their careers. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro graduates carry a median of $24,701 in student loans. Get the full nursing practice details for University Of North Carolina At Greensboro

8

Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC

Western Carolina University placed #8 among the best nursing practice schools. Western Carolina University is a large public school located in the town of Cullowhee. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. There were roughly 17 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at Western Carolina University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing practice degree from Western Carolina University earn around $87,701 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,163 to complete this degree. Get the full nursing practice details for Western Carolina University

9

Winston Salem State University
Winston-Salem, NC

Winston Salem State University placed #9 among the best nursing practice schools. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Winston Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. About 47% of students finish within six years. About 10 nursing practice degrees were awarded at Winston Salem State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Winston Salem State University generally make around $84,648. Typical student debt for the program is $24,082. Read more about the nursing practice program at Winston Salem State University

10

Lenoir Rhyne University
Hickory, NC

Lenoir Rhyne University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best nursing practice schools. Located in the city of Hickory, Lenoir Rhyne University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. There were roughly 11 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at Lenoir Rhyne University in the most recent data year. Nursing Practice graduates of Lenoir Rhyne University earn a median of $64,846 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,300. More information about a degree in nursing practice from Lenoir Rhyne University