2025 Best Registered Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region

Registered Nursing is of the hottest associate degree programs in the United States, coming in as the #3 most popular major in the country. So, there are lots of possibilities to explore when you're trying to determine where you want to get your degree.

College Factual looked at 299 colleges and universities when compiling its 2025 Best Registered Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 25,394 associate degrees in registered nursing during the 2022-2023 academic year.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Our Methodology

• Best Associate Degree Schools List

Choosing a Great Registered Nursing School for Your Associate Degree

Your choice of registered nursing for getting your associate degree school matters. Important measures of a quality registered nursing program can vary widely even among the top schools. Below we explain some of the most important factors to consider before making your choice:

Overall Quality Is a Must

The overall quality of a associate degree school is important to ensure a quality 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 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 registered nursing students vs. other majors.
• Major Demand - How many other registered nursing students want to attend this school to pursue a associate 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 registered nursing related body.

Our complete ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best colleges for registered nursing students working on their associate degree.

More Ways to Rank Registered Nursing Schools

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we've developed a number of rankings, including this Best Registered Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region list, to help you choose the best school for you.

Best Schools for Associate Students to Study Registered Nursing in the Southeast Region

The following list ranks the best colleges and universities for pursuing an associate degree in registered nursing. 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 Southeast Region Schools for an Associate in Registered Nursing

1

Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale, FL

Associate Degree Highest Degree Type

507 Annual Graduates

It is difficult to beat Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale if you wish to pursue an associate degree in registered nursing. Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Fort Lauderdale.More information about a associate in registered nursing from Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale

2

Galen College of Nursing - Louisville
Louisville, KY

Associate Degree Highest Degree Type

327 Annual Graduates

Galen College of Nursing - Louisville is one of the finest schools in the country for getting an associate degree in registered nursing. Located in the large city of Louisville, Galen College of Nursing - Louisville is a private for-profit college with a small student population.More information about a associate in registered nursing from Galen College of Nursing - Louisville

3

Valencia College
Orlando, FL

Associate Degree Highest Degree Type

437 Annual Graduates

Valencia College is a great choice for individuals interested in an associate degree in registered nursing. Located in the large city of Orlando, Valencia College is a public college with a very large student population.More information about a associate in registered nursing from Valencia College

4

Southern Regional Technical College
Thomasville, GA

Associate Degree Highest Degree Type

108 Annual Graduates

Southern Regional Technical College is a good option for individuals interested in an associate degree in registered nursing. Located in the town of Thomasville, Southwest Georgia Technical College is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.More information about a associate in registered nursing from Southern Regional Technical College

5

Rasmussen University - Florida
Ocala, FL

Associate Degree Highest Degree Type

1,113 Annual Graduates

Rasmussen University - Florida is a small private for-profit university located in the city of Ocala.More information about a associate in registered nursing from Rasmussen University - Florida

6

Broward College
Fort Lauderdale, FL

Associate Degree Highest Degree Type

413 Annual Graduates

BC is a very large public college located in the city of Fort Lauderdale.More information about a associate in registered nursing from Broward College

7

ECPI University
Virginia Beach, VA

Associate Degree Highest Degree Type

678 Annual Graduates

ECPI University is a large private for-profit university located in the city of Virginia Beach.More information about a associate in registered nursing from ECPI University

8

Miami Dade College
Miami, FL

Associate Degree Highest Degree Type

664 Annual Graduates

Located in the city of Miami, MDC is a public college with a very large student population.More information about a associate in registered nursing from Miami Dade College

9

North Florida College
Madison, FL

Associate Degree Highest Degree Type

40 Annual Graduates

NFC is a small public college located in the rural area of Madison.More information about a associate in registered nursing from North Florida College

10

Palm Beach State College
Lake Worth, FL

Associate Degree Highest Degree Type

228 Annual Graduates

Located in the suburb of Lake Worth, Palm Beach State College is a public college with a fairly large student population.More information about a associate in registered nursing from Palm Beach State College

11

Seminole State College of Florida
Sanford, FL

Associate Degree Highest Degree Type

230 Annual Graduates

Located in the city of Sanford, Seminole State is a public college with a large student population.More information about a associate in registered nursing from Seminole State College of Florida

12

Southern Adventist University
Collegedale, TN

Associate Degree Highest Degree Type

90 Annual Graduates

Southern Adventist is a small private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Collegedale.More information about a associate in registered nursing from Southern Adventist University

13

Southside Virginia Community College
Alberta, VA

Associate Degree Highest Degree Type

40 Annual Graduates

Located in the remote area of Alberta, Southside Virginia Community College is a public college with a small student population.More information about a associate in registered nursing from Southside Virginia Community College

14

Hillsborough Community College
Tampa, FL

Associate Degree Highest Degree Type

210 Annual Graduates

Located in the city of Tampa, HCC is a public college with a very large student population.More information about a associate in registered nursing from Hillsborough Community College

15

Wallace Community College, Dothan
Dothan, AL

Associate Degree Highest Degree Type

133 Annual Graduates

Located in the city of Dothan, Wallace, Dothan is a public college with a small student population.More information about a associate in registered nursing from Wallace Community College, Dothan

16

Florida State College at Jacksonville
Jacksonville, FL

Associate Degree Highest Degree Type

284 Annual Graduates

Located in the city of Jacksonville, FSCJ is a public college with a very large student population.More information about a associate in registered nursing from Florida State College at Jacksonville

17

SOWELA Technical Community College
Lake Charles, LA

Associate Degree Highest Degree Type

44 Annual Graduates

SOWELA is a small public college located in the small city of Lake Charles.More information about a associate in registered nursing from SOWELA Technical Community College

18

St Petersburg College
St. Petersburg, FL

Associate Degree Highest Degree Type

313 Annual Graduates

Located in the large city of St. Petersburg, SPC is a public college with a very large student population.More information about a associate in registered nursing from St Petersburg College

19

Athens Technical College
Athens, GA

Associate Degree Highest Degree Type

44 Annual Graduates

Athens Technical College is a small public college located in the midsize city of Athens.More information about a associate in registered nursing from Athens Technical College

20

Sampson Community College
Clinton, NC

Associate Degree Highest Degree Type

35 Annual Graduates

Located in the town of Clinton, Sampson Community College is a public college with a small student population.More information about a associate in registered nursing from Sampson Community College

21

Lanier Technical College
Gainesville, GA

Associate Degree Highest Degree Type

20 Annual Graduates

Lanier Technical College is a moderately-sized public college located in the small city of Gainesville.More information about a associate in registered nursing from Lanier Technical College

22

Eastern Florida State College
Melbourne, FL

Associate Degree Highest Degree Type

159 Annual Graduates

Located in the city of Melbourne, EFSC is a public college with a large student population.More information about a associate in registered nursing from Eastern Florida State College

23

Santa Fe College
Gainesville, FL

Associate Degree Highest Degree Type

123 Annual Graduates

Santa Fe College is a large public college located in the midsize suburb of Gainesville.More information about a associate in registered nursing from Santa Fe College

24

Herzing University - Birmingham
Birmingham, AL

Associate Degree Highest Degree Type

50 Annual Graduates

Located in the large suburb of Birmingham, Herzing University - Birmingham is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly small student population.More information about a associate in registered nursing from Herzing University - Birmingham

25

Bryant & Stratton College - Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach, VA

Associate Degree Highest Degree Type

162 Annual Graduates

Bryant & Stratton College - Virginia Beach is a small private not-for-profit college located in the large city of Virginia Beach.More information about a associate in registered nursing from Bryant & Stratton College - Virginia Beach

Rest of the Top Best Registered Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region

26

Pasco-Hernando State College
New Port Richey, FL

27

Gadsden State Community College
Gadsden, AL

28

Lurleen B Wallace Community College
Andalusia, AL

29

Daytona State College
Daytona Beach, FL

30

Gwinnett Technical College
Lawrenceville, GA

31

Chattahoochee Technical College
Marietta, GA

32

Herzing University - Winter Park
Winter Park, FL

33

Virginia Highlands Community College
Abingdon, VA

34

Florida SouthWestern State College
Fort Myers, FL

35

Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY

36

Arkansas State University - Main Campus
Jonesboro, AR

37

Rappahannock Community College
Glenns, VA

38

Bishop State Community College
Mobile, AL

39

Marshall University
Huntington, WV

40

Mountain Empire Community College
Big Stone Gap, VA

41

Delgado Community College
New Orleans, LA

42

Shelton State Community College
Tuscaloosa, AL

43

Lincoln Memorial University
Harrogate, TN

44

Pensacola State College
Pensacola, FL

45

Richmond Community College
Hamlet, NC

46

Bevill State Community College
Jasper, AL

47

Lawson State Community College - Birmingham Campus
Birmingham, AL

48

Wake Technical Community College
Raleigh, NC

49

Albany State University
Albany, GA

50

Wallace Community College, Selma
Selma, AL

Remaining Award Winners

This section shows the remainder of the colleges awarded a Best Registered Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region badge. Showing in this list means the school was ranked in the top 20% of the 299 different Southeast registered nursing schools we analyzed.

Rank	College	Location
51	Gaston College	Dallas, NC
52	Coastal Pines Technical College	Waycross, GA
53	Arkansas Northeastern College	Blytheville, AR
54	Mississippi Delta Community College	Moorhead, MS
55	College of Central Florida	Ocala, FL
56	Columbus Technical College	Columbus, GA
57	Indian River State College	Fort Pierce, FL
58	Cabarrus College of Health Sciences	Concord, NC
59	Greenville Technical College	Greenville, SC

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 Registered Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region award.

Rank	College	Location
60	Southwest Mississippi Community College	Summit, MS
61	Jackson State Community College	Jackson, TN
62	South Florida State College	Avon Park, FL
63	Florida National University - Main Campus	Hialeah, FL
64	Northern Virginia Community College	Annandale, VA
65	Gardner - Webb University	Boiling Springs, NC
66	Gulf Coast State College	Panama City, FL
67	Miami Regional University	Miami Springs, FL
68	Patrick Henry Community College	Martinsville, VA
69	Wallace State Community College, Hanceville	Hanceville, AL
70	Carolinas College of Health Sciences	Charlotte, NC
71	Southwest Tennessee Community College	Memphis, TN
72	Brunswick Community College	Bolivia, NC
73	Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College	Tifton, GA
74	Tallahassee Community College	Tallahassee, FL
75	West Georgia Technical College	Waco, GA
76	Augusta Technical College	Augusta, GA
77	John C Calhoun State Community College	Tanner, AL
78	Horry-Georgetown Technical College	Conway, SC
79	Mississippi University for Women	Columbus, MS
80	Louisiana Tech University	Ruston, LA
81	Polk State College	Winter Haven, FL
82	University of Arkansas at Little Rock	Little Rock, AR
83	Meridian Community College	Meridian, MS
84	Sullivan University	Louisville, KY
85	Saint Johns River State College	Palatka, FL
86	Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College	Perkinston, MS
87	Florida Gateway College	Lake City, FL
88	Southern Crescent Technical College	Griffin, GA
89	Hinds Community College	Raymond, MS
90	Jefferson State Community College	Birmingham, AL
91	Coastal Alabama Community College	Bay Minette, AL
92	Lenoir Community College	Kinston, NC
93	Central Georgia Technical College	Warner Robins, GA
94	Dyersburg State Community College	Dyersburg, TN
95	Durham Technical Community College	Durham, NC
96	Troy University	Troy, AL
97	Germanna Community College	Locust Grove, VA
98	Chattanooga State Community College	Chattanooga, TN
99	Trident Technical College	Charleston, SC

Best Registered Nursing Colleges by State

Explore the best registered nursing schools for a specific state in the Southeast Region .

State	Colleges	Degrees Awarded
Mississippi	272	1,269
Florida	232	9,011
North Carolina	231	2,538
Georgia	217	1,473
West Virginia	180	813
Tennessee	170	1,235
Arkansas	161	1,212
Virginia	158	2,569
Kentucky	129	1,848
Louisiana	124	966
Alabama	109	2,116
South Carolina	105	1,223

View All Rankings >

Registered Nursing Related Rankings by Major

One of 23 majors within the Nursing area of study, Registered Nursing has other similar majors worth exploring.

Most Popular Related Majors

Related Major	Annual Graduates
Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing	128

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.