2026 Best Registered Nursing Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

1

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

Columbia University In The City Of New York tops our 2026 ranking of the best registered nursing schools. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 381 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $138,848. Typical student debt for the program is $23,258. More information about a degree in registered nursing from Columbia University In The City Of New York

2

University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 243 registered nursing degrees were awarded at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from University Of Pennsylvania earn around $137,262 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,410 to complete this degree. Read more about the registered nursing program at University Of Pennsylvania

3

Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY

Stony Brook University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Stony Brook. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. Stony Brook University awarded about 183 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Stony Brook University earn around $117,350 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,000. Get the full registered nursing details for Stony Brook University

4

Cuny Graduate School And University Center
New York, NY

Students looking for a strong registered nursing program will find one at Cuny Graduate School And University Center, which ranked #4. Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public school located in the city of New York. About 138 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Cuny Graduate School And University Center in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of Cuny Graduate School And University Center earn a median of $109,744 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,593. Get the full registered nursing details for Cuny Graduate School And University Center

5

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

A rank of #5 makes Johns Hopkins University one of the top schools for registered nursing. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Baltimore. About 94% of students finish within six years. Johns Hopkins University awarded about 301 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Johns Hopkins University earn around $105,622 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete this degree. See the full registered nursing program report for Johns Hopkins University

6

New York University
New York, NY

New York University came in at #6 for registered nursing this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 460 registered nursing degrees were awarded at New York University in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of New York University earn a median of $138,833 early in their careers. New York University graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Get the full registered nursing details for New York University

7

Suny Downstate Medical Center
Brooklyn, NY

Suny Downstate Medical Center ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Brooklyn. There were roughly 109 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Suny Downstate Medical Center in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Suny Downstate Medical Center generally make around $122,575. Students borrow a median of $22,023 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in registered nursing from Suny Downstate Medical Center

8

Georgetown University
Washington, DC

Georgetown University earned the #8 position for registered nursing this year. Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Georgetown University graduates 95% of students within six years. About 328 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Georgetown University in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Georgetown University earn around $131,652 in the first couple years of their career. Georgetown University graduates carry a median of $17,417 in student loans. Get the full registered nursing details for Georgetown University

9

Suny At Binghamton
Vestal, NY

Suny At Binghamton placed #9 among the best registered nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public university. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. Suny At Binghamton awarded about 190 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $100,425 in their early career. Suny At Binghamton graduates carry a median of $23,750 in student loans. Read more about the registered nursing program at Suny At Binghamton

10

University Of Maryland Baltimore
Baltimore, MD

University Of Maryland Baltimore earned the #10 position for registered nursing this year. University Of Maryland Baltimore is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Baltimore. There were roughly 591 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Maryland Baltimore in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $96,694 in their early career. University Of Maryland Baltimore graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Read more about the registered nursing program at University Of Maryland Baltimore

11

University Of Delaware
Newark, DE

University Of Delaware placed #11 among the best registered nursing schools. University Of Delaware is a very large public school located in the suburb of Newark. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. About 166 registered nursing degrees were awarded at University Of Delaware in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from University Of Delaware earn around $98,506 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Delaware graduates carry a median of $26,522 in student loans. See the full registered nursing program report for University Of Delaware

12

William Paterson University Of New Jersey
Wayne, NJ

William Paterson University Of New Jersey earned the #12 position for registered nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public institution. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. William Paterson University Of New Jersey awarded about 657 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of William Paterson University Of New Jersey earn a median of $107,413 early in their careers. William Paterson University Of New Jersey graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. See the full registered nursing program report for William Paterson University Of New Jersey

13

Rutgers University New Brunswick
New Brunswick, NJ

Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 298 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Rutgers University New Brunswick in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Rutgers University New Brunswick earn around $108,083 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the registered nursing program at Rutgers University New Brunswick

14

Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Cuny Hunter College placed #14 among the best registered nursing schools. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Cuny Hunter College graduates 57% of students within six years. There were roughly 157 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Hunter College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $121,767 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,944. See the full registered nursing program report for Cuny Hunter College

15

Phillips Beth Israel School Of Nursing
New York, NY

Phillips Beth Israel School Of Nursing placed #15 among the best registered nursing schools. Set in the city of New York, Phillips Beth Israel School Of Nursing is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 100% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 170 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Phillips Beth Israel School Of Nursing in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Phillips Beth Israel School Of Nursing earn a median of $106,754 early in their careers. Phillips Beth Israel School Of Nursing graduates carry a median of $24,095 in student loans. Read more about the registered nursing program at Phillips Beth Israel School Of Nursing

16

University Of Scranton
Scranton, PA

University Of Scranton ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Scranton, University Of Scranton is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. There were roughly 78 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Scranton in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of Scranton earn a median of $110,446 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Get the full registered nursing details for University Of Scranton

17

West Chester University Of Pennsylvania
West Chester, PA

West Chester University Of Pennsylvania ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Located in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. About 70% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 219 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Read more about the registered nursing program at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania

18

George Washington University
Washington, DC

George Washington University came in at #18 for registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. George Washington University graduates 84% of students within six years. About 208 registered nursing degrees were awarded at George Washington University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from George Washington University generally make around $107,851. Typical student debt for the program is $26,500. Read more about the registered nursing program at George Washington University

19

University At Buffalo
Buffalo, NY

University At Buffalo came in at #19 for registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 168 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at University At Buffalo in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $110,839. Typical student debt for the program is $26,117. See the full registered nursing program report for University At Buffalo

20

Towson University
Towson, MD

Towson University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public university. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 250 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Towson University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Towson University generally make around $80,344. Students borrow a median of $23,378 to complete this degree. See the full registered nursing program report for Towson University

21

Adelphi University
Garden City, NY

Adelphi University earned the #21 position for registered nursing this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Garden City. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. There were roughly 328 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Adelphi University in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Adelphi University earn a median of $124,565 early in their careers. Adelphi University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in registered nursing from Adelphi University

22

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Pittsburgh, PA

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #22 among the best registered nursing schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus awarded about 272 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $98,377. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete this degree. See the full registered nursing program report for University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

23

University Of Maryland University College
Adelphi, MD

University Of Maryland University College landed the #23 spot for registered nursing this year. University Of Maryland University College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Adelphi. University Of Maryland University College graduates 20% of students within six years. There were roughly 155 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Maryland University College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $92,323 in their early career. University Of Maryland University College graduates carry a median of $19,084 in student loans. Read more about the registered nursing program at University Of Maryland University College

24

Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA

Drexel University earned the #24 position for registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 78% of students finish within six years. Drexel University awarded about 696 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Drexel University generally make around $123,645. Drexel University graduates carry a median of $30,750 in student loans. More information about a degree in registered nursing from Drexel University

25

Cuny Lehman College
Bronx, NY

Cuny Lehman College placed #25 among the best registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. About 51% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 170 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Lehman College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Cuny Lehman College earn around $125,790 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,055. More information about a degree in registered nursing from Cuny Lehman College