Registered Nursing programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 91 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best registered nursing schools.
University Of Pennsylvania tops our 2026 ranking 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%. University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 243 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from University Of Pennsylvania earn around $137,262 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,410.
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University Of Scranton is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Scranton, University Of Scranton is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 80% of students finish within six years. 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.
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West Chester University Of Pennsylvania came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of West Chester. About 70% of students finish within six years. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 219 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from West Chester University Of Pennsylvania
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in registered nursing, ranking #4. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus awarded about 272 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $98,377 in their early career. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans.
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A rank of #5 makes Drexel University one of the top schools for registered nursing. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 78% of students finish within six years. About 696 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Drexel University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Drexel University generally make around $123,645. Typical student debt for the program is $30,750.
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Villanova University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Villanova. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 228 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Villanova University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Villanova University earn around $105,829 in the first couple years of their career. Villanova University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
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Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania placed #7 among the best registered nursing schools. Set in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania graduates 56% of students within six years. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 256 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania
Temple University came in at #8 for registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. Temple University graduates 75% of students within six years. Temple University awarded about 121 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $107,355 in their early career. Temple University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
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Thomas Jefferson University landed the #9 spot for registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Thomas Jefferson University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 69% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 521 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Thomas Jefferson University in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Thomas Jefferson University earn a median of $101,632 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $30,000 to complete this degree.
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Widener University Main Campus placed #10 among the best registered nursing schools. Widener University Main Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Chester. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 198 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Widener University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $96,167 in their early career. Widener University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
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Pennsylvania State University World Campus came in at #11 for registered nursing this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public institution. Roughly 34% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 21 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University World Campus in the most recent year.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Pennsylvania State University World Campus
Pennsylvania Western University came in at #12 for registered nursing this year. This large public university is located in the town of California. About 52% of students finish within six years. Pennsylvania Western University awarded about 241 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year.
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La Salle University landed the #13 spot for registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 58% of students finish within six years. La Salle University awarded about 142 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of La Salle University earn a median of $110,705 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from La Salle University
Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary came in at #14 for registered nursing this year. Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bethlehem. About 72% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 70 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary generally make around $100,772. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary
York College Pennsylvania earned the #15 position for registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of York, York College Pennsylvania is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. York College Pennsylvania graduates 64% of students within six years. There were roughly 150 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at York College Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from York College Pennsylvania earn around $110,490 in the first couple years of their career. York College Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
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The Commonwealth Medical College placed #16 among the best registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Scranton, The Commonwealth Medical College is a small private not-for-profit institution. There were roughly 29 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at The Commonwealth Medical College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from The Commonwealth Medical College generally make around $44,758.
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Holy Family University placed #17 among the best registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Holy Family University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Holy Family University graduates 60% of students within six years. About 366 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Holy Family University in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of Holy Family University earn a median of $103,544 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $29,000.
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Montgomery County Community College placed #18 among the best registered nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Blue Bell, Montgomery County Community College is a large public university. There were roughly 128 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Montgomery County Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Montgomery County Community College generally make around $78,511. Students borrow a median of $24,820 to complete this degree.
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Wilkes University placed #19 among the best registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Wilkes-Barre, Wilkes University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 63% of students finish within six years. Wilkes University awarded about 438 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $112,923 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $28,813 to complete this degree.
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Chatham University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. Chatham University awarded about 85 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Chatham University earn a median of $109,259 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
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Lehigh Carbon Community College earned the #21 position for registered nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Schnecksville, Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 163 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Lehigh Carbon Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Lehigh Carbon Community College earn around $78,322 in the first couple years of their career. Lehigh Carbon Community College graduates carry a median of $27,075 in student loans.
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Alvernia University came in at #22 for registered nursing this year. Alvernia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Reading. Alvernia University graduates 56% of students within six years. About 70 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Alvernia University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Alvernia University generally make around $77,394. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
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Delaware County Community College came in at #23 for registered nursing this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Media. About 94 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Delaware County Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Delaware County Community College generally make around $72,491. Delaware County Community College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
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Messiah College placed #24 among the best registered nursing schools. Messiah College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Mechanicsburg. Messiah College graduates 75% of students within six years. About 43 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Messiah College in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Messiah College earn around $73,788 in the first couple years of their career. Messiah College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
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Gwynedd Mercy College earned the #25 position for registered nursing this year. Gwynedd Mercy College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Gwynedd Valley. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. Gwynedd Mercy College awarded about 194 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $82,372 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $35,500.
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Rest of the Top 50 Registered Nursing Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s registered nursing ranking:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 91 schools evaluated.
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 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).
