2026 Best Registered Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region

1

Emory University
Atlanta, GA

Our analysis ranked Emory University the best school in the country for a degree in registered nursing. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Atlanta. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. Emory University awarded about 537 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $98,673 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Get the full registered nursing details for Emory University

2

Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Students looking for a strong registered nursing program will find one at Vanderbilt University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. There were roughly 30 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $125,565 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete this degree. Get the full registered nursing details for Vanderbilt University

3

Duke University
Durham, NC

Duke University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #3 spot this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Durham. Duke University graduates 97% of students within six years. About 206 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Duke University in the most recent year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $116,855 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in registered nursing from Duke University

4

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #4 spot this year. 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. There were roughly 235 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Florida in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $90,433 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,934. Read more about the registered nursing program at University Of Florida

5

University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL

A rank of #5 makes University Of Miami one of the top schools for registered nursing. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Coral Gables. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 233 registered nursing degrees were awarded at University Of Miami in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of Miami earn a median of $116,541 early in their careers. University Of Miami graduates carry a median of $23,750 in student loans. Get the full registered nursing details for University Of Miami

6

George Mason University
Fairfax, VA

George Mason University placed #6 among the best registered nursing schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fairfax. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 260 registered nursing degrees were awarded at George Mason University in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from George Mason University earn around $99,718 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,750 to complete this degree. See the full registered nursing program report for George Mason University

7

Valencia College
Orlando, FL

Valencia College landed the #7 spot for registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Orlando, Valencia College is a very large public university. About 446 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Valencia College in the most recent year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $82,087 in their early career. Valencia College graduates carry a median of $19,954 in student loans. Get the full registered nursing details for Valencia College

8

University Of South Carolina Columbia
Columbia, SC

University Of South Carolina Columbia landed the #8 spot for registered nursing this year. University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 294 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of South Carolina Columbia in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from University Of South Carolina Columbia earn around $103,138 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,250. More information about a degree in registered nursing from University Of South Carolina Columbia

9

James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University landed the #9 spot for registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. James Madison University awarded about 274 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $87,152. Students borrow a median of $21,347 to complete this degree. See the full registered nursing program report for James Madison University

10

Clemson University
Clemson, SC

Clemson University placed #10 among the best registered nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public institution. About 87% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 255 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Clemson University in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Clemson University earn a median of $85,508 early in their careers. Clemson University graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Get the full registered nursing details for Clemson University

11

Broward College
Fort Lauderdale, FL

Broward College placed #11 among the best registered nursing schools. Broward College is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Lauderdale. About 437 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Broward College in the most recent year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $76,063 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,364. Get the full registered nursing details for Broward College

12

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Florida International University earned the #12 position for registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 297 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Florida International University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $96,525. Florida International University graduates carry a median of $18,895 in student loans. Read more about the registered nursing program at Florida International University

13

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington
Wilmington, NC

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington landed the #13 spot for registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public institution. About 71% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 775 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Wilmington in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Wilmington generally make around $83,408. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in registered nursing from University Of North Carolina At Wilmington

14

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. About 77% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 585 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of South Florida Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from University Of South Florida Main Campus earn around $105,610 in the first couple years of their career. University Of South Florida Main Campus graduates carry a median of $22,452 in student loans. Get the full registered nursing details for University Of South Florida Main Campus

15

University Of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, VA

University Of Mary Washington ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Fredericksburg, University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public university. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Mary Washington awarded about 37 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from University Of Mary Washington earn around $76,013 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Mary Washington graduates carry a median of $16,910 in student loans. Read more about the registered nursing program at University Of Mary Washington

16

University Of North Florida
Jacksonville, FL

University Of North Florida landed the #16 spot for registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public university. About 65% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 282 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Florida in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from University Of North Florida earn around $116,277 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,750. Read more about the registered nursing program at University Of North Florida

17

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #17 position for registered nursing this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Chapel Hill. About 91% of students finish within six years. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill awarded about 215 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $91,154 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,026 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in registered nursing from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

18

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
Charlotte, NC

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte placed #18 among the best registered nursing schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Charlotte. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte graduates 69% of students within six years. There were roughly 150 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $95,753. Students borrow a median of $25,044 to complete this degree. See the full registered nursing program report for University Of North Carolina At Charlotte

19

Miami Dade College
Miami, FL

Miami Dade College came in at #19 for registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public university. Miami Dade College awarded about 883 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Miami Dade College generally make around $77,383. Miami Dade College graduates carry a median of $13,220 in student loans. Get the full registered nursing details for Miami Dade College

20

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University came in at #20 for registered nursing this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 178 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Florida State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Florida State University earn around $127,776 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,546. Get the full registered nursing details for Florida State University

21

University Of Virginia Main Campus
Charlottesville, VA

University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #21 spot for registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 251 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $98,628 early in their careers. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates carry a median of $15,130 in student loans. More information about a degree in registered nursing from University Of Virginia Main Campus

22

The University Of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, AL

The University Of Alabama earned the #22 position for registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public university. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 485 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Alabama in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of The University Of Alabama earn a median of $103,352 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,006. Get the full registered nursing details for The University Of Alabama

23

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University landed the #23 spot for registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. About 63% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 394 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Florida Atlantic University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $96,397. Students borrow a median of $21,070 to complete this degree. Read more about the registered nursing program at Florida Atlantic University

24

Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA

Virginia Commonwealth University came in at #24 for registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public institution. About 63% of students finish within six years. Virginia Commonwealth University awarded about 203 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Virginia Commonwealth University generally make around $128,772. Typical student debt for the program is $26,250. See the full registered nursing program report for Virginia Commonwealth University

25

University Of Alabama At Birmingham
Birmingham, AL

University Of Alabama At Birmingham placed #25 among the best registered nursing schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Birmingham. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 868 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Alabama At Birmingham in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from University Of Alabama At Birmingham earn around $98,091 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,911. Get the full registered nursing details for University Of Alabama At Birmingham