Trying to find ways to differentiate and find the best nursing schools? This list ranks the top nursing schools in the US based on four things that matter most to you: Affordability, Academic Quality, Accessibility, and NCLEX-RN board exam pass rates. Find out how the best nursing schools in the US stack up against each other.
- *based on 2013 and 2014 data.
- FAQs | Methodology
- View the Top Nursing Schools by State
A List: Affordability ★ Academic Quality ★ Accessibility + Board Exam Pass Rates
University of Missouri, Columbia
The University of Missouri, Columbia, is a public, research university located in Columbia, Missouri. Also known as Mizzou, Missouri or MU, it is the largest institution of higher education in the … read more
University of Utah
The University of Utah is a public, research university located in Salt Lake City, Utah. Also known as the U of U, The U, or Utah, it is the state’s flagship institution for higher education, with … read more
University of Iowa
The University of Iowa is the oldest, public university in the state. Commonly referred to as UI or just Iowa, it is a research university that offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional … read more
Southeast Missouri State University
Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) is a public, liberal arts university located in rural Cape Girardeau, Missouri. SEMO offers degrees on the bachelor’s, master’s, and Ed.D. levels in over … read more
Tennessee Technological University
Tennessee Technological University, or Tennessee Tech, is a public university located in Cookeville, Tennessee, that enrolls approximately 12,000 graduate and undergraduate students. The school … read more
Truman State University
Founded in 1867 as the First Missouri Normal School and Commercial College, Truman State University, today a public, liberal arts and sciences university is located in Kirksville, Missouri. Its … read more
Missouri Southern State University
Missouri Southern State University is located in the large town of Joplin, Missouri and was founded in 1937. This university is a commuter campus with over 5,000 undergraduate students. … read more
Sonoma State University
Sonoma State University (also referred to as SSU or Sonoma State), is a public, four-year university, and one of twenty three campuses in the California State University (CSU) system. The school’s … read more
University of Louisiana, Monroe
The University of Louisiana at Monroe, also known as ULM, is a coeducational, public university in Monroe, Louisiana. It is part of the University of Louisiana System. ULM has 7,519 undergraduate … read more
Brigham Young University, Provo
Brigham Young University (BYU) is located in Provo, Utah. It is owned and operated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as the Mormon Church. It is the third largest … read more
University of Tennessee Chattanooga
The University of Tennessee- Chattanooga (UTC), is a public institution that was founded in 1886. The university offers over 100 bachelor’s programs and 40 master’s degree programs. UTC is … read more
Nicholls State University
Founded in 1948, Nicholls State University is located on 287-acres in rural south Louisiana, deep in the heart of the Mississippi Delta near Thibodaux, Louisiana. With just over 6,500 students, this … read more
University of Louisiana at Lafayette®
Located in the rich Cajun cultural center of Lafayette, Louisiana, the Ragin’ Cajuns® are proud of their commitment to study and research southern Louisiana culture as well as many other academic … read more
Emporia State University
Emporia State University (ESU) of Emporia, Kansas is home to approximately 5,500 students on 218-acres in the Flint Hills, conveniently located near Wichita, Topeka, and Kansas City. The school … read more
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
The University of Nevada Las Vegas is more commonly known as UNLV. It is a public, research university located in Paradise, Nevada, a suburb of Las Vegas. The school provides Bachelor’s, Master’s … read more
University of Southern Indiana
The University of Southern Indiana, or USI, is home to just under 10,000 students on 1,400-acres in Evansville, Indiana. A quarter of those students are adult learners and 75% of students live … read more
University of Kansas
The University of Kansas (referred to as “KU”) has a student body of more than 29,000 students, making it the largest, public, research university in the state of … read more
Northwestern Oklahoma State University
Northwestern Oklahoma State University (NWOSU) is a public, state university with its main campus in Alva, Oklahoma. NWOSU also embodies two smaller satellite campuses located in Woodward and … read more
Metropolitan State University
Founded in 1971, Metropolitan State University is an urban school in St. Paul, Minnesota. Its main focus is on adults in the working community. These students are diverse in their backgrounds, … read more
California State University Sacramento
California State University Sacramento (Sacramento State) is a public university located in California’s state capitol of Sacramento. With a student-population near 30,000, this large university … read more
Louisiana Tech University
Louisiana Tech University, more commonly referred to by locals as Louisiana Tech, is a public university based in the city of Ruston, Louisiana. Louisiana Tech is a co-ed institution, one of the … read more
North Dakota State University
North Dakota State University is a medium-sized university with an undergraduate population of 11,061. The graduate enrollment is currently 1,818. The university offers Bachelor’s, Master’s, … read more
University of Central Missouri
The University of Central Missouri (UCM) was founded in 1871 and is stationed on a 1,561-acre space in Warrensburg, Missouri. The university is made up of several colleges including the college … read more
New Mexico State University
New Mexico State University, also known as New Mexico State University at Las Cruces and commonly referred to as NMSU, NMSU-Las Cruces, or NM State, is a four-year, state university located in the … read more
California State University, Los Angeles
California State University Los Angeles (Cal State L.A. or CSULA) is a public, comprehensive school found near downtown Los Angeles, in the University Hills District. Cal State L.A. belongs to … read more
Ohio State University, Columbus
Ohio State University, Columbus, also known as Ohio or OSU, is a public, four-year university and research institution located in Columbus, Ohio. OSU was founded as the Ohio Agricultural and … read more
Southeastern Louisiana University
Southeastern Louisiana University is a state-funded, public university located in Hammond, Louisiana. Its student body represents more than 15,000 students who come from 43 states and 66 … read more
University of Northern Colorado
The University of Northern Colorado was founded in 1889. The institution has satellite campuses in Lowry, Loveland, and Colorado Springs. It is primarily a four-year university, but it does also … read more
Langston University
Langston University (LU) is a public school located in Langston, Oklahoma that traces its roots back to an all-black school, founded in 1897. It is the only college in the state of Oklahoma that … read more
South Dakota State University
Also known as SDSU, South Dakota State University is the state’s largest university with a student population of 12,583. Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota, SDSU was founded under the … read more
| Rank | College Name | Location | In-state Tuition | Board Exam Pass Rate | Enrollment | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
31 | University of North Carolina Pembroke | Pembroke, NC | $5,144 | Top 20% | 6,269 | 72% |
32 | Eastern Kentucky University | Richmond, KY | $7,536 | Top 20% | 15,968 | 60% |
33 | Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne | Fort Wayne, IN | $7,104 | Top 20% | 13,771 | 82.1% |
34 | East Carolina University | Greenville, NC | $5,869 | Top 20% | 26,947 | 62.2% |
35 | California State University San Marcos | San Marcos, CA | $7,064 | Top 10% | 10,363 | 61.9% |
36 | University of Vermont | Burlington, VT | $15,718 | Top 20% | 13,097 | 76.7% |
37 | University of Kentucky | Lexington, KY | $10,110 | Top 20% | 28,034 | 67.3% |
38 | Indiana University Kokomo | Kokomo, IN | $6,675 | Top 20% | 3,719 | 70.4% |
39 | St. Cloud State University | St. Cloud, MN | $7,472 | Top 30% | 16,457 | 89.7% |
40 | University of New Hampshire | Durham, NH | $16,496 | Top 20% | 15,301 | 77.9% |
41 | University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh | Oshkosh, WI | $7,360 | Top 20% | 13,413 | 68.5% |
42 | Illinois State University | Normal, IL | $12,573 | Top 20% | 20,706 | 74% |
43 | University of Central Oklahoma | Edmond, OK | $5,092 | Top 30% | 17,211 | 78.9% |
44 | Fitchburg State College | Fitchburg, MA | $8,985 | Top 10% | 6,888 | 72.1% |
45 | University of Memphis | Memphis, TN | $7,904 | Top 20% | 22,139 | 64.7% |
46 | Georgia College & State University | Milledgeville, GA | $8,790 | Top 20% | 6,444 | 66.3% |
47 | University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | $8,152 | Top 30% | 14,636 | 87.2% |
48 | West Virginia University | Morgantown, WV | $6,456 | Top 50% | 29,707 | 85.1% |
49 | Northwestern State University of Louisiana | Natchitoches, LA | $6,246 | Top 30% | 9,447 | 84.9% |
50 | Louisiana State University Alexandria | Alexandria, LA | $4,617 | Top 20% | 2,430 | 61.1% |
51 | California State University Bakersfield | Bakersfield, CA | $6,709 | Top 10% | - | 67% |
52 | Youngstown State University | Youngstown, OH | $7,712 | Top 30% | 13,799 | 86.7% |
53 | Worcester State University | Worcester, MA | $8,157 | Top 5% | 6,221 | 68.1% |
54 | California State University Stanislaus | Turlock, CA | $6,664 | Top 30% | 8,882 | 72.2% |
55 | Ball State University | Muncie, IN | $9,250 | Top 20% | 21,053 | 61.2% |
56 | University of South Carolina Columbia | Columbia, SC | $10,816 | Top 20% | 31,288 | 60.6% |
57 | Morehead State University | Morehead, KY | $7,498 | Top 50% | 11,172 | 84.5% |
58 | Southern Utah University | Cedar City, UT | $5,924 | Top 5% | 8,297 | 57.3% |
59 | Weber State University | Ogden, UT | $4,768 | Top 50% | 26,532 | 100% |
60 | Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania | Bloomsburg, PA | $8,582 | Top 20% | 9,950 | 67.6% |
61 | University of Maryland, College Park | College Park, MD | $9,162 | Top 20% | 37,197 | 46.8% |
62 | University of Washington | Seattle, WA | $12,383 | Top 20% | 42,568 | 59.2% |
63 | University of Evansville | Evansville, IN | $30,596 | Top 5% | 2,757 | 80.1% |
64 | Western Kentucky University | Bowling Green, KY | $8,722 | Top 50% | 21,110 | 92.3% |
65 | Saint Mary’s College | Notre Dame, IN | $34,600 | Top 5% | 1,469 | 84.8% |
66 | University of Florida | Gainesville, FL | $6,263 | Top 50% | 49,913 | 44.1% |
67 | Indian River State College | Fort Pierce, FL | $2,764 | Top 50% | 17,806 | 100% |
68 | Indiana University of Pennsylvania | Indiana, PA | $9,080 | Top 20% | 15,379 | 61% |
69 | Metropolitan State College of Denver | Denver, CO | $6,418 | Top 30% | 23,381 | 71.2% |
70 | Radford University | Radford, VA | $9,026 | Top 30% | 9,573 | 76.4% |
71 | University of Colorado Denver | Denver, CO | $7,494 | Top 50% | 22,396 | 75.9% |
72 | University of North Florida | Jacksonville, FL | $6,353 | Top 20% | 16,201 | 52% |
73 | University of Louisville | Louisville, KY | $9,750 | Top 30% | 21,242 | 76.3% |
74 | Auburn University | Auburn University, AL | $9,852 | Top 50% | 25,134 | 77.2% |
75 | California State University Chico | Chico, CA | $8,906 | Top 50% | 16,470 | 79.2% |
76 | Clemson University | Clemson, SC | $13,382 | Top 20% | 20,768 | 57.9% |
77 | Washburn University | Topeka, KS | $5,774 | Top 50% | 7,204 | 95.5% |
78 | Lamar University | Beaumont, TX | $9,011 | Top 50% | 14,288 | 88.3% |
79 | West Texas A&M University | Canyon, TX | $6,969 | Top 30% | 7,909 | 69.4% |
80 | Valparaiso University | Valparaiso, IN | $33,480 | Top 5% | 4,078 | 79.6% |
81 | University of Central Florida | Orlando, FL | $6,317 | Top 20% | 59,767 | 46.2% |
82 | Rutgers Camden Regional Campus | Camden, NJ | $13,348 | Top 20% | 6,343 | 62.5% |
83 | Murray State University | Murray, KY | $6,840 | Top 50% | 10,832 | 82.2% |
84 | Wichita State University | Wichita, KS | $6,927 | Top 50% | 14,893 | 95.2% |
85 | Temple University | Philadelphia, PA | $14,340 | Top 30% | 36,744 | 67.2% |
86 | Indiana University Southeast | New Albany, IN | $6,700 | Top 30% | 6,904 | 77.9% |
87 | University of Nevada, Reno | Reno, NV | $6,154 | Top 50% | 18,227 | 83% |
88 | University of Texas, El Paso | El Paso, TX | $7,018 | Top 50% | 22,749 | 99.8% |
89 | University of New Mexico | Albuquerque, NM | $7,274 | Top 50% | 29,033 | 64.6% |
90 | University of Massachusetts Amherst | Amherst, MA | $13,258 | Top 30% | 28,236 | 62.6% |
91 | Austin Peay State University | Clarksville, TN | $7,158 | Top 50% | 10,597 | 85.7% |
92 | Northern Kentucky University | Highland Heights, KY | $8,376 | Top 5% | 15,634 | 46.7% |
93 | Missouri Western State University | St. Joseph, MO | $6,497 | Top 50% | 6,056 | 100% |
94 | Pittsburg State University | Pittsburg, KS | $5,846 | Top 50% | 7,289 | 79.3% |
95 | Louisiana College | Pineville, LA | $14,520 | Top 20% | - | 73.9% |
96 | Indiana University South Bend | South Bend, IN | $6,816 | Top 30% | 8,490 | 71.9% |
97 | Richard Stockton College of New Jersey | Galloway, NJ | $12,322 | Top 5% | 8,400 | 57.3% |
98 | Winston- Salem State University | Salem, MA | $8,050 | Top 20% | 9,456 | 69.3% |
99 | Texas State University– San Marcos | San Marcos, TX | $9,151 | Top 50% | 34,225 | 76.6% |
100 | Pacific Lutheran University | Tacoma, WA | $34,740 | Top 5% | 3,473 | 73.6% |
Featured Nursing Programs
 | Kaplan University Kaplan University's campus locations provide the facilities, faculty, staff and career programs to help you achieve your personal goals. You can learn from professionals specializing in identifying career opportunities and preparing students for a brighter future. Learn More > |
| Grand Canyon University (GCU) With a spotlight on intellectual creativity and innovation for the 21stcentury, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at GCU provides a job focused education. It blends the study of traditional humanities in a modern context. Through academic inquiry and beyond the box thinking, the college advances our society and its accomplishments. Learn More > |
| South University For over a century, South University has given students the personalized attention they need to achieve their career goals. With small class sizes and faculty with real-world experience, we prove to our students that when they commit to us, we commit to them. You'll find that our students are as serious as you are about taking their lives in a new direction, and we're serious about making that happen. Learn More > |
| Brown Mackie College At Brown Mackie College, you don't need to wait for a traditional 'Fall Start.' Because our students aren't always living 'traditional' lives we offer new starts each month with day or evening classes that fit your schedule. We keep the focus on one course, one subject at a time to help you succeed. Learn More > |
| Everest College Everest Colleges, Institutes and Universities offers you hands-on career education in some of America's top career fields. Learn More > |
