Top 10 Best Nursing Schools in the U.S.

A Curated List of Nursing Schools Based on Students' Ratings

Nursing continues to be one of the fastest-growing careers all over the world. The demand for nurses will continue to grow. As such, many students who want a solid career are looking to get ahead by signing up for nursing school. 

Photo by Markus Frieauff on Unsplash

There are 4.2 million registered nurses as of 2022. However, the demand for nurses continues to grow as more people need healthcare and general care. If you are looking to get into a good career, nursing is a strong lead. 

On this list, I compare the top 10 best nursing schools in the United States. I carefully curated the list based on top ratings from students. 

What to consider when picking a school

Going to school is a star moment in your life. Picking a place, you will spend three to four years of your life should be a thought-out decision. Also, there are several other factors to keep in mind. 

We may have a list of top-rated schools but your experience will also depend on several other factors. Here are other things to keep in mind

• Entry requirements 

• Fees and other expenses

• Nature/manner of study

• Duration of study

• Where do you want to practice nursing after study

Paying for college makes it a tricky issue for many people because of financial issues. Other people also consider the available accommodation. The availability of affordable student housing helps cut many other costs. 

Other students also want to consider perks like having a car on campus. Putting everything you need into perspective can help narrow down your choices. Now let’s get to our list. 

Duke University

Acceptance Rate: 8%

Annual Fee: $50,516

SAT Range: 1470-1570

Duke University takes the top spot as one of the highest-ranked nursing schools in the US. They offer an accelerated BSN for nursing students. For you to qualify, you have to take a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. 

The MSN takes about 16 months to complete. Graduates must get 58 credits and do 800 hours of clinical experience. 

You can also enjoy several MSN programs and doctoral programs. They also offer one of the most popular nurse anesthetist courses. If you wish to become an anesthesia nurse, this is the best program in the country. 

Comparison of MSN nursing school programs at top universities. 

University of Pennsylvania

Acceptance Rate: 9%

Annual Fee: $ 56,212

SAT Range: 1460-1570

The Ivy-league university founded in 1740 is one of the best in the states. Penn state university has a 6:1 student-teacher ratio. You can enjoy personalized study here. 

Penn nursing focuses on research. If you want hands-on experience with a state-of-the-art simulation lab, here is your chance. In addition, there is a chance for you to get a mentorship program to hone your skills. Penn University collaborates with other universities around the globe to offer study-abroad programs. You also get valuable minors to make your degree profitable. Some minors available include nutrition, nursing, health services management, and global health. 

You can sign up for DNP and MSN options like midwifery, nurse anesthesia, or two pediatric options. On top of it all, are the nursing leadership courses that you can take as a postgrad with certification. 

Emory University

Acceptance Rate: 19%

Annual Fees: $57,120

SAT Range: 1380-1520

Do you fancy living in Georgia? Atlanta is home to Emory University, the home of the best healthcare systems. It receives a good ranking from US News rating it as the #2 best nursing schools in the US. 

The Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing has a lot to offer nurses and nursing students. The popular nursing school offers three options for undergrad students. 

• Direct entry BSN

• A transfer program for students with at least 60 credits

• Sophomore entry- open to current Oxford or Emory college students

There are several graduate-level courses for practicing nurses and non-nursing students. You can obtain an RN certification through Emory’s MSN pre-licensure degree. The program is still not approved by the regional accreditation. 

You can attain 9 different APRN roles through the other accredited MSN programs. You can study full-time or part-time allowing working nurses to study while working. 

New York University

Acceptance Rate: 21%

Annual Tuition: $58,168

SAT Range: 1370-1540

New York University is a world-class school with several international campuses. It has different locations like Shanghai and Abu Dhabi. It also hosts students from 120 countries and an international student capacity of 21,000. 

The Rory Myer College of Nursing at NYU is one of the best places to get your nursing BSN. It offers plenty of undergraduate options such as the second-degree transfer BSN, RN-BSN, Accelerated 15-month BSN, and the traditional BSN. 

A traditional BSN will require you to get 64 credits of nursing core and clinical, 44 liberal arts credits, and 20 credits of science and prerequisite courses. 

If you want to further your career, they have two master's programs or a Ph.D. program. 

John Hopkins University

Acceptance Rate: 7.5%

Annual Tuition: $66,168

SAT Range: 1460-1560

If you are into research John Hopkins University is one of the best in the world. The university is renowned for its heavy research programs. However, they do not have nursing programs for undergraduates. 

You can take MSN for a non-nursing major. The MSN is a basic degree for graduates with a non-nursing degree. If you wish to go further, you may have to study more to become an APRN. 

Many nurses from John Hopkins continue to earn DNPs after clinical experience and study. The DNP helps many nurses in career growth. The university offers 13 different DNPs each with an attached value and career outcome. 

Maryland University

Acceptance Rate: 52%

Annual Tuition: $9,636 in state 39,597 Out of state

SAT Range:  Not required

Maryland University is located in Baltimore. It is widely known for research and innovation. Nurses and nursing students looking to work and live in Washington DC and other close cities find it a convenient location for their careers.

Maryland hosts over 41,000 students each year. Out of these, there are 2100 nursing students coming from all over 21 states. 

If you want to take your BSN here, you have to take 2 years of introductory courses and two years of the nursing leadership program. 

Anyone looking to start their career as APRN can enroll in Maryland University’s DNP programs. You can take popular options like neonatal nurse practitioner, anesthesia nurse, and psychiatric health nursing. 

In addition to the programs above, the university offers graduate-level nursing programs ideal for administrative and leadership roles. 

California University UCLA

Annual Tuition: $26,253

SAT Range: _

Acceptance Rate: 14%

University of California in Los Angeles is popular for producing leaders in every field. Undoubtedly, it is one of the best institutions of higher learning in the West. 

Students can start their nursing careers by signing up for the MSN program. Further, they can enroll in a Master’s program. 

MSN lays a strong foundation by leading students to an APRN specialty. They also have a great emphasis on leadership allowing students a chance for future career growth. You will have to first choose a population specialty before you get a subspecialty for your career. 

Nurses can take their DNP program at California university offered in hybrid mode. On top of it, all is the chance to interact with 15 Fellows of the American Academy of Nursing. 

Michigan University

Annual Tuition: $16,404 per year in-state and $52,002 out of state

Acceptance Rate: 26%

SAT Range: 1340-1520

The University of Michigan in Ann Arbor is a perfect choice for nursing students looking for a nursing education. The nursing school has over 100 years of teaching experience making it popular for years. There are over 13000 alumni of the school working all over the globe.

Students can go for the BSN which is a perfect background for a fulfilling nursing career. They can also go for more with the Master’s degree program for nurses. 

Students can take the direct entry for first-year students or opt for a sophomore transfer program. Whichever they pick, they must complete the mandatory 1000 clinical hours to get their degree. 

The MSN has eight concentration areas. Each one also leads to a specific APRN field. Students from UM get near perfect scores and they only take the programs for 2 to 3 years.

Washington University

Annual Tuition: $16,324 in state $54,320 Out of State

Acceptance Rate: 13%

SAT Range: 1500-1570

The Washington university school of Nursing offers several benefits and a unique learning experience. Nurses and nursing students that wish to work in Seattle can explore their options at Washington University.  

One of the perks includes a chance for students to complete clinical studies at top hospitals in the area, like the Seattle Children’s Hospital. Also, one can go for an innovative program like the accelerated BSN with an early DNP to earn their doctoral degree in less time. 

Students can still opt for the traditional BSN program. There are 10 DNP tracks with APRN roles. 

It takes only 3 years to complete a program and enough clinical experience to sit for the certification exam. 

Georgetown University

Annual Tuition: $61,872

SAT Range: 17%

Acceptance Rate: 1380-1550

If you want to be in the country’s capital Washington, Georgetown is the best place to start. The university’s nursing program continues to build a legacy. 

Direct entry into their MSN allows high school students to find out if they have made it into their MSN program. They get to complete 850 clinical hours before graduation in many locations across Washington DC. 

Additionally, the university offers an honors program for BSN students. 

Graduates can also get other nursing options at Georgetown. You can take an MSN in Women's Health Practitioner or Midwifery program. They only take 2 years to complete. 

If you have other obligations and want to expand your career options, you can go for MSN-DNP. It offers full-time and part-time modes of study. 

Final Thoughts on Best Nursing Schools in the US

While this list has 10 options, there are many other great universities that offer good nursing education programs. Some of my favorites that did not make the list include. 

• Case Western University

• Ohio State University

• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

• Oregon Health and Science University

• The University of Illinois Chicago

Explore each one of the nursing universities above. Consider your future aspirations and where you would like to live and practice nursing. While you may fall in love with some nursing schools, they may not suit your needs. 

With this guided list, you can find a nursing school that will turn your dream into a lifelong career. It will start your journey for the rest of your life. Enjoy your learning experience.

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