Are you interested in becoming a nurse? With the ever-increasing demand for highly qualified nurses and relevant related roles, more students are turning to nursing programs as they contemplate their career paths. Finding just the right program that fits your goals, skills, and interests can be overwhelming. That’s why it’s time to research and find the best nursing schools across the United States.
So whether you’re looking for a top-tier research university, an excellent community college admissions program, or more comprehensive information, we will provide everything needed to help you decide confidently when choosing among the numerous top nursing schools.
Enrolling in the Top Nursing Schools In The US
Nursing is a career and not just any ordinary job. Nurses are professionals in the medical field who give sick or injured people high-quality care. So if you or your child wants to be a nurse, it’s only suitable for you to find the top nursing schools to pursue your studies.
Furthermore, nursing opens many opportunities for those looking for a high-paying position in a prestigious healthcare facility. Apart from that, it helps you deliver patient success while working within a structured and regulated environment. So studying in the best nursing schools is always a good idea.
The Best Nursing Schools
Here’s an overview of the best nursing schools in the United States that provide all the information you need to make an informed decision.
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania, or UPenn, received the top ranking in Nursing against other nursing schools in the United States. It’s genuinely one of the top nursing schools that provides its students with nothing but the best when it comes to scholarships, especially for international students.
It has a more personalized academic engagement due to its 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Therefore, it’s a lovely university for nursing students who want to talk with their professors more personally while enhancing their learning experience. Plus, they have a state-of-the-art simulation lab where the students can learn in a real-life environment.
More information about UPenn:
- NCLEX pass rate: 94.83%
- Annual tuition: $53,166 for undergrads
- Acceptance rate: 9%
- Location: Philadelphia, PA
Duke University
Another one of the top nursing schools in the US is Duke University. It’s also well-known as one of the best research schools in the world. Because of that, they offer top nursing programs that many aspiring students aim for. However, the School of Nursing at Duke offers only one undergraduate degree choice for their students, called an accelerated BSN.
So to apply, students must complete a non-bachelor’s degree before the school can accept them. After that, the students only have 16 months to complete the program with 58 credits. Plus, they’re given 800 hours of clinical experience before graduating, providing positive outcomes in various situations.
More information about Duke University:
- NCLEX pass rate: 98.39%
- Annual tuition: $48,294 (there are four semesters total in the program)
- Acceptance rate: 8%
- Location: Durham, NC
Georgetown University
If you’re searching for other top nursing schools in the United States, Georgetown University is one for the books. It’s one of the oldest institutions in Washington, DC, with a well-established and revered nursing program. Plus, they utilize a direct entry. It means that senior students can already find out if they’ve been accepted before enrollment even begins.
Before graduation, nursing students will have completed 882 hours of clinical experience in different locations across Washington, DC. It’s also worth noting that it’s one of the best nursing schools that offers an honors program for their nursing students!
More information about Georgetown University:
- NCLEX pass rate: 100%
- Annual tuition: $61,872
- Acceptance rate: 17%
- Location: Georgetown Neighborhood of Washington, DC.
John Hopkins University
John Hopkins University is one of the best nursing schools known as the best research university in the world. Of course, nursing programs come with heavy research. So this university provides all the resources necessary to complete it. However, it doesn’t have an undergraduate nursing program.
What John Hopkins offers is an MSN for non-nursing majors. It means that non-nursing bachelor’s degree holders can enroll. At the same time, they can still excel in their NCLEX exams. But many students continue to get a DNP with different career offerings.
More information about John Hopkins University:
- NCLEX pass rate: 92.31%
- Annual tuition: $70,794
- Acceptance rate: 7.5%
- Location: Balitmore, MD
New York University
New York University should be on your list if you want to consider the top nursing schools in the US with diverse and global experience. Its central HQ is in New York City, and it accepts students from all over the world. Plus, it has campuses in Shanghai and Abu Dhabi!
Here, students can attain a top-rank education with their numerous undergraduate options for soon-to-be nursing students. You can choose from a traditional BSN, accelerated 15-month BSN, RN-BSN, or a second-degree transfer BSN. These have positive outcomes that give them a high NCLEX passing rate.
More information about New York University
- NCLEX pass rate: 89.8%
- Annual tuition: $56,500 for full-time undergrad
- Acceptance rate: 21%
- Location: New York, NY
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is undoubtedly one of the most exceptional and top nursing schools, with over 100 years of nursing education experience. This university has over 13,000 U-M nursing alums from around the world, which is a testament to the caliber of this university’s curriculum.
At U-M, you can enroll in their traditional BSN degree program for first-year students. But they also give sophomores an option to transfer too. Furthermore, U-M has an MSN with concentrations in eight different fields. So they can create nurses who provide the highest quality of patient care with the best standards.
More information about the University of Michigan:
- NCLEX pass rate: 98.95%
- Annual tuition: Upper-division undergraduate classes are $17,800
- Acceptance rate: 26%
- Location: Ann Arbor, MI
University of California
If you want to be surrounded by the brightest minds and high-caliber students, then the University of California is one of the best nursing schools you should attend. They offer a traditional four-year nursing program from the UCLA School of Nursing BSN program. Currently, it’s famous for being the best school that provides higher education in the West.
The student body here is diverse, with students coming from different backgrounds and cultures. Furthermore, they offer excellent MSN options compared to other best nursing schools. These can emphasize leadership in their chosen career path while providing outstanding services.
More information about UCLA:
- NCLEX pass rate: 97.73%
- Annual tuition: In-State Annual Tuition: $16,545.69| Annual Out-of-State Tuition: $31,026
- Acceptance rate: 14%
- Location: Los Angeles, CA
University of Washington
Another school to check if you’re still on the lookout for the top nursing schools is the University of Washington. Their BSN programs offer students the chance to prepare for their nursing careers. Apart from that, the program only lasts for two years, during which they get to complete their clinical trials across different sites in the region.
Students can get 1,000 hours of hands-on patient care experience with hospitals like the Seattle Children’s Hospital. Plus, they have a graduate nursing rate of 82%, which means they offer excellent academic learning opportunities.
More information about the University of Washington:
- NCLEX pass rate: 97.73%
- Annual tuition: In-State Annual Tuition: $16,545.69| Annual Out-of-State Tuition: $31,026
- Acceptance rate: 14%
- Location: Los Angeles, CA
Emory University
As one of the top nursing schools in the US, Emory University is the home to the best healthcare systems. Therefore, it’s a no-brainer that it’s the best school for aspiring nursing students. It has three options for undergraduate nurses: direct entry for current high school students, sophomore entry for Emory or Oxford students, or a transfer program with at least 60 credits.
Moreover, it’s among the most popular and best nursing schools, with multiple graduate-level options for nursing and non-nursing students, giving you a chance to pursue your dream career in the medical field.
More information about Emory University:
- NCLEX pass rate: 96.26%
- Annual tuition: $53,070 full-time undergrad
- Acceptance rate: 19%
- Location: Emory, GA
University of Maryland
The University of Maryland offers an exceptional BSN program, making them one of the top nursing schools nationwide. It’s the ideal partner of UMCB, which provides pre-nursing programs where students can complete their prerequisites before enrolling for their BSN. Here, you will find state-of-the-art facilities where students can feel like they’re in a natural hospital setting.
Plus, if you’re interested in other fields, such as research, leadership, or administrative roles, you can enroll for their graduate-level nursing degrees. These are primarily designed for nursing students who wish to gain more experience if they want to study in one of the top nursing schools in the US.
More information about the University of Maryland:
- NCLEX pass rate: 86.67%
- Annual tuition: Annual $9,446 in-state, undergrad BSN | Annual Out-of-State Tuition: $38,882
- Acceptance rate: 69%
- Location: Baltimore, MD
Opt for the Best Nursing Schools to Enroll in a BSN Program
Being a nurse is demanding, but it offers many benefits and rewards. As long as you pick the right school for you, you can attain the highest standards of education, which you can apply to the field.
But if you still need help choosing among the top nursing schools in the US, Empowerly can help you through our consulting services. We’ll help you discover which school can hone your skills and help you achieve your goal of being an excellent nurse.