Best Nursing Schools & Top Tips (2025)

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.

The 10 Best Nursing Schools (2025)

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.

1. University of Pennsylvania

• Location: Philadelphia, PA | Duration: 4 years | Delivery Mode: Campus

As the top-ranked nursing school in the country, the University of Pennsylvania offers a world-class education for aspiring nurses. UPenn’s personalized academic engagement, boasting a 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio, ensures that students have an intimate learning experience. With cutting-edge facilities such as their state-of-the-art simulation lab, students gain hands-on experience in a realistic healthcare environment.

• Average Undergraduate Tuition:
  $53,166
• ROI Score: High
• NCLEX Pass Rate: 94.83%
• Acceptance Rate: 9%
• Accreditation: Yes

UPenn’s focus on research and clinical excellence makes it the ideal choice for students wanting to be at the forefront of the nursing field.

Video: A week in the life of a nursing student // UPenn S7W3

2. Duke University

• Location: Durham, NC | Duration: 16 months (Accelerated BSN) | Delivery Mode: Campus

Duke University is renowned for its innovative research and high standards in nursing education. Offering a fast-tracked 16-month Accelerated BSN, Duke is a competitive choice for students seeking to pivot into nursing from another non-nursing degree. Students are immersed in 800 hours of clinical experience, preparing them to handle real-world healthcare scenarios confidently.

• Average Undergraduate Tuition:
  $48,294 (four semesters)
• ROI Score: High
• NCLEX Pass Rate: 98.39%
• Acceptance Rate: 8%
• Accreditation: Yes

Duke’s commitment to producing research-driven healthcare professionals makes it one of the most respected institutions in the country.

Video: Why Danielle Chose Duke School of Nursing

3. Johns Hopkins University

• Location: Baltimore, MD | Duration: Varies (MSN) | Delivery Mode: Campus

Johns Hopkins University is globally recognized for its cutting-edge research and advanced nursing programs. While it doesn’t offer undergraduate degrees, it specializes in graduate-level education, such as their MSN program designed for non-nursing bachelor’s holders. It’s a prime choice for those looking to elevate their careers in research, clinical leadership, and beyond.

• Average Graduate Tuition:
  $70,794
• ROI Score: High
• NCLEX Pass Rate: 92.31%
• Acceptance Rate: 7.5%
• Accreditation: Yes

Johns Hopkins prepares its students to excel in advanced nursing roles and sets the gold standard for research-based nursing education.

Video: Life as an International Student at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing

4. Georgetown University

• Location: Washington, DC | Duration: 4 years | Delivery Mode: Campus

Georgetown University, one of the oldest institutions in the U.S., boasts a revered nursing program with a direct entry pathway, allowing high school seniors to secure a spot even before enrollment begins. With 882 hours of clinical practice spread across Washington, DC’s top healthcare facilities, Georgetown stands out as a leader in providing real-world experience to its students.

• Average Undergraduate Tuition:
  $61,872
• ROI Score: High
• NCLEX Pass Rate: 100%
• Acceptance Rate: 17%
• Accreditation: Yes

Known for its esteemed honors program, Georgetown equips its nursing students with a strong foundation for success in both clinical practice and leadership roles.

5. University of Michigan

• Location: Ann Arbor, MI | Duration: 4 years | Delivery Mode: Campus

With over a century of experience in nursing education, the University of Michigan is a powerhouse in the healthcare field. Its traditional BSN program is designed for both first-year and transfer students, providing extensive clinical experience and offering advanced MSN options in eight concentrations.

• Average Undergraduate Tuition:
  $17,800 (upper-division)
• ROI Score: High
• NCLEX Pass Rate: 98.95%
• Acceptance Rate: 26%
• Accreditation: Yes

U-M's expansive network of over 13,000 nursing alumni speaks to the strength of its programs and its global impact on healthcare.

6. University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

• Location: Los Angeles, CA | Duration: 4 years | Delivery Mode: Campus

The University of California, Los Angeles, is known for its academic excellence and diverse student body. Its BSN program stands out in the West, offering numerous MSN leadership opportunities. Students benefit from a rich blend of theoretical and clinical learning, all while being part of UCLA’s vibrant community.

• Average Undergraduate Tuition:
  $16,546 (In-state) | $31,026 (Out-of-state)
• ROI Score: High
• NCLEX Pass Rate: 97.73%
• Acceptance Rate: 14%
• Accreditation: Yes

UCLA’s focus on producing healthcare leaders and its stellar reputation make it a top choice for nursing students across the nation.

7. Emory University

• Location: Atlanta, GA | Duration: 4 years | Delivery Mode: Campus

Emory University combines academic rigor with practical healthcare experience. With multiple undergraduate entry points, including direct entry, sophomore entry, and transfer programs, Emory is an excellent fit for students at different stages of their academic journey. Its graduate-level programs further enhance opportunities for specialization and leadership.

• Average Undergraduate Tuition:
  $53,070
• ROI Score: High
• NCLEX Pass Rate: 96.26%
• Acceptance Rate: 19%
• Accreditation: Yes

Emory’s strong partnerships with leading healthcare systems make it a premier institution for nursing education.

8. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

• Location: Chapel Hill, NC | Duration: 4 years | Delivery Mode: Campus

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) is known for its robust nursing curriculum and extensive clinical exposure. Students at UNC benefit from partnerships with leading healthcare facilities in North Carolina, ensuring they gain practical, hands-on experience throughout their education. UNC’s School of Nursing emphasizes research, leadership, and community health, preparing graduates to excel in various nursing roles.

• Average Undergraduate Tuition: $23,936 (out-of-state) | $8,980 (in-state)
• ROI Score: High
• NCLEX Pass Rate: 95.7%
• Acceptance Rate: 23%
• Accreditation: Yes

UNC’s commitment to academic excellence and community health positions it as a top choice for nursing students across the U.S.

9. New York University

• Location: New York, NY | Duration: 4 years | Delivery Mode: Campus

Located in the heart of one of the world’s most dynamic cities, New York University offers a globally diverse student body and multiple pathways into nursing, including the traditional BSN, accelerated BSN, and RN-BSN. With a strong emphasis on positive clinical outcomes, NYU's nursing graduates are well-equipped for success in diverse healthcare settings.

• Average Undergraduate Tuition:
  $56,500
• ROI Score: High
• NCLEX Pass Rate: 89.8%
• Acceptance Rate: 21%
• Accreditation: Yes

NYU’s international presence and top-tier education make it a standout choice for aspiring nurses who value diversity and global opportunities.

10. University of Pittsburgh

• Location: Pittsburgh, PA | Duration: 4 years | Delivery Mode: Campus

The University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing offers a rigorous program focused on providing students with a solid foundation in clinical practice and nursing leadership. With access to UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center), one of the nation’s top healthcare systems, nursing students are well-prepared to enter the workforce. Pitt offers both traditional BSN and accelerated BSN programs for students with non-nursing degrees.

• Average Undergraduate Tuition: $35,130 (out-of-state) | $19,080 (in-state)
• ROI Score: High
• NCLEX Pass Rate: 93.45%
• Acceptance Rate: 24%
• Accreditation: Yes
  Pitt’s combination of academic rigor and strong clinical connections makes it a leading institution for aspiring nurses.

Following are ranked 11-100 “Best Nursing colleges” in U.S:

Rank	School Name	Location	NCLEX Pass Rate	Tuition (Average)	Acceptance Rate	Accreditation
11	University of Washington	Seattle, WA	93%	$39,114	55%	Yes
12	University of Florida	Gainesville, FL	92%	$28,659 (Out-of-state)	37%	Yes
13	University of Texas at Austin	Austin, TX	95%	$40,032	32%	Yes
14	Ohio State University	Columbus, OH	95%	$34,989 (Out-of-state)	54%	Yes
15	Case Western Reserve University	Cleveland, OH	96%	$56,730	30%	Yes
16	University of Illinois Chicago	Chicago, IL	94%	$33,508 (Out-of-state)	55%	Yes
17	University of Virginia	Charlottesville, VA	94%	$52,843	24%	Yes
18	University of Minnesota	Minneapolis, MN	92%	$32,520	44%	Yes
19	Villanova University	Villanova, PA	94%	$60,768	29%	Yes
20	Rush University	Chicago, IL	97%	$53,040	37%	Yes
21	University of Miami	Miami, FL	91%	$53,682	33%	Yes
22	University of Wisconsin-Madison	Madison, WI	90%	$37,785	51%	Yes
23	University of Pittsburgh	Pittsburgh, PA	93.45%	$35,130 (Out-of-state)	24%	Yes
24	University of Maryland	Baltimore, MD	95%	$36,681	48%	Yes
25	Boston College	Chestnut Hill, MA	94%	$62,326	26%	Yes
26	University of Kentucky	Lexington, KY	93%	$30,680 (Out-of-state)	56%	Yes
27	University of Kansas	Lawrence, KS	91%	$28,034 (Out-of-state)	93%	Yes
28	University of Arizona	Tucson, AZ	90%	$35,307	85%	Yes
29	University of San Francisco	San Francisco, CA	92%	$53,472	70%	Yes
30	University of Tennessee	Knoxville, TN	90%	$31,664	79%	Yes
31	University of Connecticut	Storrs, CT	94%	$39,894	49%	Yes
32	Texas Christian University	Fort Worth, TX	91%	$53,980	47%	Yes
33	University of South Carolina	Columbia, SC	91%	$33,928 (Out-of-state)	68%	Yes
34	Indiana University Bloomington	Bloomington, IN	92%	$38,633 (Out-of-state)	80%	Yes
35	University of Oklahoma	Norman, OK	90%	$27,069	70%	Yes
36	University of Colorado Denver	Denver, CO	89%	$36,246	67%	Yes
37	University of Massachusetts Amherst	Amherst, MA	93%	$35,472 (Out-of-state)	65%	Yes
38	University of Alabama	Tuscaloosa, AL	89%	$31,460	80%	Yes
39	Clemson University	Clemson, SC	91%	$39,502	62%	Yes
40	Loyola University Chicago	Chicago, IL	94%	$48,700	67%	Yes
41	Florida State University	Tallahassee, FL	90%	$21,673	36%	Yes
42	George Washington University	Washington, D.C.	93%	$58,550	41%	Yes
43	University of Iowa	Iowa City, IA	91%	$30,036	83%	Yes
44	University of Delaware	Newark, DE	94%	$36,090 (Out-of-state)	63%	Yes
45	Michigan State University	East Lansing, MI	90%	$40,726	71%	Yes
46	University of Missouri	Columbia, MO	91%	$29,005	78%	Yes
47	DePaul University	Chicago, IL	92%	$43,464	68%	Yes
48	University of North Florida	Jacksonville, FL	91%	$23,890	61%	Yes
49	University of Utah	Salt Lake City, UT	89%	$31,840	66%	Yes
50	Northeastern University	Boston, MA	92%	$58,805	18%	Yes
51	University of Nebraska Medical Center	Omaha, NE	91%	$29,380 (Out-of-state)	58%	Yes
52	Baylor University	Waco, TX	90%	$50,232	45%	Yes
53	Drexel University	Philadelphia, PA	91%	$57,136	77%	Yes
54	University of Kentucky	Lexington, KY	91%	$30,680	56%	Yes
55	Texas A&M University	College Station, TX	90%	$38,969	67%	Yes
56	Creighton University	Omaha, NE	92%	$44,524	71%	Yes
57	University of Rochester	Rochester, NY	92%	$59,344	29%	Yes
58	Louisiana State University	Baton Rouge, LA	89%	$28,052	73%	Yes
59	Marquette University	Milwaukee, WI	91%	$45,766	82%	Yes
60	Arizona State University	Tempe, AZ	88%	$28,336	88%	Yes
61	University of Nevada, Las Vegas	Las Vegas, NV	89%	$24,486	81%	Yes
62	University of North Carolina Greensboro	Greensboro, NC	89%	$24,537	90%	Yes
63	University of South Florida	Tampa, FL	91%	$17,324	49%	Yes
64	Gonzaga University	Spokane, WA	92%	$50,935	61%	Yes
65	University of Nebraska-Lincoln	Lincoln, NE	90%	$26,862	78%	Yes
66	Stony Brook University	Stony Brook, NY	90%	$28,375	44%	Yes
67	University of Arkansas	Fayetteville, AR	89%	$25,168	82%	Yes
68	Xavier University	Cincinnati, OH	89%	$42,230	74%	Yes
69	University of Hawaii	Honolulu, HI	87%	$34,218	58%	Yes
70	University of Mississippi	Oxford, MS	88%	$25,760	88%	Yes
71	University of Oregon	Eugene, OR	87%	$36,785	83%	Yes
72	University of Louisville	Louisville, KY	88%	$28,410	65%	Yes
73	Eastern Michigan University	Ypsilanti, MI	89%	$29,736	85%	Yes
74	Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center	Lubbock, TX	88%	$25,850	68%	Yes
75	University of Central Florida	Orlando, FL	91%	$22,467	44%	Yes
76	Illinois State University	Normal, IL	88%	$27,109	81%	Yes
77	Rutgers University	New Brunswick, NJ	91%	$32,189	60%	Yes
78	Seton Hall University	South Orange, NJ	89%	$46,880	66%	Yes
79	West Virginia University	Morgantown, WV	89%	$26,568	84%	Yes
80	University of Denver	Denver, CO	89%	$54,819	58%	Yes
81	University of New Mexico	Albuquerque, NM	87%	$23,292	66%	Yes
82	Seattle University	Seattle, WA	89%	$50,328	81%	Yes
83	SUNY Downstate Medical Center	Brooklyn, NY	88%	$19,990	46%	Yes
84	University of Wyoming	Laramie, WY	88%	$22,490	94%	Yes
85	University of North Dakota	Grand Forks, ND	89%	$21,560	82%	Yes
86	University of Montana	Missoula, MT	87%	$27,180	92%	Yes
87	University of South Dakota	Vermillion, SD	88%	$24,580	86%	Yes
88	University of Toledo	Toledo, OH	87%	$30,790	94%	Yes
89	Appalachian State University	Boone, NC	88%	$22,680	80%	Yes
90	University of Houston	Houston, TX	87%	$28,819	65%	Yes
91	SUNY Buffalo	Buffalo, NY	88%	$28,705	63%	Yes
92	University of Vermont	Burlington, VT	87%	$43,890	67%	Yes
93	University of Memphis	Memphis, TN	87%	$25,378	95%	Yes
94	Sam Houston State University	Huntsville, TX	88%	$21,130	85%	Yes
95	California State University Fullerton	Fullerton, CA	88%	$18,780	52%	Yes
96	University of Nevada, Reno	Reno, NV	87%	$24,472	88%	Yes
97	Wright State University	Dayton, OH	88%	$20,496	96%	Yes
98	Missouri State University	Springfield, MO	88%	$23,500	87%	Yes
99	Old Dominion University	Norfolk, VA	87%	$30,280	87%	Yes
100	Boise State University	Boise, ID	87%	$24,988	82%	Yes

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.

Work With Us!

Ready to turn your college admission dreams into reality? Join the 98% of students who have worked with Empowerly and been accepted into Ivy League and top 25 schools. Our college counselors are the best-rated in the country and have proven to improve college admission rates by 11x. Book your FREE consultation today. 

Additional Resources

• The Top 25 Colleges and Universities that Accept a 3.4 GPA – This article can be a helpful reference for students considering nursing schools that may not have extremely high GPA requirements.
• How to Study Effectively for Exams in a Short Time – Nursing students often face challenging exams, so this article could offer valuable advice on study strategies.
• What Colleges can I get into with a 3.5 GPA? – This could be useful for prospective nursing students who want to know what GPA they need for admissions.