The Best Nursing Schools

• Top Ranked Nursing Programs
• Different Types of Nursing Programs & Nursing Degrees
• List of Nursing Associations
• How Do I Decide Which Nursing Program is Best for Me?
• What are the Best Ways to Finance a Nursing Education?
• Bottom Line for Nursing Students

Top Ranked Nursing Programs

Below you will find a list of the best 35 four-year nursing schools from around the country. The list has been curated to help you more effectively make decisions about your academic future and serve as a valuable college resource guide. Many nursing schools on our list are part of a larger university with dedicated resources to advance the field of nursing through quality programs and top-tier curricular design. In addition to the top ranked nursing schools, we have also included resources below to help you continue your research in the field of healthcare.

Capital University

• Address: 1 College and Main, Columbus, OH
• Popular Degree Programs: Business Management, Marketing, Nursing, Teaching, Health Sciences, Public Administration
• Average Student to Teacher Ratio:12:1
• Full-Time Students Receiving Financial Aid: 100%
• Enrollment: 3,367
• School Type: Private
• Application Deadline: May 1^st

Saint Anselm College

• Address: 100 Saint Anselm Drive, Manchester, NH
• Popular Degree Programs: Nursing, Psychology, Theology, Physics, Studio Arts, Computer Science, International Business, Forensic Science, Biochemistry
• Average Student to Teacher Ratio:11:1
• Full-Time Students Receiving Financial Aid: 99%
• Enrollment: 1,930
• School Type: Private
• Application Deadline: February 1^st

Jacksonville University

• Address: 2800 University Blvd North, Jacksonville, FL
• Popular Degree Programs: Performing Arts, Social Science, Parks & Recreation, Business Management, Marketing, Nursing, Health Sciences
• Average Student to Teacher Ratio:14:1
• Full-Time Students Receiving Financial Aid: 99%
• Enrollment: 4,060
• School Type: Private
• Application Deadline: July 1^st

Brenau University

• Address: 500 Washington Street SE, Gainesville, GA
• Popular Degree Programs: Communications, Nursing, Teaching, Health Sciences, Interior Design, Liberal Arts, Marketing
• Average Student to Teacher Ratio:11:1
• Full-Time Students Receiving Financial Aid: 98%
• Enrollment: 2,899
• School Type: Private
• Application Deadline: Rolling

University of Mary

• Address: 7500 University Drive, Bismarck, ND
• Popular Degree Programs: Accounting, Criminal Justice, Teaching, Nursing, Healthcare Administration, Pre-Med, Public Relations, Theology
• Average Student to Teacher Ratio:13:1
• Full-Time Students Receiving Financial Aid: 100%
• Enrollment: 3,260
• School Type: Private
• Application Deadline: Rolling

St. Louis University

• Address: One North Grand Blvd, Saint Louis, MO
• Popular Degree Programs: Health Management, Nursing, Aeronautics, Health Information Management, Biology, International Business, Music, Chemistry, Neuroscience, Bioelectronics, Criminal Justice, Forensic Science, Theology, Project Management
• Average Student to Teacher Ratio:11:1
• Full-Time Students Receiving Financial Aid: 95%
• Enrollment: 12,280
• School Type: Private
• Application Deadline: August 20^th

Xavier University (OH)

• Address: 3800 Victory Parkway, Cincinnati, OH
• Popular Degree Programs: Nursing, Applied Chemistry, Political Science, Fine Arts, Biophysics, Public Relations, Liberal Arts, Early Childhood Education, Marketing, Health Services Administration
• Average Student to Teacher Ratio:12:1
• Full-Time Students Receiving Financial Aid: 99%
• Enrollment: 6,522
• School Type: Private
• Application Deadline: Rolling

Oregon Health and Sciences University (OHSU)

• Address: 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR
• Popular Degree Programs: Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Dentistry, Public Health, Engineering
• Average Student to Teacher Ratio:8:1
• Enrollment: 2,899
• School Type: Public
• Application Deadline: February 15^th

Calvin College

• Address: 3201 Burton Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI
• Popular Degree Programs: Entrepreneurship, Journalism, Digital Media, Nursing, Early Childhood Education, Art History, Public Health, Exercise Science, Biotechnology, Philosophy, Economics, Optics, Sustainability Studies
• Average Student to Teacher Ratio:13:1
• Full-Time Students Receiving Financial Aid: 100%
• Enrollment: 3,918
• School Type: Private
• Application Deadline: August 15^th

Drexel University

• Address: 3141 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
• Popular Degree Programs: Medicine, Nursing, Law, Engineering, Health Sciences, Biomedical Science, Accounting, Dance, Software Engineering, Public Health
• Average Student to Teacher Ratio:10:1
• Full-Time Students Receiving Financial Aid: 100%
• Enrollment: 21,975
• School Type: Public
• Application Deadline: January 15^th

Catholic University of America

• Address: 620 Michigan Avenue NE, Washington, DC
• Popular Degree Programs: Law, Engineering, Teaching, Nursing, Architecture, Biology, Music, Economics, Philosophy, Information Technology, Social Work, Theology
• Average Student to Teacher Ratio:7:1
• Full-Time Students Receiving Financial Aid: 96%
• Enrollment: 6,076
• School Type: Private
• Application Deadline: January 15^th

Ohio Northern University

• Address: 525 South Main Street, Ada, OH
• Popular Degree Programs: Pharmacy, Computer Science, Psychology, Teaching, Law, Sociology, Astronomy, Engineering, Nursing, Risk Management, Accounting, Computer Engineering
• Average Student to Teacher Ratio:11:1
• Full-Time Students Receiving Financial Aid: 100%
• Enrollment: 3,108
• School Type: Private
• Application Deadline: August 15^th

University of Rochester

• Address: 500 Wilson Blvd, Rochester, NY
• Popular Degree Programs: Business Administration, Engineering, Political Science, Medicine, Economics, Nursing, Psychology, Biological Sciences
• Average Student to Teacher Ratio:10:1
• Full-Time Students Receiving Financial Aid: 87%
• Enrollment: 11,209
• School Type: Private
• Application Deadline: January 5^th

Bellarmine University

• Address: 2001 Newburg Road, Louisville, KY
• Popular Degree Programs: Digital Arts, Accounting, Teaching, Music, Nursing, Theology, Psychology, Computer Science, Social Media Marketing, Molecular Biology
• Average Student to Teacher Ratio:12:1
• Full-Time Students Receiving Financial Aid: 100%
• Enrollment: 3,971
• School Type: Private
• Application Deadline: August 15^th

Fairfield University

• Address: 1073 North Benson Road, Fairfield, CT
• Popular Degree Programs: Business, Nursing, Engineering, Public Health, Bioengineering, Economics, Communication, Math, Studio Art, Psychology
• Average Student to Teacher Ratio:12:1
• Full-Time Students Receiving Financial Aid: 92%
• Enrollment: 5,137
• School Type: Private
• Application Deadline: January 15^th

Florida Southern College

• Address: 111 Lake Hollingsworth Drive, Lakeland, FL
• Popular Degree Programs: Computer Science, Digital Media, Philosophy, Music, Finance, Nursing, Cloud Computing, Political Science, Sports Management
• Average Student to Teacher Ratio:13:1
• Full-Time Students Receiving Financial Aid: 100%
• Enrollment: 2,765
• School Type: Private
• Application Deadline: Rolling

Loyola University Chicago

• Address: 1032 West Sheridan Road, Chicago, IL
• Popular Degree Programs: Communications, Law, Teaching, Social Work, Medicine, Nursing, Risk Management, Pastoral Studies, Computer Science, Physics, Economics
• Average Student to Teacher Ratio:14:1
• Full-Time Students Receiving Financial Aid: 95%
• Enrollment: 16,422
• School Type: Private
• Application Deadline: Rolling

Baylor University

• Address: 500 Speight Avenue, Waco, TX
• Popular Degree Programs: Nursing, Theology, Social Work, Music, Teaching, Computer Science, Environmental Science, Journalism, Communication Sciences, Sports Medicine, Digital Media, Occupational Therapy
• Average Student to Teacher Ratio:15:1
• Full-Time Students Receiving Financial Aid: 98%
• Enrollment: 16,959
• School Type: Private
• Application Deadline: February 1^st

Valparaiso University

• Address: US Highway 30 & Sturdy Road, Valparaiso, IN
• Popular Degree Programs: Counseling, Actuarial Science, Communications, Applied Statistics, Civil Engineering, Gerontology, Astronomy, Cybersecurity, Bioengineering, Nursing, Physical Education, Theology, Sustainability
• Average Student to Teacher Ratio:13:1
• Full-Time Students Receiving Financial Aid: 96%
• Enrollment: 4,433
• School Type: Private
• Application Deadline: Rolling

Middle Tennessee State University

• Address: 1301 East Main Street, Murfreesboro, TN
• Popular Degree Programs: Liberal Arts, Communications, Marketing, Business Management, Journalism, Nursing, Exercise Science, Social Work, Finance, Healthcare Administration, Teaching
• Average Student to Teacher Ratio:18:1
• Full-Time Students Receiving Financial Aid: 97%
• Enrollment: 22,050
• School Type: Public
• Application Deadline: Rolling

University of Wyoming

• Address: Ninth & Ivinson, Laramie, WY
• Popular Degree Programs: Nursing, Dental Hygiene, Pharmacy, Social Work, Kinesiology, Animal Science, Molecular Biology, Political Science, Journalism, Physics, Teaching, Marketing, Atmospheric Science, Computer Engineering, Civil Engineering, Law, Energy Resource Management
• Average Student to Teacher Ratio:14:1
• Full-Time Students Receiving Financial Aid: 94%
• Enrollment: 12,366
• School Type: Public
• Application Deadline: August 10^th

Angelo State University

• Address: 2601 West Avenue North, San Angelo, TX
• Popular Degree Programs: Agribusiness, Nursing, Chemistry, Kinesiology, Teaching, Psychology, Music, Sociology, Criminal Justice, Health Sciences, Finance, Criminal Justice
• Average Student to Teacher Ratio:19:1
• Full-Time Students Receiving Financial Aid: 93%
• Enrollment: 7,273
• School Type: Public
• Application Deadline: August 29^th

Washington State University

• Address: 1775 NE Stadium Way, Pullman, WA
• Popular Degree Programs: Natural Resource Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Liberal Arts, Medical School, Nursing, Pharmacy, Veterinary Medicine, Counseling Psychology, Public Relations, Educational Leadership, Nutrition
• Average Student to Teacher Ratio:15:1
• Full-Time Students Receiving Financial Aid: 84%
• Enrollment: 30,142
• School Type: Private
• Application Deadline: Rolling

University of Pennsylvania

• Address: 34^th and Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA
• Popular Degree Programs: Nursing, Biochemistry, Actuarial Science, Music, Computer Science, Linguistics, Fine Arts, Sociology, Bioengineering, Digital Media, Urban Studies, Real Estate, Global Analysis, Healthcare Management & Policy
• Average Student to Teacher Ratio:6:1
• Full-Time Students Receiving Financial Aid: 58%
• Enrollment: 21,826
• School Type: Private
• Application Deadline: January 5^th

University of Louisville

• Address: 2301 South 3^rd Street, Louisville, KY
• Popular Degree Programs: Chemical Engineering, Computer Information Systems, Theatre Arts, Public Health, Music, Nursing, Marketing, Dental Hygiene, Chemistry
• Average Student to Teacher Ratio:13:1
• Full-Time Students Receiving Financial Aid: 97%
• Enrollment: 21,579
• School Type: Public
• Application Deadline: August 21^st

Villanova University

• Address: 800 Lancaster Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
• Popular Degree Programs: Liberal Arts, Engineering, Nursing, Economics, Sociology, Environmental Science, Electrical Engineering, Accounting, Management Information Systems, Law
• Average Student to Teacher Ratio:12:1
• Full-Time Students Receiving Financial Aid: 64%
• Enrollment: 10,842
• School Type: Private
• Application Deadline: January 15^th

University of Rhode Island

• Address: 35 Campus Avenue, Kingston, RI
• Popular Degree Programs: Supply Chain Management, Molecular Biology, Art History, Communications, Early Childhood Education, Ocean Engineering, Music, International Business, Health Studies, Dietetics, Journalism, Psychology, Writing & Rhetoric, Nursing, Wildlife Biology
• Average Student to Teacher Ratio:17:1
• Full-Time Students Receiving Financial Aid: 93%
• Enrollment: 17,832
• School Type: Public
• Application Deadline: February 1^st

Weber State University

• Address: 3850 Dixon Parkway Drive, Ogden, UT
• Popular Degree Programs: Business, Nursing, Engineering, Criminal Justice, Computer Science, Accounting, Registered Nurse
• Average Student to Teacher Ratio:21:1
• Full-Time Students Receiving Financial Aid: 88%
• Enrollment: 26,809
• School Type: Public
• Application Deadline: August 28^th

Texas Christian University (TCU)

• Address: 2800 South University Drive, Fort Worth, TX
• Popular Degree Programs: Nurse Anesthesia, Computer Science, Liberal Arts, Social Work, Kinesiology, Nursing, Music, Engineering, Nutritional Sciences, Geology, Psychology, Fashion Merchandising, Teaching, Supply Chain Management, Journalism
• Average Student to Teacher Ratio:13:1
• Full-Time Students Receiving Financial Aid: 77%
• Enrollment: 10,394
• School Type: Private
• Application Deadline: February 15^th

University of Houston

• Address: 212 East Cullen Building, Houston, TX
• Popular Degree Programs: Education, Nursing, Accounting, Computer Engineering, Teaching, Liberal Arts
• Average Student to Teacher Ratio:21:1
• Full-Time Students Receiving Financial Aid: 86%
• Enrollment: 43,774
• School Type: Public
• Application Deadline: June 15^th

University of Montana

• Address: 32 Campus Drive, Missoula, MT
• Popular Degree Programs: Anthropology, Nursing, Pharmacy, Social Work, Industrial Technology, Psychology, Geosciences, Information Systems, Wildlife Biology, Media Arts, Forest Management
• Average Student to Teacher Ratio:17:1
• Full-Time Students Receiving Financial Aid: 89%
• Enrollment: 12,419
• School Type: Public
• Application Deadline: Rolling

University of Alabama

• Address: 739 University Blvd, Tuscaloosa, AL
• Popular Degree Programs: Law, Nursing, Social Work, Engineering, Teaching, Anthropology, Physics, Creative Media, Interior Design, Public Health, Criminal Justice, Advertising, Communicative Disorders, Economics, Business Management
• Average Student to Teacher Ratio:24:1
• Full-Time Students Receiving Financial Aid: 80%
• Enrollment: 37,663
• School Type: Public
• Application Deadline: Rolling

University of North Dakota

• Address: 264 Centennial Drive, Grand Forks, ND
• Popular Degree Programs: Public Administration, Nursing, Aerospace, Engineering, Early Childhood Education, Law, Athletic Training, Occupational Therapy, Dietetics, Social Work, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Geology
• Average Student to Teacher Ratio:21:1
• Full-Time Students Receiving Financial Aid: 88%
• Enrollment: 14,468
• School Type: Public
• Application Deadline: Rolling

University of Delaware

• Address: 1410 Hullihen Hall, Newark, DE
• Popular Degree Programs: Wildlife Ecology, Communications, Geological Science, Human Development, Art History, Biochemistry, Sociology, Wealth Management, Economics, Finance, Teaching, Environmental Science, Applied Economics, Nursing, Early Childhood Education, Mechanical Engineering, Medical Laboratory Sciences, Kinesiology, Physical Therapy
• Average Student to Teacher Ratio:16:1
• Full-Time Students Receiving Financial Aid: 83%
• Enrollment: 22,168
• School Type: Public
• Application Deadline: January 15^th

Indiana University - Bloomington

• Address: 107 South Indiana Avenue, Bloomington, IN
• Popular Degree Programs: Neuroscience, Architecture, Teaching, International Studies, Business, Law, Medicine, Engineering, Optometry, Music, Biochemistry, Nursing, Public Affairs, Social Work
• Average Student to Teacher Ratio:17:1
• Full-Time Students Receiving Financial Aid: 71%
• Enrollment: 49,695
• School Type: Public
• Application Deadline: Rolling

Different Types of Nursing Programs & Nursing Degrees

Do you know the difference between a Registered Nurse and a Licensed Practical Nurse or a Nurse Anesthetist and a Critical Care Nurse? If not, rest assured we have created tools for you to understand the different career paths within nursing and compare degree programs from top accredited colleges from around the country. Simply link to nursing degree paths above or utilize our proprietary search portal to further research the field of nursing. Additionally, we have created a few career guides to help you better understand career pathways in the nursing vocation found at Complete Career Guide in Nursing and Nursing Careers for Men.

The MatchCollege career guides help students understand the various types of nursing degrees and help to demystify the difference between an LPN to BSN degree and a RN to DNP. Next, we cover a few dozen nursing specialties along with their associated job descriptions and common career tracks. Then we break down the various types of nursing schools from trade schools through four-year universities and everything in between. We then cover a series of frequently asked questions about the nursing trade followed by key insights into various types of financial aid.

List of Nursing Associations

• National Black Nurses Association
• American Nurses Association
• National Student Nurses Association
• Academy Health
• National Health Services Corps
• American Association of Critical Care Nurses
• National Association of Neonatal Nurses

How Do I Decide Which Nursing Program is Best for Me?

With all the options at your fingertips, it is easy to get overwhelmed. Given the feedback from so many nursing students over the past few years, we decided to create a college admissions guide to help you best navigate the process. The comprehensive guide will take you through a key exercise to ensure you spend time organizing your thoughts and establishing your personal priorities. With these priorities in place, you will be more effective at determining which degree type, degree level, and college to attend. As you research different options for your future, you can swiftly gather enrollment information from virtually any accredited college or university with MatchCollege with a few clicks. Our goal is to make the process as simple as possible while provide over-the-top value to students and parents during their decision-making process for college.

What are the Best Ways to Finance a Nursing Education?

While there is no singular answer for everyone, we have spent time gathering resources to help you understand how most other students manage finances for school. The survey summary located here, will help you visualize emerging trends you need to understand. The six primary sources students utilize to fund college include: scholarships & grants, parent income, relatives & friends, student loans, student income, and parent borrowing. To help keep things in perspective, the current financial aid package from private colleges averages 49% off published tuition rates. This may help you make a stretch school a reality knowing the facts before applying to colleges on your short list.

Bottom Line for Nursing Students

The keys to your success will include: staying organized, communicating effectively, asking great questions, establishing your priorities, remaining focused, and understanding the future impact of your work in healthcare to keep you motivated through the process.

Ranking Methodology: At Bold.org, we work diligently to provide quality information to help current and prospective college students best navigate the college landscape. To that end, we use the following trusted sources of information throughout our website including: NCES, The U.S. Department of Education, Carnegie Classification, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. News, and the U.S. Census Bureau.