Choosing a college or university with a nursing program that is right for you is one of the most pivotal decisions that you will make as an aspiring nurse, and in 2023-2024, several programs stand out due to their exceptional offerings, faculty, and facilities.
Below, we'll go into the best nursing school programs, providing specifics on in-state and out-of-state tuition, recent enrollment numbers, and unique features that set each university's program apart from one another.
1. Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing
Location: Baltimore, Maryland
In-State Tuition: $37,000 per year
Out-of-State Tuition: $37,000 per year
Recent Enrollment: 1,200 students
Unique Features: Johns Hopkins is renowned for its research initiatives and global impact. The school offers unique opportunities for students to engage in cutting-edge research and community outreach programs, both locally and internationally. The simulation labs and interprofessional education programs provide students with a safe and collaborative environment to hone their skills.
2. University of Pennsylvania, School of Nursing
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
In-State Tuition: $53,000 per year
Out-of-State Tuition: $53,000 per year
Recent Enrollment: 850 students
Unique Features: Penn Nursing stands out for its integration of nursing science with liberal arts, providing a well-rounded education. The school is home to several research centers focusing on areas like health outcomes and policy research, ensuring students are at the forefront of nursing knowledge. Additionally, the school’s global health program offers students the opportunity to gain international experience.
3. University of California, San Francisco School of Nursing
Location: San Francisco, California
In-State Tuition: $11,442 per year
Out-of-State Tuition: $26,544 per year
Recent Enrollment: 950 students
Unique Features: UCSF is recognized for its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and it offers a wide range of programs focused on serving underrepresented communities. The school’s Center for Global Health provides students with opportunities to engage in health care initiatives around the world. Additionally, UCSF is situated in a global health hub, offering unparalleled access to leading healthcare institutions.
4. Duke University School of Nursing
Location: Durham, North Carolina
In-State Tuition: $57,900 per year
Out-of-State Tuition: $57,900 per year
Recent Enrollment: 800 students
Unique Features: Duke Nursing is known for its leadership in innovative nursing education. The school offers a range of dual degree programs, allowing students to tailor their education to their career goals. The Center for Nursing Research supports students and faculty in their research endeavors, fostering a culture of inquiry and innovation.
5. Emory University Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
In-State Tuition: $51,000 per year
Out-of-State Tuition: $51,000 per year
Recent Enrollment: 760 students
Unique Features: Emory’s School of Nursing is recognized for its commitment to social responsibility and community engagement. The school offers a variety of service-learning programs, integrating community service with academic study. The Lillian Carter Center for Global Health & Social Responsibility provides students with unique opportunities to serve vulnerable populations both locally and globally.
6. University of Washington School of Nursing
Location: Seattle, Washington
In-State Tuition: $16,590 per year
Out-of-State Tuition: $29,652 per year
Recent Enrollment: 950 students
Unique Features: The University of Washington School of Nursing is recognized for its leadership in public health nursing and its commitment to serving rural and underserved communities. The school offers a range of community-based programs and has strong partnerships with local health departments and community clinics.
7. Columbia University School of Nursing
Location: New York, New York
In-State Tuition: $59,364 per year
Out-of-State Tuition: $59,364 per year
Recent Enrollment: 700 students
Unique Features: Columbia Nursing is known for its innovative curriculum and state-of-the-art simulation center. The school offers a comprehensive nurse anesthesia program and has a strong focus on preparing nurse leaders and practitioners.
8. University of Michigan School of Nursing
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
In-State Tuition: $15,262 per year
Out-of-State Tuition: $30,112 per year
Recent Enrollment: 1,100 students
Unique Features: The University of Michigan School of Nursing emphasizes research, with numerous opportunities for students to engage in cutting-edge projects. The school has a strong focus on interprofessional education, preparing students to work collaboratively across healthcare disciplines.
9. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Nursing
Location: Chapel Hill, North Carolina
In-State Tuition: $12,522 per year
Out-of-State Tuition: $30,248 per year
Recent Enrollment: 950 students
Unique Features: UNC Chapel Hill School of Nursing is recognized for its commitment to community engagement and health promotion. The school offers a range of programs focused on rural health and has strong connections with community health centers across the state.
10. University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
In-State Tuition: $23,452 per year
Out-of-State Tuition: $38,736 per year
Recent Enrollment: 1,000 students
Unique Features: Pitt Nursing is known for its excellence in clinical education and its strong focus on geriatric nursing. The school offers a variety of specialty programs, including a highly regarded nurse practitioner program.
11. Yale University School of Nursing
Location: New Haven, Connecticut
In-State Tuition: $42,100 per year
Out-of-State Tuition: $42,100 per year
Recent Enrollment: 400 students
Unique Features: Yale Nursing takes a holistic approach to education, emphasizing the importance of nursing in global health. The school offers a unique joint degree program in nursing and midwifery and has a strong focus on primary care.
12. University of Maryland School of Nursing
Location: Baltimore, Maryland
In-State Tuition: $14,832 per year
Out-of-State Tuition: $29,724 per year
Recent Enrollment: 1,900 students
Unique Features: The University of Maryland School of Nursing is recognized for its leadership in nursing informatics and its commitment to innovation in healthcare. The school offers a range of programs focused on health information technology and has strong partnerships with leading healthcare institutions in the region.
13. University of Illinois at Chicago College of Nursing
Location: Chicago, Illinois
In-State Tuition: $16,622 per year
Out-of-State Tuition: $31,244 per year
Recent Enrollment: 1,300 students
Unique Features: UIC Nursing is known for its commitment to social justice and health equity. The school offers a variety of programs focused on community health and has a strong emphasis on preparing nurses to serve in urban settings.
14. University of Virginia School of Nursing
Location: Charlottesville, Virginia
In-State Tuition: $16,578 per year
Out-of-State Tuition: $28,658 per year
Recent Enrollment: 900 students
Unique Features: UVA School of Nursing is recognized for its commitment to holistic care and its strong focus on patient-centered practice. The school offers a range of programs focused on integrative health and has a strong emphasis on wellness and prevention.
15. University of Minnesota School of Nursing
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
In-State Tuition: $17,580 per year
Out-of-State Tuition: $27,204 per year
Recent Enrollment: 1,100 students
Unique Features: The University of Minnesota School of Nursing is known for its leadership in rural health and its commitment to serving underserved populations. The school offers a variety of programs focused on community and public health, and has strong connections with rural health clinics and community health centers.
16. University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing
Location: Austin, Texas
In-State Tuition: $10,554 per year
Out-of-State Tuition: $19,320 per year
Recent Enrollment: 850 students
Unique Features: UT Austin School of Nursing is known for its strong community engagement and innovative teaching methods. The school offers a variety of clinical experiences in diverse settings, including community health clinics and major healthcare centers.
17. University of Florida College of Nursing
Location: Gainesville, Florida
In-State Tuition: $6,381 per year
Out-of-State Tuition: $28,659 per year
Recent Enrollment: 950 students
Unique Features: UF College of Nursing stands out for its commitment to research and evidence-based practice. The school offers a range of specialty programs and has a strong focus on preparing nurse scientists and leaders.
18. University of Iowa College of Nursing
Location: Iowa City, Iowa
In-State Tuition: $9,492 per year
Out-of-State Tuition: $31,458 per year
Recent Enrollment: 900 students
Unique Features: The University of Iowa College of Nursing is recognized for its excellence in gerontological nursing and its commitment to serving the aging population. The school offers a variety of programs focused on elder care and has strong connections with local nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
19. University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing
Location: Birmingham, Alabama
In-State Tuition: $10,710 per year
Out-of-State Tuition: $24,380 per year
Recent Enrollment: 1,200 students
Unique Features: UAB School of Nursing is known for its leadership in nursing education and its commitment to innovation in healthcare. The school offers a range of programs focused on advanced practice nursing and has a strong emphasis on interprofessional education.
20. University of Colorado College of Nursing
Location: Aurora, Colorado
In-State Tuition: $13,044 per year
Out-of-State Tuition: $29,670 per year
Recent Enrollment: 1,000 students
Unique Features: The University of Colorado College of Nursing stands out for its commitment to rural health and its innovative programs in nurse-midwifery and women’s health. The school offers a variety of clinical experiences in diverse settings, including rural clinics and major healthcare centers.
21. University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Nursing
Location: Madison, Wisconsin
In-State Tuition: $10,728 per year
Out-of-State Tuition: $24,054 per year
Recent Enrollment: 950 students
Unique Features: UW-Madison School of Nursing is recognized for its research initiatives and its commitment to community health. The school offers a range of programs focused on public health nursing and has strong connections with local health departments and community organizations.
22. University of Rochester School of Nursing
Location: Rochester, New York
In-State Tuition: $15,290 per year
Out-of-State Tuition: $15,290 per year
Recent Enrollment: 600 students
Unique Features: The University of Rochester School of Nursing stands out for its strong focus on clinical practice and its commitment to preparing nurses for leadership roles in healthcare. The school offers a variety of specialty programs, including a highly regarded program in pediatric nursing.
23. Boston College Connell School of Nursing
Location: Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
In-State Tuition: $57,910 per year
Out-of-State Tuition: $57,910 per year
Recent Enrollment: 750 students
Unique Features: Boston College’s Connell School of Nursing is known for its holistic approach to nursing education and its commitment to social justice. The school offers a range of programs focused on community health and has a strong emphasis on service learning and community engagement.
24. Vanderbilt University School of Nursing
Location: Nashville, Tennessee
In-State Tuition: $47,208 per year
Out-of-State Tuition: $47,208 per year
Recent Enrollment: 850 students
Unique Features: Vanderbilt School of Nursing stands out for its innovative curriculum and its strong focus on advanced practice nursing. The school offers a variety of dual degree programs and has a strong emphasis on preparing nurse practitioners and nurse-midwives.
25. University of Arizona College of Nursing
Location: Tucson, Arizona
In-State Tuition: $12,748 per year
Out-of-State Tuition: $36,718 per year
Recent Enrollment: 900 students
Unique Features: The University of Arizona College of Nursing is recognized for its leadership in nursing education and its commitment to serving the diverse populations of the Southwest. The school offers a range of programs focused on rural health and has strong connections with local Native American communities.
Selecting the right nursing school is a crucial step in your journey to becoming a nurse.
The schools listed above represent the top 25 programs in 2024, each offering unique features and opportunities for students.
Conduct thorough research, visit campuses, and connect with current students and alumni to make an informed decision that aligns with your career goals and values.