Nursing programs are popping up throughout the country because nurses are in such high demand right now. No matter where you live or what you want to do as a nurse, you can find an educational program to help you fulfill your dreams. Listed below are the top 20 nursing programs of 2014 to give you a head start on finding a school. You will have a degree in-hand in no time.
Note: The schools below are ranked by graduation rates, cost of attendance, NCLEX pass rates, and the number of degrees available. For information about where we got our data for ranking, refer to the resources section at the bottom of this page.
1 – Lakeview College of Nursing
Lakeview College of Nursing is a school specifically designed for aspiring nurses. It has a graduation rate of 86% and an impressive 92% NCLEX pass rate. This school is accredited by both the CCNE and NLNAC, and it offers a wide range of degrees to choose from. Best of all, the cost of attendance here is low and there are less than 300 students in the school.
- Total annual cost: $18,553
- Location: Danville, IL
- Degrees: Certificate, Bachelor’s, Master’s
2 – William Carey University
William Carey University made it to the top of our list because it ranks well on all levels. This school has a low tuition rate, a decent graduation rate of 58%, and a student population just over 4,000. WCU is accredited by the NLNAC, and it has an NCLEX pass rate of 82%. Enroll in this school, and you will likely come out with a degree and a career certification.
- Total annual cost: $18,683
- Location: Hattiesburg, MS
- Degrees: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate
3 – University of Central Arkansas
The University of Central Arkansas has a great nursing degree program, with options available at the graduate and undergrad levels. The school’s graduation rate is only 41%, but that covers all careers and majors. The success of the nursing program may be reflected in UCA’s NCLEX pass rate, which currently sits at 90%. The nursing department here is accredited by the CCNE, and the school’s total student population is 11,107.
- Total annual cost: $17,073
- Location: Conway, AR
- Degrees: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate
4 – University of Delaware
The University of Delaware’s nursing department is accredited by both the CCNE and the NLNAC. The NCLEX pass rate for the school is 88%, and the graduation rate is 82%. This is a rather large school in a small state, with a student population of 21,856. The cost of attendance here may be higher than that of other schools listed here, but that is to be expected in the New England states.
- Total annual cost: $27,747
- Location: Newark, DE
- Degrees: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate
5 – Chamberlain College of Nursing
Chamberlain College of Nursing is another school entirely dedicated to nursing careers. This school boasts a student population just shy of 8,000, and it has an NCLEX pass rate of 90%. The graduation rate for the school is only 33%, but that covers students in multiple degree levels. Most of the students here who stick with their programs come out with licenses to work. CCN is accredited by both the NLNAC and the CCNE.
- Total annual cost: $20,793
- Location: St. Louis, MO
- Degrees: Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate
6 – Georgia College & State University
Georgia College & State University has a thriving nursing program, with an NCLEX pass rate of 99%. The graduation rate for the school sits at 57%, and the student population is 6,468. This college is accredited by the NLNAC, making it one of only a handful of accredited nursing programs in Georgia. Students here can choose to earn as high as a doctorate in nursing practice.
- Total annual cost: $22,651
- Location: Milledgeville, GA
- Degrees: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate
7 – Florida Atlantic University
Florida Atlantic University has degree programs at every level possible, so you can train here to be a certified nurse assistant, registered nurse, nurse practitioner, and much more. The graduation rate at this school is 41%, spanning across a student population over 30,000. The nursing program here is accredited by the CCNE, and the NCLEX pass rate is 85%. You can enjoy yourself in Florida and still earn an education if you go to school here.
- Total annual cost: $21,977
- Location: Boca Raton, FL
- Degrees: Certificate, Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate
8 – Colorado Mesa University
Colorado Mesa University offers affordable nursing degree programs in Colorado. This university supports a student population of 9,236 each year. The graduation rate here is only 29%, but the NCLEX pass rate is 96%. That shows that the nursing program at CMU is definitely worth looking into. The nursing school here is accredited by the CCNE, ensuring that you get a quality education.
- Total annual cost: $18,743
- Location: Grand Junction, CO
- Degrees: Certificate, Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate
9 – Eastern Kentucky University
Eastern Kentucky University is a great school to go to if you want a career in nursing. The NCLEX pass rate for this school is 96%, which means you’re almost guaranteed to pass your exam if you complete your degree program. The graduation rate is 37%, and the student population is 16,176. This school’s nursing program is accredited by the CCNE, and that will ensure that you get a good education here.
- Total annual cost: $19,695
- Location: Richmond, KY
- Degrees: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate
10 – Johns Hopkins University
John Hopkins University is probably the best known school on our list. This university offers degrees for every career in the medical field, and it has an excellent nursing school accredited by the CCNE and the NLNAC. The graduation rate here is 91%, and the NCLEX pass rate is 93%. The only downside to JHU is the fact that the tuition is three times as high as most of the other schools on this list. If you can manage to get enough financial aid though, you’ll get a top-level education from this university.
- Total annual cost: $63,135
- Location: Baltimore, MD
- Degrees: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate
11 – Samford University
Samford University’s nursing program is accredited by the CCNE. Its NCLEX pass rate is 92%, and its graduation rate is 71%. Of the 4,758 students that attend this school each year, a large portion of them pursue careers in health sciences. You can become an RN, NP, CNA, and much more through this university.
- Total annual cost: $39,533
- Location: Birmingham, AL
- Degrees: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate
12 – Waynesburg University
Waynesburg University is not the biggest school in Pennsylvania, but it is certainly one to think about if you want to become a nurse. The NCLEX pass rate for WU is 100%, meaning that every student who takes their licensing exam here passes with flying colors. That statistic alone makes this school worth attending. The student population here is 2,270, and the graduation rate is 60%. The program is accredited by the CCNE.
- Total annual cost: $32,933
- Location: Waynesburg, PA
- Degrees: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate
13 – Nicholls State University
Nicholls State University is a small school in Louisiana that has big opportunities for nursing students. The school is accredited by both the CCNE and the NLNAC, and it has an NCLEX pass rate of 100%. There are 6,606 students in attendance here on average, and a good percentage of them are in health science degree programs. The graduation rate for NSU is 39%.
- Total annual cost: $18,674
- Location: Thibodaux, LA
- Degrees: Bachelor’s, Master’s
14 – Northern Arizona University
Northern Arizona University offers several levels of nursing degree programs, and it has an NCLEX pass rate of 81%. The school is accredited by the CCNE, and it maintains a student population of 26,002. The graduation rate here is only 46%, but that is for all of the degree programs offered at the school. Nursing students here tend to do better than that.
- Total annual cost: $23,255
- Location: Flagstaff, AZ
- Degrees: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate
15 – Tarleton State University
Tarleton State University has nursing degrees accredited by the CCNE. This school has a 39% graduation rate and an 82% NCLEX pass rate. The tuition here is low enough to merit a higher placement on our top 20 nursing programs list, but the ranking dropped because this school only has two degree programs to choose from. Nevertheless, it is still a great university to consider in Texas. The student population here is around 12,500 each year.
- Total annual cost: $18,118
- Location: Stephenville, TX
- Degrees: Bachelor’s, Master’s
16 – Adelphi University
Adelphi University has one of the highest costs of attendance on this list, but it makes up for that in degree selection and nursing student success rates. The graduation rate for the entire school is 66%, but nurses here have an NCLEX pass rate of 84%. The nursing program is accredited by the CCNE, and the student population for the school is 7,859. The high tuition is comparable to other nursing schools in New York.
- Total annual cost: $46,963
- Location: Garden City, NY
- Degrees: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate
17 – San Diego State University
San Diego State University has a student population just under 30,500, yet it still maintains a graduation rate of 66%. The nursing program at this school is particularly great, as reflected by the 92% NCLEX pass rate. The program is accredited by the CCNE, and students can choose from graduate and undergraduate degrees. If you want a great nursing education in the San Diego area, this is the school to go to.
- Total annual cost: $25,013
- Location: San Diego, CA
- Degrees: Bachelor’s, Master’s
18 – Rhode Island College
Rhode Island College may be located in a small state, but it has big opportunities for nursing majors. This school has an NCLEX pass rate of 94%, and it is accredited by the CCNE. The student population here is 8,869, and the overall graduation rate is 43%. With a cost of attendance in the low $20,000 range, this may be one of the most affordable schools in northeastern America.
- Total annual cost: $21,848
- Location: Providence, RI
- Degrees: Bachelor’s, Master’s
19 – Mercy College of Health Sciences
Mercy College of Health Sciences is a school dedicated to careers in the medical field. The nursing program here is accredited by the CCNE, and it has an NCLEX pass rate of 93%. An average of 849 students attend this school each year, and half of them graduate with their degrees. With the affordable tuition at MCHS, this is definitely a great place to get an education.
- Total annual cost: $18,873
- Location: Des Moines, IA
- Degrees: Associate’s, Bachelor’s
20 – Lourdes University
Lourdes University has a 92% NCLEX pass rate and a graduation rate of 36%. The student population here is 2,449, and most of those students are enrolled in health sciences degrees. This is one of the only schools in Ohio that has CCNE accredited programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Put this on your short list for applications.
- Total annual cost: $29,763
- Location: Sylvania, OH
- Degrees: Certificate, Bachelor’s, Master’s
RESOURCES
- Total annual cost: This information is courtesy of the CNN Money College Cost Calculator. It includes the cost of in-state tuition, books, fees, and other expected expenses.
- Graduation rates and student populations: This information is courtesy of the Integrated Post secondary Education Data System. The graduation rates and student populations are from the 2012-2013 school year.
- NCLEX pass rates: This information was available on different websites for each school. We looked into the pass rates for the state the school was in, and then we pulled data from reputable sources. Most of the pass rates are from 2009 or 2010.
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