Best Colleges for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

Nursing programs prepare students for careers in patient care, healthcare administration, and clinical research across diverse medical settings. With 896 schools nationwide offering nursing degrees, graduates enter a field where the median starting salary reaches $63,985 annually. Strong nursing programs emphasize hands-on clinical experience, simulation labs, and partnerships with local hospitals and healthcare systems. Students should prioritize programs with high NCLEX-RN pass rates, accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, and opportunities for specialized tracks in areas like pediatrics, geriatrics, or critical care. Look for schools that offer extensive clinical rotations, modern equipment, and faculty with active nursing practice experience to ensure comprehensive preparation for this essential healthcare profession.

Schools Ranked

$99,173

Avg. Program Earnings

57.4%

Avg. Graduation Rate

Top 25 Schools

College rankings
#	School	Median Earnings	Graduation Rate	School Type
1	California State University-East Bay Hayward, California	$113,585	45.5%	public
2	San Francisco State University San Francisco, California	$111,769	50.1%	public
3	Samuel Merritt University Oakland, California	$110,846		private-nonprofit
4	Sonoma State University Rohnert Park, California	$110,432	60.5%	public
5	California State University-Sacramento Sacramento, California	$108,495	55.8%	public
6	Pacific College Costa Mesa, California	$101,406	75.9%	private-forprofit
7	Fresno Pacific University Fresno, California	$100,849	55.9%	private-nonprofit
8	University of San Francisco San Francisco, California	$100,292	71.1%	private-nonprofit
9	University of Providence Great Falls, Montana	$100,128	46.7%	private-nonprofit
10	California State University-Stanislaus Turlock, California	$99,447	58.0%	public
11	Mercy University Dobbs Ferry, New York	$97,959	48.1%	private-nonprofit
12	Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Winona, Minnesota	$97,071	67.7%	private-nonprofit
13	Wagner College Staten Island, New York	$95,910	68.1%	private-nonprofit
14	California State University-Chico Chico, California	$95,797	63.6%	public
15	CUNY Lehman College Bronx, New York	$95,348	49.3%	public
16	SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University Brooklyn, New York	$95,348		public
17	College of Staten Island CUNY Staten Island, New York	$94,579	32.8%	public
18	Long Island University Brookville, New York	$94,508	55.4%	private-nonprofit
19	CUNY Hunter College New York, New York	$94,255	61.0%	public
20	New York University New York, New York	$94,243	88.5%	private-nonprofit
21	California State University-Dominguez Hills Carson, California	$93,875	46.9%	public
22	Helene Fuld College of Nursing New York, New York	$93,816		private-nonprofit
23	St. Francis College Brooklyn, New York	$93,520	52.3%	private-nonprofit
24	Farmingdale State College Farmingdale, New York	$93,439	57.1%	public
25	Pacific Union College Angwin, California	$92,410	51.5%	private-nonprofit