2024 Best Colleges for Registered Nursing

If you’re searching for the best colleges and universities for Registered Nursing, you’re in the right place. Below is a list of all universities in the US offering a Registered Nursing degree or major, along with earnings after graduation, average student loan debt, acceptance rate and more. Read More

We rigorously analyzed a host of variables to determine what colleges and universities offer the best Registered Nursing programs in America. The list includes 1053 programs and you can sort by average salary, debt, acceptance rate and more to hone in on the the best programs for you.

If you’re still wondering whether Registered Nursing is the right field of study for you, check out our guide to majoring in Registered Nursing: what you can do with the major, how much you’ll make, and more.

For the purposes of these rankings we prioritized earnings after graduation 6 years and 10 years out for students that majored in Registered Nursing. Please note that earnings are one metric of success that can be used to judge a Registered Nursing program, but are by no means the best or only option. However, because this variable is provided by the vast majority of universities offering Registered Nursing we used it as the primary method or ordering the best universities for Registered Nursing.

By scrolling all the way through the list you’ll find every college or university that offers a Registered Nursing in America.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Best Universities offering Registered Nursing Majors and Degrees

What is the best university for majoring in Registered Nursing?

California State University-East Bay is the best university for majoring in Registered Nursing based on earnings data. On average, graduates from California State University-East Bay earned an average of $113,585 2 years after graduating.

What is the cheapest university for majoring in Registered Nursing?

Aspen University is the cheapest university for majoring in Registered Nursing based on the Department of Education tuition data. On average, students pay $3,750 to attend Aspen University.

What is the most expensive university for majoring in Registered Nursing?

Columbia University in the City of New York is the most expensive university for majoring in Registered Nursing based on the Department of Education tuition data. On average, students pay $53,000 to attend Columbia University in the City of New York.

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#16 Best College for Registered Nursing
Average Salary $99,251
Average Debt $17,151
Program Size 337
San Jose State University
4 Year
San Jose, CA
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San Jose State University, located in San Jose, CA has 337 students majoring in Registered Nursing. On average, graduates earn $99,251.
Acceptance Rate 55%
Undergraduates 9,128 students
Tuition $7,378
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#17 Best College for Registered Nursing
Average Salary $98,847
Average Debt $22,037
Program Size 228
Wagner College
4 Year
Staten Island, NY
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Wagner College, located in Staten Island, NY has 228 students majoring in Registered Nursing. On average, graduates earn $98,847.
Acceptance Rate 69%
Undergraduates 611 students
Tuition $42,480
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#18 Best College for Registered Nursing
Average Salary $97,737
Average Debt $31,000
Program Size 187
Dominican University of California
4 Year
San Rafael, CA
Dominican University of California, located in San Rafael, CA has 187 students majoring in Registered Nursing. On average, graduates earn $97,737.
Acceptance Rate 79%
Undergraduates 510 students
Tuition $42,550
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#19 Best College for Registered Nursing
Average Salary $97,071
Average Debt $17,584
Program Size 103
CUNY York College
4 Year
Jamaica, NY
CUNY York College, located in Jamaica, NY has 103 students majoring in Registered Nursing. On average, graduates earn $97,071.
Acceptance Rate 41%
Undergraduates 1,182 students
Tuition $6,748
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#20 Best College for Registered Nursing
Average Salary $97,071
Average Debt $13,347
Program Size 28
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
4 Year
Winona, MN
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Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, located in Winona, MN has 28 students majoring in Registered Nursing. On average, graduates earn $97,071.
Acceptance Rate 78%
Undergraduates 1,633 students
Tuition $31,335
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#21 Best College for Registered Nursing
Average Salary $97,071
Average Debt $26,350
Program Size 17
St. Joseph's College-New York
4 Year
Brooklyn, NY
St. Joseph's College-New York, located in Brooklyn, NY has 17 students majoring in Registered Nursing. On average, graduates earn $97,071.
Acceptance Rate 68%
Undergraduates 299 students
Tuition $24,113
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#22 Best College for Registered Nursing
Average Salary $95,797
Average Debt $18,687
Program Size 214
California State University-Chico
4 Year
Chico, CA
California State University-Chico, located in Chico, CA has 214 students majoring in Registered Nursing. On average, graduates earn $95,797.
Acceptance Rate 63%
Undergraduates 4,093 students
Tuition $7,022
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#23 Best College for Registered Nursing
Average Salary $95,782
Average Debt $18,429
Program Size 319
California State University-Dominguez Hills
4 Year
Carson, CA
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California State University-Dominguez Hills, located in Carson, CA has 319 students majoring in Registered Nursing. On average, graduates earn $95,782.
Acceptance Rate 53%
Undergraduates 3,807 students
Tuition $6,213
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#24 Best College for Registered Nursing
Average Salary $95,473
Average Debt $46,656
Program Size 26
Holy Names University
4 Year
Oakland, CA
Holy Names University, located in Oakland, CA has 26 students majoring in Registered Nursing. On average, graduates earn $95,473.
Acceptance Rate 43%
Undergraduates 294 students
Tuition $35,666
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#25 Best College for Registered Nursing
Average Salary $95,348
Average Debt $16,298
Program Size 414
CUNY Lehman College
4 Year
Bronx, NY
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CUNY Lehman College, located in Bronx, NY has 414 students majoring in Registered Nursing. On average, graduates earn $95,348.
Acceptance Rate 30%
Undergraduates 2,804 students
Tuition $6,760
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#26 Best College for Registered Nursing
Average Salary $95,348
Average Debt $12,132
Program Size 252
SUNY Downstate Medical Center
4 Year
Brooklyn, NY
SUNY Downstate Medical Center, located in Brooklyn, NY has 252 students majoring in Registered Nursing. On average, graduates earn $95,348.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 652 students
Tuition N/A
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#27 Best College for Registered Nursing
Average Salary $94,579
Average Debt $18,320
Program Size 216
College of Staten Island CUNY
4 Year
Staten Island, NY
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College of Staten Island CUNY, located in Staten Island, NY has 216 students majoring in Registered Nursing. On average, graduates earn $94,579.
Acceptance Rate 98%
Undergraduates 1,739 students
Tuition $6,890
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#28 Best College for Registered Nursing
Average Salary $94,572
Average Debt $18,656
Program Size 859
New York University (NYU)
4 Year
New York, NY
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New York University (NYU), located in New York, NY has 859 students majoring in Registered Nursing. On average, graduates earn $94,572.
Acceptance Rate 32%
Undergraduates 16,004 students
Tuition $47,750
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#29 Best College for Registered Nursing
Average Salary $94,508
Average Debt $28,014
Program Size 257
LIU Post
4 Year
Brookville, NY
LIU Post, located in Brookville, NY has 257 students majoring in Registered Nursing. On average, graduates earn $94,508.
Acceptance Rate 81%
Undergraduates 1,603 students
Tuition $35,546
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#30 Best College for Registered Nursing
Average Salary $94,508
Average Debt $28,014
Program Size 247
LIU Brooklyn
4 Year
Brooklyn, NY
LIU Brooklyn, located in Brooklyn, NY has 247 students majoring in Registered Nursing. On average, graduates earn $94,508.
Acceptance Rate 91%
Undergraduates 2,335 students
Tuition $35,546
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Other Major Rankings
Best Registered Nursing Programs by State
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