2026 Best Colleges for Registered Nursing

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.