What Are the Best Schools for Registered Nurses?
Learn about three good schools that offer education programs for registered nurses. See about school rankings, undergraduate and graduate program options, areas of specialization and unique learning opportunities.
What Should I Look For in a Top Registered Nursing School?
Top schools may have high pass rates on the National Council of States Boards of Nursing's National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). You might want to gain experience through a school that offers clinical practice or international study opportunities.
Perhaps completing some of your courses online or the chance to combine your bachelor's degree with an advanced degree would appeal to you. Schools with research centers and other study options that address your specific nursing interests might be desirable.
What Are Two Top Schools for Registered Nurses?
University of Kentucky in Lexington
The University of Kentucky (UK) is a public university in Lexington, KY. In 2019, the Kentucky Board of Nursing reported that BSN graduates achieved an average 98% NCLEX examination pass rate.
If you are an RN, you may be interested in the traditional BSN, second degree BSN or the RN-BSN options. UK's nursing college operates the Phyllis D. Corbitt Community Health Center, which provides health care services for local residents. As a UK student, you will have the opportunity to apply to three different types of internships: Nursing Practice, Nursing Research, and Nursing Skills Lab. Your degree options include:
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Doctor of Nursing Practice
- Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing
University of Minnesota in Minneapolis-St. Paul
You can complete the full-time day BSN program at University of Minnesota's Twin Cities or Rochester campus to prepare for certification as a public health nurse. As a nursing student, you will have access to clinical training at the University of Minnesota Medical Center or the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. If you are interested in conducting nursing research, you may be interested in the university's Center for Gerontological Nursing or the Katharine J. Densford International Center for Nursing Leadership. You can study as an undergraduate or graduate student through the following programs:
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Master of Science in Nursing
- Post-Masters Certificate in Nursing
- Doctor of Nursing Practice
- Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing
Top Ten Schools That Offer Nursing Degrees
| College/University | Institution Type | Location | Estimated Undergrad In-state Tuition (2021-2022) |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Pennsylvania | 4-year, Private | Philadelphia, PA | $61,700 |
| Johns Hopkins University | 4-year, Private | Baltimore, MD | $58,700 |
| University of California-San Francisco | 4-year, Public | San Francisco,CA | $11,400 (Graduate) |
| University of Washington | 4-year, Public | Seattle, WA | $12,000 |
| University of Pittsburgh Medical Center-Shadyside School of Nursing | 4-year, Public | Pittsburgh,PA | $15,500 |
| Duke University | 4-year, Private | Durham, NC | $60,200 |
| New York University | 4-year, Private | New York, NY | $56,500 |
| University of Maryland-Baltimore | 4-year, Public | Baltimore, MD | $9,400 |
| University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | 4-year, Public | Ann Arbor, MI | $16,100 |
| Emory University | 4-year, Private | Atlanta, GA | $55,400 |
*Source: NCES, U.S. Department of Education