Best College Majors For Nursing in 2026
There are several ways to become a registered nurse (RN) and land healthcare jobs. Consider some of these worthwhile college majors for prospective nurses.
While there are many nursing programs available, some of them are considered the most useful nursing degree options — for entry-level, mid-career, and experienced nurses anywhere in the country. The path to becoming a nurse is challenging but rewarding, especially if you select the best degree program and nursing school.
Best Majors for a Nursing Career
There are several college majors available to nursing students, but some of them are more specialized than others. This article will describe the best college majors for nursing, with degree options based on expected salary, program requirements, and other important factors.
<h3 id="section---BachelorOfScienceInNursing">Bachelor of Science in Nursing</h3><p>A bachelor's degree is not mandatory for a nursing career, but the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is among the <a href="https://learn.org/articles/highest_paying_majors.html">top-paying majors</a> in any career field, including healthcare. This credential prepares nurses to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) exam and other state licensing exams.
</p><p>Most of the time, this degree requires four years to complete if you begin after high school. However, if you have already taken nursing prerequisites, you may be able to complete it faster.
</p><p>Nurses who possess at least a bachelor's degree enjoy a terrific salary outlook. According to the <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm">U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)</a>, nurses with a bachelor's degree earn a median salary of $93,600 per year.
</p><h3 id="section---AssociateDegreeInNursing">Associate Degree in Nursing</h3><p>An Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) is the academic degree one can receive after about two years of higher education. This provides students with a foundational understanding of nursing through lower-level college courses in microbiology, pharmacology, and other pre-nursing and health science courses.
</p><p>Those who complete this degree can pursue a registered nurse (RN) license or advance to more undergraduate nursing work, such as the BSN. If you don't need to continue your education, you can enter the nursing profession by taking the NCLEX-RN, obtaining one of several nursing licenses, and finding entry-level employment (e.g., licensed nurse or nurse assistant roles).
</p><h2 id="section---OtherWaysToBecomeANurse">Other Ways To Become a Nurse</h2><p>Additionally, there are other academic credentials, aside from a bachelor's degree or associate degree, that enable nurses to engage in clinical practice in various healthcare roles. These include licenses, certificates, and accelerated degree programs.
</p><h3 id="section---CertifiedNursingAssistantCNACertificate">Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Certificate</h3><p>A CNA serves under the supervision of an RN while providing essential basic care for patients in their homes, hospitals, or other environments. Most states require CNAs to complete an academic training program at a community college before passing a certification exam, obtaining a license, undergoing background checks, and renewing their license at a specified interval.
</p><p>The median salary for CNAs is comparable to that of other nursing assistants. According to the BLS, the median is $39,430. The growth rate for this career field is fairly stable, rising at a rate of 4% per year.
</p><h3 id="section---LicensedPracticalNurseLPNCertificate">Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Certificate</h3><p>An LPN certificate qualifies nurses to do everything a CNA does but with progressively more patient-care responsibilities. They assist patients with daily living needs, such as eating, bathing, and dressing, while also monitoring vital signs, applying wound dressings, administering medication, assisting with medical documentation, and more. LPNs work with other nurses of various ranks, along with doctors and other healthcare providers.
</p><p>The BLS reports that LPNs can expect to earn a median annual income of $62,340. If you'd like to obtain this certification, you should check your state's requirements for education and testing. Most states require LPNs to sit for the NCLEX exam after completing a one- to two-year LPN training program.
</p><h3 id="section---AcceleratedBachelorOfScienceInNursing">Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing</h3><p>Since there is a nursing shortage in many locations, universities have begun offering accelerated BSN degrees, which permit students to enroll in more rigorous programs to obtain the credential faster. This typically involves taking summer and winter sessions to complete the education in the shortest timeframe. However, most accelerated BSN candidates already possess some academic background in health sciences, behavioral sciences, or other pre-nursing subjects, making it easier for them to head right into upper-division coursework.
</p><p>These programs are very competitive among nursing students in several areas. Some of the top nursing programs require at least a 3.0 cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) for admission.
</p><h3 id="section---BridgePrograms">Bridge Programs</h3><p>The purpose of a nursing bridge program is to allow experienced nurses to move from one credential to another in the shortest time possible. If you already possess an RN, then you can ''bridge'' your way to the BSN without having to repeat nursing coursework.
</p><p>Then, there are several <a href="https://learn.org/articles/online_rn_to_bsn_us.html">online RN to BSN programs</a>, which offer the convenience of taking most or all of your courses via distance education. Most bridge programs take between 12 to 18 months to complete.
</p><h2 id="section---AdvancedDegreesForNurses">Advanced Degrees for Nurses</h2><p>Finally, nurses can pursue a master's degree or doctorate in their field if they wish to climb the career ladder to the highest levels of healthcare administration. These degrees take anywhere from two to six years to complete if you enroll in a standard program.
</p><h3 id="section---MasterOfScienceInNursingMSN">Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)</h3><p>While not many nursing positions require a master's degree, several competitive job categories attract nurses who have one. Therefore, if you wish to become a nurse anesthetist, midwife, or nurse practitioner, then consider completing an MSN degree.
</p><p>This typically takes two years of study in a traditional program, whereas many large universities offer accelerated degree options, allowing nurses to begin graduate-level coursework while still completing the BSN. Many of the aforementioned nursing careers, which may prefer a master's degree holder, carry a median salary of over $130,000 per year.
</p><h3 id="section---DoctorOfNursingPractice">Doctor of Nursing Practice</h3><p>A Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) has earned the terminal degree in the field of nursing. There are several midwives, nurse practitioners, chief nursing officers, and clinical nurse specialists who hold a doctorate.
</p><p>While an MSN can take two to four years to complete, a DNP traditionally ranges from three to five years. However, if you search for accelerated DNP programs, you may find online programs, allowing you to complete it sooner.
</p><h2 id="section---WhatCanIDoWithANursingDegree">What Can I Do With a Nursing Degree?</h2><p>There are several <a href="https://learn.org/articles/best_online_degrees.html">top online degrees</a> that can help you land a nursing job in a variety of healthcare settings. Here are just a few rewarding career fields.
</p><ul><li>patient care
</li><li>acute care
</li><li>critical care
</li><li>nursing home care
</li><li>health informatics specialist
</li><li>neonatal care
</li><li>geriatric care
</li><li>bedside care
</li></ul><h2 id="section---HowDoYouChooseTheBestNursingProgram">How Do You Choose the Best Nursing Program?</h2><p>First, you should only consider nursing programs that possess accreditation from either the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). This guarantees you will work toward a valid diploma, which employers will accept when you apply for nursing jobs.
</p><p>The other important consideration involves choosing a career path. If you wish to pursue a career in pediatric nursing, neonatal nursing care, public health, or mental health nursing, then you should find schools with experienced faculty in those areas. It's also important to determine which of the credentials you wish to pursue (i.e., BSN, ADN, LPN, RN, etc.), given your level of experience and career interests.
</p><h2 id="section---CanIBecomeANurseOnline">Can I Become a Nurse Online?</h2><p>Yes, there are several accredited universities and community colleges that offer online degrees in every academic subject, including nursing. While most nursing programs require you to have in-person clinical experience and hands-on training, you can complete several prerequisite courses and general education 100% online, depending on the program.
</p><h2 id="section---PursueANursingEducationOnline">Pursue a Nursing Education Online</h2><p>We invite you to explore everything else we offer regarding online nursing education. Whether you aim to become a nurse's aide, nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nurse midwife, or any other nursing role, Learn.org can help you find an affordable online degree program.</p>