Grayson West
Choosing the right school is crucial if you embark on a nursing career. Our comprehensive guide spotlights the top nursing school in each U.S. state for 2024. From prestigious programs to hidden gems, discover where you can pursue excellence in nursing education and kickstart a rewarding healthcare career.
Alabama: University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Nursing
A pioneer in nursing education, research, and patient care, the UAB School of Nursing provides diverse programs from BSN to DNP and PhD. Specializing in Family Nurse Practitioner and Nursing Informatics, it fosters nurse leaders through cutting-edge facilities and extensive clinical collaborations in Birmingham and beyond.
Alaska: University of Alaska Anchorage School of Nursing
University of Alaska Anchorage’s School of Nursing excels in training nurses for Alaska’s distinct healthcare demands, particularly in rural and underserved regions. ADN, BSN, and MSN programs, including remote learning, prioritizes cultural proficiency and evidence-based methods. Graduates are equipped to thrive in varied healthcare settings across the state.
Arizona: University of Arizona College of Nursing, Tucson
In Tucson, the University of Arizona College of Nursing has varied nursing programs, from BSN to PhD. Renowned for pioneering research in cancer prevention, health disparities, and chronic illness management, it emphasizes evidence-based practice and patient-centered care. Its cutting-edge simulation labs and extensive clinical collaborations train students to serve a heterogeneous population.
Arkansas: Arkansas State University School of Nursing, Jonesboro
Arkansas State University’s Jonesboro School of Nursing provides multiple nursing programs, spanning BSN to DNP degrees. Emphasizing critical thinking and compassionate care prepares students for successful nursing careers. It tackles Arkansas Delta’s unique healthcare challenges with a rural health focus, fostering graduates esteemed for clinical excellence in varied healthcare settings.
California: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Nursing
UCSF School of Nursing stands out for its research, education, and clinical practice excellence. With advanced programs like Master’s, PhD, and DNP degrees, it specializes in Family Health, Pediatrics, and Psychiatric/Mental Health. Led by expert faculty, students access extensive clinical training and research opportunities within UCSF’s renowned health system.
Colorado: University of Colorado College of Nursing
Situated on the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, the University of Colorado College of Nursing offers a comprehensive range of programs, from BSN to DNP and Ph.D., including innovative pathways like VBSN – the Veteran to Bachelor of Science in Nursing. It has topline research initiatives and clinical practice opportunities.
Connecticut: Yale School of Nursing, Yale University
Renowned for excellence in education, research, and clinical practice, Yale School of Nursing provides MSN, DNP, and PhD programs. Integrating nursing with public health and primary care equips graduates to tackle healthcare challenges holistically. Rich in social justice and health equity, its curriculum fosters nurses devoted to enhancing community well-being.
Delaware: University of Delaware School of Nursing
BSN, MSN, DNP, and PhD degrees at the School of Nursing at the University of Delaware incorporate evidence-based practice and interprofessional education into its curriculum. Located in Newark, its research initiatives address critical societal healthcare issues. The students gain clinical experiences in diverse settings, from urban hospitals to community health centers.
Florida: University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies, Coral Gables
In Coral Gables, the University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies provides nursing programs spanning BSN to DNP and PhD degrees. Well-known for pioneering research in health disparities, HIV/AIDS, and family health, it guarantees its students advanced clinical simulations and global health experiences.
Georgia: Emory University Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
In Atlanta, Emory’s Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing is a top-notch institution for nursing education. The school is recognized for its commitment to addressing health disparities and promoting patient-centered care. Students can engage in clinical practice and research in a city with some of the nation’s leading healthcare facilities.
Hawaii: University of Hawaii at Manoa School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene
University of Hawaii’s School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene at Manoa gives students a unique perspective on health care in diverse and multicultural communities. All its programs, from the undergraduate to doctoral level, thrive on the integration of traditional and holistic health practices.
Idaho: Boise State University School of Nursing
Boise State University’s School of Nursing addresses the rising need for proficient nursing practitioners. Prioritizing innovative healthcare approaches, leadership, and patient-focused services, the school blends clinical training, research, and community involvement. Students gain distinct clinical exposure through extensive collaborations with healthcare entities statewide, particularly in rural areas.
Illinois: Chicago College of Nursing, University of Illinois
The College of Nursing at the University of Illinois at Chicago excels in research and teaching. Offering various programs from essential to advanced degrees, it addresses urban health issues like unequal health and long-term sickness. Students gain valuable experience in the city environment, preparing them for various healthcare roles.
Indiana: Purdue University-Main Campus, West Lafayette
Purdue University’s School of Nursing in West Lafayette’s BSN, MSN, and DNP programs optimize science and evidence-based practice. Known for its research in rural health, chronic disease management, and health promotion, it equips students with critical thinking skills and clinical expertise. Nursing students benefit from high-tech labs and varied clinical experiences statewide.
Iowa: Mount Mercy University, Cedar Rapids
Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids provides CCNE-accredited nursing programs, with options for new nurses and R.N.s pursuing career advancement. Acclaimed for holistic patient care, leadership, and community health focus, small class sizes ensure individualized attention. Ethical practice and compassionate service are core, supported by robust clinical partnerships that deliver diverse healthcare experiences.
Kansas: Baker University, Baldwin City
Baker University in Baldwin City offers BSN degrees through a nursing program with traditional and accelerated options. It highlights clinical proficiency, patient advocacy, leadership, and lifelong learning and integrates liberal arts, critical thinking, and faith into nursing practice. Clinical experiences across healthcare settings prepare students thoroughly for the nursing profession.
Kentucky: Frontier Nursing University, Versailles
Versailles’ Frontier Nursing University is a trailblazer in graduate nursing education, focusing on midwifery and family nursing. Specializing in MSN and DNP programs through distance learning, it trains nurse-midwives and family nurse practitioners for rural care. Combining online classes with local clinical placements, FNU revolutionizes nursing education.
Louisiana: Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University, Baton Rouge
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University deliver nursing education (ASN, BSN, MSN, DNP) rooted in Franciscan values – service, compassion, and respect. Its programs focus on holistic care, ethical leadership, and social justice. Students gain practical experience in the affiliated health system, readying them for varied nursing and leadership positions.
Maine: University of Maine School of Nursing
The School of Nursing at the University of Maine in Orono prepares students for the complexities of modern health care through BSN, MSN, and DNP programs. It has a supportive learning environment with access to cutting-edge simulation labs and clinical experiences in multiple settings across the state.
Maryland: Johns Hopkins School of Nursing
Based in Baltimore, Johns Hopkins School of Nursing excels globally in nursing education, research, and practice. Its BSN, MSN, DNP, and PhD programs advocate innovation and global health improvement. Focused on evidence-based and interprofessional education, it prepares students to lead and tackle complex health issues.
Massachusetts: Boston College, William F. Connell School of Nursing, Chestnut Hill
The educational programs at Boston College’s Connell School of Nursing in Chestnut Hill merge clinical practice with ethics and leadership in nursing. Its emphasis on holistic care in the Jesuit tradition, access to advanced simulation labs, and clinical experiences in Boston’s top health institutions prepare students for complex health challenges.
Michigan: University of Michigan School of Nursing
The University of Michigan School of Nursing in Ann Arbor delivers BSN to PhD programs, focusing on health promotion, chronic condition management, and health care technology. Supported by top-notch facilities and extensive clinical partnerships throughout Michigan, it’s a game-changer for students wanting to take on industry leadership roles.
Minnesota: St. Catherine University, St. Paul
St. Catherine University in St. Paul’s BSN, MSN, and DNP degrees focus on women’s health, ethical leadership, and social justice in health care. Integrating liberal arts with professional studies, the university fosters compassionate, skilled nurses. Students gain extensive clinical experiences through partnerships with Twin Cities’ top health organizations.
Mississippi: University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Nursing
The School of Nursing at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson has a range of programs on primary care, health disparities, and rural health. As part of Mississippi’s only academic health science center, the school provides students with extensive clinical training opportunities in competitive settings.
Missouri: Saint Louis University, School of Nursing
Saint Louis University’s School of Nursing in St. Louis is celebrated for prioritizing educational innovation, research, and community service. Emphasizing evidence-based practice, health technology, and interprofessional education, SLU prepares leaders to enhance health care and patient outcomes, supported by a leading simulation center and clinical alliances.
Montana: Montana State University College of Nursing
Montana State University’s College of Nursing, with its main campus in Bozeman, offers BSN, MSN, and DNP programs. It is distinguished for addressing rural and frontier communities’ healthcare needs and stresses primary care, mental health, and community health. The college’s multiple campuses across the state facilitate access to nursing education
Nebraska: Bryan College of Health Sciences, School of Nursing, Lincoln
With its BSN and MSN programs, Bryan College of Health Sciences in Lincoln is known for its hands-on learning approach, small class sizes, and individualized student support. Its nursing programs emphasize critical thinking, patient-centered care, and community health. Their high-tech simulation labs ensure the graduates are well-prepared for professional nursing practice.
Nevada: University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Nursing
The School of Nursing at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, with its BSN, MSN, and DNP programs, stands out for its focus on community health, nursing education, and managing chronic conditions. UNLV’s nursing school is committed to advancing healthcare through cutting-edge research.
New Hampshire: University of New Hampshire Department of Nursing
The University of New Hampshire in Durham boasts a CCNE-accredited BSN program, an MSN program focused on clinical nurse leaders, and a Direct Entry Master’s in Nursing for non-nurses. UNH supports students through innovative teaching and extensive clinical experiences in New England’s contrasting healthcare settings.
New Jersey: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey School of Nursing
Rutgers School of Nursing, spanning Newark, New Brunswick, and Blackwood, presents BSN, MSN, DNP, and PhD programs. It excels in urban health and health disparities research, preparing students for nursing leadership and health policy roles. Strategic clinical partnerships in New Jersey ensure varied practice experiences.
New Mexico: University of New Mexico College of Nursing
The University of New Mexico College of Nursing in Albuquerque, spanning BSN to DNP and PhD, emphasizes rural health, health disparities, and Native American health. It melds traditional and modern educational approaches and excels in training nurses for New Mexico’s varied urban and rural communities.
New York: Columbia University School of Nursing, New York
Columbia University’s School of Nursing in New York City leads in innovative education and research, focusing on global health challenges, health equity, and enhanced healthcare access. It provides comprehensive clinical training across advanced nursing fields in New York’s top hospitals, equipping students for excellence in diverse healthcare environments.
North Carolina: Duke University School of Nursing, Durham
Duke University School of Nursing in Durham, North Carolina, excels globally in nursing education, research, and practice. Its ABSN, MSN, DNP, and PhD programs include an innovative curriculum, advanced facilities, and robust clinical partnerships. Focusing on leadership, global health, and evidence-based practice, Duke prioritizes diversity and inclusion.
North Dakota: Mayville State University
Mayville State University, located in North Dakota, provides an online BSN completion program for R.N.s with an associate degree or nursing diploma. The program enhances clinical, management, and leadership skills through personalized education. It fosters nurses for advanced healthcare roles by presenting flexible options for working professionals.
Ohio: Ohio State University College of Nursing
Ohio State University College of Nursing in Columbus excels in nursing education, providing BSN to DNP and PhD programs. It leads to health promotion, chronic disease, and evidence-based research. Focused on wellness and prevention, OSU equips graduates for leadership in healthcare, academia, and research sectors.
Oklahoma: Northeastern State University, Tahlequah
Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, provides a BSN program focusing on science, critical thinking, and clinical skills. With an emphasis on cultural competence, community health, and patient-centered care, NSU prepares nurses for diverse populations. Its program includes extensive clinical experiences, ensuring graduates’ readiness for practice.
Oregon: Bushnell University
Bushnell University in Eugene, Oregon, delivers a BSN program that molds compassionate and skilled nurses, emphasizing holistic care, ethics, and leadership. Grounded in Christian values, it merges faith with healthcare, promoting spiritually and culturally sensitive care. The curriculum, rich in clinical experiences, prepares graduates to serve patients and communities empathetically.
Pennsylvania: University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing
The University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, an Ivy League institution in Philadelphia, provides extensive nursing programs from BSN to PhD. Renowned for leadership in education, research, and practice, it specializes in pediatrics, women’s health, and gerontology. Penn Nursing’s focus on innovation and interprofessional education prepares students for healthcare reform leadership.
Rhode Island: University of Rhode Island College of Nursing, Kingston
Students at the University of Rhode Island College of Nursing in Kingston can pursue BSN to PhD degrees, focusing on gerontology, community health, and health disparities. The program offers a rich mix of evidence-based practice, patient-centered care, and interprofessional collaboration, with varying clinical experiences in Rhode Island and beyond.
South Carolina: University of South Carolina College of Nursing, Columbia
The University of South Carolina College of Nursing in Columbia provides BSN to PhD programs, emphasizing research, leadership, and evidence-based practice. With advanced simulation labs and wide-ranging clinical experiences, the college aims to address South Carolina’s healthcare challenges, focusing on rural health, health disparities, and chronic illness management.
South Dakota: Mount Marty University Nursing Program, Yankton
Mount Marty University in Yankton offers a BSN program prioritizing compassionate care, ethical practice, and leadership. Integrating liberal arts with nursing ensures small class sizes for a personalized education that fosters critical thinking and clinical skills, preparing graduates to serve with faith and commitment, especially in the Midwest.
Tennessee: Vanderbilt University School of Nursing
Vanderbilt University School of Nursing in Nashville provides MSN, DNP, and PhD programs, focusing on advanced nursing practice, healthcare leadership, and research. Renowned for innovative education and research, it equips students for leadership in healthcare, academia, and policy, offering extensive clinical experience through Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
Texas: University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing
The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing provides BSN, MSN, and PhD programs centered on healthcare leadership, innovation, and evidence-based practice. Noted for its psychiatric, pediatric, and chronic illness management research, UT Austin trains graduates for advanced healthcare leadership roles, ensuring improved outcomes for diverse communities.
Utah: Brigham Young University College of Nursing, Provo
This Nursing College is known in Provo for integrating spiritual care with nursing excellence. Its BSN program and graduate certificates are designed to nurture skilled and compassionate nurses. Emphasizing the Healer’s art of holistic care, the curriculum includes disparate clinical experiences in Utah and elsewhere.
Vermont: Norwich University School of Nursing, Northfield
Norwich University’s BSN program in Northfield focuses on molding leaders in nursing and healthcare by enhancing critical thinking, communication, and clinical skills for ethical practice. With a commitment to service and innovation, its rigorous curriculum with extensive clinical experiences targets rural and underserved communities in Vermont.
Virginia: University of Virginia School of Nursing
The University of Virginia School of Nursing in Charlottesville provides BSN through PhD programs, recognized for clinical excellence, leadership, and research, focusing on health equity and reducing disparities. Students experience a challenging academic setting and gain extensive clinical exposure at the UVA Medical Center, a premier academic institution.
Washington: University of Washington School of Nursing
The University of Washington School of Nursing in Seattle excels in nursing education, research, and practice with BSN, MSN, DNP, and PhD programs. It stands out in public health, community health, and health informatics, fostering innovation and excellence. Graduates are equipped to enhance healthcare systems and patient outcomes worldwide.
West Virginia: West Virginia University School of Nursing
West Virginia University School of Nursing, located in Morgantown, Charleston, and Beckley, provides BSN, MSN, and DNP programs, emphasizing rural health, chronic disease, and family health. It aims to equip students with practical experience and research and enhance healthcare access to tackle health challenges in West Virginia and similar areas.
Wisconsin: Marquette University College of Nursing, Milwaukee
Marquette University’s Nursing College in Milwaukee has BSN to PhD programs that uphold innovation, clinical excellence, and social justice. It prepares nurses for health equity advocacy, blending rigorous academics with practical experience, supported by top simulation labs and partnerships for comprehensive practicums and research in healthcare.
Wyoming: University of Wyoming Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing
With its BSN, MSN, and DNP programs, the University of Wyoming Fay W. Whitney focuses on rural and frontier health care, including primary care, mental health, and community health. Its curriculum addresses Wyoming’s unique health needs, preparing graduates for impactful roles in rural communities.
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