The Best Nursing Schools for 2018

Top Ranked Nursing Programs in 2018

Below you will find a list of the best 35 four-year nursing schools from around the country. The list has been curated to help you more effectively make decisions about your academic future and serve as a valuable college resource guide. Many nursing schools on our 2018 list are part of a larger university with dedicated resources to advance the field of nursing through quality programs and top-tier curricular design. In addition to the top ranked nursing schools, we have also included resources below to help you continue your research in the field of healthcare.

Capital University

Address: 1 College and Main, Columbus, OH
MatchCollege Composite Score: 100%
Popular Degree Programs: Business Management, Marketing, Nursing, Teaching, Health Sciences, Public Administration
Average Student to Teacher Ratio: 12:1
Full-Time Students Receiving Financial Aid: 100%
Enrollment: 3,367
School Type: Private
Application Deadline: May 1^st

St. Anselm College

Address: 100 Saint Anselm Drive, Manchester, NH
MatchCollege Composite Score: 99.73%
Popular Degree Programs: Nursing, Psychology, Theology, Physics, Studio Arts, Computer Science, International Business, Forensic Science, Biochemistry
Average Student to Teacher Ratio: 11:1
Full-Time Students Receiving Financial Aid: 99%
Enrollment: 1,930
School Type: Private
Application Deadline: February 1^st

Jacksonville University

Address: 2800 University Blvd North, Jacksonville, FL
MatchCollege Composite Score: 99.71%
Popular Degree Programs: Performing Arts, Social Science, Parks & Recreation, Business Management, Marketing, Nursing, Health Sciences
Average Student to Teacher Ratio: 14:1
Full-Time Students Receiving Financial Aid: 99%
Enrollment: 4,060
School Type: Private
Application Deadline: July 1^st

Brenau University

Address: 500 Washington Street SE, Gainesville, GA
MatchCollege Composite Score: 99.67%
Popular Degree Programs: Communications, Nursing, Teaching, Health Sciences, Interior Design, Liberal Arts, Marketing
Average Student to Teacher Ratio: 11:1
Full-Time Students Receiving Financial Aid: 98%
Enrollment: 2,899
School Type: Private
Application Deadline: Rolling

University of Mary

Address: 7500 University Drive, Bismarck, ND
MatchCollege Composite Score: 99.35%
Popular Degree Programs: Accounting, Criminal Justice, Teaching, Nursing, Healthcare Administration, Pre-Med, Public Relations, Theology
Average Student to Teacher Ratio: 13:1
Full-Time Students Receiving Financial Aid: 100%
Enrollment: 3,260
School Type: Private
Application Deadline: Rolling

St. Louis University

Address: One North Grand Blvd, Saint Louis, MO
MatchCollege Composite Score: 99.13%
Popular Degree Programs: Health Management, Nursing, Aeronautics, Health Information Management, Biology, International Business, Music, Chemistry, Neuroscience, Bioelectronics, Criminal Justice, Forensic Science, Theology, Project Management
Average Student to Teacher Ratio: 11:1
Full-Time Students Receiving Financial Aid: 95%
Enrollment: 12,280
School Type: Private
Application Deadline: August 20^th

Xavier University (OH)

Address: 3800 Victory Parkway, Cincinnati, OH
MatchCollege Composite Score: 99.06%
Popular Degree Programs: Nursing, Applied Chemistry, Political Science, Fine Arts, Biophysics, Public Relations, Liberal Arts, Early Childhood Education, Marketing, Health Services Administration
Average Student to Teacher Ratio: 12:1
Full-Time Students Receiving Financial Aid: 99%
Enrollment: 6,522
School Type: Private
Application Deadline: Rolling

Oregon Health and Sciences University (OHSU)

Address: 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR
MatchCollege Composite Score: 98.78%
Popular Degree Programs: Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Dentistry, Public Health, Engineering
Average Student to Teacher Ratio: 8:1
Enrollment: 2,899
School Type: Public
Application Deadline: February 15^th

Calvin College

Address: 3201 Burton Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI
MatchCollege Composite Score: 98.72%
Popular Degree Programs: Entrepreneurship, Journalism, Digital Media, Nursing, Early Childhood Education, Art History, Public Health, Exercise Science, Biotechnology, Philosophy, Economics, Optics, Sustainability Studies
Average Student to Teacher Ratio: 13:1
Full-Time Students Receiving Financial Aid: 100%
Enrollment: 3,918
School Type: Private
Application Deadline: August 15^th

Drexel University

Address: 3141 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
MatchCollege Composite Score: 98.71%
Popular Degree Programs: Medicine, Nursing, Law, Engineering, Health Sciences, Biomedical Science, Accounting, Dance, Software Engineering, Public Health
Average Student to Teacher Ratio: 10:1
Full-Time Students Receiving Financial Aid: 100%
Enrollment: 21,975
School Type: Public
Application Deadline: January 15^th

Catholic University of America

Address: 620 Michigan Avenue NE, Washington, DC
MatchCollege Composite Score: 98.62%
Popular Degree Programs: Law, Engineering, Teaching, Nursing, Architecture, Biology, Music, Economics, Philosophy, Information Technology, Social Work, Theology
Average Student to Teacher Ratio: 7:1
Full-Time Students Receiving Financial Aid: 96%
Enrollment: 6,076
School Type: Private
Application Deadline: January 15^th

Ohio Northern University

Address: 525 South Main Street, Ada, OH
MatchCollege Composite Score: 98.44%
Popular Degree Programs: Pharmacy, Computer Science, Psychology, Teaching, Law, Sociology, Astronomy, Engineering, Nursing, Risk Management, Accounting, Computer Engineering
Average Student to Teacher Ratio: 11:1
Full-Time Students Receiving Financial Aid: 100%
Enrollment: 3,108
School Type: Private
Application Deadline: August 15^th

University of Rochester

Address: 500 Wilson Blvd, Rochester, NY
MatchCollege Composite Score: 98.38%
Popular Degree Programs: Business Administration, Engineering, Political Science, Medicine, Economics, Nursing, Psychology, Biological Sciences
Average Student to Teacher Ratio: 10:1
Full-Time Students Receiving Financial Aid: 87%
Enrollment: 11,209
School Type: Private
Application Deadline: January 5^th

Bellarmine University

Address: 2001 Newburg Road, Louisville, KY
MatchCollege Composite Score: 98.27%
Popular Degree Programs: Digital Arts, Accounting, Teaching, Music, Nursing, Theology, Psychology, Computer Science, Social Media Marketing, Molecular Biology
Average Student to Teacher Ratio: 12:1
Full-Time Students Receiving Financial Aid: 100%
Enrollment: 3,971
School Type: Private
Application Deadline: August 15^th

Fairfield University

Address: 1073 North Benson Road, Fairfield, CT
MatchCollege Composite Score: 98.16%
Popular Degree Programs: Business, Nursing, Engineering, Public Health, Bioengineering, Economics, Communication, Math, Studio Art, Psychology
Average Student to Teacher Ratio: 12:1
Full-Time Students Receiving Financial Aid: 92%
Enrollment: 5,137
School Type: Private
Application Deadline: January 15^th

Florida Southern College

Address: 111 Lake Hollingsworth Drive, Lakeland, FL
MatchCollege Composite Score: 98.09%
Popular Degree Programs: Computer Science, Digital Media, Philosophy, Music, Finance, Nursing, Cloud Computing, Political Science, Sports Management
Average Student to Teacher Ratio: 13:1
Full-Time Students Receiving Financial Aid: 100%
Enrollment: 2,765
School Type: Private
Application Deadline: Rolling

Loyola University – Chicago

Address: 1032 West Sheridan Road, Chicago, IL
MatchCollege Composite Score: 98.02%
Popular Degree Programs: Communications, Law, Teaching, Social Work, Medicine, Nursing, Risk Management, Pastoral Studies, Computer Science, Physics, Economics
Average Student to Teacher Ratio: 14:1
Full-Time Students Receiving Financial Aid: 95%
Enrollment: 16,422
School Type: Private
Application Deadline: Rolling

Baylor University

Address: 500 Speight Avenue, Waco, TX
MatchCollege Composite Score: 97.93%
Popular Degree Programs: Nursing, Theology, Social Work, Music, Teaching, Computer Science, Environmental Science, Journalism, Communication Sciences, Sports Medicine, Digital Media, Occupational Therapy
Average Student to Teacher Ratio: 15:1
Full-Time Students Receiving Financial Aid: 98%
Enrollment: 16,959
School Type: Private
Application Deadline: February 1^st

Valparaiso University

Address: US Highway 30 & Sturdy Road, Valparaiso, IN
MatchCollege Composite Score: 97.91%
Popular Degree Programs: Counseling, Actuarial Science, Communications, Applied Statistics, Civil Engineering, Gerontology, Astronomy, Cybersecurity, Bioengineering, Nursing, Physical Education, Theology, Sustainability
Average Student to Teacher Ratio: 13:1
Full-Time Students Receiving Financial Aid: 96%
Enrollment: 4,433
School Type: Private
Application Deadline: Rolling

Middle Tennessee State University

Address: 1301 East Main Street, Murfreesboro, TN
MatchCollege Composite Score: 97.87%
Popular Degree Programs: Liberal Arts, Communications, Marketing, Business Management, Journalism, Nursing, Exercise Science, Social Work, Finance, Healthcare Administration, Teaching
Average Student to Teacher Ratio: 18:1
Full-Time Students Receiving Financial Aid: 97%
Enrollment: 22,050
School Type: Public
Application Deadline: Rolling

University of Wyoming

Address: Ninth & Ivinson, Laramie, WY
MatchCollege Composite Score: 97.81%
Popular Degree Programs: Nursing, Dental Hygiene, Pharmacy, Social Work, Kinesiology, Animal Science, Molecular Biology, Political Science, Journalism, Physics, Teaching, Marketing, Atmospheric Science, Computer Engineering, Civil Engineering, Law, Energy Resource Management
Average Student to Teacher Ratio: 14:1
Full-Time Students Receiving Financial Aid: 94%
Enrollment: 12,366
School Type: Public
Application Deadline: August 10^th

Angelo State University

Address: 2601 West Avenue North, San Angelo, TX
MatchCollege Composite Score: 97.75%
Popular Degree Programs: Agribusiness, Nursing, Chemistry, Kinesiology, Teaching, Psychology, Music, Sociology, Criminal Justice, Health Sciences, Finance, Criminal Justice
Average Student to Teacher Ratio: 19:1
Full-Time Students Receiving Financial Aid: 93%
Enrollment: 7,273
School Type: Public
Application Deadline: August 29^th

Washington State University

Address: 1775 NE Stadium Way, Pullman, WA
MatchCollege Composite Score: 97.71%
Popular Degree Programs: Natural Resource Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Liberal Arts, Medical School, Nursing, Pharmacy, Veterinary Medicine, Counseling Psychology, Public Relations, Educational Leadership, Nutrition
Average Student to Teacher Ratio: 15:1
Full-Time Students Receiving Financial Aid: 84%
Enrollment: 30,142
School Type: Private
Application Deadline: Rolling

University of Pennsylvania

Address: 34^th and Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA
MatchCollege Composite Score: 97.63%
Popular Degree Programs: Nursing, Biochemistry, Actuarial Science, Music, Computer Science, Linguistics, Fine Arts, Sociology, Bioengineering, Digital Media, Urban Studies, Real Estate, Global Analysis, Healthcare Management & Policy
Average Student to Teacher Ratio: 6:1
Full-Time Students Receiving Financial Aid: 58%
Enrollment: 21,826
School Type: Private
Application Deadline: January 5^th

University of Louisville

Address: 2301 South 3^rd Street, Louisville, KY
MatchCollege Composite Score: 97.51%
Popular Degree Programs: Chemical Engineering, Computer Information Systems, Theatre Arts, Public Health, Music, Nursing, Marketing, Dental Hygiene, Chemistry
Average Student to Teacher Ratio: 13:1
Full-Time Students Receiving Financial Aid: 97%
Enrollment: 21,579
School Type: Public
Application Deadline: August 21^st

Villanova University

Address: 800 Lancaster Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
MatchCollege Composite Score: 97.48%
Popular Degree Programs: Liberal Arts, Engineering, Nursing, Economics, Sociology, Environmental Science, Electrical Engineering, Accounting, Management Information Systems, Law
Average Student to Teacher Ratio: 12:1
Full-Time Students Receiving Financial Aid: 64%
Enrollment: 10,842
School Type: Private
Application Deadline: January 15^th

University of Rhode Island

Address: 35 Campus Avenue, Kingston, RI
MatchCollege Composite Score: 97.44%
Popular Degree Programs: Supply Chain Management, Molecular Biology, Art History, Communications, Early Childhood Education, Ocean Engineering, Music, International Business, Health Studies, Dietetics, Journalism, Psychology, Writing & Rhetoric, Nursing, Wildlife Biology
Average Student to Teacher Ratio: 17:1
Full-Time Students Receiving Financial Aid: 93%
Enrollment: 17,832
School Type: Public
Application Deadline: February 1^st

Weber State University

Address: 3850 Dixon Parkway Drive, Ogden, UT
MatchCollege Composite Score: 97.36%
Popular Degree Programs: Business, Nursing, Engineering, Criminal Justice, Computer Science, Accounting, Registered Nurse
Average Student to Teacher Ratio: 21:1
Full-Time Students Receiving Financial Aid: 88%
Enrollment: 26,809
School Type: Public
Application Deadline: August 28^th

Texas Christian University (TCU)

Address: 2800 South University Drive, Fort Worth, TX
MatchCollege Composite Score: 97.30%
Popular Degree Programs: Nurse Anesthesia, Computer Science, Liberal Arts, Social Work, Kinesiology, Nursing, Music, Engineering, Nutritional Sciences, Geology, Psychology, Fashion Merchandising, Teaching, Supply Chain Management, Journalism
Average Student to Teacher Ratio: 13:1
Full-Time Students Receiving Financial Aid: 77%
Enrollment: 10,394
School Type: Private
Application Deadline: February 15^th

University of Houston

Address: 212 East Cullen Building, Houston, TX
MatchCollege Composite Score: 97.27%
Popular Degree Programs: Education, Nursing, Accounting, Computer Engineering, Teaching, Liberal Arts
Average Student to Teacher Ratio: 21:1
Full-Time Students Receiving Financial Aid: 86%
Enrollment: 43,774
School Type: Public
Application Deadline: June 15^th

University of Montana

Address: 32 Campus Drive, Missoula, MT
MatchCollege Composite Score: 97.18%
Popular Degree Programs: Anthropology, Nursing, Pharmacy, Social Work, Industrial Technology, Psychology, Geosciences, Information Systems, Wildlife Biology, Media Arts, Forest Management
Average Student to Teacher Ratio: 17:1
Full-Time Students Receiving Financial Aid: 89%
Enrollment: 12,419
School Type: Public
Application Deadline: Rolling

University of Alabama

Address: 739 University Blvd, Tuscaloosa, AL
MatchCollege Composite Score: 97.11%
Popular Degree Programs: Law, Nursing, Social Work, Engineering, Teaching, Anthropology, Physics, Creative Media, Interior Design, Public Health, Criminal Justice, Advertising, Communicative Disorders, Economics, Business Management
Average Student to Teacher Ratio: 24:1
Full-Time Students Receiving Financial Aid: 80%
Enrollment: 37,663
School Type: Public
Application Deadline: Rolling

University of North Dakota

Address: 264 Centennial Drive, Grand Forks, ND
MatchCollege Composite Score: 97.09%
Popular Degree Programs: Public Administration, Nursing, Aerospace, Engineering, Early Childhood Education, Law, Athletic Training, Occupational Therapy, Dietetics, Social Work, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Geology
Average Student to Teacher Ratio: 21:1
Full-Time Students Receiving Financial Aid: 88%
Enrollment: 14,468
School Type: Public
Application Deadline: Rolling

University of Delaware

Address: 1410 Hullihen Hall, Newark, DE
MatchCollege Composite Score: 96.84%
Popular Degree Programs: Wildlife Ecology, Communications, Geological Science, Human Development, Art History, Biochemistry, Sociology, Wealth Management, Economics, Finance, Teaching, Environmental Science, Applied Economics, Nursing, Early Childhood Education, Mechanical Engineering, Medical Laboratory Sciences, Kinesiology, Physical Therapy
Average Student to Teacher Ratio: 16:1
Full-Time Students Receiving Financial Aid: 83%
Enrollment: 22,168
School Type: Public
Application Deadline: January 15^th

Indiana University – Bloomington

Address: 107 South Indiana Avenue, Bloomington, IN
MatchCollege Composite Score: 96.77%
Popular Degree Programs: Neuroscience, Architecture, Teaching, International Studies, Business, Law, Medicine, Engineering, Optometry, Music, Biochemistry, Nursing, Public Affairs, Social Work
Average Student to Teacher Ratio: 17:1
Full-Time Students Receiving Financial Aid: 71%
Enrollment: 49,695
School Type: Public
Application Deadline: Rolling

Different Types of Nursing Programs & Nursing Degrees

Do you know the different between a Registered Nurse and a Licensed Practical Nurse or a Nurse Anesthetist and a Critical Care Nurse? If not, rest assured we have created tools for you to understand the different career paths within nursing and compare degree programs from top accredited colleges from around the country. Simply link to nursing degree paths above or utilize our proprietary search portal to further research the field of nursing. Additionally, we have created a few career guides to help you better understand career pathways in the nursing vocation found at Complete Career Guide in Nursing and Nursing Careers for Men.

The MatchCollege career guides help students understand the various types of nursing degrees and help to demystify the difference between an LPN to BSN degree and a RN to DNP. Next, we cover a few dozen nursing specialties along with their associated job descriptions and common career tracks. Then we break down the various types of nursing schools from trade schools through four-year universities and everything in between. We then cover a series of frequently asked questions about the nursing trade followed by key insights into various types of financial aid.

List of Nursing Associations

How Do I Decide Which Nursing Program is Best for Me?

With all the options at your fingertips, it is easy to get overwhelmed. Given the feedback from so many nursing students over the past few years, we decided to create a college admissions guide to help you best navigate the process. The comprehensive guide will take you through a key exercise to ensure you spend time organizing your thoughts and establishing your personal priorities. With these priorities in place, you will be more effective at determining which degree type, degree level, and college to attend. As you research different options for your future, you can swiftly gather enrollment information from virtually any accredited college or university with MatchCollege with a few clicks. Our goal is to make the process as simple as possible while provide over-the-top value to students and parents during their decision-making process for college.

What are the Best Ways to Finance a Nursing Education?

While there is no singular answer for everyone, we have spent time gathering resources to help you understand how most other students manage finances for school. The survey summary located here, will help you visualize emerging trends you need to understand. The six primary sources students utilize to fund college include: scholarships & grants, parent income, relatives & friends, student loans, student income, and parent borrowing. To help keep things in perspective, the current financial aid package from private colleges averages 49% off published tuition rates. This may help you make a stretch school a reality knowing the facts before applying to colleges on your short list.

Bottom Line for Nursing Students

The keys to your success will include: staying organized, communicating effectively, asking great questions, establishing your priorities, remaining focused, and understanding the future impact of your work in healthcare to keep you motivated through the process.

Ranking Methodology: At MatchCollege, we work diligently to provide quality information to help current and prospective college students best navigate the college landscape. To that end, we use the following trusted sources of information throughout our website including: NCES, The U.S. Department of Education, Carnegie Classification, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. News, and the U.S. Census Bureau. In order to be listed as a great school on the MatchCollege website, schools must qualify using a variety of scoring factors including: student-faculty ratio, tuition, graduation rates, value per dollar of tuition, retention rates, financial aid, quality counseling services, loan default rate, test scores, cost of living, acceptance rates, program offerings, and the MatchCollege peer-based metric tool.