The Nursing school you choose plays a significant role in your learning experience and career progression.The Article Provide you with list of Best nursing programs in united states
Therefore, choosing the right school tailored to meet your educational and career goal is highly essential as this will equip you with the necessary knowledge to practice as a Nurse as well as ace your licensing exam (NCLEX).
This article will help you uncover some of the Best nursing programs in united states according to different international rankings.
LISTS OF BEST NURSING SCHOOLS IN THE US
- Johns Hopkins University
- Duke university
- University of Pennsylvania
- Emory University
- University of Michigan – Ann Arbor
- University of Washington
- University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill
- Ohio State University
- University of California, San Francisco
- Columbia University
Here’s an overview of each school based on the following criteria;
- Programs offered
- NCLEX pass rate
- Tuition
- Accreditation ( it is to be noted that all ranked schools listed have ACEN- Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing or CCNE-Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education accreditation).
The institution’s academic prestige and perceived value.

Johns Hopkins University
“Johns Hopkins University is consistently recognized for its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.”
Ranked among the top three MSN, DNP, and online nursing programs by U.S. News & World Report for a fifth consecutive year.
The Johns Hopkins School of Nursing has successively earned the National League for Nursing Center of Excellence recognition for amplifying student learning and professional development three times.
It is also considered the best research university in the world, it doesn’t offer any undergraduate nursing program but it has MSN programs for graduates in non-nursing fields.
The university also offers DNP and Ph.D. Programs in different specialties.
Annual Tuition: $58,048 See website for full details.
NCLEX Pass Rate: 92.31%
Rankings
- 1 BEST NURSING SCHOOLS: MASTER’S
- 1 BEST NURSING SCHOOLS: DOCTOR OF NURSING PRACTICE
U.S. News & World Report (2023)
- No. 3 by QS Global World University 2021 rankings.
Website: https://nursing.jhu.edu/
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Duke University
Duke University School of Nursing is recognized as one of the best research schools in the world offering some of the top nursing programs.
“The institution provides a haven where diversity can spawn intellectual engagement and collaborative partnerships.”
It has been selected by the National League for Nursing as a Center of Excellence on five different occasions.
The school invariably ranks among the best in the nation in U.S. News & World Report’s top MSN (Master of Science in Nursing) Program and DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) programs.
It offers an accelerated BSN program for undergraduate and graduate programs.
It also boasts one of the top programs for nurse anesthesia in the nation for Nurses interested in becoming nurse anesthetists
Annual Tuition: 23,241/semester (the program has a total of 4 semesters)
See website for full details. https://nursing.duke.edu/
NCLEX Pass Rate: 98.39%
Rankings
2 BEST GRADUATE SCHOOL FOR NURSING
2 BEST DNP PROGRAM
1 BEST DNP LEADERSHIP SPECIALTY
U.S. News & World Report (2023)
2 BEST BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING PROGRAM
5 BEST ONLINE GRADUATE NURSING PROGRAM
2 BEST ONLINE GRADUATE NURSING PROGRAM FOR VETERANS
U.S. News & World Report (2022)
Website: https://nursing.duke.edu/
University of Pennsylvania
“Through engagements in the University of Pennsylvania and robust global opportunities, the school strives to make it possible for students to broaden their experience of what it means to be human.”
The University of Pennsylvania MSN degree is consistently ranked one of the top programs in the country by U.S. News & World Report.
The institution is one of the oldest in the country, it offers courses such as undergraduate programs, accelerated nursing programs, MSN programs, Advanced Specialist programs, Administration programs, DNP programs, and Ph.D. programs.
Annual Tuition: $53,166 for undergraduates. See the website for full details.
NCLEX Pass Rate: 94.83%
Rankings
13 QS World University Rankings (2022)
1 Nursing School in the World Four Years Running since 2019
QS Global World University 2021 rankings.
4 Best Nursing Schools: Master’s
3 Master’s Nurse Practitioner: Adult / Gerontology, Acute Care
7 Master’s Nurse Practitioner: Family (tie)
2 Master’s Nursing Administration
US News & World Report (2023)
Website: https://www.nursing.upenn.edu/

Emory University
“Emory University’s Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing produces nurse leaders who are transforming healthcare through science, education, practice, and policy.
Emory University has been ranked consistently among the top ten graduate nursing schools by U.S. News & World Report, including some of her highly-rated specialty programs.
It offers a wide variety of programs varying from Bachelor’s degree programs, accelerated programs, Masters’s programs, Doctoral programs, and continuing education program
Annual Tuition: $53,070 for full-time undergraduates
See website for full details.
NCLEX Pass Rate: 96.26%
Rankings
2 Best Nursing Schools: Master’s (tie)
6 Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice
4 Bachelor of Science in Nursing program
5 DNP Administration/Management (tie)
7 DNP Nurse Practitioner: Adult / Gerontology, Acute Care
6 DNP Nurse Practitioner: Family (tie)
4 Master’s Nurse Practitioner: Adult / Gerontology, Acute Care (tie)
4 Master’s Nurse Practitioner: Adult / Gerontology, Primary Care (tie)
5 Master’s Nurse Practitioner: Family
U.S. News & World Report (2023)
Website: https://www.nursing.emory.edu/
University of Michigan
“The University of Michigan School of Nursing, dare every day, using knowledge, skills, innovation, and compassion to advance the public good and prepare the next generation of nurses to change the world.”
The University of Michigan School of Nursing offers the following programs;
- Bachelor Of Science In Nursing (BSN)
- Master Of Science In Nursing (MSN)
- Doctor Of Nursing Practice (DNP)
- Doctor Of Philosophy In Nursing Practice (PH.D.)
Annual Tuition: $28,317 undergraduates
Tuition for the master’s program: Full-time is $1,383 per credit (in-state) and $2,831 per credit (out-of-state)
See the website for full details.
NCLEX Pass Rate: 98.95%
Rankings
8 Best Nursing Schools: Master’s (tie)
7 Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice (tie)
6 DNP Nurse Practitioner: Adult / Gerontology, Primary Care (tie)
9 DNP Nurse Practitioner: Family
6 DNP Nurse Practitioner: Pediatric, Primary Care (tie)
7 Master’s Nurse Practitioner: Adult / Gerontology, Acute Care (tie)
3 Master’s Nurse Practitioner: Adult / Gerontology, Primary Care
6 Master’s Nurse Practitioner: Family
U.S. News & World Report (2023)
Website: https://nursing.umich.edu/
University of Washington
“The University of Washington School of Nursing is committed to advancing social justice, health, and Nursing practice through innovative pedagogy, research, and community engagement.”
It has been a top-rated nursing school by U.S. News & World Report for the past twenty years.
The University of Washington School of Nursing and Health Studies offers various programs; Bachelor of Science in Nursing, ABSN—Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Nursing, DNP, and Ph.D. programs.
Annual In-State Tuition: $12,076
Annual Out-of-State Tuition: $39,9061
See website for full details.
NCLEX Pass Rate: 94.04%
Rankings
No. 1 among public schools that offer master’s degrees.
5 Best Nursing Schools: Master’s
2 Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice (tie)
10 DNP Nurse Practitioner: Family
5 DNP Nurse Practitioner: Pediatric, Acute Care (tie)
U.S. News & World Report (2023)
Website: https://www.uwb.edu/nhs
Below are the lists of other ranking schools of Nursing in the US
- Vanderbilt University
- Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio
- University of California, San Francisco
- The University of Illinois in Chicago
- University of Virginia
- New York University
- Rush University
- Rutgers University—Newark
- University of California—Los Angeles
- Yale University (New Haven, Connecticut)
- University of Maryland
- University of Rochester
- University of Texas (Austin, Texas)
- Boston College (Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts)
- University of Miami
- Georgetown University
- Villanova University
- Purdue University (West Lafayette, Indiana)
- University of Florida (Gainesville, Florida)
- University of Pittsburgh
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