Many of the top nursing trade schools offer numerous levels of study, from bachelor's, master's, to doctoral degrees. Depending on the intended career and desired length of education, students may choose to pursue a bachelor's or master's degree.
Top 10 Nursing Trade Schools
| College or School | Location | Institution Type | Degrees Offered | Tuition (2015-2016, In-State)* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia, PA | 4-year, Private | Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral | $49,536 (undergrad); $31,068 (graduate) |
| Johns Hopkins University | Baltimore, MD | 4-year, Private | Master's, Doctoral | $48,710 (graduate) |
| University of California - San Francisco | San Francisco, CA | 4-year, Public | Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral | $11,220 (undergraduate); $11,220 (graduate) |
| University of Washington | Seattle, WA | 4-year, Public | Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral | $11,839 (undergrad); $15,207 (graduate) |
| University of Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh, PA | 4-year, Public | Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral | $18,192 (undergrad); $21,260 (graduate) |
| Duke University | Durham, NC | 4-year, Private | Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral, Post-Doctoral | $49,241 (undergrad); $47,590 (graduate) |
| New York University | New York, NY | 4-year, Private | Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral | $47,750 (undergrad); $38,592 (graduate) |
| University of Maryland - Baltimore | Baltimore, MD | 4-year, Public | Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral | $8,329 (undergrad); $12,944 (graduate) |
| University of Michigan - Ann Arbor | Ann Arbor, MI | 4-year, Public | Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral | $13,856 (undergrad); $20,638 (graduate) |
| Emory University | Atlanta, GA | 4-year, Private | Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral | $46,314 (undergrad); $38,800 (graduate) |
Source *NCES
Selecting a Nursing Trade School
Before selecting a nursing trade school, prospective students should first determine the type of nurse they'd like to become, whether it be a licensed practical nurse, certified nurse assistant, registered nurse or nurse practitioner. Each type completes different education requirements.
Further considerations:
- The length to completion differs by school and type of program.
- Nurse practitioners need a master's degree, but students interested may want to find a school that also has doctorate offerings in nursing.
- State-approved, accredited programs prepare graduates for relevant licensing exams.
Nursing trade schools are available across the country in both public and private institutions. When considering a school, prospective students may want to consider the specific type of nurse they want to become before selecting a program.
