2021 Best Degrees in Nursing

Recognized as a Center of Excellence by the National League of Nursing, The University of Texas at Arlington is the largest not-for-profit nursing school in the country and the top producer of nursing graduates in Texas. The university offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, Master of Science in Nursing programs with a range of specializations, a Doctor of Nursing Practice program, and a PhD in Nursing degree for nurse scientists. The University of Texas at Arlington offers stellar flexibility and convenience, also, with most of these programs available in on-campus, online, and hybrid formats. The university campus in Arlington, Texas is home to an expansive Smart Hospital equipped with over 60 patient simulators, a wide variety of specialist units, hospital rooms with medical-grade furnishings, and other advanced training tools to foster the best clinical learning experience for students.

The University of South Alabama features a top-notch bachelor’s in nursing program that enables nearly all of its graduates to secure employment within six months of graduation. Meanwhile, its online MSN and DNP programs offer extensive concentration options, from neonatal to adult-gerontological care. Graduate students can also develop their expertise as sexual assault nurse examiners and enhance their clinical practice in underserved communities through the school’s residency and advanced training programs. Located in Mobile, Alabama, the school provides students access to state-of-the-art simulation facilities in multiple locations including within the main campus and at the University Hospital and the Children's and Women's Hospital.

Purdue Global Northwest boasts campuses in Hammond and Westville, Indiana, and the school excels with its diverse array of nursing degrees: a BSN, master’s programs with four specializations and plenty of online options, and a DNP focused on translation science. The school’s prestigious designation as a National League of Nursing Center of Excellence is a testament to the quality of its faculty roster, education research, clinical training, and student development. Nursing students have access to a wealth of research guides and resources such as the Indiana Center for Evidence Based Nursing Practice and the extensive nursing database of the university library. They also receive personalized, one-on-one mentoring with faculty advisors and networking support from the vibrant alumni community.

At Winston-Salem State University, students can complete a BSN degree, a master's in nursing program specializing as family nurse practitioners or advanced nurse educators, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice. Built on strong HBCU traditions, the school’s well-regarded nursing programs provide a special focus on public service, social justice, and healthcare access for disadvantaged communities. It gets our kudos, too, because the school's Winston-Salem, North Carolina campus offers two virtual hospitals where students can practice their clinical skills in realistic settings; the facilities are outfitted with high-fidelity patient simulators and are capable of an array of health services such as glucose and cholesterol tests, blood pressure screening, and health education.

Students at the University of Michigan-Flint have no shortage of choices; they can choose from a full range of undergraduate and graduate nursing programs including a BSN, an MSN with two specialization options, and a DNP with a variety of concentrations and pathways. The school also offers a highly coveted Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Residency program with specialized training in advanced case management and telehealth. For graduate students who aim to gain expertise in rural health, the school provides clinical placements in rural primary care facilities through its extensive network of community-based partners in Michigan. While the campus in Flint, Michigan offers immense learning opportunities, students can broaden their academic experience and enhance their nursing practice in multicultural settings through the school's exemplary study abroad opportunities in the Dominican Republic, Cambodia, and Kenya.

Located in Harrogate, Tennessee, Lincoln Memorial University has an impeccable history of producing top-notch nursing professionals, with their BSN graduates achieving NCLEX pass rates of 98-99 percent in the last few years. The school also offers an associate’s degree in nursing as well as MSN programs with four concentration options and a fully online DNP. To ensure academic excellence in their nursing programs, the university maintains a brilliant faculty roster made up of master’s and doctoral degree holders specializing in various fields of study such as mental health, pediatrics, women’s health, and community health. For their clinical training, students have access to a high-tech simulation lab and clinical exam facility outfitted with patient simulators and real-life hospital equipment. Using advanced technology, instructors can replicate a variety of clinical scenarios and assess students’ performance in real-time.

The University of South Carolina-Upstate provides students with a one-of-a-kind opportunity to complete a double major in biology and nursing in just five years with its dual degree program in partnership with North Greenville University. The school also offers a traditional four-year BSN, RN to BSN track, and a master’s in nursing program with concentrations in leadership, education, and clinical nurse leader. While coursework for some programs is conducted online, students have access to a fully equipped simulation center on campus in Spartanburg, South Carolina where they can begin their clinical experience. The university’s degree programs are flawless when it comes to getting graduates hired: 100 percent of its graduates have launched a nursing career within three months of graduation.

Northwestern State University of Louisiana has a long and storied history in nursing: it holds the proud distinction of being the first nursing school in Louisiana to offer an MSN degree and the first public institution to create an undergraduate nursing program in the state. Today the university offers a full suite of nursing degrees including an associate’s program, RN to BSN track, and a DNP. The university maintains campuses for nursing majors in Natchitoches, Shreveport, and Leesville where students have access to computer labs, a full-service learning center, and nursing skills lab, among other facilities. The school also deserves recognition for fostering extensive partnerships with hospitals, clinics, health agencies, and medical centers to provide students with a wide variety of healthcare sites for their hands-on clinical training.

The University of Detroit Mercy takes pride in its exceptional, student-centered graduate nursing programs, which provide online options in all 50 states, one-on-one mentoring service with faculty, and regular information sessions for prospective nursing majors. The school offers DNP and MSN programs with a wide range of unique concentrations including adult-gerontology clinical nurse specialist (AGCNS), health systems management, and family nurse practitioner (FNP). Its impressive achievements include a 100 percent pass rate in national certification exams for FNP and AGCNS, and a perfect success rate for graduate employment. The school has also done an admirable job designing its BSN programs with various tracks and options to allow for greater flexibility for working students. The university’s central location in Detroit, Michigan provides students with convenient access to a wide selection of clinical sites.

The SUNY College of Technology at Delhi has earned the distinguished recognition of being a Center of Excellence by the National League for Nursing, a huge stamp of approval that acknowledges consistency in providing exceptional baccalaureate and graduate nursing education. Prospective students can choose among a variety of programs including an associate’s degree in nursing, a unique dual ADN and BSN degree, and online programs for RN to BSN track and MSN. To extend the flexibility and convenience of its online programs, the school provides customized practicum experiences that can be completed in the student’s hometown. Located in Delhi, New York, the college maintains state-of-the-art clinical facilities, small class sizes, and individualized support services to ensure that its students receive high-quality academic instruction and clinical training.

At Southwestern Oklahoma State University, prospective students have multiple pathways of earning a bachelor’s degree in nursing, including a traditional BSN, RN to BSN for registered nurses, and LPN to BSN completion track for licensed practical nurses. Meanwhile, MSN students have the option of specializing in nursing administration or nursing education. While the school has campuses in Weatherford and Sayre, Oklahoma, it also boasts of its robust online education system with the capacity to deliver fully online courses and equipped with a virtual library, writing center, and 24/7 support for their learning management platform. The university keeps a low student-faculty ratio to foster plenty of one-on-one mentoring opportunities and provides more clinical hours compared to other nursing programs to strengthen their students’ practical training.

Nursing programs at the University of North Carolina Wilmington offer pivotal opportunities for students to earn their BSN with pre-licensure and RN pathways, MSN with concentration in nursing education, and practice-focused DNP. The campus in Wilmington, North Carolina is home to an expansive Simulation Learning Center furnished with low-, medium-, and high-fidelity patient simulators as well as advanced laboratories for various clinical settings including pediatrics, acute and critical care, operating and emergency rooms, and health assessment. Aside from top-notch clinical training, the university also provides students diverse environments for community engagement and meaningful service through their partnerships with public housing groups, outreach centers, and health departments. By working with the Community Advisory Council and Nurse Advocate Board, the school is able to maintain a responsive student curriculum and keep their faculty updated on the latest nursing trends and issues in patient care.

Texas Woman's University has three world-class campuses in Denton, Houston, and Dallas, Texas, each one offering a lineup of baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs including BSN, MSN, DNP, PhD, and even a DNP to PhD bridge program. Each campus offers superior opportunities for nursing majors to hone their craft: Denton has a strong online and hybrid learning system and is close to two major hospitals; Houston Center is a state-of-the-art facility equipped with advanced simulation technologies and located within the world-famous Texas Medical Center; and Dallas Center, surrounded by four hospitals within Southwestern Medical District, is home to innovative research and advanced learning methodologies. The university’s Center for Global Nursing works with institutions around the world to provide students with unparalleled clinical and research experiences in various countries such as Korea, Peru, and The Netherlands.

Utica College’s rigorous nursing programs include traditional and accelerated BSN, RN to BSN, and online MSN with concentrations in family nurse practitioner, nursing education, and nursing leadership. Located in Utica, New York, the college is home to an advanced nursing laboratory with an examination bay, fully equipped nursing station and hospital ward, isolation room, high-tech classrooms, and other cutting-edge equipment to simulate real-life clinical settings. The nursing curriculum provides well-rounded academic training by complementing clinical studies and practical experiences with a responsive liberal arts education. The school even offers an accelerated English course specially designed for nursing majors who want to enhance their language proficiency.

The University of Texas at Tyler offers an extensive array of nursing programs including a competitive dual degree MSN-MBA, MSN with five specialization options, DNP, and PhD as well as traditional BSN and RN to BSN tracks. The school maintains a sterling record of having NCLEX pass rates at 92-95 percent, consistently higher than the state and national averages over the last five years. While the main campus is in Tyler, Texas, the university maintains two fully functional distance learning sites in Longview and Palestine for their undergraduate programs to allow students to attend classes and clinical training in more convenient locations. The school extends the same unique benefits to their graduate programs, allowing DNP students to complete their courses online and take on scholarly projects in their local areas.

As the first university in Georgia to establish a Doctor of Nursing Practice program, Augusta University leads the way in providing innovative nursing programs that now include a BSN, MSN, and PhD in nursing. The school’s prestigious DNP program provides seven degree tracks including psychiatric mental health, adult gerontology acute care, and pediatric nurse practitioner. Students can begin their clinical experiences in a comprehensive on-campus simulation center in Augusta, Georgia; the facility offers high-fidelity simulators, skills labs, standardized patients, and other essential training services. The school also supports scholarship among nursing majors through the Center for Nursing Research, which assists students and faculty throughout the course of their research work including preparing grant proposals, developing research protocols, and producing manuscripts.

The extensive nursing program offerings at the University of Alabama at Birmingham include a BSN with multiple pathways, MSN with three tracks including an accelerated master’s, and two doctoral degrees, DNP and PhD. Recognized as an NLN Center of Excellence, the School of Nursing in Birmingham, Alabama utilizes technology-enhanced learning facilities and competency labs outfitted with a fully functioning operating room and nurses station, patient simulators, and interactive workstations. To provide students with wide-ranging clinical and cultural experiences, the school works with local and international organizations to support various causes including health literacy, rural health, and initiatives against interpersonal violence. The university has also been designated as a PAHO/WHO Collaborating Center by the World Health Organization for its commitment to strengthening the nursing workforce globally.

The University of Alabama in Huntsville offers a diverse mix of on-campus, hybrid, and online nursing programs at the baccalaureate and graduate levels. Undergraduate degrees include a traditional BSN and online RN to BSN while graduate students can choose from a master’s program with three specializations as well as DNP and PhD, which both provide post-baccalaureate pathways. The College of Nursing here operates the impressive Learning and Technology Resource Center that boasts seven high-fidelity simulation facilities, a 16-bed hospital lab, medical-surgical and ICU suites, telehealth robots, and other sophisticated medical equipment that accurately mimics real-life hospital settings. As a certified NLN Center of Excellence for 2018-2022, the school maintains an exceptional faculty roster: about 71 percent of their faculty hold doctoral degrees while the remaining 29 percent are finishing their doctoral programs.

With a 96 percent job placement rate after graduation, Winona State University has demonstrated a solid track record of producing nursing professionals with BSN, MSN, and DNP degrees. The school fosters an independent yet collaborative learning process through its simulation-centered curriculum that covers a respectable range of nursing areas including pediatric, geriatric, medical/surgical, and public health. Located in Winona, Minnesota, the university has established a diverse network of clinical partners such as the Mayo Clinic Hospital and Gundersen Health System to offer students high-quality sites for their clinical experiences. The school maintains another campus in Rochester as well as outreach sites in other parts of Minnesota to provide more convenient opportunities for face-to-face learning particularly for working nurses who are finishing their degree.

Jacksonville State University’s nursing programs include a traditional baccalaureate program, a fully online RN to BSN track that can be completed in one year, a unique master’s program focused on population health, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree with three concentration options. To encourage a culture of academic excellence, the university offers the Deans’ Scholars Program for Early Acceptance to qualified students, where they can participate in a variety of enriching activities such as research work with faculty and community service initiatives. Nursing majors can join a number of student organizations on campus in Jacksonville, Alabama to broaden their professional networks, gain access to certain scholarships, and enhance their leadership skills; some nursing-focused organizations include the Jacksonville Association of Nursing Students, Honor Society of Nursing, and the Graduate Student Nursing Association.

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette was hailed as a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education in 2020 by the National League for Nursing, one of only 17 institutions in the country to receive the distinguished recognition. The school offers a complete slate of top-notch nursing programs, from BSN and RN-BSN tracks to MSN and DNP degrees. The advanced simulation facility in the university’s Lafayette, Louisiana campus features low-,mid-, and high-fidelity labs and is fully accredited by the Society for Simulation in Health Care, a prestigious designation that only 100 programs in 10 countries have achieved. The exceptional quality of education at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette is demonstrated by the impressive pass rates of their students: BSN graduates consistently attain above 95 percent pass rate in the NCLEX while MSN graduates specializing as family nurse practitioners have a pass rate of over 96 percent on the national certification exam.

At Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, undergraduate nursing programs, which include traditional, accelerated, and RN to BSN pathways, are designed with a liberal arts foundation to provide students with a well-rounded learning experience. Graduate programs, meanwhile, offer a diverse array of specialization options both at the master’s and doctoral levels, from family nurse practitioner to psychiatric mental health; graduate nursing students can even opt to pursue a double degree in DNP and MBA. The university campus in Edwardsville, Illinois provides a vibrant environment for experiential learning, from a fully equipped simulation center to a community clinic that serves the local area. Students can also further expand their clinical experiences through international medical mission trips and student exchange programs in Australia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Haiti.

The BSN program at Colorado Mesa University, which provides traditional, RN to BSN, and LPN to BSN tracks, has a notable completion rate of 97 percent, and a noteworthy 96 percent of graduates find employment within six months of completing their nursing degree. The school also offers online MSN and DNP programs with concentrations in family nurse practitioner and nurse educator. The campus in Grand Junction, Colorado houses a comprehensive Clinical Education Center, which has five clinical labs and five high-tech simulation labs that can replicate a wide variety of distinctive clinical settings, from obstetrical management to Alzheimer's care. Aside from rigorous clinical training, nursing students can also gain invaluable hands-on community experience by serving as counselors in a summer health camp for adolescents and being involved in charitable initiatives and health fairs organized by the Student Nurses Association.

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock focuses on its first-rate baccalaureate nursing programs, offering associate’s and bachelor’s degrees as well as LPN/paramedic to RN and RN to BSN tracks. The campus in Little Rock has an innovative simulation center outfitted with hospital-grade equipment such as Pyxis Med-station machines and sophisticated multimedia tools for accurate, real-time assessment of students’ clinical experiences. The school’s simulation learning follows a concierge model where faculty and facility personnel conduct debriefings and provide a safe learning space for students. Nursing majors also have access to faculty mentoring in all their courses as well as workshop and study sessions to supplement their regular classes.

Located in Evansville, the University of Southern Indiana offers a BSN program with a 100 percent NCLEX pass rate as well as an RN to BSN pathway, an MSN program with five specialization options, and DNP degree with post-BSN and post-MSN tracks. The university also runs a government-funded residency program for nurse practitioners who specialize in psychiatric mental health and family nursing; residents will be assigned to primary care settings in disadvantaged communities in southwestern Indiana. To provide top-level clinical training for nursing majors, the school partnered with two local hospitals to establish the Dedicated Education Unit (DEU) model, where each student is assigned to one staff nurse for their entire rotation to maintain a consistent learning progression.

California State University-San Marcos deserves praise for the multiple pathways it offers to achieve an undergraduate degree: a traditional BSN, 24-month accelerated BSN, online RN to BSN, and even an LVN to BSN for vocational nurses with a valid California license. The school also offers a part-time master’s program specifically tailored for working nurses, with specializations in psychiatric mental health and family nurse practitioner. The university’s BSN graduates have built an impressive record of consistently high NCLEX pass rates, achieving over 97 percent in the past three years. Students have access to diverse clinical sites for their hands-on training, as the school works with various hospitals, health clinics, hospice care facilities, and school districts in San Marcos and the rest of southern California.

Bemidji State University’s nursing department is focused on providing an exceptional undergraduate program through its traditional BSN and RN to BSN pathways. Their innovative nursing curriculum puts emphasis on family health, rural healthcare settings, palliative care, and culturally sensitive care delivery particularly since the campus in Bemidji, Minnesota sits close to Native American communities. To further highlight cultural awareness on campus, the university developed the Niganawenimaanaanig Indigenous Nursing Program to support indigenous students who want to pursue a BSN degree. To promote international exposure for nursing majors, the school organizes an annual study abroad program in China, where students visit community health facilities and learn alongside their Chinese counterparts.

The University of Indianapolis landed here on our list thanks to its extensive options for undergraduate and graduate nursing programs including a BSN degree with four tracks, a master’s in nursing degree with five concentration areas, a DNP program, and the highly specialized MSN neonatal nurse practitioner degree, the only program of its kind in Indiana. Another unique degree track among their programs is The Nursing Academy, a partnership with the Community Health Network that provides an accelerated BSN pathway for non-traditional students who work part-time as clinical interns. To ensure robust hands-on training and personalized mentoring, the school integrates simulation center classes every semester and keeps the student-faculty ratio at a remarkably intimate 8:1.

Prospective students have a wealth of options for earning a nursing degree at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi: the school offers four BSN tracks including a specialized eLine Military Program for those who have prior medical training in the military. Graduate programs include three MSN tracks, a DNP, and bridge entry pathways for registered nurses with no BSN degree. The university takes pride in its highly acclaimed simulation and clinical learning center for nursing majors, which has received the Excellence “Best Practice Innovator” Award from the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning. The nursing faculty is also known for its outstanding teaching methods, earning the university an Excellence in Teaching and Innovation Award.

At Rutgers University-Camden in New Jersey, prospective students can complete a BSN program through the traditional, accelerated, or RN to BSN track while nurse practitioners can pursue a DNP degree with an option to complete an MBA simultaneously. Academic research is a priority at Rutgers-Camden; DNP candidates who pursue scholarly projects receive support from the Office of Sponsored Research as well as guidance from faculty who are multi-awarded experts in various areas of study including health equity, disease prevention, and access to healthcare. To promote hands-on civic learning and community immersion among nursing students, the school works with various organizations to conduct outreach programs for low-income senior citizens, homeless people, food-insecure communities, and other underserved populations. Students can also participate in study abroad programs in Hungary and Cuba to gain healthcare experience in international settings.

Located in Miami Shores, Florida, Barry University offers a BSN program with traditional and accelerated tracks, a competitive MSN program that provides a 25 percent tuition scholarship for registered nurses with a BSN degree, a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, and a nursing PhD. A standout program at Barry is the DNP track with a specialization in anesthesiology, open only to Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists who hold a graduate degree. The university is one of only 11 nursing schools in the country to have earned a Center of Excellence recognition in 2020 in the student learning and professional development category, which is a huge stamp of approval for the quality of their academic and clinical training. One of the school’s most effective initiatives to foster interdisciplinary collaboration is Project ADVICE, which holds simulated patient-care activities with the participation of students and faculty from different healthcare fields.

Columbus State University’s outstanding nursing program offerings include a BSN degree with traditional and RN to BSN tracks, plus master’s degrees in nursing and family nurse practitioner. Apart from the traditional BSN which is offered on campus in Columbus, Georgia, all programs are available online with asynchronous classes to provide optimum flexibility and convenience for healthcare professionals who aim to obtain a nursing degree. Online students can also complete their clinical experiences in their local areas, eliminating the need for long commutes. To keep classes interactive and engaging, the university keeps a low student-faculty ratio in both didactic and hands-on learning sessions. And here's the biggest indicator of the success of Columbus State's programs: within six months of earning their degrees, 100 percent of nursing graduates are able to find suitable employment.

South Dakota State University is a bona fide leader in nursing education, producing about one-third of registered nurses in South Dakota and the only school in the state to offer a PhD degree in nursing. Their other nursing program offerings include a BSN degree with three pathways, an MSN program with three specialization options, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. The on-campus clinical training facility in Brookings houses multiple state-of-the-art simulation suites, total body simulators, and fully equipped skills labs. The school also encourages research and scholarly work by sponsoring research seminars and providing opportunities for students to work on research projects.

East Tennessee State University provides six options for completing a BSN degree including two accelerated pathways and a dual degree track that allows students to start on their BSN coursework while completing their associate’s degree at a partner community college. For prospective graduate students, the university offers an MSN program with four concentration areas, a DNP degree, and a PhD in nursing program. The university’s rigorous graduate programs have produced outstanding certification pass rates for the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner of 100 percent and the Family Nurse Practitioner of 98 percent. Located in Johnson City, Tennessee, the school operates seven nurse-managed rural health clinics where nursing students can earn clinical experiences and fulfill residency requirements.

At Fayetteville State University, prospective graduate students will have the distinctive opportunity to obtain an online master’s in nursing degree focusing on patient safety and quality, the first specialization of its kind in North Carolina. The school also offers pre-licensure BSN and RN to BSN programs with emphasis on community nursing, research, and emergency care. With funding from the Health Resources Services Administration, Fayetteville State and various community partners established the Veterans in the Community (VACOM) project to help veterans complete their nursing degree, give them access to mentorship and financial assistance, and strengthen their competencies in delivering community-based healthcare. The university boasts of a 100 percent NCLEX pass rate for its BSN majors, and all of its nursing graduates are able to find employment shortly after graduation.

Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas offers an undergraduate nursing program with pre-licensure, RN to BSN, and accelerated tracks while graduate nursing options include MSN concentrations in psychiatric mental health and family nurse practitioner. The university’s formidable faculty roster is composed of experienced advanced practice nurses and healthcare professionals who hold doctoral degrees. The school also employs full-time nurse educators with over two decades of clinical experience to provide nursing majors with personalized teaching and guidance in their clinical training. Students begin their hands-on practice in the J.S. Bridwell Simulation Center, a cutting-edge facility equipped with high- and low-fidelity simulators including pediatric and birthing manikins.

Located in University Center, Michigan, Saginaw Valley State University offers a pre-licensure BSN program, the largest one in the state, as well as a flexible RN to BSN track, an MSN degree with four concentration areas, and a practice-focused DNP program. The university only hires full-time faculty for their undergraduate courses and provides mentors and tutors to help new students adjust to the nursing program, which can mean the difference between success and failure for many students. The school also works with more than 75 agencies in Michigan that can serve as clinical sites for the students’ hands-on training. Through various study abroad programs in Africa, Asia, and Australia, students can gain valuable insights about care delivery practices and nursing education in different cultural contexts.

At the University of West Florida, a BSN degree can be completed through a pre-licensure track or an online RN to BSN pathway. Graduate degrees include MSN programs with concentrations in nursing executive, nursing education, and family nurse practitioner. The university also offers a specially designed RN to MSN track that allows working nurses to complete their BSN and MSN degrees in one curriculum. Located in Pensacola, Florida, the school employs a highly selective admissions process and only accepts 50 students three times a year. This keeps class sizes low and enables faculty and staff to provide dedicated, individualized instruction and guidance to each student.

With an average NCLEX pass rate of 94.5 percent, Robert Morris University in Moon Township, Pennsylvania has rightly made a name for itself in nursing education. Its outstanding, flexible BSN program can be completed via the traditional pathway, RN to BSN track, and the 15-month accelerated track. BSN students begin their clinical training at the renowned Research and Innovation in Simulation Education (RISE) Center, one of the few nursing facilities in the world to earn accreditation from the Society for Simulation in Healthcare. The university’s extensive graduate-level offerings include an MSN degree with specializations in education and leadership; a DNP program with concentrations in adult-gerontology, psychiatric mental health, and family nurse practitioner; and a dual degree in MSN and MBA.

The University of Texas at El Paso provides a full selection of undergraduate and graduate nursing programs including traditional and RN tracks to a BSN degree, MSN programs with three specialization options, and a post-masters DNP with an emphasis in technology and informatics. The expansive on-campus simulation center features fully equipped simulation laboratories, standardized patient rooms, and testing facilities. The university also organizes various activities to sharpen the students’ clinical skills such as simulated hospital scenarios, skills competitions, and academic coaching. These innovative efforts have yielded high-performing nursing graduates and enabled the school to achieve a 97.5 percent pass rate in the NCLEX-RN.

At the University of Southern Maine, undergraduate students can earn their BSN through the traditional, accelerated, or RN tracks while also completing a minor in holistic and integrative health. Graduate nursing programs include a master’s in nursing with five specialization areas as well as an RN to MSN track and a Doctor in Nursing Practice degree. The school’s cutting-edge learning and simulation center in Portland, Maine provides students with sophisticated clinical training equipment and facilities such as SimMan 3G patient simulators, nursing and assessment labs, and audio-visual tools for post-session debriefings. Students also gain hands-on experiences in real-life settings through clinical placements in major hospitals and community-based health organizations in Maine as well as healthcare outreach initiatives for underserved communities in the Dominican Republic.

Clarion University of Pennsylvania caters to a wide range of prospective nursing students, offering associate’s, traditional BSN, and RN to BSN programs at the undergraduate level and MSN-family nurse practitioner and DNP degrees for graduate students. The university’s BSN track is a particular standout compared to other programs, as nursing courses are integrated into the curriculum starting in the first semester. Located in Clarion, Pennsylvania, the school seeks to improve healthcare access in the region by training their MSN students to deliver primary healthcare, particularly to disadvantaged communities. Nursing majors who want to expand their academic and professional networks can join the Mu Xi chapter of the Sigma Global Nursing Excellence, an international nursing organization; the Clarion chapter has received the Showcase of Regional Excellence Award in recognition of its productive community projects.

Among the top 10 largest nursing schools in the country, the University of Massachusetts-Boston offers an impressive array of nursing program options including three BSN tracks, an MSN program with concentrations in adult gerontology and family nursing, a DNP degree, and a PhD in nursing program. The university works with over 200 healthcare organizations including some of the best hospitals in Greater Boston, providing students with excellent sites for their internships and clinical experiences. Before working in clinical sites, however, students begin their hands-on training at the Center for Clinical Education and Research, an all-inclusive facility that houses the nursing lab, examination rooms, simulation suite, computer lab, and tutorial services. The school also offers numerous opportunities for nursing majors to participate in community service initiatives as well as study abroad programs in China, Kenya, Korea, and Scotland.

Frostburg State University’s undergraduate nursing program offerings include traditional and RN tracks as well as a competitive dual-degree program that allows high-performing associate’s in nursing students at partner community colleges to start on their BSN coursework while completing their ASN. The school also offers a top-notch MSN program with diverse concentrations in education, leadership and management, psychiatric-mental health, and family nurse practitioner. Aside from the traditional BSN program which students can complete on campus at Frostburg, Maryland, nursing programs are delivered through online or hybrid formats, and the school ensures the quality of these programs by achieving Quality Matters certification, a credential that demonstrates a dedication to stellar online courses. To foster academic success for students, the university runs progressive mentoring initiatives such as job shadowing opportunities, team building, tutoring, and living-learning communities.

At the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, prospective students can choose from a variety of undergraduate and graduate nursing programs such as traditional, accelerated, and RN tracks to a BSN; MSN with concentrations in nurse educator and clinical nurse leader; and BSN and MSN pathways to a Doctor in Nursing Practice. Located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, the school provides a range of responsive support services for nursing majors including tailored academic advising, resources and assistance for research projects, and a dedicated portal for career services. Students can also gain enriching experiences in international nursing and care delivery through study abroad programs in South America, India, and Ireland. The school’s pass rates are among the best in the state, achieving 100 percent in clinical nurse leader and family nurse practitioner certifications and 90 percent on the NCLEX-RN.

New Jersey City University offers traditional, accelerated, and RN pathways to a bachelor’s in nursing degree as well as a flexible, part-time MSN program with specializations in school nursing and nursing education. Located in Jersey City, New Jersey, the school boasts of a high-powered faculty roster made up exclusively of doctoral degree holders and a comprehensive, modern curriculum that can deliver high-quality education to their nursing students. To encourage ethnic diversity in the nursing profession, the university partnered with Jersey City Medical Center and several community colleges to provide grants for qualified students of Hispanic or African-American heritage. The school also deserves praise for offering the lowest tuition and fees among nursing schools in the state.

Rhode Island College provides a complete selection of nursing programs such as the traditional baccalaureate and RN to BSN tracks; MSN degree with concentrations in public health, nurse anesthesia, and adult/gerontology; and a Doctor in Nursing Practice program. The college’s convenient location in the metropolitan center of Providence, Rhode Island offers students easy access to major hospitals and other health care institutions in the state including the Providence VA Medical Center, where nursing majors can complete clinical courses in real-life settings. The school encourages academic excellence by establishing an honors program where high-performing students can work on research projects and community service initiatives, and graduate with an Honors in Nursing distinction. For the past three years, the college has consistently achieved NCLEX pass rates of 97-98 percent, a testament to how well it prepares its students for the field.

Catering specifically to registered nurses and healthcare professionals, the California University of Pennsylvania offers flexible, fully online nursing programs with options for part-time completion. The program offerings include an accelerated RN to BSN track, an MSN focusing on nursing administration and leadership, and an MSN-MBA dual degree. While the university is located in California, Pennsylvania, nursing students have the prerogative of completing their practicum in their place of work and developing a quality improvement project that best suits their work setting. The school provides a vibrant environment for professional networking by hosting a local chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International, one of the world’s largest nursing honor societies.

Located in Auburn Hills and Rochester Hills, Michigan, Oakland University stands out as the first and only nursing school in the state to offer a master’s program in forensic nursing. Other program offerings include a BSN degree with traditional, accelerated, and RN pathways; an MSN program with four other concentrations aside from forensic nursing; DNP programs with a general track and a concentration in nurse anesthesia; and a PhD in nursing degree. Nursing majors begin their hands-on training at the school’s state-of-the-art simulation lab where they can conduct a wide range of clinical procedures on patient simulators and practice decision-making in scenarios that mimic real-life situations. Students also have the opportunity to learn about research processes and nursing practices in international settings through study abroad programs in Italy and China.

Stony Brook University boasts an impressive selection of undergraduate and graduate nursing programs, these include three BSN tracks; nine MSN program concentrations including neonatal, pediatric, and women’s health; Doctor of Nursing Practice degree; and a PhD in nursing program. To ensure that students are receiving high-quality academic training, the university provides on-site immersions at their campus in Stony Brook, New York even for programs that allow for online coursework delivery. Through the Office of Research and Innovation, the school fosters innovative learning methods and encourages research pursuits among students particularly in the areas of biomedical engineering, chronic illness, and population health.