According to the QS World University Ranking for Nursing, 17 top Nursing Universities in the USA make it to the list of top 50 Nursing Universities worldwide. The Registered Nurse (RN) is projected to grow 7% from 2019 to 2029.
There are various nursing programs in the USA that fit the needs of nursing aspirants worldwide.
- Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)
- Associate Degree in Nursing (AND) program
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist program (CRNA)
- PhD in Nursing
Due to these leading programs, universities and fantastic career outcomes, the US is one of the favourite destinations for nursing students.
The career opportunities extend to emergency rooms in hospitals, delivering home health care, the Armed forces and Peace Corps and so on.
The institutes in the USA also offer a Diploma in Practical Nursing, one of the fastest ways to be a licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and kickstart your nursing career.
Top Universities for Nursing in the USA
QS World University Ranking by subject 2023, the best universities for Nursing in the USA are:
|
Ranking |
University |
Location |
|
1 |
University of Pennsylvania |
Philadelphia, US |
|
3 |
Johns Hopkins University |
Baltimore, US |
|
4 |
University of Washington |
Seattle, US |
|
11 |
University of California, San Francisco |
San Francisco, US |
|
10 |
Yale University |
New Haven, US |
|
9 |
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill |
Chapel Hill, US |
|
=17 |
Duke University |
Durham, US |
|
22 |
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor |
Ann Arbor, US |
|
14 |
Columbia University |
New York, US |
|
=25 |
Emory University |
Atlanta,US |
|
35 |
University of Pittsburgh |
Pittsburgh, US |
|
12 |
New York University (NYU) |
New York City, US |
|
21 |
The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) |
Los Angeles, UCLA |
|
40 |
Ohio State University |
Columbus, US |
|
=45 |
Pennsylvania State University |
University Park, US |
|
51-100 |
The University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) |
Chicago, US |
|
51-100 |
Vanderbilt University |
Nashville, US |
Top Nursing Universities in the USA: Bachelor of Nursing (BSN)
There are several kinds of Bachelor of Nursing courses in the USA offered to suit students of different backgrounds. For instance,
- There is one sort of BSN degree for students with a high school diploma/ intermediate level/ 12 years of education/ +2.
- There is an accelerated BSN program for students with Bachelor's degrees in some other field.
- There’s an RN to BSN Program for students with an associate degree in Nursing.
Bachelor of Nursing Programs in the USA
|
University |
Program |
|
Texas A&M University |
BS in Nursing, RN to BSN Track |
|
BS in Nursing, Second Degree BSN Track |
|
|
BS in Nursing, Traditional BSN |
|
|
Arizona State University |
Nursing, BSN/ Nursing, MS |
|
Bachelor of Nursing |
|
|
Cleveland State University |
Bachelor of Science in Nursing |
|
The University of Texas at Austin |
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) |
|
Pace University |
BS in Nursing |
|
Accelerated BS in Nursing |
|
|
Northeastern University |
BS Nursing |
|
University of Dayton |
Nursing, BS |
|
Georgia State University |
Associate of Nursing |
|
B.S Nursing |
|
|
B.S Respiratory Therapy |
|
|
University of Washington |
Bachelor of Science in Nursing |
|
New York University |
Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Nursing |
|
Bachelor of Science in Nursing |
|
|
California State University Los Angeles Campus |
Bachelor of Science in Nursing |
|
Purdue University |
Bachelor of Arts in Pre- Occupational Therapy |
|
Bachelor of Science in Nursing |
Eligibility
Document Checklist
- The academic document includes transcripts, character certificates and provisional certificates of +2 and class 10.
- Valid English Language Scores
- Statement of Purpose
- Application fees
- 2-3 Letters of Recommendation (LORs)
- Nursing License if you are applying for RN to BSN Program.
- Identification documents like passport
- SAT/ACT Scores
Academic Requirements
- Students must complete a high school diploma (the most common case), with a minimum of 2.75 GPA to 3.5 GPA. The prerequisite courses like general chemistry, organic chemistry, anatomy, nutrition, physiology etc., are needed.
- SAT (600)/ACT (21-25) Scores.
English test scores
The English test cut-off score to study Bachelor of Nursing in the USA as an international student from countries where English is not the first language are-:
- IELTS: 6.5- 7.0, with a minimum of 6.5- 7.0 in each band
- TOEFL: 80-92, with a minimum subscore of 23
- PTE: 58- 68, with a minimum subscore of 50
- Duolingo: 105-115
Top Nursing Universities in the USA: Bachelor of Nursing Fees
|
University |
Average Annual tuition fees in US$ |
|
University of Pennsylvania |
45,248 |
|
Columbia University |
87,242 |
|
University of North Carolina-- Chapel Hill |
19,062 |
|
University of Washington |
17,919 |
|
New York University (Meyers) |
36,514 |
|
University of California- Los Angeles |
36,382 |
|
The University of Illinois- Chicago |
33,076 |
|
Yale University |
46,190 |
|
University of Virginia |
18,520 |
|
University of California- Davis |
24,237 |
Top Nursing Universities in the USA: Master of Nursing
Upon completing an MSN in the USA, you can work as a nursing consultant, nurse educator, nurse administrator, clinical nurse specialist and so on.
Master of Nursing Programs in the USA
|
University |
Master of Nursing Courses in the USA |
|
Arizona State University |
Nursing, MS |
|
Nursing (Nursing Education), MS |
|
|
Nursing (Entry to Nursing Practice), MS |
|
|
The University of Illinois at Chicago |
MS in Nursing |
|
MS in Nursing Graduate Entry Program |
|
|
The University of Texas at Austin |
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) |
|
University of South Florida |
Nursing (BSN to MSN), MSN |
|
Nursing (RN to MSN), MSN |
|
|
Texas A&M University |
MS in Nursing in Family Nurse Practitioner |
|
MS in Nursing in Forensic Nursing |
|
|
MS in Nursing in Nursing Education |
|
|
Northeastern University |
MS Nursing in
|
|
Columbia University |
Masters Direct Entry (MDE) Program for Non-nurses |
|
Masters Direct Entry/ Doctor of Nursing Practice (MDE/DNP) |
|
|
Master in Nurse Anesthesia |
Eligibility
Document Checklist
- Academic documents of all the schools and colleges attended before (Bachelor, High school and class 10). The academic documents need to meet the requirements listed below. The academic document includes transcripts, character certificates and provisional certificates.
- English Language Scores- Should be valid
- Statement of Purpose
- Experience letter for gap
- CV/Resume
- Copy of Active Nursing License
- 3-3 Letters of Recommendation
- GRE Scores
- Identification documents like passport
- Proof of funds (Financial documents from sponsor letter to tuition fee payment receipt to property papers )
Academic Requirements
- A minimum of 2.5 to 3.0 GPA in a Bachelor's degree in the relevant area of study
English test scores
International students from English, not speaking countries need to take the English proficiency test and bring minimum scores of:
- IELTS:6.5- 7.0, with a minimum of 7.0 in each band
- TOEFL: 80-100, with a minimum subscore of 23
- PTE: 58-68, with a minimum subscore of 50
Top Nursing Universities in the USA: Masters in Nursing Fees
|
University |
Approximate Annual tuition fees in USD |
|
North Eastern University |
40,904- 50,348 |
|
Arizona State University |
27,000- 40,000 |
|
The University of Illinois at Chicago |
22,000- 37,500 |
|
The University of Texas at Austin |
35,490 |
|
University of South Florida |
30,776 |
|
New York University |
45,596 |
|
Columbia University |
54,000-89,300 |
|
George Mason University |
58,864 |
Top Nursing Universities in the USA: PhD in Nursing
PhD in Nursing Programs in the USA
|
University |
Programs |
|
University of San Francisco |
Doctor of Nursing Practise: Executive Leadership |
|
The University of Texas at Arlington |
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) |
|
Suny Upstate Medical University |
Doctor of Nursing Practise |
|
University of Pittsburgh |
PhD in Nursing |
|
Illinois State University |
PhD in Nursing |
|
University of California Davis (UC Davis) |
Doctor of Nursing Practice- Family Nurse Practitioner Program |
|
University of Minnesota |
PhD in Nursing |
|
Kent State University |
Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD) Program |
Eligibility
Document Checklist
- Academic documents such as transcripts, character certificates and provisional certificates of the master, bachelor, and intermediate levels
- English Language Scores- Should be valid
- Statement of Purpose
- Experience letter for gap
- 3 Letters of Recommendation
- GRE Scores
- CV
- Current RN license
- Identification documents like passport
Academic Requirements
- Applicants need a bachelor's and master's degree in nursing with a minimum GPA of 2.4 to 3.0. Note that A bachelor's degree in a closely related health field may be considered if the applicant has a master's degree in nursing or a D.N.P. degree from an accredited program. A master's degree in a closely related field may be considered if the applicant has a bachelor's degree in nursing from an accredited program.
- Candidates need to find and finalize the supervisor for some doctors in the nursing program.
English test scores
International students from English, not speaking countries need to take the English proficiency test and bring minimum scores of:
- IELTS: IELTS Academic of 6.5-7.0, with a minimum of 6.0 in each band
- TOEFL: 79-90, with a minimum subscore of 19 in each band
- PTE: 55-70, with a minimum subscore of 58
Top Nursing Universities in the USA: PhD in Nursing Fees
|
University |
Annual tuition fees in USD |
|
Kent State University |
44,330 |
|
University of Pittsburgh |
45,000 |
|
Illinois State University |
38,000 |
|
University of California Davis (UC Davis) |
30,000-45,000 |
|
University of Minnesota |
32,000 |
The Division of graduate studies administers several fellowships to help international students with tuition fees.
Top Nursing Universities in the USA: Scholarships and Financial Aids
- Sunshine Behavioural Health Opioid Awareness Scholarship
- Emergency Nursing Foundation Grant
- Medical Professions Scholarships
- International Student Tuition Waiver
- Full bright Scholarship
- University of South Alabama (USA) Global Freshman Scholars Award
- Northern Illinois University Scholarship
- Merit-based award
- Global Excellence Scholarship
Top Nursing Universities in the USA: Jobs and Career Opportunities
Nursing graduates can work in healthcare environments such as hospitals, homes, and private and government clinics. There is a huge demand for registered nurses in the USA. There are various ways of becoming a registered nurse in the USA, including an associate degree in nursing, a bachelor of science in nursing, etc.
According to PayScale, nursing jobs and salaries in the USA:
|
Job Title |
Range |
Average |
|
Family Nurse Practitioner (NP) |
$81k - $118k |
$96,800 |
|
Nurse Practitioner (NP) |
$82k - $122k |
$99,410 |
|
Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) |
$89k - $126k |
$105,202 |
|
Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) |
$84k - $121k |
$99,428 |
|
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (NP) |
$91k - $143k |
$112,843 |
|
Nursing Manager |
$74k - $125k |
$96,662 |
|
Adult Nurse Practitioner (ANP) |
$84k - $121k |
$100,319 |
|
Director, Nursing |
$79k - $152k |
$109,687 |
|
Pediatrics Nurse Practitioner (NP) |
$75k - $112k |
$91,669 |
|
Clinical Nurse Manager |
$72k - $120k |
$93,416 |
|
Registered Nurse (RN) |
$51k - $104k |
$73,671 |
|
Nurse Educator |
$60k - $108k |
$79,686 |
|
Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (NP) |
$76k - $112k |
$92,035 |
|
Nursing Director |
$76k - $137k |
$101,931 |
