Top 10 Nursing Schools in the US

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Top 10 Nursing Schools in the US

Considering the top 10 nursing schools in the US is a must if you are an aspiring nursing student. Keep in mind that the college experience is only once in a lifetime. It is important that you make the best choice when completing your first college degree in nursing.

To help you get started, see the following top nursing schools in the US. Veteran nurses, what do you think of the schools below?

1. University of Missouri

Columbia, Missouri

University of Missouri

Located in the heart of Columbia, Missouri, it is the largest institution of higher education in the state. The University of Columbia is a public research university and an outstanding member of the Association of American Universities. It was established in 1839 and is well-known for their programs in medicine, veterinary, law, journalism, engineering and agriculture.

The University of Missouri Sinclair School of Nursing offers the following degrees:
– Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing
– RN to BSN Online Program
– Accelerated BSN Program
– Master’s Degree in Nursing
– Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
– Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD)

All graduate programs in MU Sinclair School of Nursing are offered online. The university also operates four hospitals in the central Missouri region where majority of clinical rotations are being held.

Student Acceptance Rate:61%
Tuition: $9,415 (In-state)
Average Number of Students:300
Board Exam Pass Rate: Top 10%

Also Read: How To Choose a Nursing School That’s The Best Fit for You

2. University of Louisiana at Monroe

Monroe, Louisiana

University-of-Louisiana-at-Monroe

The University of Louisiana at Monroe is a public research university. One of the university’s premier departments is the Kitty DeGree School of Nursing. It was founded in 1960 and since then, the school has been committed to training aspiring nurses excel in their chosen fields.

Currently, the nursing programs offered by the university include:
– RN to BSN Program
– LPN to BSN Program
– Bachelor of Science in Nursing
– Master of Science in Nursing

Since 2000, ULM’s Kitty DeGree School of Nursing has become famous on how well they prepare their graduates for NCLEX. They scored an awesome 100% passing rate on five different batches of exams conducted in 2008.

Student Acceptance Rate: 91%
Tuition: $5,400 (In-state)
Average Number of Students: 500
Board Exam Pass Rate: Top 10%

3. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, Maryland

Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins University is one of the oldest universities in the US. It was established in 1876 and in the same year, their nursing training program was also offered to students. Decades after the establishment of the university’s nursing program, Johns Hopkins’ School of Nursing officially became the university’s eighth division. Since then, the school became world-renowned in the field of nursing education.

Johns Hopkins’ School of Nursing offers two primary pre-licensure program option – Summer-Entry Accelerated Nursing Program and Master’s Entry into Nursing Program. They also offer the following post-graduate studies:
– Master of Science in Nursing
– Doctor of Nursing Practice
– Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing

Clinical rotations of nursing students are held at the Johns Hopkins Hospital situated adjacent to Johns Hopkins’ School of Nursing. The university is surrounded by highly ranked medicine and public health schools which is great for students who prefer an academically stimulating environment within their school.

Student Acceptance Rate: 52%
Tuition: $59,415
Average Number of Students: 400
Board Exam Pass Rate: Top 10%

4. University of Utah

Salt Lake City, Utah

University of Utah

The University of Utah is a public research university located at the heart of Salt Lake City. It was founded in 1850 and it’s the state’s flagship university for higher education. Currently, the University of Utah Health Sciences Center supports the development and improvement of nursing programs in their College of Nursing to meet the continuing education needs of nurses nowadays.

The following are the offered nursing programs in the University of Utah:
– Bachelor of Science in Nursing
– Online RN-BSN Program
– Master of Science in Nursing
– Doctor of Nursing Practice
– Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing

The University of Utah’s College of Nursing also offers specialized degrees and certificates in gerontology through their Gerontology Interdisciplinary Program and the Hartford Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence.

Student Acceptance Rate: 81%
Tuition: $7,534 (In-state)
Average Number of Students: 400
Board Exam Pass Rate: Top 10%

5. University of Iowa

Iowa, Illinois

University of Iowa

The University of Iowa is the oldest public university in the state of Iowa. The university’s College of Nursing was established in 1898 and duly accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). It is considered as one of the elite nursing schools in the country as they excel in the fields of nursing service administration, gerontology, anesthesia and pediatrics.

The following are the nursing programs of the University of Iowa:
– Bachelor of Science in Nursing
– RN-BSN Program
– Clinical Nurse Leader
– Doctor of Nursing Practice
– Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing

The University of Iowa is also considered as the “best value for money” among the top 10 nursing schools in the US. On average, there are more than 2,000 scholarships offered in the university based on needs and merit.

Student Acceptance Rate: 78%
Tuition: $8,000 (In-state)
Average Number of Students: 800
Board Exam Pass Rate: Top 10%

Also Read: 10 Tips On How To Survive Nursing School

6. Southeast Missouri State University

Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Southeast Missouri State University

The Southeast Missouri State University is one of the oldest universities in the state of Missouri. It was founded in 1873 and it became a world-renowned public liberal arts university in the state. There are over 200 programs in the university offered through four regional campuses in Malden, Sikeston, Poplar Bluff and Kennett.

The Southeast Missouri State University Department of Nursing was established in 1958 and offers the following nursing programs:
– Bachelor of Science in Nursing
– RN to BSN Online Program
– Master of Science in Nursing

Currently, the university’s Department of Nursing is accredited by the CCNE. They offer supportive assistance to students in planning the best nursing programs for them.

Student Acceptance Rate: 97%
Tuition: $7,000 (In-state)
Average Number of Students: 400
Board Exam Pass Rate: Top 5%

7. Tennessee Technological University

Cookeville, Tennessee

Tennessee Technological University

The Tennessee Technological University is a public education institution well-known in the fields of liberal arts, engineering, business and education. The university is considered one of the top public institutions in the southern United States. They also offer financial aid programs to students based on merit and needs evaluation.

The Tennessee Technological University’s Whitson-Hester School of Nursing was established in 1980 to meet the growing demands of the community for new nurses. Over the years, the two-year associate degree program they initially offered expanded into the following programs:
– Bachelor of Science in Nursing
– RN to BSN Online Program
– Master of Science in Nursing
– Doctor of Nursing Practice.

Whitson-Hester School of Nursing also offers MSN degrees and post-MSN certificates through the Regents Online Degree Program. This is a great opportunity for those who prefer online learning for post-graduate studies.

Student Acceptance Rate: 97%
Tuition: $7,500 (In-state)
Average Number of Students: 300
Board Exam Pass Rate: Top 20%

8. Truman State University

Kirksville, Missouri

Truman State University

Named after the only US president born in Missouri, the Truman State University is another premier educational institution in the state of Missouri. It was originally known as First Missouri Normal School and Commercial College but later renamed to honor the state’s influence on the former US president.

Over the years, TSU mastered maximizing a student’s learning potential by providing strategized ways of teaching. They have high-tech simulation centers and they support improving field experience through study-abroad programs. Their nursing programs include:
– Bachelor of Science in Nursing
– Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Truman State University is also home to Rho Omega Chapter of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. It is one of the largest nursing organizations in the US.

Student Acceptance Rate: 70%
Tuition: $7,000 (In-state)
Average Number of Students: 400
Board Exam Pass Rate: Top 10%

9. Sonoma State University

Rohnert Park, California

Sonoma State University

The Sonoma State University is one of the 23 campuses included in the network of California State University system. It is a small university established in 1960. Later on, the state college became a state university and started offering 4-year degree programs.

The following are the nursing programs offered in Sonoma State University:
– Bachelor of Science in Nursing
– Pre-Licensure BSN Program
– Post-Licensure BSN Program
– Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner Program
– Master of Science in Nursing Curriculum
– Post Master’s Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate Curriculum

Student Acceptance Rate: 80%
Tuition: $7,000 (In-state)
Average Number of Students: 500
Board Exam Pass Rate: Top 10%

10. Brigham Young University

Provo, Utah

Brigham Young University

The Brigham Young University is the third largest private educational institution in the US. It was run by Mormons and their influence on missions made the university a specialized multilingual school.

BYU’s College of Nursing was founded in the 1950s. Currently, the university has more than 400 students being rotated in various clinical sites in the Mountain West and beyond. Students are also provided with the opportunity to join international learning programs in other countries like Taiwan, Ecuador, Finland and Russia. Nursing programs offered include:
– Bachelor of Science in Nursing
– Family Nurse Practitioner Program
– Master of Science Degree in Nursing

Student Acceptance Rate: 60%
Tuition: $5,000 (In-state)
Average Number of Students: 400
Board Exam Pass Rate: Top 10%

Also Read: Top 10 Cheapest RN to BSN Programs Online

With the listed top 10 nursing schools in the US above, you can now start assessing the best nursing school fit for you. Whenever you are having second thoughts in selecting one, just ask tips from seasoned nurses in your community. Take time in weighing the strong points of each nursing school you want to consider so you can choose the best one for your case.

Do you want to share your experiences with these schools or other nursing schools in other countries? We’d love to hear from you. Drop by our FB page anytime!

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