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The Best Colleges For Nursing 2027

October 4, 2026

Looking ahead to a career in nursing? Demand for nurses remains strong, and choosing the right school can shape your training, licensure outcomes, and first job. This guide ranks the best colleges for nursing in 2027, from major research universities to focused nursing colleges.

Whether you want a BSN, an accelerated degree, or a path to advanced practice, each profile shows what makes the program stand out. Compare accreditation, clinical placements, and NCLEX-RN results, and use resources from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing to check program quality. Thinking about other health careers? See our guides to the best colleges for pre-med, physiotherapy, and dental programs.

The Best Colleges For Nursing 2027

1. Arizona College of Nursing, Tempe

Arizona College of Nursing focuses entirely on nursing, which shapes everything from its schedule to its support services. Students on the Tempe campus complete a career-focused BSN program that combines classroom learning, simulation labs, and clinical rotations at Phoenix-area hospitals. Small classes and close faculty attention help students build confidence before they sit for the NCLEX-RN licensing exam. Its focused approach is why it leads this list for students who want a direct path into a nursing career.

2. Denver College of Nursing

Denver College of Nursing offers nursing programs designed around hands-on practice and student support. Training combines simulation labs, classroom learning, and clinical placements in Denver’s busy health care market. Small cohorts mean faculty know their students well, which helps with licensure preparation. Colorado’s growing population and steady demand for nurses give graduates good prospects in hospitals, clinics, and community health settings across the Front Range.

3. Duke University

Duke University School of Nursing is known for combining strong clinical training with leadership and research. Students benefit from the resources of Duke University Health System, one of the leading academic medical centers in the Southeast, and from interdisciplinary work with medicine, public health, and policy. Programs range from accelerated BSN to master’s, doctoral, and research degrees. Duke graduates are recruited for advanced practice, leadership, and academic roles across the country.

4. West Coast University, Miami

West Coast University’s Miami campus prepares students for nursing careers in one of the most diverse health care markets in the country. Programs combine simulation labs with clinical experience in South Florida hospitals and clinics, and the flexible scheduling suits students balancing work or family. Bilingual skills are a real asset in this region, and graduates often find jobs in the community where they trained.

5. Stanbridge University, Orange County

Stanbridge University is known for its health care programs, including nursing, taught with a strong focus on simulation and practical skills. The Orange County location gives students access to a wide range of clinical sites in Southern California, one of the largest health care markets in the United States. Instructors with industry experience and structured student support help learners stay on track toward licensure and employment.

6. Chamberlain University, Atlanta

Chamberlain University is one of the largest nursing-focused schools in the country, and its Atlanta campus offers BSN training with strong student support. Students work in simulation labs and complete clinical rotations in the city’s hospital systems, including some of the largest in the Southeast. Atlanta’s busy health care sector, along with Emory and the CDC, creates plenty of options for graduates after they pass the NCLEX-RN.

7. University of Pennsylvania

Penn Nursing is one of the most respected nursing schools in the world, known for its research and for its close ties to Penn Medicine. Undergraduates take part in a rigorous curriculum with clinical rotations at major Philadelphia hospitals, and many join faculty research on topics such as health equity and aging. Options to combine nursing with business or other fields set Penn apart, and its graduates move into leadership roles around the globe.

8. Joyce University of Nursing and Health Sciences

Joyce University of Nursing and Health Sciences is a specialized school that focuses on preparing students for nursing and other health care careers. Its programs emphasize practical training, small classes, and close faculty support, which suits students who want a focused learning environment. Graduates enter a regional health care market with steady demand for nurses, and prospective students should confirm program accreditation and licensure pass rates before they enroll.

9. South College, Knoxville

South College’s School of Nursing in Knoxville offers nursing programs aimed at both new students and working professionals. Flexible class schedules, hands-on simulation, and clinical placements in East Tennessee hospitals and clinics help students build practical skills. Faculty bring real-world experience to the classroom, and the college’s focus on community health needs prepares graduates for roles in a wide range of care settings.

10. Cabarrus College of Health Sciences

Cabarrus College of Health Sciences is a small college dedicated to health professions and closely connected to the Atrium Health system near Charlotte. Students learn in small classes and gain clinical experience in local hospitals and clinics, which helps many graduates move directly into jobs in the region. The college’s tight focus on health care and its supportive campus culture make it a strong option for students who prefer a close-knit environment.

11. West Coast University, Texas

West Coast University’s Texas campus brings career-focused nursing education to one of the fastest-growing states in the country. Students train in simulation labs and clinical settings across large Texas health care systems, and flexible schedules help learners who work while studying. Texas’s large and growing population keeps demand for nurses high, giving graduates strong prospects in hospitals, clinics, and long-term care settings.

12. West Coast University, Ontario

This is West Coast University’s campus in Ontario, California, not the Canadian province of Ontario. The Inland Empire location provides students with access to hospitals and clinics that serve a large and diverse population in Southern California. Programs combine simulation labs with clinical rotations and flexible scheduling, and the region’s steady demand for nurses creates good job prospects. Canadian readers should note the difference when searching for programs.

13. Chamberlain University, Houston

Chamberlain’s Houston campus offers nursing training in a city home to the Texas Medical Center, one of the largest medical complexes in the world. Students complete simulation labs and clinical rotations across a wide range of settings, including pediatrics, mental health, and acute care. Strong student support services and flexible pathways help learners stay on track, and Houston’s large health care market gives graduates many job options.

14. Galen College of Nursing, Louisville

Galen College of Nursing is built around nursing and allied health education, and Louisville is the home of its headquarters. Students can pursue practical nursing, associate, and bachelor’s pathways, with simulation labs and clinical placements in local hospitals. Small class sizes and a supportive faculty help students prepare for licensure, and the college’s singular focus on nursing keeps its programs closely aligned with employer needs.

15. University of Texas at Tyler

The University of Texas at Tyler’s School of Nursing offers a range of programs, including options for working nurses seeking to complete a bachelor’s degree. East Texas is a region with strong demand for nurses, and students gain clinical experience in local hospitals and community settings. Simulation labs and small class sizes support learning, and the public university’s relatively affordable tuition is a plus for many students.

16. University of Texas at Arlington

The University of Texas at Arlington’s College of Nursing and Health Innovation is one of the largest nursing programs in the country, with a strong presence in online education. Students can choose from undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral pathways and complete clinical rotations across the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Its emphasis on innovation, flexible formats, and a large alumni network helps graduates move into hospitals, clinics, and leadership roles.

17. Nevada State University

Nevada State University, which became a university after starting as a state college, has built a strong reputation for preparing nurses for the Las Vegas area. Small classes, personal advising, and simulation labs support students, many of whom are the first in their families to attend college. Clinical placements across southern Nevada give graduates experience with a diverse patient population in a region that needs more nurses.

18. Emory University

Emory’s Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing is known for its focus on health equity, global health, and clinical excellence. Students gain experience across Emory Healthcare and Atlanta’s many hospitals, and the city’s role as home to the CDC adds opportunities in public health. Programs range from BSN to advanced practice and doctoral degrees, and strong faculty mentoring helps graduates advance into leadership and research. roles

19. AdventHealth University

AdventHealth University is a faith-based health sciences university closely tied to the AdventHealth hospital network in Central Florida. Nursing students train in simulation labs and complete clinical rotations in AdventHealth hospitals, which gives them an early view of working in a large health system. The university’s emphasis on whole-person care and service appeals to students who want a values-based approach, and Orlando’s growing health care market supports graduate employment.

20. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

The University of Michigan School of Nursing is a leader in research and nursing innovation, with strong ties to Michigan Medicine, one of the country’s best-known academic medical centers. Students complete clinical rotations in top-tier hospitals and can join faculty research in areas such as health policy and chronic disease. The school offers BSN, master’s, and doctoral pathways, and its large alumni network supports graduates in leadership and academic roles.

21. Molloy University

Molloy University’s Barbara H. Hagan School of Nursing offers a close-knit learning environment on Long Island. Students benefit from small classes, strong mentoring, and clinical placements in New York-area hospitals and health systems. The school offers programs ranging from undergraduate nursing to advanced practice tracks, and its location near New York City gives graduates access to one of the largest health care job markets in the country.

22. Mississippi University for Women

Mississippi University for Women began as a women’s college and now welcomes all students, with nursing among its best-known programs. Small classes and close faculty mentoring support students, and clinical experience in regional hospitals prepares them for the NCLEX-RN. The university’s affordable tuition and tradition of educating nurses make it a strong choice for students in the Southeast.

23. Galen College of Nursing, Tampa Bay

Galen College of Nursing’s Tampa Bay campus gives students access to one of Florida’s busiest health care regions. Programs focus on practical nursing skills, with simulation labs and clinical rotations in local hospitals, and small class sizes help students get individual feedback. The region’s large and growing population, including many retirees, keeps demand for nurses high and gives graduates strong job prospects.

24. Nebraska Methodist College

Nebraska Methodist College is closely tied to the Methodist Health System in Omaha, which gives students direct access to clinical placements and mentors in the hospital where many will begin their careers. The college offers nursing and allied health programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels, with small classes and personal support. Its focus on community wellness and compassionate care prepares graduates for a wide range of roles.

25. Sumner College

Sumner College is a private college in Portland focused on health care education, including nursing. Its programs emphasize hands-on training, small class sizes, and clinical placements at Portland-area hospitals and clinics. The Pacific Northwest has steady demand for nurses, and Sumner’s career-focused approach helps students move from the classroom to the workforce. Check accreditation and licensure pass rates before applying.

How to Choose a Nursing Program

A ranking is a starting point. Before you apply, check these points:

Accreditation: Confirm the program is accredited by CCNE or ACEN and approved by the state board of nursing.
NCLEX-RN pass rates: Ask for recent first-time pass rates and graduate employment rates.
Clinical placements: Look for strong hospital partnerships and a mix of settings, from acute care to community health.
Cost and format: Compare tuition, scheduling, and whether you need a campus, hybrid, or accelerated option.

Plan your budget early with our student aid calculator and college scholarships guide. Use the GPA calculator to see where you stand, read how university admission is getting harder, and explore our guide to the best colleges for internship and co-op programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best college for nursing in 2027?

Arizona College of Nursing in Tempe ranks at the top of this list, followed by Denver College of Nursing and Duke University.

How do you become a registered nurse?

Most registered nurses complete either an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), then pass the NCLEX-RN licensing exam and apply for a state license. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics page on registered nurses has current details on pay and job outlook.

Why does accreditation matter in nursing?

Accreditation indicates that a program meets national standards and can affect your eligibility for licensure, graduate study, and financial aid. Look for accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), and check NCLEX-RN pass rates.

Is West Coast University in Ontario in Canada?

No. The Ontario campus on this list is in Ontario, California, not the Canadian province of Ontario. Canadian students can apply to U.S. nursing schools as international applicants, but should check licensing requirements before enrolling.