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Best Nursing Programs 2026

Best nursing programs (BSN) ranked by graduate salary. Compare RN programs by cost, earnings, and value score at every school.

8 programs ranked
$62,224 avg salary
8 public schools
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RankProgramSchoolStateMedian SalaryAnnual CostValue ScoreBreak-Even
1Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingUniversity of Wisconsin-MadisonWI$65,921$16,928/yr94/1002.1 yr
2Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingThe University of Texas at AustinTX$65,164$19,857/yr93/1002.5 yr
3Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingUniversity of Michigan-Ann ArborMI$64,548$13,138/yr94/1001.7 yr
4Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingWayne State UniversityMI$63,013$14,773/yr88/1002 yr
5Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingOhio State University-Main CampusOH$61,744$17,339/yr92/1002.4 yr
6Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingUniversity of FloridaFL$60,614$6,541/yr92/1001 yr
7Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillNC$60,514$12,983/yr92/1001.9 yr
8Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingIndiana University-BloomingtonIN$56,274$16,264/yr88/1002.7 yr
1

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

94/100Public

University of Wisconsin-Madison · Madison, WI

$65,921 median salary$16,928/yr net cost2.1 yr break-even+120% vs. HS diploma
2

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

93/100Public

The University of Texas at Austin · Austin, TX

$65,164 median salary$19,857/yr net cost2.5 yr break-even+117% vs. HS diploma
3

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

94/100Public

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor · Ann Arbor, MI

$64,548 median salary$13,138/yr net cost1.7 yr break-even+115% vs. HS diploma
4

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

88/100Public

Wayne State University · Detroit, MI

$63,013 median salary$14,773/yr net cost2 yr break-even+110% vs. HS diploma
5

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

92/100Public

Ohio State University-Main Campus · Columbus, OH

$61,744 median salary$17,339/yr net cost2.4 yr break-even+106% vs. HS diploma
6

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

92/100Public

University of Florida · Gainesville, FL

$60,614 median salary$6,541/yr net cost1 yr break-even+102% vs. HS diploma
7

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

92/100Public

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill · Chapel Hill, NC

$60,514 median salary$12,983/yr net cost1.9 yr break-even+102% vs. HS diploma
8

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

88/100Public

Indiana University-Bloomington · Bloomington, IN

$56,274 median salary$16,264/yr net cost2.7 yr break-even+88% vs. HS diploma

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Compare SchoolsOverall Rankings

Rankings are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Programs are ranked by median earnings 1 year after completion. Data reflects bachelor's degree programs only.