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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.

10 programs ranked
$66,561 avg salary
6 public schools
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RankProgramSchoolStateMedian SalaryAnnual CostValue ScoreBreak-Even
1Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingUniversity of California-Los AngelesCA$88,168$12,548/yr99/1001 yr
2Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingGeorgetown UniversityDC$77,671$40,815/yr94/1003.5 yr
3Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingBoston CollegeMA$70,146$41,704/yr85/1004.3 yr
4Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingGeorge Washington UniversityDC$68,769$37,454/yr88/1004.1 yr
5Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingEmory UniversityGA$64,577$23,911/yr93/1003 yr
6Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingUniversity of ArizonaAZ$63,757$15,960/yr90/1002.1 yr
7Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingUniversity of FloridaFL$60,614$6,351/yr92/1001 yr
8Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingThe University of AlabamaAL$58,043$22,150/yr86/1003.5 yr
9Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingFlorida State UniversityFL$57,588$10,997/yr90/1001.8 yr
10Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingIndiana University-BloomingtonIN$56,274$15,342/yr88/1002.6 yr
1

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

99/100Public

University of California-Los Angeles · Los Angeles, CA

$88,168 median salary$12,548/yr net cost1 yr break-even+194% vs. HS diploma
2

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

94/100

Georgetown University · Washington, DC

$77,671 median salary$40,815/yr net cost3.5 yr break-even+159% vs. HS diploma
3

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

85/100

Boston College · Chestnut Hill, MA

$70,146 median salary$41,704/yr net cost4.3 yr break-even+134% vs. HS diploma
4

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

88/100

George Washington University · Washington, DC

$68,769 median salary$37,454/yr net cost4.1 yr break-even+129% vs. HS diploma
5

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

93/100

Emory University · Atlanta, GA

$64,577 median salary$23,911/yr net cost3 yr break-even+115% vs. HS diploma
6

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

90/100Public

University of Arizona · Tucson, AZ

$63,757 median salary$15,960/yr net cost2.1 yr break-even+113% vs. HS diploma
7

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

92/100Public

University of Florida · Gainesville, FL

$60,614 median salary$6,351/yr net cost1 yr break-even+102% vs. HS diploma
8

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

86/100Public

The University of Alabama · Tuscaloosa, AL

$58,043 median salary$22,150/yr net cost3.5 yr break-even+93% vs. HS diploma
9

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

90/100Public

Florida State University · Tallahassee, FL

$57,588 median salary$10,997/yr net cost1.8 yr break-even+92% vs. HS diploma
10

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

88/100Public

Indiana University-Bloomington · Bloomington, IN

$56,274 median salary$15,342/yr net cost2.6 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.