Top Nursing Schools In The US for 2025

By Christopher Smith Jun 28, 2025

If you want a career where you can combine science, problem-solving, and a real desire to help people, then nursing might be the perfect path for you. Nurses are the heart of healthcare. They are the ones who are there for patients during their most difficult moments, offering comfort, care, and life-saving expertise.

It’s a challenging and rewarding career that is more in demand than ever. But your journey begins with a great education. Getting into a top nursing school can be competitive, but with the right preparation, you can set yourself up for success.

This guide will walk you through some of the best nursing schools in the United States for 2025. We’ll explain what makes a nursing program great and give you simple, practical tips to help you create an application that shines.

How to Choose the Right Nursing School for You

A school's ranking is a good place to start, but the "best" school is really the one that’s the best fit for your goals. Here are a few important things to look for when you are researching nursing programs.

High NCLEX Pass Rate: This is a big one! The NCLEX is the national licensing exam that every nursing graduate must pass to become a Registered Nurse (RN). A high first-time pass rate (over 90%) is a strong sign that the school prepares its students very well.
Great Clinical Rotations: Nursing is a hands-on job. The best schools have partnerships with excellent hospitals and clinics, giving you a chance to get real-world experience in many different areas, like pediatrics, surgery, and emergency care.
The Right Program Type: The most common path to becoming a Registered Nurse is by earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). This four-year degree gives you the strongest foundation and opens up the most career opportunities.
Amazing Facilities: Look for schools that have modern simulation labs. These labs have high-tech mannequins that can breathe, talk, and even bleed, allowing you to practice your nursing skills in a safe environment before you work with real patients.

Top Nursing Schools in the U.S. for 2025

The following universities are consistently ranked at the very top for their nursing programs, especially their BSN programs. They are known for their expert faculty, strong research, and for producing leaders in the nursing field.

(Note: This list is based on the most recent data from reputable sources like U.S. News & World Report. Remember to also look at schools in your home state to take advantage of in-state tuition!)

1. Johns Hopkins University

Location: Baltimore, Maryland
What It's Famous For: Often ranked as the #1 nursing school in the nation, Johns Hopkins is a global leader in healthcare. Its nursing program is known for its heavy focus on research, community health, and training future leaders.
A Key Feature: Students get to learn and train at the world-famous Johns Hopkins Hospital, giving them an incredible real-world classroom.

2. University of Pennsylvania

Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
What It's Famous For: As an Ivy League school, Penn Nursing offers a world-class education. It is known for its top-tier faculty and for integrating cutting-edge research into its undergraduate programs.
A Key Feature: Penn offers unique opportunities for students to pursue minors in other fields or even study abroad, creating a well-rounded education.

3. Duke University

Location: Durham, North Carolina
What It's Famous For: Duke’s nursing school is part of a world-class medical center, providing amazing clinical experiences. It is known for its strong focus on evidence-based practice, meaning students learn to use the latest research to provide the best possible patient care.
A Key Feature: Duke has a state-of-the-art simulation lab that is designed to look and feel exactly like a real hospital floor.

4. Emory University

Location: Atlanta, Georgia
What It's Famous For: Emory is located in a major healthcare hub and has strong partnerships with top hospitals, including the CDC. It offers students a wide variety of clinical experiences with diverse populations.
A Key Feature: Emory is dedicated to service learning, offering programs where students can provide care in underserved communities both locally and around the world.

5. Columbia University

Location: New York, New York
What It's Famous For: Located in New York City, Columbia offers an exciting, fast-paced environment. It is a leader in training nurse practitioners and other advanced nursing roles and is known for its excellence in research.
A Key Feature: Its location provides students with clinical rotation opportunities at some of the best hospitals in the country.

6. University of Washington

Location: Seattle, Washington
What It's Famous For: The University of Washington is a top public university with a very strong nursing program. It’s known for its commitment to social justice and improving health for all people.
A Key Feature: The school has a very strong sense of community and focuses on training nurses to work together in teams.

7. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Location: Chapel Hill, North Carolina
What It's Famous For: UNC is consistently ranked as one of the best public nursing schools. It has a great reputation for both undergraduate education and for its top-ranked graduate programs.
A Key Feature: UNC is a leader in using technology in nursing education and has fantastic simulation facilities.

8. University of Michigan—Ann Arbor

Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
What It's Famous For: The University of Michigan is a major research university with a highly respected nursing school. It offers a great balance of strong academics and hands-on clinical practice.
A Key Feature: Michigan offers many opportunities for students to get involved in faculty research projects, even as undergraduates.

9. New York University (NYU)

Location: New York, New York
What It's Famous For: NYU’s Rory Meyers College of Nursing is known for its global focus. It prepares students to be leaders in healthcare not just in the U.S., but around the world.
A Key Feature: Students have access to a huge network of clinical sites throughout New York City, giving them a very rich learning experience.

10. University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

Location: Los Angeles, California
What It's Famous For: UCLA is a top public university known for its excellence in both clinical practice and research. The school is dedicated to training nurses who can address the health needs of diverse communities.
A Key Feature: UCLA Medical Center, where students train, is consistently ranked as one of the best hospitals in the country.

Your Path to Getting Accepted: Admission Tips

Getting into a top nursing program is competitive. Here’s what you need to focus on to build a strong application.

1. Focus on Your Science and Math Grades Nursing is a science-heavy field. Admissions committees will look closely at your grades in high school classes like Biology, Chemistry, and Math. A strong GPA shows you can handle the tough coursework.

2. Get Hands-On Healthcare Experience This is a very important step. Schools want to see that you know what you’re getting into and that you have a heart for service.

Become a CNA: Working as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) is one of the best ways to get experience. You'll help patients with their daily needs and learn what it's really like to work in healthcare.
Volunteer: Volunteering at a hospital, nursing home, or community clinic shows your commitment.
Shadow a Nurse: Ask a nurse if you can follow them for a day to see their job up close.

3. Write a Passionate Application Essay Your essay is where you get to tell your story. Don’t just say, “I want to help people.” Tell a story about a specific experience that made you want to become a nurse. What have you learned from your volunteer work? What kind of nurse do you hope to be? For help, check out this guide on how to write a perfect college admission essay.

4. Highlight Your "Soft Skills" Being a great nurse is about more than just science. It’s about who you are as a person. Admissions committees look for students who show:

Empathy: Can you understand what your patients are feeling?
Communication: Can you listen well and explain things clearly?
Teamwork: Can you work well with others?
Resilience: Can you handle stressful situations? Thinking about how you’ve shown these skills is a form of the importance of critical thinking in assignment writing, and it will make your application much stronger.

Your Journey to a Rewarding Career

Choosing a nursing school is the first big step on an incredible journey. The schools on this list are some of the best in the world, but remember that a great nurse can come from any quality program.

Focus on finding a school that feels like the right fit for you—a place that will support you, challenge you, and give you the hands-on training you need to become a confident and compassionate nurse. Your future patients are waiting for you!