How We Rank Online Nursing Programs
We assess schools based on academic quality, affordability, and program offerings.
At NurseJournal.org, we create our rankings using a student-centered methodology. Our approach assesses each school’s overall merit, incorporating the most recent data from trusted sources into our formula to rank the top nursing programs.
We built our methodology around the metrics that we believe matter most to students: academic quality, affordability, reputation, and program offerings. We weigh these factors and divide them into subfactors to rank programs.
While we feature sponsored schools on our ranking pages, we rank only the top schools according to our methodology. Schools cannot pay to be on our list or to receive a higher ranking.
For a transparent look into our rankings process, you can find information on our data sources, exclusion criteria, and the formulas we use below. We hope that as a prospective student, you find our ranked lists helpful as you research and compare potential nursing programs.
About the Data We Use
We use the most current datasets from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and College Navigator, both published by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). As part of the U.S. Department of Education’s (ED) Institute of Education Sciences, the NCES collects and analyzes education data in the United States, including American colleges and universities.
We also leverage data from Peterson’s, which maintains comprehensive undergraduate and graduate-level databases that are continually updated throughout the year.
When incorporating data into our ranking methodology, our quality assurance team carefully assesses each school and excludes those missing a significant amount of data. This ensures that our calculations reflect the most accurate and complete data available.
Our team updates our rankings based on newly released data. We pulled the most current data in October 2024 to create our 2025 ranked lists.
When applicable, our independent third-party panel of experts reviews page content — excluding school descriptions — for accuracy.
Exclusion Criteria
We omit schools that do not meet certain minimum requirements for our rankings lists and those that do not provide sufficient data. For example, if a school does not provide data about cost and affordability, that school is automatically excluded from our affordability-focused rankings. We do this to ensure that we highlight schools that are transparent about their data and to establish an initial threshold when it comes to school and program quality.
Because we also strive to support diversity, equity, and inclusion for all students, beginning in 2024, we automatically exclude schools that support or promote anti-LGBTQ+ policies, groups, practices, and/or initiatives from new college rankings.
Schools are ineligible for our database if they:
- Have a graduation rate of less than 10%
- Have a retention rate of less than 10%
- Have a four-year completion rate for low-income students of less than 10%
- Do not provide any of the above data to IPEDS or Peterson’s
- Do not meet our inclusion criteria for LGTBQ+-friendly campuses
Schools are ineligible for our Affordable lists if they:
- Do not provide data specifying the average net price after aid
Lastly, schools are ineligible from earning the number one spot on our lists if they do not provide the complete set of data points outlined in our methodology.
A Breakdown of Our Rankings Methodology
General Rankings
40%
Academic Quality
25%
Affordability
20%
Reputation
15%
Program Offerings
Affordability Rankings
25%
Academic Quality
45%
Affordability
20%
Reputation
10%
Program Offerings
About Our Ranking Factors
Our team selects the factors and subfactors for school rankings that we believe are most relevant to students. This student-centered methodology emphasizes academic quality, affordability, reputation, and versatile program offerings. We divide these factors into subfactors and incorporate this data into our weighted calculation.
We believe prospective students should understand the factors we use and their importance. This section provides a detailed overview of the subfactors that make up our rankings formulas, including data like graduation rate, net price, and financial aid offerings.
Subfactors for Academic Quality
Graduation Rate
A program’s graduation rate measures the number of enrolled students who complete their degree within the expected timeframe. A high graduation rate often indicates strong student satisfaction and support, while a low graduation rate correlates with a high dropout rate or a poorly designed program. Data on graduation rates can also indicate programs that provide high-quality resources for students, including academic advising and mentoring.
Retention Rate
A program’s retention rate provides additional information on academic quality, particularly when paired with its graduation rate. This rate measures the percentage of currently enrolled students who remain enrolled in the program. Similar to a high graduation rate, a high retention rate can demonstrate strong student satisfaction. High retention rates can also correlate with effective student support services, indicating that students receive help overcoming academic challenges.
Student-to-Faculty Ratio
A school’s student-to-faculty ratio measures the number of students in relation to the number of faculty members. A lower student-to-faculty ratio can indicate that students receive more one-on-one learning opportunities and personalized attention from faculty members. The ratio also correlates with faculty quality and qualifications. Schools with a low student-to-faculty ratio invest in hiring enough faculty members to support their student populations.
Subfactors for Affordability
Average Net Price for Students Awarded Financial Aid
This figure indicates what learners pay for their education, minus any scholarships and grants. Few students pay full tuition, with most receiving some type of financial aid. This measurement heavily weighs in our methodology as it determines a college’s affordability and the amount of financial aid students can get.
Loan Default Rate
A program’s loan default rate measures how many students could repay their loans after completing the program. A high loan default rate indicates that many graduates could not repay their loans, which often points to a lack of employment opportunities. A low loan default rate can demonstrate strong job prospects after graduation. Our methodology factors in the loan default rate as a measure of a degree’s affordability and its ability to prepare graduates for the workforce.
Average in Student Loans Awarded to Undergraduate Student
Colleges that feature a high average of student loans awarded to undergraduates also have graduates with large debt loads. A low average shows students’ ability to pay out of pocket for tuition. Loans include any financial aid distributed to the students, aside from Direct PLUS loans.
Average Grant and Scholarship Aid Awarded
Grants and scholarships from federal, state, and private funds help students pay for their education. This figure indicates how much “free” financial aid students receive. Colleges that offer larger grant and scholarship aid packages provide greater affordability and accessibility to nursing students.
Median Debt for Student
This data point indicates the middle figure of what graduates owe. Sometimes, nursing students may take on more loans when they delay their graduation by attending part time, raising the median debt rate. A program that offers greater affordability has a lower rate.
Subfactors for Reputation
Admission Rate
A school’s admission rate indicates the percentage of applicants admitted to a program. Selective schools with more rigorous admissions processes feature lower admission rates. Indiscriminate schools have high admissions rates. This factor weighs heavily in our rankings since a program’s reputation affects a graduate’s future earnings.
Enrollment Rate
This number reflects how many students enroll at a school. The college enrollment rate does not reflect how many students graduate or drop out. Enrollment rates demonstrate the school’s reputation and indicate overall trends across the nation. This rate does not affect outcomes, such as a graduate’s earnings.
Average Earnings of Students Working
This average plays a significant role in our methodology, indicating which schools have more financially successful students. A higher average income means that graduates earned more annually within six years after they enrolled in college. Schools with better networking resources and career services often produce graduates with higher earnings.
Subfactors for Program Offerings
Number of Programs Offered
This factor considers the overall number of programs offered by a school. A high number of programs reflects the institution’s commitment to nursing education. In general, a nursing school with a high number of programs better suits learners, who receive greater access to academic services, academic advisors, and faculty members. Diverse program options can also benefit nursing students who are considering specializations or related degrees.
Percent of Students Enrolled in Online [Degree Level] Programs*
This percentage indicates how many students participate in online programs at specific degree levels, including associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs. This data point is different for each ranking depending on the degree level we’re ranking.
Overall Online Enrollment*
The overall online enrollment number indicates how many students enroll in any online learning program, including hybrid degrees and single online classes. A school that offers more online programs is likely to have robust support for online learners.
*This metric is excluded from on-campus rankings calculations.