The Top 50 Schools for Registered Nurses By State

Between the aging population and healthcare professionals still rebounding from COVID-19 exhaustion, the demand for nurses continues to rise. If you are considering a nursing career, choosing from so many nursing program options can be intimidating.

The following list highlights some of the best nursing programs across the country. Learn more about the top 50 schools for registered nurses (RNs) by state, application requirements, and how these programs work.

We use a data-driven methodology to identify the best schools for RNs in each state, making it easier for you to find a program that works for you. Our methodology is based on metrics that we believe matter most to students, including academic quality, affordability, reputation, and program offerings.

Learn more about the key factors to consider when choosing a program, or go straight to our full ranking of the best registered nursing programs in each state.

Bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) programs prepare students to become successful RNs. The four-year program comprises general education coursework, nursing classes, and clinical experiences. Most general education requirements are completed in the first year, with years 2-4 focusing primarily on nursing.

On average, BSN programs require students to complete 120-130 credits and 700-800 clinical hours. During clinical experiences, students take the information they learn in their nursing courses and apply it through hands-on experiences in patient-care settings and labs alongside licensed nurses.

After finishing their coursework and clinical requirements, learners can sit for the NCLEX-RN. Students must pass this exam to apply for their RN license and officially start working in the nursing field.

Before applying to a BSN program, review the admission criteria to ensure you meet the conditions for acceptance.

While specific requirements may vary by school, most programs look for applicants to provide certain materials and satisfy similar academic prerequisites.

Attending an accredited RN program provides benefits not only to you as a nurse but also to your future patients and employer. Graduates of accredited programs are more attractive to employers because of the program’s quality and the assurance that graduates can provide the best care to their patients.

Provided only by nationally recognized organizations, such as the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, accreditation demonstrates that the school successfully prepares nurses for safe practice.

Attending a non-accredited program may cause students to be ineligible for federal financial aid, unable to transfer their credits to an accredited school, or incapable of pursuing graduate education.

Associate degrees in nursing (ADN) and BSNs both prepare nurses to become licensed RNs. However, because they receive two additional years of education, RNs with a bachelor’s degree can access more job opportunities and a higher earning potential.

According to Payscale data from 2023, RNs with an ADN earn an average salary of $74,000, while those with a BSN earn $91,000 annually.

The time it takes to become an RN varies by program. Earning an associate degree takes two when enrolled as a full-time student, whereas a bachelor’s program takes four years to complete.

U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics data from 2021 shows that RNs earn the most in California ($124,000), Hawaii ($106,530), Oregon ($98,630), Washington, D.C. ($98,450), and Alaska ($97,230). The lowest-paying states include Arkansas ($65,810), Iowa ($64,990), Mississippi ($63,130), Alabama ($61,920), and South Dakota ($60,540).

Yes, you can become an RN online with little to no campus visits. Online nursing programs have become quite popular, attracting students because of their flexibility and lower cost.

Courses in an online program are offered synchronously (real time), asynchronously (student’s own time), or a combination of the two. However, you must complete clinical experiences as an online nursing student in person. Many learners can complete these requirements in their home community.