Qualifying as a nurse in the United States is possible through multiple educational routes. One option is to start with an associate degree, which can help graduates qualify for entry-level staff nurse positions after licensure, although some employers may require a bachelor’s degree.
Other options include earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or, for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field, enrolling in a direct-entry master’s-level nursing program.
The top schools for nursing in the USA are highly ranked in different ways, including undergraduate programs, master’s programs, DNP programs, and global nursing subject rankings. They are generally selective and offer strong facilities, research opportunities, clinical training, and practical learning.
If you’re interested in pursuing a career as a nurse, here is a guide to some of the top nursing schools in the United States.
Top Schools Offering Nursing Programs in the U.S.
1. Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University is one of the top nursing schools in the United States. Johns Hopkins School of Nursing is highly ranked for graduate nursing education, including its DNP and master’s programs, and it is also recognized in global nursing subject rankings.
JHU School of Nursing traces its roots to the Johns Hopkins Hospital Training School for Nurses, which opened in October 1889. Today, the school is known for nursing education, research, practice, and service.
Admission to the school is competitive. International applicants whose native language is not English must generally submit TOEFL or IELTS scores, unless they qualify for a waiver. For School of Nursing applicants, the minimum TOEFL iBT score is 100, and the minimum IELTS band score is 7.
The Master of Science in Nursing program includes options such as the Entry into Nursing Program for students with a bachelor’s degree in another discipline, the MSN Healthcare Organizational Leadership program for nurses with a bachelor’s or entry-level master’s degree in nursing, and the MSN Healthcare Organizational Leadership/MBA dual degree. Doctoral options include DNP and Ph.D. pathways.
2. Duke University
Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke University is another top-ranked nursing school in the United States. Duke University School of Nursing currently lists academic programs including the Master of Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice, Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing, nursing specialties, and postgraduate certificates.
Duke’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is ending in Spring 2026 and is no longer admitting new students. Students interested in a pre-licensure pathway should review Duke’s Master of Nursing program, a direct-entry master’s program designed for people with a non-nursing academic background.
Duke focuses on educational excellence, clinical practice, health equity, nursing science, and leadership. Its programs are designed to prepare graduates for advanced nursing practice, leadership, and research roles.
Beyond the classroom and clinical practice environment, students can benefit from Duke’s simulation-based learning, clinical partnerships, and research in innovative nurse-led models of care.
3. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Nursing offers a full range of nursing programs, allowing students to take their first steps toward a nursing career or return to education after acquiring relevant experience.
Carolina Nursing has strong national rankings. Its undergraduate program is tied for first among public universities and fourth overall in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report rankings. Its MSN and DNP programs are also ranked nationally.
The School of Nursing is also dedicated to research. The UNC Biobehavioral Lab supports biomarker discovery and uses non-invasive portable instruments and wearables to monitor physiological parameters such as electrical brain activity, cardiac output, oxygenation, physical activity and sleep, body composition, and heart rate responses.
4. University of Pennsylvania
Penn Nursing is located in Philadelphia and forms part of the University of Pennsylvania. It offers undergraduate programs, master’s programs, certificates, DNP programs, and Ph.D. opportunities for further study.
Prospective nurses can study for a BSN as a first bachelor’s degree. Students who already have a bachelor’s degree in another field can apply to the Master of Professional Nursing, a four-semester, full-time, in-person, entry-to-practice master’s program that prepares graduates for RN licensure eligibility.
Penn Nursing also offers 10 MSN specialty areas, dual degrees, and doctoral programs. In the 2026 QS World University Rankings by Subject for Nursing, the University of Pennsylvania ranked No. 1 in the world for nursing.
Students interested in both nursing and business can also consider the Nursing and Healthcare Management coordinated dual degree, offered through Penn Nursing and The Wharton School. This five-year program leads to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Bachelor of Science in Economics with a concentration in Health Care Management and Policy.
5. Emory University
Emory University‘s School of Nursing was renamed in 1967 to honor Nell Hodgson Woodruff, wife of Coca-Cola leader Robert W. Woodruff, for her lifelong support of the nursing profession.
This top nursing school in the USA is based in Atlanta, Georgia. Emory’s Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing is ranked No. 1 for graduate nursing programs, No. 2 for undergraduate nursing programs, and No. 2 for DNP programs in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report rankings.
The traditional BSN program is designed for students pursuing nursing as their first bachelor’s degree. Emory College and Oxford College students complete the first two years of general education prerequisites, followed by four semesters of full-time nursing study.
Emory also offers a Master of Nursing program for students with bachelor’s degrees in other disciplines. The MN program can be completed in 15 months, and the MN Pathway option allows students to continue into either an MSN or DNP program, depending on the chosen specialty.
Finally, Emory offers a range of research and specialization options through its programs, clinical experiences, and research centers.
A nursing job is a challenging yet rewarding profession that can allow students to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. Enrolling in one of the best nursing schools in the USA can help international students gain access to strong medical facilities and meaningful clinical experience, which can help them build a fulfilling career in nursing.
We hope that this article on the best nursing schools in the United States was helpful. If you are interested in more information like this, check out our Study in the USA Page and the Available Courses for International Students!
