Best Nursing Schools
How are the Top Nursing Programs Chosen?
Cappex determines “Best Colleges” based on publicly-available information from the US Department of Education. Several factors include, but are not limited to, data about admitted students’ academic calibers, students’ expected career outcomes after graduation, and colleges’ investments toward making their institution accessible to all students.
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Founded in 1740 by Benjamin Franklin, the University of Pennsylvania is a private Ivy League institution in Philadelphia. UPenn hosts 12 schools conferring undergraduate degrees in over 90 academic fields of study. Additionally, UPenn’s Gothic-style...
I think it's the perfect school for me.
” – Katherine from Murrieta, CA
Vanderbilt University was founded in 1873 as a private research university in Nashville, Tennessee. Academically, the university focuses on an interdisciplinary approach, encouraging students to take courses from any of the 143 areas of study. The...
Vanderbilt is often confused with one of them Ivy League schools up in Connecticut or wherever, but with good reason. If you choose to attend the prestigious Vanderbilt University then you will receive a very fine education from professors who want...
” – K from Atlanta, GA
Johns Hopkins University is a private institution in Baltimore and the first research university in the United States. Hopkins confers degrees and certificates in over 260 academic programs. Additionally, Hopkins is home to the Hopkins Applied...
All of the classes are full of material and even the intro classes go above and beyond what one would have learned in high school, and even in an AP class.
” – Alyssa from Grand Blanc, MI
Georgetown University, founded in 1789, is the oldest Catholic university in the US. Rated as having a “most selective” admissions process, this school ranks #20 in National Universities according to U.S. News & World Report. International Relations...
This really depends on the individual and what kind of learning you feel is most valuable.
Academically speaking, obviously if you choose to slack off and focus on socializing, you might not do so hot even if your classes are awesome. For the most...
The University of Southern California is a high-research institution located in Los Angeles, California, where it’s been educating students since 1880. The university is comprised of two campuses, the main University Park and the Health Sciences...
University of Southern California is among the top universities in the country, and keeps getting better. The professors at the university are all at the top of their fields, and the extensive alumni list proves that the connections that you make...
” – Thomas from Houston, TX
Emory University is a liberal arts institution located in Atlanta, Georgia, with a second campus in Oxford. The 600-acre campus in the Druid Hills neighborhood is home to four undergraduate and seven graduate colleges, as well as over a dozen...
At Emory university every class is a challenge that you can handle if you apply yourself properly. You can not assume that whatever you did in high school will work here as well, but if you are accepted you should feel confident that you can handle...
” – Sophia from PA
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is an institution in the UNC system and the first public university to confer degrees. A member of the Association of American Universities, UNC Chapel Hill is considered a Public Ivy and houses a...
Although some of the classes are large, students have the opportunity for some one on one time with professors and teaching assistants through office hours and smaller versions of lectures called recitations. So no matter the class size, you are...
” – Alexia from Apex, NC
Founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1819, the University of Virginia is a public institution in Charlottesville. UVA encompasses 12 colleges and schools conferring undergraduate degrees in over 70 fields of study. For artistically-inclined students, UVA...
The great thing about UVA is that it is a public research university - meaning its resources attract the big names in most fields of study. This is great for you, the student, because you get to learn under such academics as Rita Dove and Larry...
” – Jessica from Chester, VA
Boston College is a 4-year Jesuit Catholic University and the first institution of higher learning founded in the city of Boston. BC is home to eight schools and colleges conferring degrees in over 50 fields of study. As a Catholic university, Boston...
BC lives up to its Jesuit ideal in offering a well rounded, liberal arts experience. Small class sizes and engaging professors are essential parts of all classes. BC accepts a great deal of AP and SAT II credits, exempt students from less interesting...
” – Andrea from Lake Forest, CA
The University of California in Los Angeles, better known as UCLA, is one of 10 campuses in the UC system. With 109 academic departments and more than 125 majors offered, as well as an average of one billion dollars funded for research every year and...
The amount of knowledge you will gain during your first year at UCLA will be more valuable than any previous experiences. First, there is the academic aspect. Essentially, the material being taught in college is the same for any school, so self...
” – Joanna from Carson City, NV
Founded in 1817, University of Michigan in Ann Arbor is the state’s oldest university. U of M has very high research activity and is a often referred to as a Public Ivy. The university at Ann Arbor offers upwards of 260 degrees for undergraduates...
The classes here are pretty intense. I'm a student in the college of Engineering, where group work is an important part of most classes. Most of the core classes like calculus, physics, and chemistry are very large classes, but they all have smaller...
” – Elizabeth from Rochester Hills, MI
A private research institution located in Boston, Northeastern University was founded in 1898. Northeastern is home to nine colleges and schools conferring undergraduate degrees in over 90 academic majors. Additionally, the university operates a...
I'm learning so much from Northeastern. I'm currently a psychology major and a music industry minor. I absolutely love it here because there is so many diverse majors and minors that I can do. One of the greatest things here is that I can always see...
” – Xiangling from Staten Island`, NY
Yale University is a large research institution chartered in 1701, making it the third-oldest institution of higher education in the US. On top of the numerous academic undergrad degrees at Yale College, students also have access to Multidisciplinary...
It is hard to limit yourself to only 4 or 5 courses with all that Yale has to offer. It isn't unheard of for very ambitious students to pile on 6 or even 7 at a time! Many classes will push you hard to master the material, but there are always a...
” – Yale '12
Founded in 1834, Wake Forest University is a 4-year private university with a liberal arts curriculum located in Winston-Salem. Wake Forest confers undergraduate degrees in over 40 academic majors and 60 minors and it does not require students to...
Wake is not only a tough school to get into; it is also tough once you get there. Students jokingly call it Work Forest for a reason. Do not be deterred by warnings of tough classes, a degree from Wake means something, and ultimately Wake alumni...
” – Landon from Sanford, NC
Founded in 1754, Columbia University is a private research university located in the Upper West Side of Manhattan. The urban Ivy League campus houses 17 libraries and 20 schools, which offer upwards of 350 majors, as well as the Cathedral of St. John...
The amount of learning that takes place in one semester at Columbia is truly amazing. I have learned more in such a short period of time than I would have ever thought possible. As much as we may all complain about how extensive the Core Curriculum...
” – Nina from Baldwin, NY
Duke University is a selective, private research university that calls Durham, NC, home. Founded originally as Trinity College in 1838, it was renamed by tobacco tycoon James Buchanan Duke in 1924 and became the “Gothic Wonderland” campus it is today...
In high school, I found that I could ace any class with a study cram the night before any test. By doing this, I never truly learned anything. Sure, I remembered enough for the tests and exams, but if someone were to quiz me a week later, I would...
” – Sophomore from Florida
The University of Rochester is private, research university highly ranked in the National Universities list by U.S. News & World Report. It operates under the mission "Learn, Discover, Heal, Create—and Make the World Ever Better" and students can...
The curriculum at the University of Rochester is what really makes it special. There are no general education requirements. The only required course for all majors is a writing class, which is offered in many subject areas to allow you to explore a...
” – Eloise from Rochester, NY
Founded by the merger of Western Reserve University and Case School of Applied Science, Case Western Reserve University is a 4-year private research institution in Cleveland. Case Western features nine schools conferring bachelor’s degrees in 95...
The classes are very challenging and you definitely have to earn your grade, but when you look back at all you've learned, its worth it!
” – Meaghan from Harrah, OK
Founded in 1842 by the friars of the Order of Saint Augustine, Villanova University is a 4-year research institution in the Philadelphia area and the oldest Catholic school in Pennsylvania. Villanova is home to six colleges and schools conferring...
The class experiences are definitely rewarding if you put the time and effort into the course material. Those who stay reasonably caught up with assigned readings and homework will get a lot out of the courses and will find they learn much more than...
” – David from Williamstown, NJ
One of the few land-, space-, and sea-grant institutions in the US, the University of Florida is a public research university founded in 1853. It is the eighth largest single-campus university in the United States. U.S. News & World Report have...
This is the best school in the state hands down, and is also a powerful name amongst all colleges in the nation, both private and public.
” – Jerry from San Antonio, FL
The University of California in Irvine was founded in 1965 in the town and state of the same name, and is the youngest member of the Association of American Universities. This high-research institution offers 92 majors and 86 minors and the campus is...
Being that I have only been at UCI for one year so far, I feel that I am really learning a lot from my professors and from the students that I have surrounded myself with. No matter where you are at, it is the people you are around that you can...
” – Emi from Temecula, CA
Founded in 1925, the University of Miami is a private research institution in south Florida. The U encompasses 11 colleges and schools conferring undergraduate degrees in over 180 fields of study. Away from the classroom, the Miami campus is home to...
The Cool thing about UM is the diversity of the school and the city of Miami. I've met people from every corner of the country and the world and that's the best part about college, of course learning in class but also learning from those who are not...
” – Jude from Miami, FL
New York University, more commonly referred to as NYU, is a private university with campuses and academic centers all over the world, including Abu Dhabi, Shanghai, Africa, and Europe. As one of the largest private universities in the US, it’s...
The learning portion is inevitable, isn’t it? NYU has various schools underneath its purple umbrella – College of Arts and Science, Tisch School of the Arts, Stern School of Business, Steinhardt School of Culture/Education/Human Development, College...
” – Lana from Tenafly, NJ
Florida State University is the oldest institution of Higher Education in Florida. Located on 1,633 acres of land in Tallahassee, FSU is a space- and sea-grant research university offering more than 300 degree programs. The campus is home to the only...
There are many different programs at FSU so you will be surrounded with experienced and helpful faculty. The university is strong in the liberal arts and hard sciences, but they also have a number of other outstanding programs including criminology...
” – Alesha from Shalimar, FL
St. Olaf College is a 4-year institution founded in 1874 by Norwegian Lutheran Immigrants. Today, St. Olaf maintains its affiliation with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America on its 300-acre campus in Northfield, Minnesota, often called “The...
Of course in the classroom I feel that I am learning from some of the brightest professors I will meet, but I am also learning a lot about myself through classes I take, interactions with others on campus, volunteer and abroad opportunities, and...
” – Kelsey from Portland, OR
The University of California in Davis is a public institution in northern California and one of the largest universities by enrollment in the UC System. UC Davis is home to four colleges conferring undergraduate degrees and six professional schools...
If your looking for a great learning experience, there is something important that you have to know, it all depends on YOU. So if you are, the advice I would give you and stuff you've probably already heard is to get to know your professor, research...
” – Vianey from rancho cucamonga, CA
George Washington University is a private university maintains three campuses, with the main campus located in Washington, D.C., just four blocks from the White House. George Washington University offers 75 undergraduate majors and 69% of students...
This is my first semester and I'm taking six classes and I've definitely learned a lot. First thing I learned is not to take six classes, especially not your first semester. It's a big load, but I'm handling it well and I love my classes. I'm in...
” – Arianna from Brookline, MA
With campus a short distance from Lake Taneycomo, the College of the Ozarks is an evangelical Christian liberal arts college in southwest Missouri. College of the Ozarks grants undergrad degrees in 28 academic majors and all courses feature a Christ...
I know I will learn a lot here because you have most of the the things I want to partake in.
” – Natalie from virginia, IL
Howard University is an HBCU comprised of 13 schools and colleges located two miles from the US Capitol. Nationally-ranked programs at HU include social work, business, and communication sciences and disorders. Howard has three honors programs for...
I have learned more in the past year at Howard than I can honestly put into words. I have learned so much about Architecture my first year that I can confidently draft floor plans and elevations of a structure, and make a decent model of it, whereas...
” – Devon from Arlington, VA
Binghamton University is a 4-year research institution located on a 930-acre campus in New York state and is ranked #32 in Top Public Schools by US News & World Report. The university’s six schools offer 130 academic programs that provide research...
The professors here are great! If you need help they are there for you. Often times students don't go to them so they really do want you to come to them or else they won't have anything to do during office hours.
” – Wendy from Brooklyn, NY
A Public Ivy and space-grant institution, the University of Texas at Austin is one of nine academic universities in the UT system, and also the first. Founded in 1883 and home to 18 schools and colleges, it is one of the largest schools in the US but...
I know you are hearing all about how big UT is and how big the classes are and how big campus is. All this might be a little intimidating and even scary for you! But no worries! There will certainly be one or two classes that you will have that are...
” – Lila from Houston, TX
California State University-Long Beach is a public institution and the most applied-to campus in the 23 campus CSU system. The university is home to eight schools, with a majority of students attending the College of Business and the College of...
I had a great orientation group my freshman year which taught me all the ins and outs of this place. The teachers here seem to have a real passion for their subject area. They're always available during their office hours and attempt to make their...
” – K. Lamb from Huntington Beach, CA
From its main campus located atop a hilltop in Wisconsin’s state capital, the University of Wisconsin-Madison is a 4-year public institution and the flagship campus of the UW system. Founded in 1848 at the same time that Wisconsin achieved statehood...
I have learned so much since I began my schooling at University of Wisconsin-Madison. There is such a variety of classes to choose from which makes it easy for you to find classes that you are interested in. The professors here challenge you to think...
” – Hannah from Andover, MN
The University of Washington is a selective institution located in Seattle, WA, with two satellite campuses in Bothell and Tacoma. At this Public Ivy, sustainability is a major focus and the school has made The Princeton Review Green College Honor...
If you can get past the large number of students in your lower-level classes, learning will not be a problem. Professors, TAs and study centers are generally very kind and willing to help you out. If you seek help, you will get it.
” – Madeline from Seattle, WA
San Diego State University is a public research institution located in San Diego, California. What began as an all-female college for elementary school teachers now consists of 8 colleges that offer 95 undergraduate programs plus a variety of...
I have definitely learned new information and facts I did not know prior to attending SDSU. All professors are unique with their own way of helping students learn the material. Professor's office hours are so helpful and fitting to your schedule, and...
” – Lizette from Planada, CA
Originally founded as a land-grant university in 1870, Ohio State University is a public institution in Columbus and the third-largest campus in the nation. OSU confers bachelor’s degrees in over 200 academic fields of study. In addition to classroom...
You won't believe the opportunities you have here at Ohio State. There are over 160 academic programs available. I enrolled with an undeclared major, but wasn't nervous about it because ultimately whatever you go into you will be successful. The...
” – David from Perrysburg, OH
Founded in 1894, The University of Tulsa is a 4-year private research institution in northeast Oklahoma. Tulsa is home to six colleges conferring degrees in 67 academic majors and its campus is noteworthy for its Collegiate Gothic buildings. A...
I love the University of Tulsa's curriculum. All students have to take certain classes, and it helps to break up your classes that are all focused on your major. Also, all liberal arts majors are required to have a minor (and science majors are...
” – Faith from Tulsa, OK
Founded by the Society of Jesus, Fairfield University is a 4-year Jesuit institution in coastal Connecticut. Fairfield provides a liberal arts education and offers degrees in 44 academic majors as well as 16 interdisciplinary majors. As a Catholic...
The teachers focus on broadening your view and the extensive core forces you to study fields you would have never considered, but could decide major in.
” – Kristin from Martinsville, NJ
Founded in 1845 by the Baptist General Convention of Texas, Baylor University is a 4-year Christian institution and the oldest continuously-operating university in Texas. Baylor offers bachelor’s degrees in 128 academic fields of study. As a...
Perhaps my favorite thing about Baylor is the opportunity I have had as an honor student to have the interdisciplinary major called University Scholars. If you have high enough SAT's and enough AP classes and a good application essay, you can be...
” – Meaghan from Keller, TX
Texas Christian University is a Tier 1 University with higher research activity and rated as having a more selective admissions process. The TCU mission is "to educate individuals to think and act as ethical leaders and responsible citizens in the...
The professors here take their jobs very seriously, and most, if not all, are always willing to help you out. They're easy to approach if you have questions or concerns, and teach their classes so that you will actually learn something. There is a...
” – Lauren from Baytown, TX
Established in 1850, Illinois Wesleyan University is a 4-year liberal arts university in Bloomington, IL. IWU offers bachelor’s degrees in over 80 academic fields of study, as well as an optional May Term, a month-long experiential learning option...
The starting points for classes are well tailored to your high school work. I was placed onto the Analysis track based on my AP scores, but the new information I was acquiring was similar to my sociology class. I have never taken sociology before...
” – Nick from Lexington, IL
The University of San Diego is a private research university affiliated with the Roman Catholic church. USD offers 42 different bachelor's degrees and 54 minors, in addition to various study abroad programs, and more than half of the student body...
great academics
small class sizes will work with me (20-30)
professors care about their students
Gustavus Adolphus College is a private liberal arts college closely affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The school combines interdisciplinary and international programs into all areas of study. A majority of students...
The classes offered at Gustavus are well structured but also very fun and interesting. Most of the classes are based off of class participation which allows for students to give their opinions and ask questions even in the middle of a lecture....
” – Ashlie from Duluth, MN
Luther College is a destination for the active and actively involved. Located in northeast Iowa, with learning opportunities around the world, we encourage curiosity, community, and a commitment to the common good. The Luther curriculum emphasizes...
Almost every department takes pride and enjoyment in teaching students everything they came to learn as well as a good deal they did not sign up for. Most students are pleasantly surprised by the faculty's desire and success in challenging what we...
” – matt from Rochester, MN
With campuses three miles apart, the University of Minnesota Twin Cities is the flagship campus with locations in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Minnesota confers bachelor’s degrees in more than 150 academic majors and minors. In addition, the U of M is...
If you are willing to spend the time, the professors are more than willing to help you out. Some of the classes are hard and require after class work, but in the end it's all worth it. They don't restrict you on what you can / can't take. It's up to...
” – Donald from Norwood, MN
Originally founded as a school for math and science teachers, Stony Brook University is a 4-year public university on Long Island and part of the State University of New York system. Stony Brook is home to 12 schools and colleges conferring degrees...
Stony Brook offers a great, quality education for a state school price, however, getting a quality education depends primarily on the student. Many of the science and math based classes are quite large and are often held in huge lecture halls. Due...
” – Amamah from Huntington, NY
The University of Connecticut is a public research university that houses 14 schools and colleges, and more than 100 undergraduate majors. Centered around Horsebarn Hill, the university features a floriculture greenhouse, animal barns, and Dairy Bar...
The classes are very in depth. With the size of the classes, there isn't much one one one time with the professor, if any, so how much you learn depends completely on you. You can choose to stay on top of things on your own or you can utilize the...
” – Lilia from Willington, CT
The largest public university in New England, the University of Massachusetts-Amherst is the original campus in the UM System. UMass is a land-grant university with the “Highest Research Activity" and the U.S. News & World Report ranks the UMass...
For a great undergraduate education you don't need to spend tons of money, especially if you are planing to continue you education after undergrad. UMass Amherst has understanding professors, knowledgeable teaching assistants, award winning dining...
” – Naja from Millville, MA
Purdue University-West Lafayette is a public research university founded in 1869 and the main campus of the Purdue University System. Purdue is home to 11 colleges and schools including a nationally renowned School of Engineering conferring degrees...
I am studying in the school of science. My classes are challenging, and I am definitely learning from my professors. There are plenty of resources to get extra help here as well such as free help rooms or study sessions with teaching assistants.
” – Erika from Indiana
Pennsylvania State University, Penn State, is a land-, sea-, and space-grant university with a main campus in University Park. This public research institution was founded in 1855 and is one of the largest universities in the US by student body. Its...
Penn State is a first class University. Professors are both well informed and intriguing. Even the biggest lecture classes can seem like an engaging one on one meeting. The class listings also are very various and allow for much customization in...
” – Eric from Winburne, PA