MAJOR GUIDE
Best Colleges for Nursing (2026)
Best colleges for nursing (BSN). Penn, Johns Hopkins, Duke, and 15+ top nursing programs compared by NCLEX pass rates, clinical placements, and specialization options.
Top Colleges for Nursing
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA · 5.4% acceptance rate · Private
SAT: 1500-1570 · GPA: 3.9 · 9,870 undergrads
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD · 7.5% acceptance rate · Private
SAT: 1510-1560 · GPA: 3.93 · 6,040 undergrads
Duke University
Durham, NC · 6.2% acceptance rate · Private
SAT: 1490-1570 · GPA: 4.13 · 6,680 undergrads
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI · 17.7% acceptance rate · Public
SAT: 1340-1530 · GPA: 3.9 · 32,600 undergrads
Emory University
Atlanta, GA · 11% acceptance rate · Private
SAT: 1430-1530 · GPA: 3.78 · 7,100 undergrads
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA · 43% acceptance rate · Public
SAT: 1240-1410 · GPA: 3.96 · 19,300 undergrads
Ohio State University
Columbus, OH · 53% acceptance rate · Public
SAT: 1230-1420 · GPA: 3.73 · 46,800 undergrads
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC · 17% acceptance rate · Public
SAT: 1350-1510 · GPA: 4.39 · 19,770 undergrads
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA · 16.6% acceptance rate · Public
SAT: 1370-1510 · GPA: 4.32 · 17,500 undergrads
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL · 23% acceptance rate · Public
SAT: 1330-1480 · GPA: 4.4 · 35,500 undergrads
Career Paths for Nursing Majors
Registered Nurse (RN)
Nurse Practitioner (NP)
Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Nursing Educator
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best nursing school in the US?
Penn's School of Nursing and Johns Hopkins are consistently ranked #1 and #2. Duke, Michigan, and Emory round out the top 5.
Written by AdmitPath team
Rankings based on IPEDS data, program reputation, and career outcome metrics. Last updated June 2026.
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