For our 2024 rankings, the research team at Nursing Schools Almanac collected data on nearly 3,000 nursing schools and campuses throughout the United States. We evaluated each school on three dimensions:
Our mission at Nursing Schools Almanac is to provide aspiring nurses a detailed, comprehensive, and analytical resource for selecting their future nursing school. An integral part of this effort is our annual rankings of the best nursing schools in the country.
To provide a complete view, we collected a wealth of data on nearly 3,000 nursing schools and campuses nationwide. We then assessed each of these institutions on three critical dimensions.
For our 2024 rankings, the research team at Nursing Schools Almanac collected data on nearly 3,000 nursing schools and campuses throughout the United States. More than 1,800 of the institutions surveyed were public, including community and technical colleges, four-year colleges, and universities. We evaluated each school on three dimensions:
For our 2024 rankings, the research team at Nursing Schools Almanac collected data on nearly 3,000 nursing schools and campuses throughout the United States. More than 1,100 of the institutions surveyed were private, including vocational and career schools, liberal arts colleges, and universities. We evaluated each school on three dimensions:
For our 2024 rankings, the research team at Nursing Schools Almanac collected data on nearly 3,000 nursing schools and campuses throughout the United States. We included the following states within our New England rankings: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. We evaluated each nursing school in the region on three dimensions:
Search for nursing schools and programs in your state:
Las Cruces, New Mexico, is home to more than 2,000 nursing professionals. Some of the most common roles are registered nurse (RN), licensed practical nurse (LPN), and certified nursing assistant (CNA). Most Las Cruces-based nurses earned their degree or certificate at a local college or university. The region’s top nursing schools include New Mexico State University, Doña Ana Community College, and Computer Career Center. Collectively, these institutions offer nursing programs at all levels.
With more than 450,000 nursing professionals, California has the largest population of nurses in the United States. They are among the highest-paid professionals in the healthcare industry, with advanced nursing roles commanding $180,000 or more per year. Compensation for Lancaster-based nurses is particularly impressive. For example, the city’s certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) earn an average annual salary of $183,470, while its nurse practitioners (NPs) take home $122,120 per year.
Lake Charles, Louisiana, is home to 1,800 registered nurses (RNs), 1,220 certified nursing assistants (CNAs), 1,200 licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and more than 100 nurse practitioners (NPs). Depending on the role, education requirements can range from a brief certificate or diploma program to a graduate-level master of science in nursing (MSN) or doctor of nursing practice (DNP). Fortunately, the nursing schools in the Lake Charles metropolitan area offer programs at all levels.
To secure a nursing position in Kissimmee, Florida, you will need a certificate, diploma, or degree in your chosen nursing role. The most common nursing roles in Florida are registered nurse (RN), licensed practical nurse (LPN), and certified nursing assistant (CNA).
The metropolitan area of Kingsport, Tennessee, is home to more than 5,000 nurses. These healthcare professionals fill a number of critical frontline roles. Registered nurses (RNs) make up the largest population of nurses in Kingsport, followed by certified nursing assistants (CNAs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs).
The city of Joplin, Missouri, is home to 220 nurse practitioners (NPs), 2,080 registered nurses (RNs), 450 licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and 820 certified nursing assistants (CNAs). Many nurses in the metropolitan area earned their degree or certificate at a nearby college or university. One of the best local options is Missouri Southern State University. The school’s bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) students recently posted a 100% first-time pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).
Healthcare is one of the three largest industries in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. The metropolitan area is home to 1,660 registered nurses (RNs), 500 licensed practical nurses (LPNs), 730 certified nursing assistants (CNAs), and 50 certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs). Johnstown is also home to one of the top accredited nursing schools in the region: the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. The Pitt-Johnstown Nursing and Health Sciences Division offers a top-ranked bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) and an RN-to-BSN bridge program.
Johnson City, Tennessee, is home to 2,700 registered nurses (RNs), 1,120 licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and 1,560 certified nursing assistants (CNAs). Many of these healthcare professionals earned their diploma, certificate, or degree at a local college or university. The metropolitan area has several options, including East Tennessee State University (ETSU), Milligan College, and Tennessee College of Applied Technology’s Elizabethton campus.
The Jackson, Tennessee, metropolitan area is home to nearly 4,000 nursing professionals. Several of the most common roles are nurse practitioner (NP), registered nurse (RN), licensed practical nurse (LPN), and certified nursing assistant (CNA).
The Huntington-Ashland metropolitan area is home to more than 8,000 nursing professionals. Most nurses in this metro area earned their degree or certificate at a local college or university. The region is full of top-notch nursing schools, including Kentucky Christian University, St. Mary’s School of Nursing, Marshall University, Ohio University Southern, and Ashland Community & Technical College. Collectively, these schools offer nursing programs at all degree and certificate levels.