Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Nursing Degrees

Badge for BEST FOR NURSING LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGES

Key Takeaways

  • The best liberal arts colleges for nursing degrees provide aspiring nursing professionals with world-class education and training in clinical settings.
  • Nursing students in the best nursing programs prepare for successful careers in diverse occupations, from registered nurses to medical and health services managers.
  • Students can pick from a host of academic pathways, from associate degrees and RN-BSN degree programs to doctoral programs.

2025 Ranking Update

Our Influence Ranking Engine™ leverages machine learning to track the real-world influence of colleges and universities over time. Below you’ll see which schools gained or lost ground for the 2025 school year.

Several colleges made significant improvements to their programs for the 2025 school year, and jumped in our rankings of the best liberal arts colleges for nursing majors. Hunter College moved into the number 1 position, due in part to the addition of some new interdisciplinary programs that integrate technology and the arts, while also investing in upgrading their campus facilities.

San Francisco State University, our number 2 school, has introduced several new degrees in areas like artificial intelligence and climate science. They have also made significant upgrades to their campus infrastructure.

Manhattan College has launched a number of new programs in emerging fields like data science and sustainability studies, while also modernizing their campus. Likewise, Fairleigh-Dickinson Univerity has also launed new academic programs in high-demand fields like cybersecurity and global health.The school has also upgraded their campus facilities.

Featured Programs

A bachelor’s degree in nursing is an excellent starting point for a career providing care in an emergency room, mental health facility, or home healthcare setting. In fact, an undergraduate degree in nursing could qualify you to work in an extremely wide range of healthcare contexts.

As a nursing major, you’ll study the basic principles of care as well as medical ethics, anatomy, pathology, and more. You can also choose from a wide range of specializations in areas like rehabilitation, radiology, and anesthetics.

The best schools for nursing are those which are regionally accredited, which offer a full array of nursing concentrations, and which give you the chance to work with the best and most influential professors and classmates.

Degree popularity: Nursing bachelor’s degrees are the 3rd most popular undergraduate degrees across all student demographics. This degree ranks slightly higher for women at 2nd compared to 9th for men. Nursing is one of the few degrees that ranks among the top 10 most desired degrees for all demographics, and consistently in the top 3 for women, according to the number of degree earners reported by the National Center for Educational Statistics

Liberal Education Through the Nursing Degree

The best liberal arts colleges for nursing degrees encourage their nursing students to become passionate about lifelong learning. The nursing profession, after all, is an ever-evolving discipline, thanks to advancements in science and technology within the healthcare industry. Nursing programs must then evolve with the times, so to speak, if they are to remain relevant in the contemporary world.

Choice in Academic Paths

Prospective students interested in becoming nursing majors have three major academic pathways to choose from, namely:

  • A diploma in nursing, a short-term nursing program usually offered by hospitals and medical centers for working professionals who want a career shift or advancement in the nursing profession
  • An associate degree in nursing, which can either be an ASN or an ADN, with a two-year to three-year time-to-completion
  • A BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) with a four-year time-to-completion, on average

Regardless of the academic path chosen, nursing students must tackle didactic courses that include general education courses, core and required courses, and electives.

Nursing majors must also complete supervised clinical experiences, known as clinical internships, in clinics, hospitals, and other healthcare settings. Keep in mind that collegiate nursing education is among the most rigorous because of its healthcare emphasis.

The academic rigor starts with the admissions process, too! Prospective nursing majors must meet selective admissions criteria including:

  • A high school diploma or associate nursing degree with minimum cumulative GPA
  • Completion of prerequisite courses and minimum grade requirements
  • Official transcripts from schools attended
  • Satisfactory SAT/ACT scores
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Statement of purpose and other statements
  • Current curriculum vitae

Depending on the nursing school, personal interviews may be conducted to determine suitability of shortlisted applicants.

Challenges Faced By Nursing Majors

Once admitted into the best nursing programs, students must be in good physical and mental health to survive the rigors of collegiate nursing education! Every nursing program is designed to provide its students with the appropriate knowledge and skills vital for success in the nursing profession.

This means a combination of several aspects including but not limited to:

  • Lectures, readings, and assignments in nursing courses, most of which deal with complicated topics
  • Quizzes and major exams that test the students’ time management skills and study habits, as well as their intelligence and memorization skills
  • Clinical experiences that put the patience, perseverance, and patient-related skills of nursing majors to the test—and these don’t even include post-graduate training

Nursing majors often report about their stressful college life with limited time for other personal and professional commitments. The physical and mental demands can also take their toll. Indeed, nursing students must take good care of themselves first and foremost for this reason.

But the rewards that come with being a nursing professional make the sacrifices worthwhile! Nursing professionals can look forward to an excellent job outlook and employment opportunities in diverse occupations.

Rewarding career advancement opportunities await, too, particularly with specialized education and continuing professional development. Nursing majors can identify their specializations early on with choices like addiction nursing, cardiovascular nursing, and critical care nursing.

Frequently Asked Questions About Nursing Bachelor’s Degrees

This four-year degree will qualify you to work as a Registered Nurse, once you’ve successfully completed your National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), as well as any state-specific requirements. Though you can become an RN with an associate’s degree, a bachelor’s degree can elevate your candidacy for nursing leadership roles. Some healthcare settings may also offer support to nurses with associate’s degrees to enroll into RN-to-BSN degree programs.

As a registered nurse, you’ll get the chance to play a critical role in shaping and improving the treatment strategies and philosophies of care in use today. This means that leaders, researchers, and innovators in the field have a direct impact on our everyday experiences in the healthcare system. Today, top influencers in nursing are breaking new ground in Nurse Practitioner Programs, Primary Nursing, Oncology Nursing, and more.

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Nursing is a popular major because there is an extremely high demand for qualified and capable registered nurses. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the number of new positions in the nursing field is expected to grow at a rate of 7% by 2029, which is significantly faster than the average rate of growth for jobs across all fields. In addition to likely adding more than 220,000 jobs during that time, the nursing sector offers higher than average pay as well. The BLS reports that nurses earned a median salary of $73,300 in 2019.

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Once you’ve declared your major in nursing, you will likely be required to complete a set of core courses in a number of healthcare-related subject areas. While your concentration will give you a chance to choose from a wide range of highly-specialized nursing electives, there are several common courses that most nursing majors will be required to take, including:

  • Physiology
  • Nursing Fundamentals
  • Mental Health Counseling
  • Pharmacology
  • Community and Environmental Health
  • Clinical Nursing
  • Nursing Leadership
  • Gerontology
  • Women’s Health Issues
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Majoring in nursing can lead you into a wide variety of healthcare settings, and into any number of areas in clinical treatment, healthcare administration, or research. You have numerous options, and your degree program can help you hone in on the path that feels most suited to your skills and interests. As you consider career prospects, be sure that you know the degree requirements specific to your desired role. With the proper education and credentials, your nursing major can lead to a wide range of career opportunities, including these top jobs:

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Frequently Asked Questions About Research Universities, Liberal Arts Colleges, Online Colleges

In pursuing a bachelor’s degree, you will need to choose between three kinds of schools: research universities, liberal arts colleges, and online colleges.

Research universities are colleges and universities whose faculty are active in research and publishing. Research universities offer a wide array of doctoral programs, especially in the sciences. They tend to be big, with tens of thousands of students.

Do you prefer a larger university setting, such as largest public university in your state? Research universities are typically big, offering degrees in many different disciplines.

Is a big high-powered research environment the thing for you? If not, you should think about a liberal arts college. In deciding on an undergraduate institution, ask yourself what sort of environment will best help you to be happy and excel.

  • Consider whether you are self motivated enough to be a face in the crowd for some classes and largely unknown on campus at a large university. Of course you can find clubs and friends at a large university, but often liberal arts colleges have a more personal quality to them. If you want the community feel, a research university may not fit you well.
  • Are you interested in STEM fields? Research universities have that name for a reason – real research is happening there. This can create an exciting atmosphere for students interested in STEM. Attending a research university can give you a better chance of getting into better programs for graduate degrees, although a lot of that depends on your performance.
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Learn more about research universities by reading about the best research universities in the US.

Often referred to as “teaching colleges” liberal arts colleges put a premium on undergraduate studies and offers a broad range of subjects for students to study. A college of liberal arts typically provides smaller class sizes, more direct engagement with professors, and, most importantly, the opportunity to sample a wide range of subject areas on the way to a bachelor’s degree.

  • Do you want your professors to know you? Liberal arts colleges strive to cultivate campus cultures that encourage tight bonds between professors and students.
  • Professors at these schools will typically conduct original research. Yet the best of these schools offer their faculty reduced teaching loads so that they can both be productive researchers and still have plenty of time for students (both in and outside the classroom).

  • Do you want to feel like you know everybody? One of the most enticing features of a liberal arts college is that in very little time, you can feel like you know who’s who, which can create strong friendships and make walks across campus more fun. While your sports teams may never be on ESPN, it’s more likely that you’ll know the athletes as your peers.
  • Beyond student and faculty relationships, it’s not unusual for the school president and other administrators to learn who you are. When faced with problems with your student account or the need to switch classes, this can be comforting during a stressful moment.

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Learn more about liberal arts colleges by reading about the best liberal arts colleges in the US.

Online colleges are typically the same colleges and universities you could attend in-person, but for certain degree programs the college or unviersity has made the degree programs available to be completed online. For over 5 million students, online degree programs allow students to earn their degrees in the most flexible format available.

Online degrees are as respected as the on-campus degrees you could earn from the same schools. There’s usually no distinction between the two degrees, and your degree and transcript will not say that the degree was earned online.

Online degree programs are offered by a vast majority of colleges and universities, and the number of offering continues to grow. Whether you are searching for an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate, there’s a good chance you can earn your degree online from a respectable online college.

  • Are you a self-driven student? Perhaps the hardest aspect of obtaining an online degree is whether you will be disciplined enough to manage your time and course demands.
  • Many online students report that online college made them more disciplined in all areas of their lives, but the flexible, self-paced learning that makes online colleges attractive can often be the same qualities that make it difficult. If you tend to be a procrastinator, you need to be honest with yourself. You can change your habits and propensities, or you can throw money down the drain.

  • Do you need the flexibility of an online degree program? Most online students study online because of time demands of balancing work and life, or because the online college affords them the chance to attend a better school without moving.
  • If you are serious about earning your degree for career advancement, online colleges make it possible. The most flexible options among online degrees are those that are asynchronous, meaning you don’t have scheduled times to meet with your class online. However, many students seek synchronous online degree programs so that they have some structure – set meeting times, scheduled exams, etc.

  • The good news is that attending an online college doesn’t mean you will miss out on getting to know your professors and classmates. In fact, many online students who have experienced both online and on-campus courses report having easier access to their professors.
  • Since most communication with your professor is expected to be in text – via email or your class learning management system – it makes asking your questions easier. The same students also report that they got to better know the thoughts of their classmates. While in-person course conversations can be dominated by a few extroverts, online courses that require online discussions make it so that you see all of your classmates’ thoughts and questions.

If you’re interested in an online bachelor’s degree, check out what the best online colleges offer, or search our online degrees for the exact program that interests you. In either case, you will find well respected colleges and universities that offer online degrees.

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If you think a research university may be a better fit for you, see our ranking of the best research universities for a bachelor’s in nursing.

Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Nursing Degrees

  1. #1

    Hunter College

    New York , NY
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Acceptance

    48%

    Graduation

    56%

    Student body

    29K

    Career Outlook for Nursing degree at Hunter College

    Cost of Degree: $7,382
    Expenses: $18,076
    Starting Salary: $74,781
    Salary after 4 years: $80,746
    Cost Recoup Time: 7 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Hunter College Nursing Majors:

    • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
    • RN-to-BS
    • Accelerated Second-Degree Nursing Program (A2D)
    Source
  2. #2

    San Francisco State University

    San Francisco , CA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Acceptance

    94%

    Graduation

    55%

    Student body

    30K

    Career Outlook for Nursing degree at San Francisco State University

    Cost of Degree: $7,524
    Expenses: $21,601
    Starting Salary: $78,967
    Salary after 4 years: $85,267
    Cost Recoup Time: 8 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    SFSU Nursing Majors:

    • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
    • ADN-BSN
    • Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN A)
    Source
  3. #3

    Tuskegee University

    Tuskegee , AL
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $23K

    Acceptance

    30%

    Graduation

    67%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1092/21

    Career Outlook for Nursing degree at Tuskegee University

    Cost of Degree: $22,614
    Expenses: $19,310
    Starting Salary: $57,178
    Salary after 4 years: $62,471
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Tuskegee University Nursing Major :

    • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

    Related:

    • Health Sciences degree in Clinical/ Medical Laboratory Sciences,(CLS/ MLS)
    Source
  4. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $34K

    Acceptance

    84%

    Graduation

    51%

    Student body

    9K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1044/21

    Career Outlook for Nursing degree at Fairleigh Dickinson University

    Cost of Degree: $37,563
    Expenses: $21,986
    Starting Salary: $73,708
    Salary after 4 years: $80,531
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    FDU Nursing Majors:

    • BS Nursing
    • Accelerated BS Nursing
    • RN to BSN Nursing (with Associate Degree)
    • RN to BSN Nursing (without Associate Degree)

    Related:

    • BS Allied Health Technologies (Health Science concentration): completion degree (without associate degree)
    • BS Allied Health Technologies: Health Science Concentration: completion degree (with associate degree)
    • BS Allied Health Technology (Radiologic Technology concentration)
    • BS Biology DPT Physical Therapy
    • BS Clinical Laboratory Sciences
    • BS Health Information Management
    • BS Health Studies
    • BS Medical Imaging Science
    • BS Medical Technology
    • BS Radiologic Technology
    Source
  5. #5

    University of Portland

    Portland , OR
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $52K

    Acceptance

    93%

    Graduation

    79%

    Student body

    5K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1319/29

    Career Outlook for Nursing degree at University of Portland

    Cost of Degree: $51,812
    Expenses: $21,004
    Starting Salary: $84,683
    Salary after 4 years: $92,522
    Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    University of Portland Nursing Major:

    • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    • Bachelor of Science in Integrative Health and Wellness
    Source
  6. #6

    Manhattan College

    Riverdale , NY
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $49K

    Acceptance

    82%

    Graduation

    72%

    Student body

    4K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1235/26

    Career Outlook for Nursing degree at Manhattan College

    Cost of Degree: $48,658
    Expenses: $21,740
    Starting Salary: $95,928
    Salary after 4 years: $104,809
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    Source
  7. #7

    Hope College

    Holland , MI
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $38K

    Acceptance

    80%

    Graduation

    80%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1210/27

    Career Outlook for Nursing degree at Hope College

    Cost of Degree: $37,221
    Expenses: $14,840
    Starting Salary: $68,694
    Salary after 4 years: $75,054
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Hope College Nursing Major:

    • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
    Source
  8. #8

    Webster University

    Saint Louis , MO
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $30K

    Acceptance

    55%

    Graduation

    59%

    Student body

    9K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1170/23

    Career Outlook for Nursing degree at Webster University

    Cost of Degree: $29,840
    Expenses: $22,662
    Starting Salary: $64,901
    Salary after 4 years: $70,909
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Webster University Nursing Major:

    • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
    Source

    Webster University’s Online Degrees

    BA in Advertising And Marketing Communications
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Business Administration
    Degree Concentrations
    • Sports And Entertainment Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Legal Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Educational Psychology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Education
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Psychological Science
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Psychology
    Degree Concentrations
    • Mental Health
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Psychology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Psychology General
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  9. #10

    Wagner College

    Staten Island , NY

    Tuition + fees

    $51K

    Acceptance

    69%

    Graduation

    62%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1190/26

    Career Outlook for Nursing degree at Wagner College

    Cost of Degree: $51,260
    Expenses: $18,854
    Starting Salary: $87,663
    Salary after 4 years: $95,779
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Wagner College Nursing Majors:

    • Traditional Four-Year Nursing Program
    • Second Degree, 15 Month Program
    • RN-BS
    Source
  10. #11

    Ashland University

    Ashland , OH
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $24K

    Acceptance

    72%

    Graduation

    60%

    Student body

    6K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1161/23

    Career Outlook for Nursing degree at Ashland University

    Cost of Degree: $24,140
    Expenses: $14,948
    Starting Salary: $58,126
    Salary after 4 years: $63,507
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Ashland University Nursing Majors:

    • Traditional BSN
    • RN to BSN
    • Accelerated (Second Degree) BSN Program

    Related:

    • Nursing, Advanced Entry Program
    • Dietetics
    • Exercise Science
    • Athletic Training
    Source
  11. #13

    University of Evansville

    Evansville , IN
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $41K

    Acceptance

    76%

    Graduation

    65%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1172/24

    Career Outlook for Nursing degree at University of Evansville

    Cost of Degree: $41,336
    Expenses: $17,110
    Starting Salary: $66,120
    Salary after 4 years: $72,241
    Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    University of Evansville Nursing Majors:

    • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
    • RN-to-BSN
    Source
  12. #14

    Radford University

    Radford , VA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    93%

    Graduation

    54%

    Student body

    10K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1060/21

    Career Outlook for Nursing degree at Radford University

    Cost of Degree: $11,916
    Expenses: $15,147
    Starting Salary: $69,295
    Salary after 4 years: $74,823
    Cost Recoup Time: 8 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Radford University Nursing Majors:

    • Traditional BSN
    • Accelerated BSN
    • RN to BSN
    Source

    Radford University’s Online Degrees

    BBA in Business
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Emergency Services
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Healthcare Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Public Health
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  13. #15

    Niagara University

    Niagara University , NY
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $37K

    Acceptance

    90%

    Graduation

    72%

    Student body

    4K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1135/26

    Career Outlook for Nursing degree at Niagara University

    Cost of Degree: $37,180
    Expenses: $15,310
    Starting Salary: $61,378
    Salary after 4 years: $67,060
    Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Niagara University Nursing Majors:

    • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
    • Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Source
  14. #16

    Hartwick College

    Oneonta , NY

    Tuition + fees

    $51K

    Acceptance

    60%

    Graduation

    53%

    Student body

    1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1115/18

    Career Outlook for Nursing degree at Hartwick College

    Cost of Degree: $51,309
    Expenses: $15,428
    Starting Salary: $67,069
    Salary after 4 years: $73,278
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Hartwick College Nursing Majors:

    • Four-Year Nursing Degree Curriculum
    • Three-Year Nursing Degree Curriculum
    • Accelerated Summer Nursing Program
    • 18-Month Accelerated Nursing Program
    • Educational Mobility for Nurses
    Source
  15. #17

    Jacksonville University

    Jacksonville , FL
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $44K

    Acceptance

    58%

    Graduation

    53%

    Student body

    5K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1150/23

    Career Outlook for Nursing degree at Jacksonville University

    Cost of Degree: $43,520
    Expenses: $19,312
    Starting Salary: $77,366
    Salary after 4 years: $84,528
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Jacksonville University Nursing Majors:

    • Traditional BSN Program
    • Accelerated Second Degree BSN Program
    • RN-BSN Completion Track
    Source

    Jacksonville University’s Online Degrees

    BSN in RN to BSN
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  16. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $26K

    Acceptance

    97%

    Graduation

    38%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for Nursing degree at Trinity Washington University

    Cost of Degree: $25,610
    Expenses: $15,080
    Starting Salary: $58,397
    Salary after 4 years: $63,803
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Trinity Washington University Nursing Majors:

    • Bachelor of Science in Nursing-BSN (Pre-Licensure)
    • RN to BSN
    • Nursing, Second Degree (BSN)
    Source
  17. #19

    Wesleyan College

    Macon , GA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $28K

    Acceptance

    67%

    Graduation

    46%

    Student body

    <1K

    Career Outlook for Nursing degree at Wesleyan College

    Cost of Degree: $27,650
    Starting Salary: $50,945
    Salary after 4 years: $55,661
    What is Wesleyan College known for?

    Wesleyan College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Wesleyan College Nursing Major:

    • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
    Source

    Wesleyan College’s Online Degrees

    BA in Business
    Degree Concentrations
    • Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 114
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Business
    Degree Concentrations
    • Accounting
    • Required Credits: 120 30
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Social Science
    Degree Concentrations
    • Applied Psychology
    • Required Credits: 159
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  18. Tuition + fees

    $49K

    Acceptance

    93%

    Graduation

    79%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1162/24

    Career Outlook for Nursing degree at Dominican University of California

    Cost of Degree: $49,426
    Expenses: $19,763
    Starting Salary: $86,173
    Salary after 4 years: $94,151
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Dominican University of California known for?

    Dominican University of California’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    DUC Nursing Major:

    • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
    Source
  19. #21

    Graceland University

    Lamoni , IA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $32K

    Acceptance

    74%

    Graduation

    48%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for Nursing degree at Graceland University

    Cost of Degree: $31,970
    Expenses: $14,880
    Starting Salary: $54,468
    Salary after 4 years: $59,510
    Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Graceland University Nursing Majors:

    • RN to BSN
    • BSN-RN
    Source

    Graceland University’s Online Degrees

    BA in Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 141
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Nursing
    • Required Credits: 62
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Organizational Leadership
    • Required Credits: 108
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  20. #22

    Carlow University

    Pittsburgh , PA

    Tuition + fees

    $34K

    Acceptance

    93%

    Graduation

    56%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for Nursing degree at Carlow University

    Cost of Degree: $33,500
    Expenses: $16,496
    Starting Salary: $59,888
    Salary after 4 years: $65,432
    Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Carlow University known for?

    Carlow University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Carlow University Nursing Majors:

    • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
    • Nursing Major: Second Degree (BSN)
    • RN to BSN
    Source
  21. #23

    McKendree University

    Lebanon , IL
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $33K

    Acceptance

    68%

    Graduation

    55%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for Nursing degree at McKendree University

    Cost of Degree: $33,430
    Expenses: $15,300
    Starting Salary: $68,017
    Salary after 4 years: $74,314
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is McKendree University known for?

    McKendree University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    MCK Nursing Major:

    • RN to BSN
    Source

    McKendree University’s Online Degrees

    BBA in Accounting
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BBA in Business Administration
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BBA in Entrepreneurship
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BBA in Human Resource Management
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BBA in Management
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BBA in Sport Management
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BBA in Supply Chain Management And Logistics
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Computer Information Systems
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BBA in Cyber Defense
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Sociology/Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Nursing: RN to BSN
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  22. #24

    Alliance University

    New York , NY
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $28K

    Acceptance

    100%

    Graduation

    40%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for Nursing degree at Alliance University

    Cost of Degree: $27,500
    Expenses: $21,615
    Starting Salary: $63,275
    Salary after 4 years: $69,133
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Alliance University known for?

    Alliance University ’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Nyack College Nursing Major:

    • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
    Source

    Alliance University ’s Online Degrees

    BPS in Organizational Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Organizational Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  23. #25

    Malone University

    Canton , OH

    Tuition + fees

    $35K

    Acceptance

    78%

    Graduation

    51%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1066/20

    Career Outlook for Nursing degree at Malone University

    Cost of Degree: $34,875
    Expenses: $15,100
    Starting Salary: $65,172
    Salary after 4 years: $71,205
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Malone University known for?

    Malone University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Malone University Nursing Major:

    • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
    Source

Career Outlook for Students with Nursing Degree

Go to Degree Finder tool

Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse

Degree Level: Bachelor's

  • Location: The U.S. (Private Schools)
  • Avg. Cost of Degree*: $9,991
  • Avg. Expenses*: $16,335
  • Avg. Starting Salary*: $68,952
  • Avg. Salary after 4 Years*: $74,453
  • Avg. Cost Recoup Time**: 8 years
  • Job Growth: 5.92%
  • Number of Jobs: 3,258,400
  • * denotes ‘annually’
  • ** denotes ‘at 15% of annual salary’

Career Salaries

CareerJob GrowthAvg. Salary
Nurse Anesthetists8.91%$196,110
Nurse Midwives6.10%$122,416
Nurse Practitioners44.53%$116,373
Medical and Health Services Managers28.40%$103,928
Registered Nurses5.60%$78,969

Average Career Salaries

Bottom 10%MedianTop 10%
$68,100$96,148$126,864

Promising Job Markets

StateCost of LivingAvg. Salary
#2 Michigan15% higher than average$93,363
#3 Ohio14% higher than average$94,040
#4 Texas10% higher than average$97,405
#5 California26% higher than average$135,789
#6 Illinois7% higher than average$99,627

Top Industries

IndustryAvg. Salary
Nurse Anesthetists$196,110
Nurse Midwives$122,416
Nurse Practitioners$116,373

Go to all Liberal Arts Colleges for Nursing programs

The Best Nursing Schools in Your State

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Learn More About Nursing

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Did you know that there is a constant demand for well-qualified nurses? And as the healthcare sector continues to expand, the demand for nurses is expected to remain high. This makes nursing one of the best jobs of the future.

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