Is a research university right for me?–

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.

Is an online college right for me?–

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.

Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Nursing Degrees

Q: Is a liberal arts college right for me?–

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.

Badge for BEST FOR NURSING LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGES

By Dr. James Barham

Published: Nov 8, 2021
Updated: Nov 27, 2023

The best nursing liberal arts colleges are those with rich histories of influence, proven through the work produced by the program’s faculty and alumni. Beyond demonstrating scholarly impact in the field, the best nursing degree programs maximize your opportunities to interact with outstanding nursing faculty.

Top 10 Liberal Arts Colleges Nursing Programs

University of Portland
Ashland University
Tuskegee University
Fairfield University
Dillard University
Jacksonville University
Hartwick College
University of Evansville
Webster University
Wagner College

Hunter College
San Francisco State University
Tuskegee University
Fairleigh Dickinson University
University of Portland
Manhattan College
Hope College
Wagner College
Webster University
Fairfield University

Alliance University 100%
Trinity Washington University 97%
San Francisco State University 94%
Radford University 93%
University of Portland 93%
Carlow University 93%
Dominican University of California 93%
Niagara University 90%
Fairleigh Dickinson University 84%
Manhattan College 82%

San Francisco State University 19 to 1
McKendree University 17 to 1
Alliance University 15 to 1
Hunter College 14 to 1
Wagner College 14 to 1
Dillard University 13 to 1
Jacksonville University 13 to 1
Fairleigh Dickinson University 13 to 1
Graceland University 13 to 1
Webster University 12 to 1

Fairfield University $54,455
University of Portland $51,812
Hartwick College $51,309
Wagner College $51,260
Dominican University of California $49,426
Manhattan College $48,658
Jacksonville University $43,670
University of Evansville $41,336
Hope College $38,370
Niagara University $37,180

University of Evansville $29,501
University of Portland $24,804
Wagner College $22,950
Manhattan College $21,420
Fairleigh Dickinson University $21,278
Carlow University $21,054
Tuskegee University $20,378
Fairfield University $20,034
Jacksonville University $16,293
Dominican University of California $16,272

Manhattan College
Hunter College
Carlow University
Fairleigh Dickinson University
Alliance University
Dominican University of California
Malone University
San Francisco State University
McKendree University
Hope College

Alliance University
Malone University
Graceland University
McKendree University
Carlow University
Dominican University of California
Trinity Washington University
Jacksonville University
Wesleyan College
Hartwick College

Tuskegee University 30%
Hunter College 48%
Fairfield University 52%
Webster University 55%
Jacksonville University 58%
Hartwick College 60%
Wesleyan College 67%
McKendree University 68%
Wagner College 69%
Ashland University 72%

Tuskegee University 7 to 1
Wesleyan College 7 to 1
University of Portland 9 to 1
Dominican University of California 9 to 1
Carlow University 10 to 1
University of Evansville 10 to 1
Hartwick College 10 to 1
Malone University 11 to 1
Ashland University 11 to 1
Hope College 11 to 1

San Francisco State University $5,742
Hunter College $6,930
Radford University $8,156
Dillard University $20,224
Tuskegee University $22,614
Ashland University $24,140
Trinity Washington University $25,610
Alliance University $27,500
Wesleyan College $27,650
Webster University $29,840

San Francisco State University $7,176
Ashland University $7,656
Radford University $9,182
McKendree University $9,450
Hunter College $11,090
Wesleyan College $11,573
Graceland University $11,688
Malone University $12,330
Webster University $12,600
Niagara University $14,040

Key Takeaways

The best liberal arts colleges for nursing degrees provide aspiring nursing professionals with world-class education and training in clinical settings. Didactic coursework complements hands-on experiences in clinics, hospitals and other healthcare facilities.
Nursing students in the best nursing programs prepare for successful careers in diverse occupations, from registered nurses to medical and health services managers. Career advancement in the nursing profession comes with financial rewards and professional fulfillment.
Academic rigor is the hallmark of the best nursing schools. Students can also pick from a host of academic pathways, from associate degrees and RN-BSN degree programs to doctoral programs.

Table of Contents

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.

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.

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

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:

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.

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.

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.

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.

How do we determine the best nursing liberal arts colleges?

Methodology

The people affiliated with a school are ultimately what make it great. This is why we rank the best colleges and universities based on what we call “Influence”.

The influence of a college or university is based on the schools’s top academic influencers related to the discipline in this ranking. We track the influence of faculty and alumni affiliate with these school counting not only the publications and citations of the school’s affiliated people, but we also consider the overall web presence of the faculty and alumni. The greater the citations, authority of web links, web searches, and page views, the greater the individuals’s influence. Those combined make up the departments’s influence in the field of study. We believe tracking the academic influence of the people affiliated with a school is the best indicator of academic excellence.

If you are serious about finding the best colleges and universities, you should be asking where the most influential professors are teaching, and whether their graduates themselves are advancing the school’s reputation for academic excellence. Most ranking sites rely on an opaque combination of reputation surveys and misused performance metrics. Influence, as measured by our InfluenceRanking engine, provides a ranking that is more insulated from manipulation, and more reflective of real-world educational outcomes.