Nursing sits at the heart of modern healthcare, shaping how patients are cared for, how outcomes improve, and how health systems run day to day. Where you study influences the clinical placements you complete, the faculty who mentor you, and the hospitals that recruit you after graduation. The schools below are consistently recognized among the best in the United States for nursing, known for their research output, simulation labs, and graduate licensure success. Here are the top 10 universities in the USA for nursing to consider in 2026.
1. Johns Hopkins University
The Johns Hopkins School of Nursing is widely regarded as one of the finest in the world, with deep strengths in evidence-based practice, public health nursing, and research. Its location within a leading academic medical center gives students access to world-class hospitals and faculty mentors.
2. University of Pennsylvania
Penn Nursing is consistently ranked at the very top of the country, known for pioneering nursing science, strong research funding, and a forward-thinking curriculum. Its integration with the Penn Medicine health system prepares graduates for a rapidly evolving profession.
3. Duke University
Duke’s School of Nursing is a leader in advanced practice education and translational research, with respected programs spanning the BSN, MSN, and DNP pathways. Its strong clinical partnerships and simulation facilities make it a standout in the field.
4. University of Washington
The University of Washington School of Nursing combines strong fundamentals with research in population health, health equity, and clinical practice. Its well-resourced labs and collaborative environment prepare students for a wide range of nursing careers.
5. University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
UCSF’s School of Nursing is known for its research strength and its leadership in nursing science alongside advanced clinical training. Its blend of science and practice gives students a well-rounded foundation for the profession.
6. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Michigan’s School of Nursing is highly respected for its research productivity and its strong undergraduate and graduate programs. Its ties to a major academic medical center give students valuable hands-on clinical experience.
7. Emory University
Emory’s Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing is one of the most respected in the country, with strong programs in acute care, public health nursing, and global health. Its extensive clinical partnerships across Atlanta give students broad practice experience.
8. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The UNC School of Nursing is known for excellent teaching alongside research in nursing science, health systems, and patient outcomes. Its graduates are highly valued by employers across hospital, community, and advanced practice settings.
9. University of Pittsburgh
Pitt’s School of Nursing combines a strong BSN program with robust research and access to a major medical center. Its collaborative, well-resourced environment supports students across many areas of nursing practice and science.
10. New York University (NYU)
NYU’s Rory Meyers College of Nursing rounds out the list with a long history of innovation in nursing education and research. Its location in New York City offers rich clinical and research opportunities across diverse patient populations.
How to choose the right nursing program
Look for CCNE- or ACEN-accredited programs, since accreditation is required to sit for the NCLEX licensure exam and practice as a registered nurse in the United States. Consider the practice areas that excite you most, whether that is acute care, public health, pediatrics, or advanced practice, and weigh clinical placement sites, faculty, cost after aid, NCLEX pass rates, and proximity to the health systems where you hope to work. If you are still mapping out your options, our guide to the top universities in the USA for pharmacy shows how program culture can vary across healthcare disciplines, and our top universities in the USA for electrical engineering guide offers another perspective. For independent data on programs and outcomes, the National Center for Education Statistics is a reliable resource.
Final thoughts on the top universities in the USA for nursing
Any of these ten universities can set you on the path to a rewarding nursing career in 2026, but your growth depends on how fully you engage with the clinical placements, simulation labs, and research community around you. Use this list to focus your search, then explore each program’s strengths and culture to find the one that best fits the nurse you want to become.