Last Updated on October 1, 2026
Quick answer: The best undergraduate nursing schools offer a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with early clinical placements, modern simulation labs, and high NCLEX-RN pass rates. Leading options include the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Michigan, UNC Chapel Hill, Emory, and NYU. A BSN prepares you to become a registered nurse and pursue advanced degrees.
A Guide to the Best Undergraduate Nursing Programs
You may be a student who has known your entire life that nursing is the career path for you. Or, you may have done volunteer work with nurses more recently and discovered you want to pursue a career in the field. Regardless of how your aspirations arose, you’re here because you don’t want to wait until after you graduate college to get started on your nursing career. You’re probably wondering which are the best undergraduate nursing schools in the country.
Studying nursing during undergrad is a possibility if you’re a driven and compassionate person with a solid interest in patient care. Students who’ve chosen nursing as a major follow a set curriculum leading to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). After graduation, they may obtain a license and begin working as a nurse. So, how do you sort through the various options available to find the right school for you? To help with your research and applications, I have outlined the best undergraduate nursing programs in the US, what makes them unique, what you can do with a BSN, and application tips to help you gain an edge in admissions.
BSN vs. Associate Degree in Nursing
A BSN is a four-year program for students who want to become registered nurses. With a BSN, graduates may also pursue advanced degrees such as a master’s or doctorate to move into leadership or specialist roles.
Compared to a two-year associate’s degree, a BSN opens more doors. Many entry-level jobs now prefer or require a bachelor’s degree. As a result, BSN graduates often have more career options and advance more quickly. [1] A BSN also makes the transition to graduate-level nursing education much smoother.
What Are the Best Undergraduate Nursing Schools?
Although many universities offer graduate-level nursing, fewer provide solid undergraduate programs. Below is a list of highly regarded institutions in the US that offer undergraduate BSN degrees. If you are also weighing medicine, our overview of the best colleges for pre-med students is a helpful comparison. The list also includes the universities’ locations so you can plan a campus visit as part of your decision process.
20 of the Best Undergraduate Nursing Schools in the US
| School | Location |
|---|---|
| Duke University (Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program for students who already hold an undergraduate degree) | Durham, NC |
| University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill | Chapel Hill, NC |
| University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia, PA |
| Emory University | Atlanta, GA |
| Ohio State University | Columbus, OH |
| University of Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh, PA |
| University of Washington | Seattle, WA |
| University of Michigan, Ann Arbor | Ann Arbor, MI |
| Case Western Reserve University | Cleveland, OH |
| University of Alabama, Birmingham | Birmingham, AL |
| University of Virginia | Charlottesville, VA |
| New York University | New York, NY |
| Rutgers University, Newark | Newark, NJ |
| University of Illinois, Chicago | Chicago, IL |
| University of California, Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA |
| University of Iowa | Iowa City, IA |
| University of Maryland, Baltimore | Baltimore, MD |
| University of Texas, Austin | Austin, TX |
| Rush University | Chicago, IL |
| University of Tennessee, Knoxville | Knoxville, TN |
How to Evaluate Nursing Programs
Some of these schools may surprise you. You might expect to see UPenn and NYU, but schools like Rush University, the University of Maryland, and the University of Illinois, Chicago are also at the top of the list. Therefore, look beyond a school’s overall reputation, since a university’s name and the quality of its nursing program are two different things. If you’re committed to nursing, focus on the quality of the program itself.
When applying through the Common App, UC Application, or ApplyTexas, you must select the nursing program as your undergraduate choice. This selection signals to admissions officers that you are a nursing applicant, and they will review your application accordingly.
What to Look for in the Best Undergraduate Nursing Schools
Rankings are a useful starting point, but the right program for you depends on details you can compare yourself. As you research, look closely at these factors:
- Accreditation: Confirm that the BSN program is accredited, most often by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
- NCLEX-RN pass rates: Every graduate must pass the NCLEX-RN to become licensed, and most programs publish their first-time pass rates.
- Clinical placements: Ask when clinical rotations begin and which hospitals and community sites the program partners with.
- Admission pathway: Some schools admit you directly to nursing as a first-year student, while others use a pre-nursing track that requires a second application after one or two years.
- Simulation and research: Simulation labs and faculty research let you practice skills and explore specialties before graduation.
Direct admission deserves extra attention. At a direct-admit school, you know from the start that you have a seat in the nursing program, as long as you meet its academic standards. At a school with a separate progression step, plan for a second round of review and keep your science grades high from your first semester.
What Makes Each of the Best Undergraduate Nursing Programs Unique?
Each program on the list provides hands-on experiences such as dosage calculations, pharmacology, maternal and newborn care, medical-surgical nursing, acute care, and psychiatric nursing. In addition, they teach essential skills like collaboration, stress management, and research.
Unique Opportunities at Top Programs
| School | Unique Opportunities |
|---|---|
| Duke University | Accelerated BSN program for students with a prior bachelor’s degree; Clinical placements at Duke University Health System; Two-week immersion abroad with diverse populations |
| University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill | Access to a biobehavioral lab; Education-Innovation-Simulation-Learning-Environment (EISLE); Hillman Scholars Program to complete BSN and PhD in five years or less |
| University of Pennsylvania | Dual degree in Nursing and Health Care Management; Access to two teaching hospitals; Four research centers under the Office of Nursing Research |
| Ohio State University | Pre-nursing track; Access to 22 research labs and three centers; Community Health Workers program supporting Columbus residents |
| University of Michigan, Ann Arbor | Admission as freshmen or transfers; Opportunities at centers for health disparities and chronic disease; Global Health minor available |
| Case Western Reserve University | Clinical placements start first month of first year; Partnerships with Cleveland Clinic, VA, and MetroHealth; Senior Capstone Project on health care and policy |
| New York University | Courses across NYU schools; Global Initiatives programs in 15 countries; Innovation centers such as the Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing |
| Rutgers University, Newark | 200+ affiliated clinical sites; Simulation labs for real-world training; Out-of-Hospital Residency program and service learning abroad |
What Can You Do With an Undergraduate Nursing Degree?
Graduates of BSN programs have a wide variety of career options. [2] According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, employers prefer new nurses with baccalaureate preparation for their skills in critical thinking, leadership, case management, and health promotion. [3] Some of the most common include:
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Hospital administration: Work in healthcare management with limited patient responsibilities.
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Nursing education: Teach future nurses and design training programs.
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Healthcare research: Study diseases, test treatments, and collaborate with medical teams.
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Non-profit organizations: Use your nursing skills in service-oriented roles or NGOs.
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Public health and policy: Work in government, law, or insurance on health-related issues.
Application Tips for Undergraduate Nursing Programs
How can you get noticed in the admissions process? Here are three key strategies:
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Maintain solid academics: Nursing is STEM-heavy. Take AP Bio, AP Chem, and other rigorous courses to show readiness.
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Pursue relevant extracurriculars: Go beyond the science club. Volunteer at clinics, start initiatives, or do local research.
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Maximize supplemental essays: Use essay prompts to explain why nursing matters to you and why a specific program is a good fit.
Example prompts include:
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Penn: Every applicant answers a school-specific prompt for the undergraduate school they choose, so nursing applicants write about their plans at Penn Nursing, along with shared prompts such as “How will you explore community at Penn?” [4]
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Other schools: Look for any nursing-specific question and use it to describe the experiences that confirmed your interest in patient care.
Your activities matter as much as your coursework. Clinical volunteering, shadowing a nurse, earning a CNA or first aid certification where your state allows it, and health-related research all show that you understand what nursing involves. Our guide to getting clinical experience offers ideas that apply to nursing applicants too, and our list of medical summer programs for high school students includes options for exploring health careers early.
Finally, apply to a balanced list. Because nursing programs often have fewer seats than the university as a whole, include a range of direct-admit and pre-nursing options so you have several good choices.
Finding the Best Undergraduate Nursing Program for You
The best undergraduate nursing programs combine rigorous academics with hands-on clinical experiences. By choosing the right school, you’ll prepare not just for your first nursing role but also for future leadership, education, or research opportunities. Research your options carefully, highlight your interest in your application, and you’ll be ready to start a successful career in nursing.
Get Ready for Nursing Admissions
Getting into a top BSN program requires more than high grades. Admissions officers want to see clear motivation, relevant experiences, and a compelling story. Our admissions experts can help you refine your application, highlight your commitment to patient care, and get noticed at competitive programs.
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